Farmworkers' new home is near Duroville, yet a world away

Families can breathe in new, government-subsidized homes of Mountain View Estates, created as a refuge from the mobile home park ordered shut three years ago.

Most Californians favor citizenship path for illegal immigrants

Only 19% of California voters said illegal immigrants should be required to leave. More than half see immigrants as a positive economic force in the state.

Joe Weider dies at 93; bodybuilding pioneer and publisher

Weider popularized bodybuilding worldwide, creating a multimillion-dollar empire of magazines such as Muscle & Fitness, Men's Fitness and Shape, and discovered Arnold Schwarzenegger.

California voters split on Jerry Brown school plans

Fifty percent agree with the governor's proposal to give more funds to school districts that serve low-income children. A separate Brown plan to give local districts more funding control is favored by 59%.

California pay panel says raises for officials unlikely this year

The California Citizens Compensation Commission delays a vote until June. But panelists say they're unlikely to OK raises so soon after the budget crisis.

Californians show strong support for strict gun control measures

Background checks and tougher penalties for the illegal purchase of firearms have broad support in California, as does the proposed federal assault weapons ban.

Reinvigorating 'career tech' a worthy goal

Senate President Darrell Steinberg is on the right track with a bill to create partnerships between industry and schools to prepare youths for good-paying jobs.

Bill aims to tighten restrictions on painkiller hydrocodone

Congressional legislation comes as drug fatalities have surpassed deaths from vehicle crashes. Hydrocodone-based medications include Vicodin, Norco and Lortab.

Coliseum manager walks out during deposition

John Sandbrook objects to the presence of two L.A. Times reporters during a deposition in an open-government lawsuit filed by The Times and a 1st Amendment group.

Deal will avoid deep cuts in home care for elderly, disabled

Gov. Brown, unions and social service advocates agree to an 8% cut in service hours rather than the 20% the state sought last year.

California cities, counties find funds to hire Capitol lobbyists

Local governments contend the money they pay for influence in Sacramento is worth it. The sum dwarfs the lobbying bills of the largest unions, big oil companies and other energy interests combined.

Bill could extend last call for alcohol in California cities

Proposed legislation could extend until 4 a.m. the last call for alcohol sales at bars, nightclubs and restaurants in L.A. and other California cities.

Some see adult-school funding shift as disastrous

The governor's plan would make it the responsibility of community colleges. Providers think the plan unrealistic; students fear being out of their comfort zone.

UC regents vote to keep $60 annual surcharge for students

The fee helps the university finance massive refunds for past illegal tuition practices. Regents say they had no alternatives other than possibly cutting spending on classes and other services.

California furloughs for workers will prove costly, report says

Legislature's budget advisors say state will owe $1 billion extra to many workers when they retire or quit for vacation time unused when they took unpaid days off.

California bill would promote statewide online college courses

The legislation calls for development of 50 online classes as potential substitutes for the hard-to-get core courses required for graduation at UC, Cal State and community colleges.

Assemblyman Ben Hueso of San Diego wins seat in state Senate

Hueso's election restores the supermajority the Democrats gained in the upper house in November.

Parents of prescription overdose victims plead with legislators

Lawmakers want the medical board to use a state database to identify doctors who prescribe drugs recklessly.

Assembly's Democrats could briefly lose supermajority

It's possible that upcoming vacancies could complicate some budget action, but no major upheavals are expected.

Is the border secure?

Despite barriers, migrants are still getting across, although the flow has slowed. The debate now is whether the government can do more, and pay for it.

Garcetti and Greuel vie for black Democrats, white Republicans

The rivals, both Democrats, are now battling for disparate groups of voters — many of whom didn't even participate in the primary election.

Low-wage workers turning to voters for pay raises

As unionizing efforts fail, a new labor strategy has emerged: ballot measures. Long Beach and San Jose are among cities where it has worked. Some doubt, however, that the tactic can succeed everywhere.