Politics
With DREAM Acts, Undocumented Students Coming Out of the Shadows
Several states have passed laws allowing undocumented students to achieve their goals of higher education, but these "DREAM Acts" are not without their critics. » continue reading
Will President Obama's Rhetoric on Gun Violence Finally Lead to Action?
The President addressed many issues in Tuesday's State of the Union, but the most poignant moment was about victims of gun violence. Will rhetoric finally lead to action? » continue reading
L.A.'s Proposed No-Kill Policy Raises Hackles on Both Sides
Los Angeles is home to millions of feral cats. Controlling that population used to mean putting the cats to sleep, but L.A. may soon be a no-kill city. » continue reading
UPDATE: Councilman Proposes to Help Fix Sidewalks
Vince Gonzales has an update on a story we brought you in 2011 about the thousands of miles of broken sidewalks in L.A. » continue reading
L.A. Says No 'Puppy Mills,' But Not All Pet Stores Are Rolling Over
The city council has passed an ordinance preventing the sale of "breeder" puppies in local pet stores. Not all shop owners plan to obey it. » continue reading
America's Favorite Gun, AR-15, Flying Off Shelves Amid Fears of Ban
Ever since the Sandy Hook shootings, the AR-15 has been flying out of gun shops at premium prices. » continue reading
California Supreme Court Considering Whether City, State, or Federal Law Defines Legality of Medical Marijuana
The legality of medical marijuana in California has been in question since 1996, but the state's high court will decide whether state, federal, or municipal law reigns supreme. » continue reading
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Talks Struggle, Success with Actress Eva Longoria
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor sits down in conversation with actress and activist Eva Longoria and talks about her road to being the first Latina in the highest court. » continue reading
Waxman: Obamacare 'Important, Landmark Piece of Legislation'
Obamacare kicks in at the end of the year, and California is prepping. Local Congressman Henry Waxman helped pass the law, and he talks to Madeleine about what's in store. » continue reading
Prop 30 a Boon for Community Colleges, but Hardly a Fix-All
Community colleges are already benefiting from the passage of Prop 30 last year, but Gov. Jerry Brown has some big changes in mind for how the system runs. » continue reading
Update: Community Colleges Seeing Progress, New Fears With Prop 30
The passage of Prop 30 is giving much needed money to California's community college system, but is it too little, too late? » continue reading
President Obama Begins Second Term With Pomp, Parades, and Old Problems
With all the pomp and parades befitting the leader of the free world, President Barack Obama begins his second term in office with old fights -- and some new ones -- ahead. » continue reading
Obama's Inaugural Speech a Reminder He's Progressive
President Obama is the 17th chief executive to deliver a second inaugural address. History says most of those speeches don't measure up. So, how did Mr. Obama do? » continue reading
First Family's Fashion On Inauguration Day
Michelle Obama has been called the "The First Lady of Style," and her impeccable fashion sense was fully on display on Inauguration Day. » continue reading
100 Years of Inaugurations In Two Minutes
CNN has condensed 100 years of presidential inaugurations into one two-minute video. » continue reading
Minorities See Gains in Southland Political Influence
The demographic shifts in Southern California mean big changes in the region's politics. » continue reading
Gun Issue in U.S. a Matter of Public Health, Assault Weapon Ban Not Likely, says Analyst
Tom Diaz, author of the upcoming book 'The Last Gun,' believes changing gun laws in this country is a matter of national priorities. » continue reading
Crisis at L.A. Courts Has No End in Sight, Judge Says
Judge Michael Nash reports that L.A. County's already overburdened juvenile court system is only getting worse. » continue reading
Laura's Law Could Allow Forced Treatment for Mentally Ill
"Laura's Law" allows authorities to force psychiatric treatment upon persons with mental illness who threaten violence. Will more counties implement it after the Newtown massacre? » continue reading
Legal Expert: 'More Optimistic Today' on Gun Control
Even with a renewed debate over gun control laws sparked by events in Newtown, Conn., some experts say such tragedies don't lead to new gun laws. Will this time be different? » continue reading
How California Democrats Could Change Prop 13's Property Tax Rules
Democrats may now have the numbers to change one of California's "untouchable" laws. USC's Sherry Bebitch Jeffe explains the politics and the prospects. » continue reading
Possible Presidential Bid for Hillary Clinton in 2016?
Madeleine talks to New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor about the Secretary of State's political future. » continue reading
Traveler Rick Steves' Victory in the Battle to Legalize Marijuana
Rick Steves is a well-known travel writer, but he is also an advocate for the legalization and regulation marijuana, and he recently experienced a legislative victory in Washington State. » continue reading
Update: Another Suspicious Deal in Knabe Family Ties to L.A. County
Vince Gonzales has an update to our investigation into Supervisor Don Knabe and his son's lobbying firm. » continue reading
In Heart of Orange County, City Struggles to Handle the Homeless
The affluent city of Costa Mesa has found a way of dealing with its homeless population, but activists say it's just wrong. » continue reading
U.S. Supreme Court May Review Same-Sex Marriage Laws
As the U.S. Supreme Court awaits to decide whether it will hear cases regarding DOMA and Prop 8, here's a preview. » continue reading
Supreme Court Likely to Take on DOMA, Not Prop 8, Says Law Prof
Professor Doug NeJaime of Loyola Law Schools helps explain the complicated issues to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding gay marriage in California and the country. » continue reading
Interview: Karen Golinski, Plaintiff Suing Federal Government Over DOMA
Karen Golinski is one of the plaintiffs suing the federal government over the Defense of Marriage Act. Madeleine interviews Golinski and her wife. » continue reading
Family Ties May Mean Favors for L.A. County Supervisor's Son
Lobbyist Matt Knabe appears to be benefiting from having dad Don Knabe on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. » continue reading
Report from the Ground in Gaza, Rocket Offensives Continue
Our partners at CNN have special coverage of the ongoing attacks Gaza. » continue reading
The Roots of the Gaza Conflict and the Long-Term Prospects for Peace in the Middle East
Val Zavala talks to USC's Josh Lockman and UCLA's Russell Burgos about the growing conflict in the Middle East and what it means for the region. » continue reading
TIME Columnist Joel Stein Talks Petraeus, Toned Arms, and Living Without Irony
TIME's 'awesome' columnist Joel Stein talks with Madeleine about the Petraeus scandal, toned arms, and living without irony. » continue reading
Israel and Hamas Use Twitter, Social Media as New Theater of War
In the current conflict in Gaza, both the Israeli military and Hamas forces have taken to Twitter to play out the theater of war 140 characters at a time. » continue reading
Billboard Confidential Update: L.A. City Council Allowed Illegal Billboards to be Erected
An update to our ongoing investigation into the politics of L.A.'s billboard industry. A recent ruling could mean thousands of digital billboards are going dark. » continue reading
Faces of Three Strikes: What Passing Prop 36 Means for Both Sides
The passage of Prop 36 changes parts of the "Three Strikes" law, and makes a very personal impact on families on both sides of the law's debate. Jennifer London talks to some of those affected. » continue reading
