L.A. City Council redistricting discussions turn nasty

Old rivalries resurface, fraud is alleged and activists renew their efforts as the deadline nears for approving a new high-stakes map of City Council districts.

Mormon Church apologizes for posthumous baptisms

The parents of Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal received the rite, which was also sought for relatives of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Critics note that Mormons agreed in 1995 to stop baptizing Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Cracking down on parking meter cheaters

They use disabled-driver placards that they don't deserve. But thanks to the LAPD and DOT, some of them get the hefty fines they really do deserve.

Guard arrested on suspicion of smuggling cocaine into jail

The L.A. County sheriff's jailer allegedly had planned to sell it to inmates. The arrest is the latest in a series over internal affairs investigations into the lucrative drug trade behind bars.

O.C. union backs deputy who killed unarmed Marine

Deputies union says the Feb. 7 shooting of Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins prevented his two daughters from being harmed.

L.A. County supervisors respond to Frisbee fine furor

Erroneous reports that L.A. County had enacted a $1,000 fine for playing football and Frisbee on beaches flashed around the world and brought protests. The panel ordered staff to rewrite the rules to make them more clear.

El Segundo fires manager who sought higher taxes on Chevron

El Segundo gave Doug Willmore no reason for his termination but he suspects retaliation.

Deputy in Mel Gibson rant case settles suit against L.A. County

Deputy James Mee had alleged that his supervisors retaliated against him for resisting requests to remove the actor's anti-Semitic slurs from an initial arrest report.

LAPD's vehicle impound reforms put on hold

The Police Commission delays a final vote on new rules on the impounding of unlicensed drivers' vehicles after a nonpartisan state agency issues a report questioning the legality of the plan.

Gold Line backers reach accord with Monrovia landowner

The construction authority overseeing the rail project's extension from Pasadena to Azusa will pay the property owner $24 million to settle six suits over the price of 4.8 acres needed for a maintenance yard.

Rape charges won't be refiled against Contra Costa County prosecutor

A judge had dismissed sexual assault charges against the sex crimes prosecutor accused of raping a colleague during their lunch hour.

Hugh Hefner's son arrested in Playboy Playmate assault

The 2011 Playmate of the Year has sought a temporary restraining order against Hugh Hefner's son, who was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

Nonprofits fear money in center's care vanished

About 200 small California groups may have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in donated funds.

California's political watchdog panel eases its approach to ethics issues

The Fair Political Practices Commission has eased restrictions on gifts to lawmakers, called fewer open meetings and stopped notifying the public of pending investigations. Some good-government advocates are angry.

Sheriff's Department may revise policy on jail duty for deputies

Deputies who spend their entire careers working in lockups could be promoted to chief under a new fast-track proposal. But a recent survey finds that 80% of jail supervisors would not want to continue the duty.

Bullet train gets White House backing on funds

The Obama administration asks Congress for $35 billion in passenger rail funding over five years as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urges California to overcome opposition to project

Activists press council to ease truancy fines

Rally at Van Nuys City Hall urges lawmakers to revise policy allowing LAPD to cite students who are late to school. The ACLU says the law unfairly targets Latinos, blacks and low-income students.

Obama health chief visits L.A. clinic, announces plan to help students

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, on a visit to Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center, announces more than $9 million in funding to help medical students repay school loans if they agree to work in underserved areas.

Simi Valley residents urge city leaders to address drug deaths

Hundreds coalesce at a City Council meeting in the wake of a cluster of overdose deaths.

Couple get 18 months in prison for harboring illegal immigrants

Maximino and Melinda Morales are sentenced for their role in helping Filipino workers obtain fraudulent visas and for making them work in substandard conditions caring for elderly patients in Paso Robles, Calif.