All the news that's fit to link...
Inflated art appraisals cost U.S. government untold millions
The IRS audits only a handful of the transactions. Data suggest overvaluation is rampant.
An alleged tax-fraud scheme involving donations of overvalued art to four local museums is part of a larger, unchecked problem with inflated art appraisals that has cost the federal government untold millions, a Times analysis has found.
LAX project manager may get $25 million
Los Angeles-based DMJM stands to make at least $25 million to oversee modernization efforts at Los Angeles International Airport if airport commissioners approve a one-year contract Monday.
Calif.: Affordable Housing Rules Slammed
LOS ANGELES — Affordable housing advocates are criticizing state guidelines that distribute money from an affordable housing bond measure, saying the new rules shortchange small projects that help poor people.
L.A. Unified consultant under scrutiny of D.A.'s watchdog
The Public Integrity Unit chief is looking into alleged bill-padding in school construction effort.
The Los Angeles County district attorney's Public Integrity Unit is reviewing whether a high-level consultant for the Los Angeles Unified School District's building program engaged in a conflict of interest.
Tangling over Net traffic cops
The battle between Internet users and network operators has heated up again after cable giant Comcast was caught quietly blocking customers from sharing movies, music and other stuff that can clog the Internet's pipes.
California job growth slows to a crawl
The state added just under 15,000 positions in 2007 and January saw another shrink in employers' payrolls. Training programs and other initiatives will be pursued, officials say.
Here's more evidence that California is losing its struggle against recession: The state shed 20,300 jobs in January, more than the other 49 states combined for the month, a government report showed Friday.
Official urges new rules for cutting California's dropout rates
The incoming state Senate chief seeks to raise high schools' goal for graduation rates and better track how many students give up on education.
The incoming leader of the state Senate said Thursday that he wants to overhaul California's programs for reducing the number of high school dropouts, calling it a top legislative priority.
Next speaker enjoys broad support
Assembly colleagues describe Bass as 'unflappable' and praise her 'quiet capacity to lead.'
Anyone who knew Wilhelmina Bass might understand why her daughter Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Democrat elected Thursday as the next leader of the California Assembly, has devoted her Capitol career to making the state a better parent to its 80,000 foster children.
Finally, the masses are roused by rampant development
Roy P. Disney, who has lived all his 50 years in Toluca Lake, didn't mince words about what he believes will be the fate of thousands of poor souls living in the southeast San Fernando Valley.
State, preparing to borrow, faces cold market for munis
Tax-free bonds attract few buyers amid risk fears and tight credit
The credit crunch is taking a heavier toll on the municipal bond market, a favored sector for individual investors.
New details offered in private eye's case
Prosecutors preview next week's trial of Anthony Pellicano, including an alleged talk with super-agent Michael Ovitz.
Los Angeles police officer on Anthony Pellicano's payroll plumbed law enforcement databases for confidential information on two reporters after Hollywood super-agent Michael Ovitz told the private eye he believed the journalists had written negative stories about him, federal prosecutors alleged in court papers released on Friday.
L.A. schools' hires are loaners
Two in mayor's program are being lent by another district.
The mayor's office acknowledged Thursday that two top hires it introduced this week are technically on loan from the San Diego Unified School District. One of the employees is Angela Bass, who was presented at a Monday news conference as the superintendent of instruction for the two academically struggling high schools and four middle schools that will fall under the stewardship of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Home sales, prices plunge
Los Angeles County's housing market continued its decline in January with the median price retreating to 2005 levels, a trade association said Monday.
Let's install 'user pays' for council
By Doug McIntyre
SOMETIMES you just have to take a swing at the pinata even if it's not your pinata.
The Los Angeles City Council is famous for this: whacking away at issues completely outside its jurisdiction. How many nonbinding resolutions have members proposed and passed encouraging "free and fair elections in Guatemala?" How many impassioned speeches have filled the cave of winds as Bill Rosendahl out-Gandhis Eric Garcetti on the Iraq war?
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