Delays, costs build up for 405 Freeway project in L.A.

The 10-mile project is expected to be mostly finished by mid-2014, a year later than anticipated. Meanwhile, who pays what for cost overruns is up in the air.

California ranks 11th in hospitals with A grades for safety

Hollywood Presbyterian and Long Beach Memorial are among those with A's, according to a Leapfrog Group report. A few Fs also were given in the state.

Clinton plays down politics at event in Beverly Hills

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton focuses on her predecessor's legacy as she accepts an award named for Warren Christopher from the nonpartisan Pacific Council on International Policy.

Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado criticizes Brown's prison policy

Maldonado calls Brown's handling of prison crowding an early-release 'shell game.' The Republican says there's a 'good shot' he'll run for governor.

L.A. police union backs Greuel candidacy with another $850,000

Police Protective League, which represents roughly 10,000 officers, has put more than $1.43 million into her mayoral bid. She and rival Eric Garcetti trade barbs.

Jackson thought God was speaking to him, witness testifies

Alif Sankey, associate producer of the 'This Is It' tour, says Michael Jackson's behavior and appearance had her convinced he was dying.

L.A. council approves controversial rail yard for port complex

Action sets stage for possible court challenges alleging environmental and civil rights violations. Backers say the project would bolster efficiency and create jobs.

For their Sunday best, black women turn to Jewish clothier from Iran

Church-going customers know they'll find what they need at Ebby Tabarai's shop, Divas, in downtown L.A. (But don't come on Saturday.)

Coliseum hid reports of financial woes, records show

The reports confirm financial irregularities, an official's use of a personal Visa card to gain travel points and questionable reimbursements.

Four immigration officials charged with bribery, fraud

The officers at various border and immigration agencies took money from an attorney in exchange for providing favors for his clients, one of whom is also charged, authorities say.

Oakland police chief takes medical retirement

Embattled Chief Howard Jordan announces his departure hours before consultants, including ex-L.A. Chief William Bratton, were to offer crime-reduction plan for the city.

Bay Bridge retrofit plan addresses failed bolts

Transportation officials say a steel saddle will take the place of massive bolts that failed on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's eastern span. A Labor Day opening is uncertain.

Family of man killed by Culver City officer awarded $8.8 million

Lejoy Grissom, suspected of robbing an electronics store, was shot three times after getting out of a vehicle in 2010. He was unarmed.

Christian metal guitarist allegedly sought to kill wife

Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying is accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife, Meggan.

L.A. County officials unveil campaign to reduce infant deaths

The educational effort, which includes bilingual public service announcements on radio and TV, will show parents how to put babies to bed safely.

Appeals panel revives former inmate's suit against L.A. County

Jailhouse informant's perjured testimony led to Thomas Goldstein's 24 years in prison. Panel rules county had liability for administrative failures in the case.

Legislative leaders, unions oppose Tribune sale to Koch brothers

Ten public employee unions call Koch brothers 'anti-labor' and 'anti-immigrant' in a letter to Tribune's chairman of the board.

Berkeley accelerating access to course materials for disabled students

As part of a settlement with Disability Rights Advocates, UC Berkeley will provide disabled students with more timely access to printed materials in alternative formats such as Braille, large print and audio.

DWP average pay rose 15%, despite flagging economy

Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel trade accusations over blame for raises at the utility, whose union has given $1.45 million on Greuel's behalf.

Judges select four to split $1-million Dorner reward

Money is allocated based on how directly information led to the fugitive LAPD officer, who died after a gun battle in February. At least 12 people had sought a share of the reward.

1 in 3 adults in parts of L.A. are in U.S. illegally, study finds

Countywide, about one in 10 adults is an immigrant who crossed the border illegally or overstayed a visa, the USC study found. Many have U.S. citizen children.

Teen testifies she went shopping with mother's body in Jeep

Cynthia Alvarez, 16, and her boyfriend, Giovanni Gallardo, are accused of killing her mother and stepfather in October 2011. Their bodies were found in shallow graves.

Murder suspect is one of four L.A. County inmates wrongly released

Three other inmates in addition to Johnny Mata have been mistakenly set free this year. Those three have been recaptured but Mata, accused of a Baldwin Park shooting in 2010, is still at large.

L.A. council finds funds to reverse Fire Dept. staffing shift

As the Fire Department begins moving firefighters to ambulance duty, the City Council approves $1.6 million through June for overtime to keep staff where it was.

Two Prop. 13 defenders decry abuse of loophole by corporations

They say they're open to narrow legislation to fix the law, which appears to allow companies to avoid paying additional property taxes when buying real estate in California.

L.A. mayoral candidates support making teacher evaluations public

City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilman Eric Garcetti go further than L.A. Unified officials, who oppose making the evaluations public.

Wendy Greuel takes on the crowd at Tolliver's

The mayoral candidate takes questions and chats with patrons for two hours. It points up the need for a forum other than debates in which voters can get a look at candidates.

L.A. Unified knew of alleged teacher abuse 3 years before arrest

Some of the charges against Robert Pimentel, arrested in January, involve alleged sexual misconduct that occurred after officials learned of concerns in 2009.

Gun crime has plunged, but Americans think it's up, study says

More than half of Americans think gun crime has jumped, the Bureau of Justice Statistics report noted. Researchers aren't sure why there's the misperception.

L.A. board seeks to halt decline at Ontario airport

Commissioners approve a plan to reimburse carriers for ads, incentives to lower rents and fees, and contracting out security and custodial work.