U.S. Congress

Marijuana Legalization Across America Possible Under Federal Bill Proposed Today

Marijuana could be legalized across America under a set of bills proposed by two congressman from decidedly liberal states. Yes, these guys -- Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Rep. Jared Polis of the recreational-legal state of Colorado -- are the Don Quixotes of federal weed policy. But we can d ... More >>

2012 Election Results: Historic Night for Gay Issues and Candidates Across the United States

Four years ago, Senator Barack Obama won the presidency, but gay folks across the country were outraged that California voters approved Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ban. Last night, it was a completely different story -- and one of the most historic and significant nights for the LGBT comm ... More >>

L.A. Artist Installs Paper-Mache Sunbathers on Downtown Dirt Plot, Abandoned Since 2007

Here's one way to comment on long-neglected construction blight: Put some paper-mache on it! Perhaps frustrated, like the rest of us, that it has taken the federal government five years (and counting) to figure out what they're doing with the plot of dirt at 1st and Broadway, an unidentified street ... More >>

Bruce Margolin For Congress: L.A.'s Chance to Put a Pro-Marijuana Rep in Washington

Okay, pot people. You like to complain a lot about how bad Obama's been treating you lately, sending his feds in to bust Oaksterdam University and other California-legal marijuana establishments. But you didn't have enough buds to pass full legalization in 2010 in California, and you haven't exact ... More >>

Oaksterdam University Raid 'Payback' For California's Marijuana Legalization Effort?

The man who bankrolled California's closest shot yet at fully legalizing marijuana, Prop. 19, saw his Oaksterdam University cannabis college in Oakland raided by federal authorities yesterday. And pot advocates are fuming. The Drug Policy Alliance suggests the raid by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Adm ... More >>

Arsenic Found in Organic Brown Rice Syrup Baby Formula

Arsenic is totally bad for you. Even if it doesn't kill you a la the classic "old lace" cocktail, small amounts have been associated with raising the risk for cancer and heart disease. Chronic arsenic ingestion in the young appears to result in dumb children (low IQ and "poor intellectual function") ... More >>

Congress Insider Trading: L.A. County Senators, Representatives Respond (or Don't)

NorCal's Nancy Pelosi finds nothing shady about her convenient investment in Visa.​As we learned on "60 Minutes" last night, many of the politicians we've elected to U.S. Congress have clearly been using their backdoor V.I.P. passes to gather exclusive intel on when to buy and sell stocks, bon ... More >>

Hollywood Bowl Invites Helicopter Pilots to L.A. Philharmonic Rehearsal, Arranges for Noisy Chopper to Fly Over

Professional Helicopter Pilots AssociationBullseye.​The L.A. County Board of Supervisors picked up the hot-button helicopter noise issue this week, adding their (somewhat meaningless) endorsement to the recently proposed House of Representatives bill that would "force the Federal Aviation Admi ... More >>

VILLAGE VOICE MEDIA ASKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 596

Rightbloggers Claim New California Voting Districts Were Rigged by 'La Raza Democrats'

Jeanne Raya, a Latina Democrat on the commission​Uh oh: La Raza is rising! California's voting districts are getting browner/bluer by the second. Before we know it, this'll be the goddamn Nation of Aztlán, are we right? The state's historic vote to let a group of 14 guys and gals with no pol ... More >>

California Redistricting Maps: Before and After

uncoverage.netCongrats, California Citizens Redistricting Commission!​The honorable commission of average Joes that's been slaving over California's out-of-wack districts for the last six months finally revealed a first draft of changes this morning, totally surpassing "Pretty Woman" for Best ... More >>

Matt Fong, Former California Treasurer And Longtime Angeleno, Dies at 57

Matt Fong.​Updated at the bottom with reaction from L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Matt Fong, a longtime Angeleno and onetime U.S. Senate hopeful, has died, according to the Sacramento Bee. Fong's mother is beloved Democrat March Fong Eu, who was elected California's Secretary of St ... More >>

Return to Sender

What would comprehensive immigration reform look like if the Feds got off their duffs?

California Census Data: No Change In House Seats Despite 10 Percent Growth

​Nothing could de-claw this rain cloud over Los Angeles like some fresh census data for the ages! We didn't endure all that door-to-door census heckling for nothing. The numbers are currently being announced -- in the most droning, drawn-out voice possible -- from the 13th floor of the Nationa ... More >>

Mexican Macro-economics

Do undocumented migrants steal jobs from American workers?

