NATIONAL
May 10, 2012 | By Lisa Mascaro, Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - The Republican-led House approved a plan for deep spending cuts in food stamps, Meals on Wheels and other domestic programs - while sparing the Pentagon - in a vote that showcased the party's election-year priorities. The legislation to cut $240 billion over a decade is expected to stall in the Senate, where Democrats have the majority, but the exercise Thursday allowed the GOP to contrast its agenda with President Obama's efforts to reduce the deficit. Democrats decried the bill as "literally taking food out of the mouth of babies," in the words ofRep.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
April 28, 2012 | Gale Holland, Los Angeles Times
Manuel Vega was in the courtroom when the Los Angeles Archdiocese agreed to pay clergy abuse victims a landmark $660-million settlement. The bailiff had to whisk some of the victims out to make room for all the high-fiving lawyers filing in for their payday, he says. "Some were even chest-bumping," recalls the retired police officer. "To me, it looked like a frat party. " Vega, who says he was molested as a boy by a priest in Oxnard, went along with the settlement only because his attorneys assured him the church would turn over confidential personnel files that would reveal the truth about priest abusers, and those who shielded them, including Cardinal Roger M. Mahony.
BUSINESS
April 21, 2012 | By David Undercoffler, Auto Critic, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
The car: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC The power: 567 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque coming from a 6-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12 engine. Power is routed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and sport mode. The photos: 2012 Bentley Continental GTC The speed: Zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds en route to a 195-mph top speed The bragging rights: Among the world's fastest, most luxurious convertibles The price: Base price: $212,800.
BUSINESS
April 17, 2012 | By Shan Li, Los Angeles Times
Toy giant Mattel Inc.reported a 53% decline in profit in the first quarter, sending its stock down more than 9%, after higher production costs, slower sales of Barbie and Hot Wheels and a recent acquisition affected its bottom line. For the three months ended March 31, sales totaled $928.4 million, down 2% compared with $951.9 million in the same quarter last year, the company said Monday. Profit dropped to $7.8 million, or 2 cents a share, from $16.6 million, or 5 cents. The results fell below analyst expectations of a profit of 7 cents a share.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
April 12, 2012 | By Martha Groves, Los Angeles Times
A British company's proposal to build an observation wheel about as tall as a 20-story skyscraper at Venice Beach has some residents' heads spinning at the prospect of more crowds, trash and noise. With enthusiastic support from Los Angeles park and tourism officials, Great City Attractions is seeking permission to operate a 200-foot-tall mechanical ride just west of the Venice Beach boardwalk at Windward Avenue. The attraction would consist of 42 enclosed, air-conditioned "capsules," each capable of accommodating eight people.
NATIONAL
April 10, 2012 | By Rene Lynch
Remember this name: Jeremy Wuitschick. The 13-year-old from Milton, Wash., is being hailed as a hero and, when you hear his story, you'll have no doubt that the kid is destined to do great things. He already has. Wuitschick was one of dozens of students on his way to Surprise Lake Middle School, about 30 miles south of Seattle, on Monday morning when he noticed that the bus driver "starts acting all funny. His eyes are bulging. He's twisting in his chair," Wuitschick told KCPQ-TV.