Mike Roe

United Farm Workers union leader Richard Chavez has died. The 81-year-old brother of civil rights and labor leader Cesar Chavez and longtime partner of activist Dolores Huerta died in Bakersfield, following complications in surgery.

Former Los Angeles police lieutenant Kathleen Green has been awarded nearly $1 million in a gender discrimination case.

L.A. County Metro officials say they're ready for this weekend’s shutdown of the 405 Freeway between the 101 and 10 interchanges. Are the rest of us ready for "Carmageddon"? Metro spokesman Marc Littman offers his thoughts.

JetBlue announced flights between Long Beach Airport and Burbank's Bob Hope Airport this Saturday during the closure of the 405 dubbed "Carmageddon." The flights sold out within hours.

A memorial service for former First Lady Betty Ford will be held Tuesday afternoon at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert. She and late President Gerald Ford worshipped there after he left office in 1977. Betty Ford died Friday at the age of 93.

A new ad attacking Los Angeles city councilwoman Democrat Janice Hahn, who's running to replace Jane Harman in a special election in the 36th Congressional District, has been denounced by both Hahn and her Republican opponent, Craig Huey. The Hahn campaign announced today that it plans to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Republican rival Craig Huey's campaign.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck spoke with KPCC's Patt Morrison about the suspect in the beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodger Stadium, as well as the continuing investigation.

The idea for Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright's short play "On Facebook" came from reading conversations about gay marriage on the world's most popular social network. His piece is part of a group of short works, “Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.”

Four people were arrested after protesting outside Burbank's Disney Studios, raising a banner reading "Disney: Destroying Indonesia's Rainforests."

Decades ago, it seemed like a good idea — letting Californians decide on issues from taxes to the legality of same-sex marriage through ballot initiatives. Now, critics say that progressive approach to governance has morphed into an industry that caters to special interests with money to spend. Two state Senate bills are taking aim at the process. One would require signature-gatherers to wear badges that indicate whether they’re paid or volunteers. The other would allow issue campaigns to pay them by the hour. But not per signature. Both measures passed the state Senate this week. State Senator Mark DeSaulnier of Concord explains what his bill's goal is.

Northrop Grumman is test-flying a new spy plane over the Mojave desert. The Firebird can be flown with or without a pilot. Rick Crooks, Northrop’s director of advanced projects, led the development team and describes the plane - and its future.

Colonel Joe Felter spoke about what went into the operation that took out Osama bin Laden.