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Greek Bailout Could Easily Go Off The Rails, Confidential Study Shows
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PLUS: Five Problems The Greek Debt Deal Doesn't Solve
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Dave M. Benett / Getty Images, Julien de Rosa / EPA
Shells kill US journalist, French photographer in Syria
Hours earlier, American reporter Marie Colvin said regime was "mercilessly" killing civilians. Story
Trio of women, including possible mother-daughter team, arrested in 'distraction burglaries' in Koreatown
When you think of burglary crews in L.A., you almost always think of bad boys. Yeah? But cops today say they nabbed a trio of break-in artists and, unusually, they're ladies. Not only that, but it appears two of them could be a mother-daughter team, or at least related. Yeah, the LAPD says the three are responsible for at least two "distraction burglaries" in Koreatown last week.
http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2...trio_women.php
LAPD needs helps finding missing Fla. woman
Authorities need your help finding a missing Florida woman. Jessica Barbour, 33, landed at Los Angeles International Airport Sunday night. She was supposed to meet a driver and go to a treatment center in Pasadena, but officials say she never met the driver. Family members say Barbour may be in need of medical care for an undisclosed condition. She's described at a white woman with brown hair and eyes, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. Barbour was last seen wearing a pink and brown stripped shirt, pink jeans and brown high heels.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?se...les&id=8552046
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Obama apologizes on Quran burnings as Afghan kills two American soldiers
Formal letter sent to President Karzai following days of protests over disposal of holy books.
Los Angeles approves limits on truancy fines for students
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to limit fines for public school students who are late to school. During the hour-long meeting, more than 30 people spoke, criticizing the rule as financially crippling and penalizing students who, despite being late, were still trying to attend school. The previous plan enacted in 1995 in a push for zero tolerance mandated sizable fines as high as $250. Under the new policy, students would have to be late three times before facing fines, which have been reduced to $20.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...-students.html
Cops cleared for broad search of gang member
The Supreme Court on Wednesday revived immunity for a group of Los Angeles police officers who executed a warrant for all guns and gang-related material after a known gang member tried to kill his ex-girlfriend. Angry that Shelly Kelly had called the sheriff's department to help her end their abusive relationship, Jerry Ray Bowen tried to throw the woman off a second-floor landing, tried to drag her into her apartment by her hair and then fired five bullets at her car as she sped away. Bowen used a pistol-gripped, sawed-off shotgun in the attack.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/02/22/44084.htm
Obama campaign names seven Californians among co-chairs
President Barack Obama rolled out a list of national co-chairs for his re-election campaign that includes some familiar faces from both the political and entertainment worlds in the Golden State. Seven Californians made the list of 35 co-chairs, including state Attorney General Kamala Harris, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and actress Eva Longoria. Also included on the list were Democratic Rep. Judy Chu, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, actor and former White House aide Kalpen Modi and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff.
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalert...-campaign.html
Sheriff Baca backs driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said he supports the idea of allowing illegal immigrants to have driver's licenses as long as they have been in the United States for a number of years without committing other crimes. Baca's comments Thursday come as Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck has also expressed support for driver's license for illegal immigrants. Baca said such licenses should only be issued after illegal immigrants fill out comprehensive applications, similar to those for citizenship.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...mmigrants.html
'Sovereign citizen' movement now on FBI's radar
Since 2000, members of the "sovereign citizen" movement have killed six police officers, and clashes with law enforcement are on the rise, according to the FBI. The deadliest incident came in 2010, when a shootout with a member left four people dead, including two police officers, during what began as a routine traffic stop in West Memphis, Ark. Since then, in a notable shift in policy, federal officials have stepped up their attention on sovereign citizens.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,5474022.story
New prison medical facilities unnecessary, analyst says
California should hold off on building new medical facilities for prison inmates, according to report released Thursday by the legislative analyst's office. The report contradicts plans by a court-appointed receiver, who has run the prison health system since a federal judge declared it unconstitutionally inadequate, for $2.3 billion in new clinics and upgrades.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cali...n-medical.html
