Stories and videos of extraordinary lives

The city that loves the car was slow to pay for parking

Meters gobbling a nickel an hour made their first appearance in 1949.

Women starting to make waves in skimboarding

The rough-and-tumble sport was born in Laguna Beach more than half a century ago, and men have long dominated. In June, the inaugural professional world championship for women will be held in Laguna.

Police fatally shoot unarmed man in Koreatown

Steven Eugene Washington, 27, didn't respond to commands and seemed to reach for a gun, officers say. Relatives say he had a learning disability and was generally afraid of strangers.

An ex-Marine can run for us

A young man who lost a limb in Iraq has found a new way to help his adopted country.

Hundreds call police about Alcala's photo collection

Families of people missing for decades want to learn if there are ties to the convicted murderer.

In Van Nuys, 'Gene's Garden' is a hidden gem

'It's the best-kept secret for 25 years,' says Gene Greene, who has long overseen the lush 61/2-acre Japanese Garden on the campus of the sprawling Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.

Anti-illegal billboard effort scores victories in Hollywood

Eight of the oversize supergraphics have come down in three weeks, a shift in a dispute that had been marked largely by stalemate in recent years.

Puente Hills fault system could set off a devastating quake

It is a broad, rectangular area 25 miles long and 15 miles wide that stretches from near Whittier to downtown L.A. Seismologists say it's capable of producing a magnitude 7.5 temblor.

California to keep closer watch on sex offenders

After criticism over high-profile lapses, state parole officials issue new rules that increase monitoring of sex offenders.

L.A. County Sheriff's Department ordered to name deputies in three killings

Superior Court judge rules that California confidentiality law does not bar disclosure of such information.

Brian the dog's musings sound a bit like psychobabble

Psychic Dana Miller prepared a manuscript of her conversation with a missing Maltese. But the voice resembles a clairvoyant more than a canine.

Anna Nicole Smith's estate is dealt a setback

A federal appeals court sides with a Texas jury in ruling that the model's billionaire husband, J. Howard Marshall II, never meant to leave her his fortune.

Scientists' report only intensifies delta debate

The panel's finding that federal protections of smelt and salmon are scientifically justified, but that factors other than pumping could also contribute to their decline, fuels both sides.

Site of Venice West Cafe, Beat Generation hangout, designated city landmark

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved a new city landmark -- a Venice building that from 1958 to 1966 was a hangout for Beat Generation pioneers.