Nick Roman

Union employees at local Ralphs, Vons, and Albertsons supermarkets have been working on an expired contract since March. They’ve voted to authorize a strike if their leaders decide it’s necessary — and they’ve staged rallies to demonstrate their resolve. But the grocery chains have dug in, too. The two sides remain far apart on the issue of health benefits.

The natural gas pipeline that blew up in Northern California last September – killing eight people – suffered a major leak 23 years ago - but accident investigators looking into the recent blast didn’t know that until this week, when Pacific Gas and Electric told them. Regulators responded to the belated information.

California takes a small step toward reducing its inmate population and prison costs today. Prison officials will consider whether to grant “medical parole” to a paralyzed inmate.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to take direct control of a pair of problem departments - Probation and Children and Family Services. The two departments might be L.A. County government’s biggest headaches.

A Los Angeles judge has whittled down lawsuits by the parents of a mentally ill woman whose body was found in Malibu Canyon last summer. The parents are suing the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department for releasing their daughter despite her erratic behavior.

Bryan Stow is closer to home in the Bay Area. The San Francisco Giants fan who was badly beaten at Dodger Stadium was flown yesterday to a hospital in San Francisco for more care. His recovery is in its eighth week.

One judge will handle both lawsuits filed by Michael Jackson’s parents over their son’s overdose death two years ago.

The trial of the doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death has been delayed until September. The Los Angeles judge in charge decided neither side was ready to go.

Basketball's Sacramento Kings will stay in their home city for at least another season.

New legal papers lay out a bizarre new story about Sirhan Sirhan’s role in the assassination of Robert Kennedy. The documents are part of filing from the attorneys trying to win Sirhan’s release after more than 40 years in prison.