Which Way, L.A.?

The Coastal Commission has approved bigger tanks for 11 killer whales at a cost of $100 million. That sounds like a victory for Sea World in San Diego -- but the Commission rejected both a captive breeding program and the introduction of any new orcas. Does Sea World have a future?

The year is only nine months over, but officers of the LAPD have already killed 18 people — as many as in all of 2014. Last Saturday night an unarmed man was killed by officers after the back window of their patrol car was broken out by a beer...

When the Sylmar Earthquake brought down concrete apartment houses, 52 people were killed.  Sixteen lost their lives when wooden, “soft story” buildings collapsed during the Northridge quake.  Today, LA City Council members are looking at...

The year is only nine months over, but officers of the LAPD have already killed 18 people — as many as in all of 2014. Last Saturday night an unarmed man was killed by officers after the back window of their patrol car was broken out by a beer bottle. Did the dead man throw the bottle? What was the role of a video that led to an official warning that officers on patrol might be in danger?

When the Sylmar Earthquake brought down concrete apartment houses, 52 people were killed.  Sixteen lost their lives when wooden, “soft story” buildings collapsed during the Northridge quake.  Today, LA City Council members are looking at earthquake retrofitting proposals tough enough to make history.  We hear what’s at stake for landlords and tenants.

After almost eight years of negotiations, the US and 11 other nations have agreed on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the biggest international trade deal in history. What will it mean for business in California? Why are organized labor and environmentalists so unhappy?

The Salton Sea in Imperial County is bigger than Lake Tahoe. Created by accident 110 years ago, it became a habitat for fish, migratory birds—and Hollywood celebrities. But now it's become a dustbowl of toxic chemicals. Will the State make good on a promise to save it?

Los Angeles County is re-organizing delivery of health services to hundreds of thousands of people. The departments of mental health, public health and medical services will be consolidated into a single bureaucracy, just like they used to be. Although County Supervisors are unanimous, angry opponents say the departments were separated for good reasons and that it's wrong to go back to what they call the bad old days.

Community Redevelopment Agencies used tax money to bring new life to downtown LA, Hollywood and other "blighted areas,"  but their sweeping power to seize private property led to charges of corruption and profiteering. After shutting the CRA's down four years ago, Governor Brown has approved new agencies -- with a different name but similar powers. Is it a distinction without a difference?

Utility companies used to support solar-energy panels on the roofs of private homes, but so many roofs in California now generate so much power that the utilities are losing big money.  We consider whether there's war against solar power, and if solar-energy users are paying their fair share.