Budget cuts for California's 278 State Parks has led to $1.3-billion in backlogged maintenance and repair projects, according to the Sacramento Bee. The underfunding and consequential reduction of staff and services has led to an increase in crime reported in the state parks. “California’s state parks have been starved of funding, which is demonstrated by their deplorable conditions and rising crime rate,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, California State Parks Foundation president. more ›

For the last ten years, state representatives from Los Angeles have dominated the role of Speaker of the Assembly, including Mayor Villaraigosa, LA City Council Herb Wesson and Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle. Today, Karen Bass, the assemblywoman who represents neighborhoods from West LA to Culver City to Baldwin Hills, had enough votes to become Speaker of the Assembly up in Sacramento. more ›

If you thought Sacramento politics was like watching paint dry on a wall, then it's time to revaluate that thought... at least for the moment. On Friday, the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert blog picked their Press Release of the Week and if the proposed bill is passed, it could effect the roadways here in Los Angeles by letting solo drivers, including Hummers and other SUVs, gain access to car pool lanes if they purchase carbon off-sets annually. According to Senator Jim Battin (R- La Quinta), who submitted the bill, a "flashy, fuel-sucking car" (like his Lincon Aviator) only costs $45 a year while a Prius' carbon footprint can be neutralized for $15 (otherwise, the green bean car becomes "a worse foe to the environment than an SUV"). more ›

World AIDS Day. Minorities at risk. more ›