Low turnout in Orange County Assembly race rekindles debate on mail-only voting

Just 4% of registered voters in the 72nd District went to precincts to fill Mike Duvall's old seat. Another 14% sent in ballots.

California's budget woes will continue for years, report says

Tax receipts have leveled off, but revenue won't bounce back until the 2014-15 budget year, according to the chief budget analyst. Near term, the state faces a nearly $21-billion deficit.

Group tied to DWP employees union sues L.A. Ethics Commission to block fundraising limit

A 1985 local law bars political committees from accepting contributions of more than $500 if the group plans to use that money to make an independent expenditure for a city candidate.

Proposed water bond is laden with sweeteners for lawmakers

More than $1 billion in an $11-billion measure to provide clean water will go toward pet projects. Opponents worry that discredited ideas could be revived.

California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion

The legislative budget analyst's projection, to be released Wednesday, threatens to send Sacramento back into gridlock and force more broad cuts to state programs.

Chris Norby is first but faces runoff in 72nd Assembly District

The Orange County supervisor jumped to an early lead but fell short of the majority vote needed to win Mike Duvall's old seat.

L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now

Supervisors approve health initiatives to improve the county's chances of receiving federal stimulus funds, but vote against a proposal to discourage the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

West Hollywood's medical marijuana success story

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

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.

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.

Splitting California down the middle

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

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

Governor submits plan to cut prison population

But he also disavows the proposed solutions as being illegal.

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.

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.

San Francisco board overrides mayor's veto of sanctuary expansion

It upholds an ordinance barring local authorities from turning juvenile illegal immigrants over to the federal government unless guilty of a felony.