Stories and videos of extraordinary lives

L.A. County's handling of mudslide warnings is questioned

Officials defend their decision not to evacuate before mud damaged dozens of homes early Saturday. But their actions stand in stark contrast to the frequent warnings issued during last month's storms.

California budget crisis' teachable moment

The budget crunch at Cal State is getting so bad, it's forcing some young people to think about a future without a college education. But some students won't sit idly by.

Sheen charged in alleged Christmas Day assault on wife in Aspen

His wife said that Sheen had pinned her to a bed and held a knife to her throat. He faces up to three years in prison. On Monday, a judge modified a protective order barring him from seeing her.

D.A. launches inquiry into Carson mayor's use of a mute button

Mayor Jim Dear reportedly shuts speakers' microphones down with a before their allotted three minutes are up. 'It's a very unique complaint,' a district attorney's official says.

California leads U.S. in animal protection, Humane Society says

The state scores 45 out of 65 points for laws on product testing, animal fighting and restrictions on keeping certain creatures as pets. New Jersey, Colorado, Maine and Massachusetts also score high.

Gang interventionist gunned down after confronting tagger

Ronald Lamonte Barron, 40, a former gang member who was among Los Angeles' most trusted gang intervention workers, was fatally shot on Pico Boulevard in front of 'numerous witnesses.'

Chinese-born engineer gets 15 years in spying for China

Dongfan 'Greg' Chung, who worked with Boeing and Rockwell International, was accused of providing information on the space shuttle and Delta IV rocket.

Suspect in San Diego firebombings arrested in Riverside County

After allegedly tossing incendiary devices at five targets, the suspect leads authorities on a freeway chase until stopped by a spike strip. No injuries were reported in the incidents.

Bike footrests aren't weapons, state Supreme Court says

Ruling comes in the case of a youth convicted of carrying a metal cylinder as a weapon.

Michael Jackson's doctor was much admired but financially strapped

Household staff and clinic patients describe Dr. Conrad Murray as kind, benevolent and accessible; court files show a man drowning in debt, facing foreclosure, with multiple child support obligations.

Risks are seen in L.A.'s plan to privatize parking structures

A rushed bidding deadline could lead to undervaluing the leases. Some also caution that depleting the emergency reserve would increase future borrowing costs.

VA is prodded to give more aid to female vets

With more women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, some advocates say, more services are needed.

Fiorina and DeVore appeal for the women's vote

Both speak to the Federation of Republican Women as they prepare for the GOP primary and the chance to run against Sen. Barbara Boxer in the fall.

La Cañada Flintridge digs out as a new storm nears

Residents are told to stay on alert as more rain is forecast for Tuesday evening. About 1,000 workers were out Sunday, carting mud and other debris to disposal areas in the foothills.

For UC's Commission on the Future, nothing is off the table

With California's public university system shackled to a shrinking budget, a group of chancellors, students and others considers ideas -- from banal to radical -- to keep quality up and costs down.