What's in millennials' wallets? Fewer credit cards

Boom-bust cycles leave the millennial generation more wary of credit card debt and more prone to thrifty lifestyles.

Stolen-artifacts case has cost much, yielded little, critics say

No museum officials or collectors involved in the Southern California probe have been indicted, and no seized objects have been returned to their countries.

Spending in L.A. mayor's race breaks records

By Saturday, the expenditures had exceeded $33 million, with outside money playing a dominant role heading into Tuesday's election. The biggest single donor is Working Californians, a pro-Greuel "super PAC."

Wendy Greuel, Eric Garcetti dash across L.A. to shore up support

The controller appears in South L.A. with Magic Johnson and Rep. Maxine Waters. The councilman, who leads in a new poll, warns workers not to take victory for granted.

W Hollywood penthouses: All the glitz, none of the grit

For those who will live in the posh abodes, there'll be no need ever to come in contact with the grungier realities of Hollywood.

Oakland police struggle to rebuild — using fewer resources

'Working smarter' and reorganization can go only so far. It's not clear that the public is ready to make the investment.

Mayor candidates on transportation: innovation vs. tried and true

L.A. mayor candidates Garcetti and Greuel have similar track records on city transportation problems, but there are a few notable differences.

Little attention paid to race in huge community college district

Incumbent Nancy Pearlman is being challenged for her L.A. Community College seat by David Vela, a political aide, in a low-profile race. The candidates have sharply different profiles.

Do we love L.A.? We don't always vote like it

The weather should be nice (what else?) for Tuesday's municipal election, so roll out of bed and start humming Randy Newman. Maybe we'll hit 25% turnout.

Garcetti's lead over Greuel at 7 percentage points in mayoral race

Latest survey also shows 11% of likely voters still undecided, meaning the dynamics of the race could still shift before Tuesday's runoff.

Analyst disputes Brown's budget outlook as too glum

Legislature's advisor sees $3 billion more in revenue, which could hamper the governor's bid to curb spending.

Democrats seeking office have their eye on Sacramento

Lawmakers and candidates are increasingly feeling they can accomplish more at the state level than in Washington, where many would be serving in the minority.

USC made its offer to neuroscientists a no-brainer

The school's 'all hands on deck' effort to lure Arthur Toga and Paul Thompson from UCLA included money and the prospect of new collaborations, as well as less tangible personal perks.

Ex-Compton fire official charged with arson, theft

Marcel Melanson, once considered a charismatic department hero, pleads not guilty to stealing expensive radios while a battalion chief and denies setting a fire to cover up the theft.

St. John's picks Providence Health & Services in bidding war

Owner of the landmark Santa Monica hospital has started negotiations with the Catholic chain after weighing multiple offers, including those by UCLA and local billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong.

Troubled youths deserve more effective discipline than suspension

There is no simple fix for disruptive behavior, but we owe it to struggling students to focus on ways to keep them in the classroom, not shut out of it.

Labor group won't back away from campaign mailer

Mailer to Latino voters urges support for Wendy Greuel because she 'will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour,' but Greuel does not back that minimum pay level for all workers.

Nearly $2 million raised in council's 1st District runoff

Business and labor groups have helped push spending on the Cedillo-Gardea race to more than four times that of previous campaigns in the small district near downtown.

Political savvy vs. education skills in L.A. school board runoff

Antonio Sanchez, 31, has the former, which has helped him attract big support from labor, while Monica Ratliff, 43, has the latter, making her the favorite of educators.

2 leaders in L.A.'s 6th council district race are women

Looking to replace Tony Cardenas in the Valley are two strongly backed veteran public officials: LAUSD's Nury Martinez and DWP's Cindy Montañez.

Navy dolphins discover rare old torpedo off Coronado

Two trained dolphins surprise Navy specialists with their find: a Howell torpedo, state-of-the-art for its day in the late 19th century. It's only the second one known to exist.

Body of missing O.C. woman found; roommate held

Officials say that remains found near Modjeska Canyon are those of Maribel Ramos, who vanished May 3. Kwang Chol 'KC' Joy is being held in her death.

Students raised in foster system honored for completing college

A luncheon in Little Tokyo brought together about 30 foster children -- students from Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, UCLA and L.A. City College -- to celebrate their graduations.

Federal judge lifts LAPD consent decree

The order ends oversight imposed in 2001, mostly over the Rampart scandal, which involved abuse of suspects, evidence tampering and perjury.

L.A. mayor's race result may be unknown for weeks after election

Mail-in ballots, the apparent tightness of the race and the peculiarities of the City Clerk's counting procedures open the possibility of a delayed outcome.

Facing walkout, UC medical centers canceling elective surgeries

Hospitals in San Diego, Irvine, L.A., San Francisco and Davis take action in face of a possible strike next week by patient care and technical workers.

Greuel cites high-profile role as an executive at DreamWorks SKG

The candidate's position at DreamWorks was about more than making movies — she was a go-between for the studio to the political, governmental and civic worlds.

Villaraigosa denounces mayoral ads aimed at Latinos

The mayor says TV spots for Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel by independent supporters make 'outrageous claims' and are 'out of line.'

