Take Two

Office of California state senator Ron Calderon raided by FBI; Maxine Waters embraces role as top Democrat on powerful financial committee; Ex-NRC chief not confident in Edison's San Onofre restart plan; Igor Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' gets a 'ReRite' on its 100th anniversary; How has religion's view of homosexuality changed over the years? Plus much more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk trade during Mexico visit; Darrell Issa: The man behind the AP, IRS and Benghazi investigations; California state parks launch new overhaul effort; Picture This: A laid-off Chicago Sun-Times photographer moves on; GoldieBlox game encourages girls to build engineering skills plus much more.

First we'll have an update on the Powerhouse Fire; Could California's solar success kill off the state's big utilities?; Why hasn't Obama done a public event in California since taking office?; GoldiBlox game encourages girls to build engineering skills; As popularity grows, California rabbit farmers struggle to keep up with demand, plus much more.

Obama urges Congress to stop increase in student loan rates; Barbara Boxer on how to curb sexual assault in the military; Who should provide education to juvenile prisoners with special-needs?; Ex-Chivas USA coaches file racial discrimination suit; UC Irvine violinist makes beautiful music with a $5 million Stradivarius; Alexander Skarsgard goes rogue in 'The East'

Supreme Court could reject California's Prop 8 on a technicality; Poll: Prop 13 still popular, but in need of reform; What can gay couples teach straight couples about harmony?; Deepa Fernandes reports on why your daughter may not have been born loving pink; Who decides what should be banned on social media?; David Kwong, the magician behind the magic, plus much more.

California Senate, Assembly issue budget proposals; Sen. Barbara Boxer calls for probe of San Onofre power plant; Congressman Jeff Denham explains criticism of high speed rail plan; Imperial Valley farmer worries about how drought will affect his livelihood; Sequester cuts hit Monrovia Head Start program, others soon to follow; How an election in a small Washington town could change the planet, plus much more.

Abuse allegations bring to light Catholic Church's secret files; Water officials meet to address Colorado River drought; What’s the future of LA’s marijuana dispensaries?; Santa Ana credit union helps unbanked Latinos create financial security; Getting to know Gov. Jerry Brown with The Atlantic's James Fallows; US agency aims to create more resilient rice, wheat crops, plus much more.

Happy Memorial Day! Today we'll look at the cost and limitations of the California health insurance exchange; California bill regulating ocean trash dies in Assembly without a vote; Long Beach Cambodians remember those they lost in the Killing Fields; Finding peace and quiet in South LA can be a challenge, plus much more.

Washington bridge collapse and the state of our aging infrastructure; 'Liberace Extravaganza!' and the man behind the flashy outfits; Santa Cruz Island foxes are back from the brink of extinction; Census data shows Irvine among fastest-growing US cities; LAPD will not pursue complaints about noise from low-flying police choppers; Why do we continue to rebuild in natural disaster-prone areas? plus much more.

Obama speech to address military drones, closing Guantanamo; Young adults a key to Affordable Care Act in California; Fashion models among skilled workers eligible for H1B visas; How effective are police helicopters at fighting crime?; El Salvador gangs say Supreme Court ruling could threaten truce; Why conservatives from Southern California are flocking to Northern Idaho; Could 'Star Trek' technology ever become reality?

Gay marriage and gay conversion therapy will both get their days in court this week. Plus, the OC Register's new published emphasizes print and beefs up the newsroom, Congress fails to pass the Sportsman Act, leaving the Federal Duck Stamp in limbo and much more.

The latest news about unrest in the Middle East. Plus, the ACLU has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. military's women in combat policy. Then, a new study takes a peek inside a rapper's brain, a salmonella outbreak may cause an organic peanut butter shortage, and much more.

Today, President Obama meets with small business owners and middle-class Americans to discuss the fiscal cliff. Then, we look at why freshman Democrats and Republicans are segregated in Congress, How Tijuana kitsch is still alive and well, David Denby of The New Yorker asks "Do The Movies Have A Future," and much more.

Today we take a look at the latest news coming out of the Middle East, including Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's latest power grab. Then, the U.S. is facing the worst drought in 25 years, California couples are turning to social media to find open adoption opportunities, John Horn of the LA Times gives us a year-end movie preview and much more.

It's holiday travel time again! We look at how airlines are working to improve their on-time statuses and how LAX workers are protesting during the busy holiday. Then, we'll look at how to put a multicultural spin on the Thanksgiving turkey, how baristas are competing for the best latte art and much more.

We'll discuss whether U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is a good choice for Secretary Of State. Rice has come under fire following comments she made after the terrorist attacks in Benghazi. Then, a Pasadena Council OK'd the use of the Rose Bowl for NFL games, but not everyone's happy about the decision. Then, how the NHL lockout is affecting local businesses and the Kings' fanbase momentum, stolen petroglyphs shock archaeologists in Bishop, and much more.

Today we check in on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. What will motivate both sides to stop the fighting? The conflict isn't just being waged on the ground, but also via social media. Then, Wal-Mart employees nationwide are preparing for a series of protests on Black Friday. We talk to the author of "Bet The Farm" about why food prices are what they are, and much more.

An update on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza. Is a ground war inevitable? Then on the show, DirecTV will now be able to air Lakers games, but we'll look at how bars and restaurants have been impacted by the Lakers blackout so far. Then we talk to Eric Deggans, author of "Race Baiter," about how the media feeds fears of the 'other,' The Dinner Party guys are here with a weekend's full of hot topics and we give you a rundown of the biggest stories in this week's Friday Flashback.

Republican Governors are meeting in Las Vegas this week to reflect on election outcome and brainstorm the future of the GOP. Then, we talk with Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter for all five "Twilight" films about the success of the vamp series on the big screen. Plus, we take a look at the life of Wilbur K. Woo, an influential leader in L.A.'s Chinese community who passed away this week at 96. Also, a new study finds that California has the highest poverty rate in the U.S., and much more.

We look into the latest on the Petraeus scandal, and talk to an expert about how the military handles scandals that involve top military brass. Then we look at Jill Kelley, the Tampa-based socialite whose complaint began the revelation of the Petraeus-Broadwell affair. Plus, California gears up to debut its cap-and-trade emissions-reducing program, and NBC investigation looks at allegations of abuse in the Calif. National Guard, we take a look at the French Foreign legion and then we listen in to Obama's first press conference since reelection.