Cold feet on red clay

Georgia has passed one of the most far-reaching anti-illegal immigration bills in the country, and although it hasn’t taken effect yet, the law apparently is having an impact: Latinos aren’t as interested in buying homes in the state as they used to be.

One Atlanta-area real estate agent who works with Latino customers says calls to her office have fallen from about 10 a day to two. Other agents tell of clients backing out of deals or considering doing so.

The law doesn’t prevent illegal immigrants from owning homes, but it’s causing Latinos -- including those who are legal U.S. residents -- to wonder whether they want to live in Georgia.

The law’s sponsor, a state lawmaker from the Atlanta area, says he’s “very satisfied” that it seems to be prompting some illegal immigrants to consider leaving Georgia. “If someone is here illegally,” he says, “buying a house would probably not be a wise investment.” Page A4

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Crushed smokes at the beach

It’s getting tougher to use the beach as an ashtray in Southern California. Nineteen cities have outlawed smoking on the sand, and several have banned it on piers as well. As of next month, only three areas in Los Angeles County will allow smoking.

It represents a sea change from previous anti-smoking efforts, because, for one thing, the bans involve outdoor areas rather than indoor spaces. Also, when the cities proposed their laws, no one really objected.

“I was expecting the tobacco companies to come in, maybe the chamber of commerce or some convention and visitors’ bureau in the area,” says a lawmaker in Solana Beach, the San Diego-area city that in 2003 crafted the state’s first ban on beach smoking. “But when this came before us, there was no negative comment. No one spoke against the ordinance.” Page B1

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A side effect from teachers’ strike

An ongoing teachers’ strike in the Mexican state of Oaxaca has some officials wondering whether the region will be able to hold balloting July 2 in the nation’s presidential election.

Teachers, who complain about political favoritism determining promotions, are demanding raises and say the state’s governor should be ousted. Thousands of teachers have occupied the main plaza of Oaxaca City since mid-May, and an effort to force them to move last week turned violent; at least 66 people were injured.

Now a federal election commissioner says the ongoing dispute casts doubt on whether the election can go forward in the state. Page A9

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More cars than the 405 at 5 p.m.

The animated comedy “Cars” wins the Hollywood box-office derby for the second weekend in a row, and a film about street racers, “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift,” debuts in third place. Page C2

NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne comes up a winner, too, taking the checkered flag at the Nextel Cup race in Brooklyn, Mich., even though his radiator overheated and he languished in 38th place at one point. Page D2

And if you think the government ought to impose tougher fuel economy standards on cars and trucks, you have a surprising new ally: the president of ConocoPhillips, the world’s fifth-largest oil company. Page C1

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Putting grunion in the spotlight

The grunion are only trying to mate, but that requires them to “run” out of the ocean and onto the sand, and that public display of affection has made the little fish part of Southland lore. Some college students are trying to learn more about grunion, but their quest means dodging moonlit strollers and the dreaded “fish kickers.” Page B4

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HEALTH

Turning to a kinder cut

A surgical scar once was a badge of courage, but the scalpel is quickly being replaced by less-invasive instruments and techniques. In only 20 years, the technology has advanced to where minimally invasive surgery can even be used against diseases such as cancer. Page F1

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When love hurts so bad

For some unfortunate souls, sex feels like a dull throbbing that morphs into a raging headache with orgasm.

Hardly a turn-on -- though one study suggests that young adult migraine sufferers report higher levels of sexual desire than their un-pained counterparts. What’s more, the study’s author says, “They were aware of the fact that their levels were higher.”

All the research and study gives a poignant new meaning to a lament that’s probably as old as relationships themselves: “Not now, honey -- I’ve got a headache.” Page F1

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Will work for peaches

It’s more than a lovely gesture when companies supply workers with low-calorie, low-fat snacks. Benefits experts say it’s an up-and-coming corporate trend, and it has to do with -- you guessed it -- the growing cost of healthcare. Just as changes in workplace policies have had a dramatic effect on smokers, so too could they affect the junk-food gobblers within our cubicle communities, shaming them into more healthful choices.

Some company cafeterias even offer discounts on low-fat fare. Which brings up yet another chestnut: If you can’t beat ‘em, bribe ‘em. Page F1

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Say what? Come again?

Were you listening? Did you, the plugged-in generation, hear about the damages of excessive iPod use? Well, a new study says that the ability of American adults to hear is about the same today as it was 35 years ago.

Also of interest, the study found differences in acoustical acuity among the races (darker-skinned folks tend to hear better), and between the genders (yes, she did hear you say that).

So although the world seems to be getting louder, it doesn’t seem to be affecting us. Or maybe hearing loss is gradual, and ear buds just haven’t reached critical mass. Page F2

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BUSINESS

CalPERS looks at cutting benefits

The way healthcare costs are rising, even economies of scale offer precious few economies. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is the state’s largest buyer of health insurance, but now it sees trimming benefits for hundreds of thousands of its members as the only way to rein in costs.