Number of deportation cases drops by nearly a third, report says
The number of deportation cases filed by federal immigration officials dropped by nearly a third in the first three months of the fiscal year, according to a report by the Syracuse University Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. The drop recorded in the last three months of 2011 may reflect the Obama administration's plan to focus its deportation efforts by weighing a variety of discretionary factors, including whether the person is a veteran, came to the U.S. as a child or is a college student, according to the report.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5847742.story
WARNING AGAINST 'DISASTER'
Former Al Jazeera Head: Attacking Iran Would Have Terrible Consequences
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U.S. Doesn't Think Iran Is Building Nukes... Report: Obama Administration Has Few Good Options On The Table... 6 Questions Reporters Should Be Asking
FBI turns off thousands of GPS devices after Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court's recent ruling overturning the warrantless use of GPS tracking devices has caused a "sea change" inside the U.S. Justice Department, according to FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Mr. Weissmann, speaking at a University of San Francisco conference called "Big Brother in the 21st Century" on Friday, said that the court ruling prompted the FBI to turn off about 3,000 GPS tracking devices that were in use.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2012/02/...-court-ruling/
Young killers serving life without parole may get chance at freedom
The Supreme Court, in a case involving two 14-year-olds, will hear oral arguments March 20, in two cases involving 14-year-olds, on whether it is unconstitutional cruel and unusual punishment to put young juvenile murderers in prison without hope of release.The justices have been moving toward greater protection for minors. They abolished the death penalty for juveniles in 2005, and in 2010 ruled out life sentences without parole for them except in cases of homicide.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...0,341642.story
California assemblyman tries again to OK driver's licenses for illegal immigrants
After winning passage of a law allowing some undocumented immigrants to apply for college aid, Assemblyman Gil Cedillo's new goal is driver's licenses. The Los Angeles Democrat will carry legislation this year that would allow undocumented immigrants to be licensed, tested and insured. Similar Cedillo measures have passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature in years past but were vetoed by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/26/429...ies-again.html
'OUTRAGEOUS AND DISGUSTING'
MITT ACCUSES RICK OF 'DIRTY TRICKS'
SANTORUM: 'I'M A BIG GUY.. I CAN TAKE IT'
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GLOVES OFF, FACE OFF.. 59 DELEGATES AT STAKE.. LIVE UPDATES
Contender Vows To Combat 'Evil'.. How Democrats Factor Into Campaign Calculus
Obama Takes Shot At Republicans.. 'Snob' Lob Backlash.. The Latest Polls
From Delegates To Endorsements: Who's Ahead In The Race
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Tadashi Okubo / Yomiuri Shimbun via Reuters, file and Yuriko Nakao / Reuters
Returning to the scene of a disaster in Japan
Internet on cell phones to orchestrate crimes
More than 700 million people use Facebook - among them are some of California's most-hardened prisoners. "For the guys that we catch, it's one of the most popular things they use in here," said Sgt. Anthony Roman of the increasing number of inmates getting caught with cells phones. Under state law, prisoners are forbidden to use mobile phones. CBS2's Jeff Nguyen recently visited the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco and Chino State Prison to see how inmates are accessing the internet and social networking sites from cell phones.
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/...rating-crimes/
New rules on when FBI retains custody of detainees
The Obama administration outlined on Tuesday the situations in which the FBI, rather than the military, could be allowed to retain custody of Al Qaeda terrorist suspects who are not U.S. citizens but are arrested by federal law enforcement officers. The new rules issued by the White House resulted from a December compromise in Congress between the administration and a majority of Republicans and some Democrats who wanted a bigger military role and a reduced role for civilian courts in the fight against terrorism.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...ody-detainees/
Drugged -- not drunk -- driving steadily rising in California
While drunk driving fatalities are on the decline, a state agency this week warned that the number of deadly crashes involving drugged California motorists has been steadily increasing over at least four years. Officials with the California Office of Traffic Safety said 30% of drivers killed in car accidents in 2010 tested positive for legal and/or illegal drugs.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...alifornia.html
DEADLY TWISTERS RAKE MIDWEST
Officials say a total of nine people are dead after storms track across Missouri and Illinois; thousands are without power.
