Los Angeles Times - Top News

9 more superdelegates endorse Obama

Fri, 9 May 2008 13:33:00 -0700

The endorsements appear to put Barack Obama ahead of Hillary Clinton in the crucial count as both candidates focus on the contest in Oregon.

Sen. Barack Obama appeared to eclipse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the crucial race for Democratic superdelegates today as the campaigns turned their sights on Oregon, where balloting by mail is already underway.

District to review whether other child abuse cases went unreported

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:41:00 -0700

Santa-Monica-Malibu Unified officials try to ease concerns of parents after revelations that a teacher jailed on molestation charges had been accused but not charged in 2006.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District officials are trying to make sure no other child abuse allegations went unreported to the district, in the wake of allegations that a middle-school teacher charged with molesting five students had been investigated but not charged two years earlier.

Myanmar generals continue to frustrate humanitarian relief for cyclone

Fri, 9 May 2008 10:58:00 -0700

International agencies fear a second wave of deaths if the military government continues to bar foreign aid workers from the battered country.

BANGKOK -- Myanmar's military government continued today to frustrate a large-scale humanitarian relief effort for the victims of last week's cyclone, raising fears that disease could begin to affect untended victims and lead to an even higher death toll.

Mothers lead protest against Schwarzenegger school cuts

Fri, 9 May 2008 13:21:00 -0700

About 100 Beverlywood parents gather near the L.A. County Art Museum to protest $4.8 billion in proposed cuts to education.

About 100 parents, mostly mothers, gathered near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art this morning to protest potential cuts to education funding.

Students brawl at two L.A. high schools

Fri, 9 May 2008 14:47:40 -0700

Locke High School in South Los Angeles is on lockdown after a major brawl involving hundreds of students. Another brawl was reported at nearby Washington High School.

Vandals shoot out windows of 50 cars in Azusa area

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:02:00 -0700

A BB or pellet gun is used in attacks on parked vehicles along several blocks of San Gabriel Avenue and nearby streets.

Windows of more than 50 cars in Azusa and surrounding areas were shot out with a BB or pellet gun in a series of attacks on parked vehicles early Friday morning, authorities said.

Long Beach jury urges death in killing of off-duty county deputy

Fri, 9 May 2008 11:07:00 -0700

Frank Christopher Gonzalez was convicted of murdering the deputy as part of robbery in 2006. Sentencing is scheduled for Monday.

A Long Beach jury has recommended the death penalty for a man convicted of first-degree murder for the 2006 shooting of an off-duty sheriff's deputy during a robbery.

Harlan Hahn; USC professor fought for disability rights, sued university to improve its access

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The political science professor, tired of missing meetings due to mobility barriers on campus, succeeded in getting USC to become 'a model now for accessibility,' an advocate says. He was 68.

Harlan Hahn a longtime USC professor of political science and champion of disability rights who successfully sued the university to improve access for disabled people campuswide, died April 23 at his Santa Monica home. He was 68.

Hezbollah swiftly takes control in Beirut

Fri, 9 May 2008 09:10:00 -0700

The Shiite militia overwhelms Sunni fighters and faces little resistance from Lebanon's U.S.-backed security forces as it sweeps through much of the capital.

BEIRUT -- The Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah handily took over much of the Lebanese capital today in a dramatic escalation of the movement's months-long confrontation with the government and its supporters, security officials said.

For Hillary Clinton, no 'clear path to victory' -- nor to an exit

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Her supporters, largely resigned to losing, discuss a way out as she continues to campaign.

She's darting around the country like a full-fledged presidential candidate, but within Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's circle of advisors and donors, the conversation has turned to how she can make a dignified exit from the race.