After decades of waiting, their trains have arrived

A sense of kinship and progress in East Los Angeles as riders and residents celebrate the opening of the Gold Line extension. The area had long been among the most transit-dependent yet underserved.

State cuts give private colleges an edge

Some campuses are luring students away from UC and Cal State schools with grants and assurances.

Water still divides the state

California's biggest statewide problem is -- and always has been -- how to share water. But it's really a local issue.

West Hollywood's medical marijuana success story

The small city enforces a strict ordinance and eliminates the drama that plagues L.A.

Stars lined up for new audio Bible

Michael York, Richard Dreyfuss, Jason Alexander and hundreds of others lent their voices to quite a creation: a 79-CD, elaborate audio portrayal of the Old and New Testaments.

New Silver Lake library designed with community in mind

The sleek, eco-friendly structure fits in with the neighborhood's historic architecture and hip demographic.

Slaying underscores experts' difficulty in handling domestic violence cases

LAPD officers had offered Flor Medrano a range of options to ensure her protection from a suspected abuser, but she refused and returned home. That evening, she was stabbed to death.

Inglewood art studio tour a stroke of genius

The event, in its third year, is helping art fans to discover the city's somewhat obscure scene -- and its artists to find one another.

Cal Poly Pomona discloses online security breach

Personal information on up to 355 applicants to the school in 2003, including Social Security numbers, was potentially accessible online until recently, the school says.

An epiphany, and an evolving philosophy of policing

Chief-designate Charlie Beck has been with the LAPD more than 30 years -- and learned from what he calls the department's 'dark days.' He hopes his ideas will infiltrate the very fiber of his officers

Zuma Jay's righteous choice: clean water

The incoming mayor of Malibu says it's time to replace the septic tanks that are fouling the Malibu coast.

Which is the best way west for L.A.'s subway?

Wilshire or West Hollywood? As a subway extension draws closer to reality, the debate over the route intensifies.

Two worlds on one campus

The adversarial aura remains as students at Daniel Pearl journalism magnet high school and Birmingham charter high school settle into their new, segregated arrangement.

Two GOP rivals vie for dominance in race to replace Mike Duvall

Linda Ackerman and Chris Norby appear to be front-runners among five candidates in Tuesday's 72nd Assembly District election. A majority vote for either would avoid a runoff, but that's unlikely.

Funeral held for Melody Ross, teenager shot after high school football game

Friends, family and dignitaries pay tribute to the Long Beach girl.

Splitting California down the middle

The real political rift, a Times/USC poll reveals, is between east and west.

Early Oscars are presented to 4 honorees

The 2009 Governors Awards are given to actress Lauren Bacall, 85; producer-director-writer Roger Corman, 83; and cinematographer Gordon Willis, 78.

'Twilight' fans descend on Westwood for 'New Moon' premiere

A line is already snaking from Mann's Village and Bruin theaters as Twi-hards queue, most hoping for a glimpse of Robert Pattinson.

These traffic reporters do their work on the fly

Airborne reporters are still a big part of freeway commutes, but the job isn't as colorful as when the 'Ladybirds,' Cal Worthington and Max Schumacher were patrolling the skies.

Public rides free Sunday on Gold Line Eastside rail extension

The $898-million project is lauded at formal dedication ceremonies. The six-mile route goes from downtown L.A. through Boyle Heights and into East Los Angeles.

Young conservative activist Hannah Giles speaks in Santa Barbara

The 20-year-old who rocked ACORN with a series of secret videos addresses college students about guerrilla warfare.

A rude awakening for youths out too late

O.C. authorities round up teenagers and call their parents to stress curfew enforcement.

U.S. Forest Service blames steep terrain for Station fire's spread

But the inquiry into the blaze fails to address key questions about the agency's actions on Day 2.

Hillside residents fear more mudslides

Six foothill homes in in La Cañada Flintridge are damaged after a surprise downpour triggers a debris flow.

Metrolink board chooses to delay decision on proposed 6% fare hike

After receiving protests from thousands of riders, board members opted to review a range of possible alternatives to the ticket price increase.

L.A. submits new draft ordinance on medical marijuana

The latest version from the city attorney's office raises the idea of capping the number of dispensaries by council district. It also clarifies that edible marijuana products will be allowed.

A warm farewell to the chief

Pasadena's Bernard Melekian is moving to Washington, D.C., to become the national face of community policing.

73-year-old man is arrested in L.A. vandalism

Sheriff's deputies say they saw the suspect posting 'Who is John Scott?' stickers in a downtown subway station. They say he is the oldest alleged street vandal ever captured.

Protesting truckers snarl traffic on 710 Freeway and in downtown L.A.

Blasting their horns while driving past City Hall, more than 400 big-rig drivers try to draw attention to new environmental rules that they say threaten their livelihoods.

Schwarzenegger to address policy forum in Jerusalem

Governor will speak at Saban Center before heading to Iraq, aide says.

Federal judge criticized for handling of claimants' assets

Manuel L. Real was entrusted with $33.8 million meant for victims of the late Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos. A federal appeals court calls his accounting 'curious.'

D.A. calls Phillip Garrido a 'master manipulator'

El Dorado County's chief prosecutor responds to three letters that the man accused of kidnapping and raping Jaycee Lee Dugard sent from jail to a Sacramento television station.

Bones may solve mystery of missing Death Valley tourists

Rental van was found with four flat tires, but searchers never located four German visitors who disappeared in 1996.

San Jacinto councilman says his colleagues stonewalled him

Steve Di Memmo, the only council member to avoid indictment in a corruption probe this week, says the other councilmen shut him out because he 'wouldn't play the game.'

