Political stakes are high for 405 closure

This weekend's 'Carmageddon' could be a public relations fiasco or a home run, depending on whether drivers heed the advice of officials. Press conferences, social media and freeway signs have all played a part in getting the word out.

Jaycee Lee Dugard book: Chilling memoirs of years in captivity

Jaycee Lee Dugard's book chronicles her growth from victim to survivor, from terror to strength. It also is an indictment of the parole system and a meditation on loneliness.

Los Angeles' bond rating downgraded

Moody's Investor Service dropped the city's bond rating by one notch to reflect a modest revenue forecast and mounting employee costs.

Still pitching peanuts at Dodger Stadium

Just shy of 80, Ronnie Nelsen has been a Dodgers vendor for 53 years, focusing mainly on peanuts. An inspiration to teammates and fans, he hasn't missed a home game in nine years.

Wife arrested in penis-severing case; life sentence possible

Catherine Kieu Becker, 48, of Garden Grove is accused of lacing her husband's dinner with drugs and then cutting off his penis with a kitchen knife. The couple were divorcing, police say.

80 years of history on rye at Canter's

Landmark deli celebrates its birthday by rolling back prices with an 80-cent sandwich.

TV producer ordered extradited to face charges in wife's murder

A federal judge finds probable cause that former 'Survivor' producer Bruce Beresford-Redman was involved in his wife's death. Monica Beresford-Redman was found in a sewage tank in Cancun, Mexico.

Tightened borders force immigrant smugglers to take risky sea routes

Guard troops and customs authorities arrest 14 suspected illegal immigrants after their boat overturns in heavy surf, two days after a group of 15 were found stranded on Santa Cruz Island.

Santa Ana man deported in connection with 1982 Guatemala massacre

Pedro Pimentel Rios is accused of being part of an elite Guatemalan army unit that murdered at least 160 villagers — including nearly 70 children under age 12.

Serious crimes continue historic drop, LAPD says

Violent crimes decline nearly 10% in first half of year, with homicides down by 8%. But assaults on police officers by suspects using deadly weapons are up 50%.

L.A. County supervisors raise questions about parolee idea

Sheriff Lee Baca wants his department, rather than the Probation Department, to assume responsibility for thousands of low-level parolees by year's end.

L.A. Unified drops two charter schools

A principal implicated in a cheating scandal was hired by the organization brought in to manage the campuses. The district says that violated a specific directive against such a move.

Redistricting panel cancels second draft of legislative maps

Citizens commission charged with drawing legislative districts says the move will allow it to focus on the final draft, but interest groups say the action limits their chance for feedback.

Voters to choose Rep. Jane Harman's successor Tuesday

The race between Democrat Janice Hahn and Republican Craig Huey to represent the coastal 36th Congressional District has been contentious and hard-fought.

Portantino accuses Democrats of reprisal for budget opposition

Assemblyman says his budget is being cut and his staff could be put on leave as punishment for voting against Democrats' spending plan. Legislative leaders say the move is purely fiscal.

State's slow start puts federal stimulus funds at risk, audit finds

The DWP is among state and local agencies that have failed to fully implement weatherization projects, review shows. A DWP official says the agency will meet its goal by March.

Oxnard teen, slain in shooting, was allowed to wear women's accessories to school, official testifies

An assistant principal says she was told that as long as student Larry King wore the school's uniform, he was entitled to embellish as he pleased. Brandon McInerney is on trial in King's 2008 shooting death.

Foster children routinely housed in office waiting room, social worker alleges

Supervising Social Worker Lincoln Saul says Department of Children and Family Services officials have grown defensive about their inability to cope with the problem and take steps to hide it. The agency's acting deputy director denies Saul's allegations.

Bankruptcy filings indicate Crystal Cathedral interested in other offers

The embattled church requests partial withdrawal from a plan that would make Greenlaw Partners of Orange County the primary bidder for the property, entitling the group to a fee if outbid.

Illegal immigrants rescued off Santa Barbara coast

Weak, hungry and stranded on Santa Cruz Island for days, 15 Mexican passengers are rescued after calling 911.