“It doesn’t matter what your buying power is,” says one insurance industry veteran. “CalPERS is not immune to the main driver of healthcare costs.” Page C1

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Ahoy, matey, a tweaked ride

Despite the objections of some purists, Disneyland is overhauling its Pirates of the Caribbean ride to fit better with the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies spawned by the ride.

Got that?

When the ride reopens June 26, it will include characters and music from the first two movies in the series. Page C1

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SPORTS

Fullerton gets the right bounce

Remember the film “The Natural,” where the big homer smashed stadium lights and showered the field with sparks? Cal State Fullerton performed a similar feat Sunday at the College World Series, except the big hit smashed only a worm, an ant and a team of Yellow Jackets.

An infield chopper with two out in the ninth propelled the Titans to a 7-5 win over Georgia Tech. Fullerton Coach George Horton called it “the best 90-foot hit I’ve ever seen.” Page D7

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ON LATIMES.COM

Matches made in Hollywood

Screen teams: Twelve years after “Speed” hit the big screen, Sandra and Keanu are together again in “The Lake House.” Inspired by the belated rematch, we look at some other movie pairings who are taking their time about getting together again. From Woody and Mia to Jesse and Arnold, see our list of film couples you’re not likely to see heating up the multiplex together any time soon. At latimes.com/entertainment

The dining path: If you’re done with the weekend’s West magazine restaurant issue, see our expanded restaurant reviews, photos and a comprehensive list of vintage restaurants. Where’s the hot place to dine? What are other readers saying? Browse around and share your ideas at latimes.com/restaurantguide

School me: Bob Sipchen’s Adventures in Education continues. Join in the Los Angeles Times’ new online forum for discussion of education issues. Talk online with the paper’s education reporters and editors.latimes.com/schoolme

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CALENDAR

Bubbly for broadcasters

Forget Baghdad and Sacramento and the latest high-speed chase: The big news in the newsroom at KCBS-TV Channel 2 earlier this month was that the 11 p.m. broadcast was top dog in the ratings for the first time in at least 30 years.

The achievement didn’t escape the higher-ups. In fact, the highest of them -- CBS President and CEO Les Moonves -- dropped by the Hollywood newsroom to uncork some champagne and offer congratulations.

“It was the shaking of a curse,” said longtime L.A. weatherman Johnny Mountain, a relatively recent emigre from KABC-TV Channel 7. “You don’t want to use the word euphoric -- I can’t spell that word -- but people here are on cloud nine.” Page E1

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A litter of angry letters

Columnist Al Martinez has learned this lesson the hard way: Don’t tease the cat owners.

In a previous dispatch he expressed reluctance to have his cat, Ernie, neutered. That prompted angry e-mails and phone calls, even though Martinez says he didn’t intend “to challenge the apparently deep moral convictions of animal activists whose primary concern is whether or not America’s male cats have testicles.”

Someone told him that a pair of breeding cats could produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period, and Martinez writes that when Ernie was apprised of those figures, “He smiled.”

But now a decision on Ernie’s future has been made -- and is he still smiling? Page E5

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THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY

Mayor heads to capital

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa scoots up to Sacramento to try to save his plan to take over the city’s public schools. Warned by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez that some fellow lawmakers were becoming wary of his takeover plan, Villaraigosa plans to lobby the Democrats. Many have concerns about diminishing the elected school board’s authority and pushing through a change without more extensive debate.

MONDAY

Closings in Hussein trial

The long-lasting trial of Saddam Hussein is drawing to a close. Today and Tuesday, prosecutors are scheduled to present their closing arguments. Then the trial will recess again to allow defense lawyers to prepare their closing arguments. A verdict from the judge could come as early as July. In this case, Hussein and seven members of his regime are being tried for their alleged roles in the massacre of 148 people from a Shiite village.

TUESDAY

Bush leaves for Europe summit

President Bush and his wife fly to Vienna, where the president will attend a meeting with the leaders of the European Union on Wednesday that will focus on efforts to counter Iran’s nuclear program and on the war in Iraq and terrorism. On Thursday, he will be in Budapest, Hungary, a late addition to the trip that will allow the president to mark the approaching anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution against Soviet domination in 1956.

THURSDAY

Curtain rises on L.A. film festival

The 12th edition of the Los Angeles Film Festival takes over much of Westwood (and other Los Angeles locales) for 11 days of screenings, awards, celebrity parties, filmmaker talks and more. “The Devil Wears Prada,” based upon the novel of the same name, will open the festival, which includes more than 250 films and shorts. Attendance is expected to top 80,000. The festival is produced by Film Independent.