L.A. Unified asks union to OK four furlough days this year

To offset a budget shortfall of almost $500 million, Cortines also wants a 12% pay cut in the future.

Schwarzenegger quietly quashed effort to improve commuter rails

The governor ordered officials to seek federal money only for the proposed bullet train between San Francisco and San Diego. Rail advocates say the commuter line upgrades should take priority.

For many ill with the flu, staying home isn't an option

Workers without paid sick leave are often penalized for absences. Congress plans to consider legislation next week that would guarantee workers paid sick time.

Cindy Crawford, husband are allegedly targets of extortion attempt

Federal authorities accuse Edis 'Eddie' Kayalar, a German national, of demanding $100,000 from the couple in exchange for a photo of their young daughter gagged and tied to a chair.

Sky diver dies in Murrieta after record-setting jump

The Boston man, 40, apparently hit the tail of a twin-engine plane as he jumped out the door and plunged several thousand feet to his death, crashing into a residential lot.

The Gold Line opens Sunday

The six-mile light-rail extension, which cost $898 million, will open Sunday with free rides and entertainment.

Legal battle over land use engulfs Portuguese Bend

The area on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has spectacular ocean views but also a history of landslides. Some residents are suing to block construction on the site.

Man eludes police to kill woman

Police suspect the assailant climbed in a back window as they watched over her Mid-City apartment.

Discord brews over new Larchmont cafe

Tables and chairs at the Bungalow, pitched as a takeout eatery, aren't sitting well with the district's residents.

Governor submits plan to cut prison population

But he also disavows the proposed solutions as being illegal.

Groups sue to block Tejon Ranch development

They say the development of a 5,000-acre resort community in the Tehachapi Mountains would endanger the California condor, degrade air quality and add traffic to Interstate 5.

4 of 5 San Jacinto council members indicted in corruption probe

Charges include money laundering, bribery, fraud, perjury, conspiracy and filing false federal documents, prosecutors said.

California officials find no evidence of mass desecration at Jewish cemetery

A class-action lawsuit had been filed against Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills alleging the disturbances of graves. The plaintiffs's attorney calls the state's investigation 'shoddy.'

At 84, Art Laboe's an oldie but still a goodie

After more than 50 years on the radio, the disc jockey is still going strong, playing sentimental songs and taking dedications. His deep, soothing voice is cherished by his Latino listeners.

Service members bridge gap between mosque and military

It's never been easy for Muslims in the military, but as their ranks grow, the armed forces become more accommodating and families more accepting.

Law group launches program to help veterans

Public Counsel will offer the free service throughout Southern California and in more than 25 states, and will provide free legal representation in court as well as for administrative proceedings.

Superintendent who helped save Mt. Wilson Observatory is raising funds to preserve it

As the Station fire raged, Dave Jurasevich slept at the facility, working with firefighters to protect the site. Now he's seeking donations for repairs and to improve fire protection there.

California could get up to $700 million in U.S. education funds

Guidelines for the Race to the Top money for states will be released Thursday. State legislators will have to scurry to make the application deadline.

Public colleges get high marks among Californians, poll finds

UC, CSU and community college campuses are well-regarded despite recent furloughs and reduced class offerings. Yet only 41% of those surveyed would support higher taxes to offset budget cuts.

The Jerry Brown tapes: Never a dull moment

Transcripts of phone interviews with reporters show the once-and-possibly-future governor is as outspoken as ever. For a politics columnist, they make for fascinating, if somewhat guilty, reading.

Service providers take issue with census of L.A. homeless

They say the recent report finding a 38% drop in the county's homeless population does not jibe with what they're seeing. They worry the report could cause a drop in much-needed fundraising.

Suspect sought in acid attack on South L.A. woman

The LAPD asks the public for help in finding a man who allegedly raped, stabbed and beat his girlfriend on Halloween, pouring acid on her face and body to 'teach her a lesson.'

Palm Springs man charged in military-uniform case expected to surrender

Steve Burton, who never served in the military, is accused of wearing medals he did not earn. The charge is a misdemeanor.

LAPD seeks help in capturing 'Left-Handed Eyeglass Bandit'

Police are seeking a man who has wielded a small-caliber revolver with his left hand during holdups of more than a dozen sandwich and retail shops in South L.A. in the last few weeks.

Work to begin on a far more modest Orange County Great Park

The amount of land to be developed in the short term is reduced from 500 acres to 225 acres, and the number of soccer fields is trimmed from six to three. A lake plan is also shelved.

San Bernardino County declares swine flu emergency

Local officials hope that by declaring an emergency, they will be first in line for vaccines and other resources when available. But other counties and the state long ago made the same declarations.

Hollywood Spider-Man impersonator caught in legal web

Cops are called when the superhero character allegedly hits a man. When officers arrive, they find four possible suspects. Zeroing in on the culprit, they arrest him on outstanding warrants.

Boxer Mike Tyson is arrested after altercation at LAX

The former heavyweight champion alleges a paparazzo struck him in an apparent attempt to provoke him. The photographer says the former fighter hit him in the face.

Man pleads guilty to 2005 death of motorcyclist in crash

Youn Lee was driving under the influence of alcohol when he hit the 55 Freeway center divider. Ryan Dallas Cook rear-ended Lee's vehicle and was killed. Lee then fled to South Korea.

Panel backs no-fishing zones off Southern California coast

At an emotional meeting, a state panel imposes the landmark restrictions to help restore species, catches of which have dropped up to 95%. The plan was forged out of contentious negotiations.

Death penalty is considered a boon by some California inmates

Given the state moratorium on executions and an appeals process that can last for decades, inmates can expect to live a long time, and with privileges other prisoners lack.