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Ray Manzarek dies at 74; keyboardist for the Doors

By Randy Lewis, Los Angeles Times — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:29:00 PDT

Manzarek, who was influenced by John Coltrane, added a jazz component to the band's rock sound and filled the role of bassist. The band charted 15 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 starting in 1967.

When the Doors were still a fledgling quartet, and the band members were honing their chops playing five sets a night at the London Fog club in Hollywood, it wasn't rock stardom on keyboardist Ray Manzarek's mind as he and his three band mates laid down an extended jam for their debut album that ran more than seven minutes.

Supreme Court to revisit church-state separation

By David G. Savage, Washington Bureau — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:42:00 PDT

Justices will decide whether a town council violates the 1st Amendment by opening its monthly meetings with a Christian prayer.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has agreed to revisit the issue of church-state separation and decide whether a town council can begin most of its monthly meetings with a prayer from a Christian pastor.

Mile-wide tornado flattens school, homes near Oklahoma City

From the Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:01:00 PDT

There are no reported deaths so far amid rubble and fire in suburban Moore, Okla.

MOORE, Okla. — A monstrous tornado as much as a mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods, setting buildings on fire and landing a direct blow on an elementary school.

USC made its offer to neuroscientists a no-brainer

By Larry Gordon and Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

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.

The courtship that has riveted the neuroscience world blossomed at a Saturday night dinner in a tony Brentwood restaurant.

Labor group won't back away from campaign mailer

By David Zahniser, Laura J. Nelson and Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:37:00 PDT

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.

The most powerful labor organization in Los Angeles refused Friday to back away from a campaign mailer in which it urges voters to support Wendy Greuel for mayor because she "will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour."

Ex-Compton fire official charged with arson, theft

By Abby Sewell, Angel Jennings and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:56:00 PDT

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.

Marcel Melanson was a hero in Compton.

Democrats seeking office have their eye on Sacramento

By Mark Z. Barabak and Richard Simon, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:39:00 PDT

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.

WASHINGTON — Early this year, Leticia Perez and her husband flew here for a whirlwind 48 hours. The couple dined at the Italian Embassy, visited the Lincoln Memorial and joined the crowd on the National Mall watching as President Obama was inaugurated for a second term.

In Mexico, immigrants' relatives watch U.S. debate, and hope

By Richard Fausset, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:59:00 PDT

Many are skeptical that Congress will pass immigration reform legislation, but if it happens, they say, it will mean the reunion of countless family members, some separated for 20 years.

TONATICO, Mexico — Armando Guadarrama was navigating his taxi through the narrow streets of this central Mexico pueblo on a recent Saturday morning, some 2,000 miles from the Beltway.

Analyst disputes Brown's budget outlook as too glum

By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:27:00 PDT

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

SACRAMENTO — California's financial picture is much brighter than Gov. Jerry Brown suggested in his latest spending plan, according to the Legislature's top budget advisor, who said the state will have $3.2 billion more at its disposal than the governor estimated.

California's unemployment rate drops to 9%

By Alana Semuels — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:37:00 PDT

California’s pace of job creation slowed in April, as employers added 10,300 jobs in April, nevertheless pushing the state’s unemployment rate down to 9% from 9.4% the month before.