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A woman talks with an emergency responder about her condition after a tornado hit in Harrisburg, Ill. (Stephen Lance Dennee / AP)
More 405 Freeway closures start Friday night
Southbound lanes of the San Diego (405) Freeway will be closed Friday and Saturday nights, as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Mulholland Bridge, according to Metro. The closures will be from the 101 freeway to Getty Center Drive ramps. Each night the ramps within the closure area will close as early as 7 p.m. and freeway lanes will begin to close around 10 p.m. The freeway will be fully closed from midnight to 5 a.m. Additional closures are planned. Northbound lanes will be closed Monday and Tuesday night, during the same hours.
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_20071116
In California prisons, 301 lifers from juvenile crimes
As lawmakers consider loosening life sentences for juvenile criminals, a new report released Wednesday said 301 California inmates are locked up for life after committing crimes when they were younger than 18. That's nearly 12% of all 2,570 youth offenders serving sentences of life without parole in the country. Although sentences of life without parole are limited to homicide cases, the report said nearly half of the juveniles did not commit the actual murder.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cali...le-crimes.html
Stockton mediation first case under new Calif. law
Beleaguered Stockton is the first California city to test a new union-backed law aimed at protecting public employee contracts by making it harder for municipalities to file bankruptcy. Stockton is trying to avoid becoming the most populous U.S. city in modern times to seek Chapter 9 protection by moving this week to participate in a 60-day evaluation process with its bond holders, creditors, employee unions and retirees.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/...-calif-law/?ap
Fugitive wanted for child rape may be in L.A., the FBI says
The FBI was alerting the public Thursday about a fugitive wanted on five counts of child rape who may be in Los Angeles. The bureau is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of John Joseph Hartin, a Dorchester, Mass., resident who has been on the run for 18 years. He has family and friends in Los Angeles, the FBI said.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...-fugitive.html
California colleges take back seat to California prisons
San Francisco State University President Robert Corrigan, who is retiring this year, and Provost Sue Rosser noted today in Washington that California is spending nearly as much money on prisons ($8.7 billion, or 9.45 percent of its budget), as it does on all of higher education ($9.3 billion, or 10.1 percent of its budget). Corrigan said the numbers are actually more stark. Total operational budgets for all 23 campuses of the state universities and for all nine UC campuses is $4.6 billion, less than half what the state spends on prisons.
http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election...ornia-prisons/
State lawmakers want answers on prison spending
When California's prison system ran into the red last year, lawmakers forked over an additional $380 million. But now lawmakers say they can't get answers on where the money went, and prison officials have missed two deadlines to explain the spending. "The bureaucrats running our prisons habitually break their budgets and refuse to open their books to show us why," Assembly Budget Chairman Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) said in a statement.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cali...a-prisons.html
Deadly tornadoes tear across the Midwest, South
At least six people are confirmed dead and an undetermined number of people injured, emergency officials and forecasters say.
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An employee of Henryville High School examines the remains of the building following severe storms. (Timothy D. Easley / AP)
Up-to-the-minute reports from NOAA
Tornado rips through Indiana town
Storms cut paths
of devastation
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Chrys Michaels salvages what she can from the debris of homes where several people died in East Bernstadt, Ky. (Harrison McClary / Reuters)
Snow forecast after twisters kill 37 | Orphaned girl Angel, 2, found in field
Hacker helped FBI break into Anonymous
An influential computer hacker turned FBI informant led investigators to his former accomplices, helping federal agents make their first significant crack into Anonymous, a cybergroup that attacks corporate and government websites. Four members of the international computer hacking group LulzSec were charged Tuesday with a worldwide conspiracy after the legendary hacker known in Internet circles as Sabu exposed the inner workings of the sophisticated attacks.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/st...ted/53389988/1
Guards quell riot at Folsom State Prison
Correctional officers at Folsom State Prison put down a wild prison melee involving up to 70 suspected gang members Tuesday, firing pepper spray and nonlethal rounds to quell the riot. No serious injuries were reported in the clash that broke out between two apparent rival gang factions. The brawl prompted correctional officers to summon reinforcements from the nearby California State Prison, Sacramento, said corrections agency spokesman Lt. Paul Baker.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/07/431...s=Our%20Region
