Steve Marble

Michael Hastings Dead at 33

rollingstone.com — Michael Hastings, the fearless journalist whose reporting brought down the career of General Stanley McChrystal, has died in a car accident in Los Angeles, Rolling Stone has learned. He was 33. Hastings' unvarnished 2010 profile of McChrystal in the pages of Rolling Stone, " The Runaway General," captured the then-supreme commander of the U.S.-led war effort in Afghanistan openly mocking his civilian commanders in the White House.

Old guard, young blood clash in Salinas' halls of power

latimes.com — SALINAS, Calif. - Early evening in the "Salad Bowl of the World" and the City Council meeting is standing room only. The murmur of the crowd drips with anticipation. The bickering has been building for weeks. "I want to remind everyone," warned the mayor, opening the floor to public comment, "this is not a blood sport.

Fire marshal cuts public, media seats for Jackson trial

latimes.com — lt;p>The Los Angeles fire marshal has ordered the number of people in the courtroom where the Michael Jackson wrongful-death suit is being tried be reduced immediately, cutting the number of seats for the media by nearly two-thirds and leaving only one spot available for the public.</p>

'Little' Al Robles' big job: Make his own name in politics

latimes.com — It was a big moment for the man they call "Little Al." As hundreds of residents and dignitaries watched, a mariachi band strolled down an aisle to celebrate Albert Robles' victory after he was sworn in as Carson's newest councilman.

Water district clout: Southeast Los Angeles County agency gives millions in contracts to politically connected recipients

articles.latimes.com — Those people and organizations have helped the southeast Los Angeles County agency fight critics and avoid outside scrutiny. A water district that serves southeast Los Angeles County has awarded millions of dollars in contracts to politically connected individuals and organizations, which have helped the district fight critics and avoid outside scrutiny, public records and interviews show.

Feds subpoena records at Central Basin Water District

latimes.com — Federal prosecutors have served a subpoena for contracts, emails and other documents from the Central Basin Municipal Water District, which has come under scrutiny amid an FBI probe of state Sen. Ron Calderon.

Ian Kennedy suspended 10 games for throwing at Dodgers' Zack Greinke

latimes.com — The Dodgers and Diamondbacks fought on the field at Dodger Stadium after several batters were hit by pitches. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / ) Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday was suspended 10 games for throwing at the Dodgers' Zack Greinke, the event that triggered an on-field brawl between the teams Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

O.C. tollway refinancing could extend tolls for years

latimes.com — The leaders of Orange County's largest toll road network on Thursday approved a $2.4-billion bond sale to refinance one of its highway corridors -- a move that will probably extend the number of years drivers will be forced to pay to use the tollway.

Anaheim council rejects ballot measure on district representation

latimes.com — Almost a year after Orange County's largest city was rocked by street protests, civic leaders again have decided to hold off asking voters whether the structure of future council elections should be altered in an effort to diversify representation.

Michael Jackson did comeback to buy kids a home, AEG chief testifies

latimes.com — Michael Jackson's anticipated "This Is It" comeback tour was largely fueled by his desire to provide his children a home of their own, AEG Live 's chief executive testified Wednesday. Randy Phillips described an emotional Halloween meeting with the pop star at a Bel Air hotel, with Jackson's three children running in and out of the room.