In L.A. council race, rivals still battling over failed sales tax hike

In multiple mailers sent to voters in the 13th council district, candidate John Choi contends that rival Mitch O'Farrell backed laying off '500 cops.' Farrell counters: 'That's a lie.'

In low-profile race, Zine and Galperin have a feisty final debate

The candidates for city controller hammer an insider-versus-outsider theme. Zine is a longtime L.A. official; Galperin is the only candidate for citywide office 'who has not been an elected official.'

Recognition for a reserved WWII vet

Tokuji Yoshihashi served with one of three highly decorated all-Japanese American units that overcame the enemy abroad and prejudice at home.

California bills on firearms, violence clear hurdles

Legislation passed by the Senate includes a measure requiring gun owners to keep firearms locked up if they live with someone prohibited by law from using guns.

12 L.A. area campuses lock down after threatening call

A Santa Monica College student, 19, is arrested after police identify him as the person who called 911 saying he was going to 'shoot up' a campus.

Bakersfield protest targets deputies' fatal beating of man

About a dozen protesters gather at the Kern County Superior Court building on behalf of victim David Sal Silva. The FBI is investigating Silva's death.

Forecast for L.A.'s mayor race: paltry turnout

In a city with more than 2 million eligible voters, roughly 400,000 may cast ballots in Tuesday's election. The low turnout is in keeping with historical trends.

Lawmakers test Brown's no-tax resolve with calls to hike levies

Democrats who control the Legislature have proposed about 20 tax and fee measures affecting such things as soda, cigarettes, plastic bags and bullets.

Jerry Brown urges UC to stress graduating students in 4 years

The California governor addresses UC regents. He recently proposed giving UC and Cal State more money if they boost graduation rates 10% by 2017.

Trial opens for 'female James Bond' in model's death

Prosecution links Kelly Soo Park, whose DNA was allegedly found at the crime scene, to victim's ex-boyfriend Dr. Munir Uwaydah.

Attack ads in L.A. mayor's race seek Latino votes

One spot links candidate Wendy Greuel to former Gov. Pete Wilson, who backed Prop. 187, while another accuses rival Eric Garcetti of masquerading as a Latino.

Billboard companies playing big role in L.A. city election

The firms, which want new rules allowing them to install more digital billboards, are donating thousands of dollars worth of signs to promote city candidates.

Father and son sentenced to prison for rhino horn trafficking

Vinh Chuong 'Jimmy' Kha and Felix Kha are sentenced to 42 and 46 months in prison, respectively, for selling hundreds of pounds of rhino horns.

In new era, Brown has the clout to corral Legislature

As budget-negotiating season opens, the governor is preaching 'prudence, not exuberance,' and he holds the strongest hand.

Seven Montebello-area gang members arrested in cold case killings

Montebello police and federal agents target the Southside Montebello gang in an effort to clear up dozens of unsolved, gang-related homicides.

Brother, 12, appears in court on murder charge in Leila Fowler case

The boy is accused of fatally stabbing his sister, Leila Fowler, 8, at their Valley Springs, Calif., home. The boy did not enter a plea.

Phones to be further examined for video of Bakersfield man's fatal beating

The FBI returns two cellphones seized in the investigation of the death of David Silva, who was beaten by Kern County deputies.

UC Irvine probes hate incident involving racist note

UC Irvine's chancellor pledges to find and discipline whoever slipped the note into a black female student's backpack. The student found the note on May 7.

Angelina Jolie's choice is clear to one who faced it

Her decision makes sense to others who've been there. We want to end the constant fear, and we don't want our children to suffer the same loss we have.

Gov. Jerry Brown unveils cautious budget for deficit-free state

The governor says California's financial condition remains unstable despite a surge in revenue. Only schools will get a substantial boost beyond his January budget.

FBI to probe fatal beating by Kern County deputies

The sheriff requests federal assistance amid charges of tampering with video of assault captured on cellphones.

L.A. school board keeps classroom breakfast program

With more money coming from the state, the panel also agrees to pay for more school police and keep supplemental staff at schools. But the financial picture is called still 'precarious.'

L.A. Unified bans suspension for 'willful defiance'

Zero tolerance policies adopted after Columbine lower achievement and disproportionately affect African Americans, supporters say.

Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti lay sniping aside

The L.A. mayoral candidates venture into education, both supporting an LAUSD breakfast program and both opposing a suspension policy.

You name it, Eric Garcetti has done it

At a Westwood pizza parlor, L.A. mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti — who is George Plimpton, Bono and 'Seinfeld's' Mr. Peterman all rolled into one — finds common ground with students.

Choi and O'Farrell in contentious battle for council seat

The 13th District candidates agree on many issues but are locked in a bitter campaign with heavy spending by independent labor groups.

Veterans home-loan bond money going untapped

More than $1.1 billion in bonds approved by voters for the purpose remain unsold. Agencies that help vets say the money is desperately needed for other services that the current program is not allowed to pay for.

Tattered flags in West L.A. anger veteran

Army vet Robert Rosebrock had 100 street-light banners put up near the VA's Medical Center last year. Since then, he and the firm that installed the banners have been fighting over replacing them.