FBI chief: Court ruling forces bureau to use agent surveillance instead of GPS in some probes
A recent Supreme Court ruling is forcing the FBI to deactivate its GPS tracking devices in some investigations, agency director Robert Mueller said Wednesday. Mueller told a congressional panel that the bureau has turned off a substantial number of GPS units and is using surveillance by agents instead. "Putting a physical surveillance team out with six, eight, 12 persons is tremendously time intensive," Mueller told a House Appropriations subcommittee.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...KxR_story.html
4-year-girl who died was found hanging in closet, sources say
A 4-year-old girl was pronounced dead after she was found hanging in a closet in her Westchester home, law enforcement sources said Thursday night. There were no immediate indications that foul play was involved in the incident, according to the sources, who asked not to be named because the investigation was in its preliminary stages.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...ng-closet.html
CA study views high-risk inmate move
The state can safely house some maximum-security inmates in lower-level prisons, a development that could save taxpayers money, according to a University of California study obtained by The Associated Press. The 18-month study by five criminology experts comes as a new state law sends thousands of lower-level offenders to local jails instead of state prisons.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/09/432...iews-high.html
California writes $602-million check for local jail construction
California will dish out $602 million for local jail construction in 11 counties, state officials announced Thursday. The money is intended to help county facilities handle an influx of inmates, part of Gov. Jerry Brown's realignment strategy to reduce chronic overcrowding at state prisons.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/cali...on-budget.html
Jury finds former LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus guilty of first-degree murder
After deliberating less than eight hours, a jury on Thursday found former LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus guilty of first degree murder for killing her ex-boyfriend's wife in 1986. Lazarus faces 27 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder plus a gun enhancement imposed by the L.A. Superior Court jury, with sentencing scheduled for May 4.
http://www.dailynews.com/breakingnew...lapd-detective
THE AFTERMATH
Obama, Panetta Scramble To Contain Fallout
After U.S. Soldier Allegedly Kills 16 Afghan Villagers
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U.S. OFFICIALS FEAR REVENGE ATTACKS... 'Killings Only Serve To Reinforce Mindset That The War Is Broken And There's Little We Can Do About It'... U.S. POLL: 60% Say War Not Worth Fighting
US and UN demand end to Syria bloodshed
Security Council members increase efforts to convince China and Russia to end their veto of UN action in Syria.
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RICK'S GRITS, NOT MITT'S
Santorum Takes Alabama, Miss.... WATCH LIVE: HuffPost Coverage
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REAL-TIME MAPS, RESULTS... LATEST UPDATES
DEFIANT NEWT Not Dropping Out: 'Elite Media's Effort To Convince Nation That Romney Is Inevitable Just Collapsed'... OOPS! Romney On Monday: 'We're Going To Win' Alabama... Santorum: Romney Running As Conservative Is 'Laughable'... Romney Holds Big Delegate Lead
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FBI agent: Midwest militia group had 'kill' list
A Midwest militia group whose members are accused of plotting to murder police had a "kill list" that included current and former U.S. presidents, top government officials and members of Congress, an FBI agent testified Tuesday in a federal trial. The list from members of the group called the Hutaree was titled "Established Elite Still in Control" and included military officers, reporters and corporate executives, FBI agent Steve Haug said in federal court in Detroit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46722890...me_and_courts/
UC Davis pepper-spray report puts spotlight on police officers' rights
Decades of debate over the public's right to know about police actions vs. officers' rights to privacy are coming to a head as a result of the pepper-spraying of students last November on the UC Davis campus. Lawyers for the officers who pepper-sprayed students and other protesters seated in defiance during a Nov. 18 demonstration are due in court Friday in Oakland to press their argument that a long-awaited report on the incident cannot be released unless officers' names and other information are redacted.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/14/433...s=Our%20Region
AK-47 used in drive-by to shoot up L.A. house
Someone in a car used an assault weapon to shoot up a house in the Chesterfield Square area of Los Angeles on Tuesday, but a man inside the home was not hurt, police said. The drive-by shooting erupted around 3:43 a.m. and bullets went through the walls and windows of the house in the 5700 block of Cimarron Street, said Officer Roger Aguirre of the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street Station.
http://www.dailynews.com/ci_20162955...ce=most_viewed