Part of President Obama's plan to get tough on gun control involves the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF. The agency hasn't had a permanent director in six years, and now the president is urging Congress to change that.

Last week, the NRA, in part, blamed video games for an upsurge in gun violence. But in terms of business, a report in the New York Times points out how video game and gun manufacturers are closer bed fellows than you might think.

It's been nearly two weeks since the shooting in Newtown, Conn., and while December gun sales are at record highs across the U.S., the LAPD is urging people to turn their firearms in.

Sheriff Lee Baca is under intense pressure to stop what an independent citizen's panel called "A persistent pattern of unreasonable force," against jail inmates. The FBI is reportedly examining dozens of allegations of abuse by sheriff's deputies, and the federal government could seek a consent decree mandating reforms if Baca fails to reduce violence inside his lockups.

One offense that could easily land you in prison: drug smuggling. Prosecutions for the offense can vary between state and federal court.Fronteras Desk reporter Erin Siegal looks at what happens when accused smugglers say they were forced to work as drug mules.

President Obama and members of the lame duck congress will return to Washington tomorrow to negotiate a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. Only half of Americans think a deal will be struck before the end of the year, according to a Gallup poll out today.

The Clippers won their 14th straight game last night, and forget about just L.A., they have the best record in the NBA.While the Lakers have been scrambling to stay afloat, the Clippers have been making it look easy and could for the first time not be an automatic joke for LA sports fans.

If you don't play tuba or know a tuba player, you may not know that in the month of December, California hosts nine "Tuba Christmas" events. The California Report's Susan Valot has the story.

In his new book, New Yorker film critic David Denby outlines his fears that blockbuster films being made today are having a negative effect on American cinema.

New York has the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and L.A. has the Rose Parade. New York has snowstorms, and L.A. has bad traffic on just about every freeway in the city.The holidays can be a drag for everyone, no matter what coast you're on.

Now the glow of Christmas has begun to wear off, the crumpled wrapping paper has collected in the corner, the egg nog's not sitting so well, and it's time to deal with those inevitable holiday returns.

Documentary filmmaker Eugene Jarecki has become something of a war reporter.