[Updated] Senate Votes on Sweeping Food Safety Bill

Flickr/graymalkna farm in Northern California​ Updated: Yesterday evening the Senate passed the Food Safety Bill, otherwise known as the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, or S.510. The bill passed on a 73-25 vote. It now goes to the House, which is widely expected to pass it, and then to Pre ... More >>

David Dreier Wins* California Congressional District 26 In Election 2010, Laughing While Opponent Russell Warner Eats Epic Dustcloud Of Defeat

​We're calling it: David Dreier (R) of the northeastern L.A. suburbs is your next representative for California Congressional District 26. He beat opponent Russell Warner (D) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But than ... More >>

Buck McKeon Wins* California Congressional District 25 In Election 2010, Obliterating Opponent Jackie Conaway In Gladiator-Style Death Match

​We're calling it: Buck McKeon (R) of Bakersfield is your next representative for California Congressional District 22. He beat opponent Jackie Conaway (D) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But thanks to sleazy incumb ... More >>

Curren Price Wins* California State Senate District 26 In Election 2010, Dropkicking Opponent Nachum Shifren Into Culver City Gutter

​We're calling it: Curren Price (D) of Culver City is your next representative for California State Senate District 26. He beat opponent Nachum Shifren (R) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But thanks to sleazy incumb ... More >>

Alex Padilla Wins* California State Senate District 20 In Election 2010, Feeding Opponent Kathleen Evans To Lions Before Cheering Valley Crowds

​We're calling it: Alex Padilla (D) of the San Fernando Valley is your next representative for California State Senate District 20. He beat opponent Kathleen Evans (R) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But thanks to s ... More >>

Jeff Gorell Wins* California State Assembly District 37 In Election 2010, Beating His Manly Chest To The Tune Of Opponent Ferial Masry's Bitter Tears

​We're calling it: Jeff Gorell (R) of Ventura is your next representative for California State Assembly District 37. He beat opponent Ferial Masry (D) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But thanks to sleazy incumbent f ... More >>

Barbara Boxer vs. Carly Fiorina Election Results: California U.S. Senate Race Side-Steps Anti-Incumbent Anger, Exit Polling Predicts Democrat Boxer Wins

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer​Update, 10:13 p.m.: The New York Times is projecting that the Democratic Party will retain control of the U.S. Senate, but lose the House of Representatives. Update, 11:37 p.m.: Republican Carly Fiorina refuses to concede during a speech, saying, "This is going to ... More >>

Cameron Smyth Wins* California State Assembly District 38 In Election 2010, His Triumphant Warcry Shattering The Very Soul Of Opponent Diana Shaw

​We're calling it: Cameron Smith (R) of Santa Clarita is your next representative for California State Assembly District 38. He beat opponent Diana Shaw (D) by a landslide. *OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in and the polls haven't closed. But thanks to sleazy incum ... More >>

Kevin De Leon, Edward Hernandez Win* California State Senate Districts 22, 24 In Election 2010, Wishing They Had Opponents To Conquer

Edward Hernandez​We're calling it: Kevin De Leon (D) of South Pasadena and Edward Hernandez (D) of L.A. proper are your next representatives for California State Senate Districts 22 and 24, respectively. Both ran unopposed. *OK, so you can't exactly win a race in which no one else running.

Surprise: Rest Of The Shoo-Ins Win* California State Senate, Assembly And Congressional Districts In Election 2010, Banding Together For Mass Extermination Of Opponents

In a startling upset, Gerrymandering Congressman Howard Berman wins again​*OK, so we fibbed in the headline. The final results aren't in. But -- thanks to sleazy incumbent fixing of elections in California by the Berman brothers -- the new crop of California Senators, Assemblymen and Congressm ... More >>

Barbara Boxer Camp's Internal Hysteria Meter Cools: Field Poll Shows California Senator Leads Carly Fiorina 8 Points And Independent Voters Rule

Watch out for ice.​All the internal hysteria that's periodically gripped the Barbara Boxer camp as California's longtime U.S. Senate ice maiden came closer than ever to losing her seat? It can probably be set aside. Anything can happen November 2, 2010. But today's Field Poll shows Boxer add ... More >>

Many Californians Remain Undecided About Who To Vote For So Close To Election Day

Ted SoquiWill 'undecideds' break for Whitman?​The number of "undecideds" in California only two weeks before the big November election is huge. We're acting like kids with a bucket full of Halloween candy. Except this is serious business. According to the latest poll by the Public Policy Inst ... More >>

Duane Roberts, Green Party U.S. Senate Candidate Against Carly Fiorina And Barbara Boxer, Assails KPCC For Censoring Him From Debate

Green Party U.S. Senate Candidate Duane Roberts lashed out at public radio station Shut up, important people are speaking​KPCC 89.3 FM this morning for barring Roberts from debating Carly Fiorina and Barbara Boxer -- yet another incident in which Los Angeles and California media systematicall ... More >>

Barbara Boxer And Carly Fiorina In A Dead Heat For U.S. Senate

Barbara Boxer.​A new poll this week finds that the mighty Barbara Boxer is in a real race for U.S. Senate: She's in a statistical dead heat with businesswoman and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina, according to Rasmussen Reports. The poll has Democratic Sen. Boxer leading 44 percent to Fior ... More >>

Santa Monica Consumer Group Alleges Google-Verizon Internet Plan Could Hinder Universal Internet Access

​A Santa Monica-based consumer watchdog group this week decried a proposal by Google and Verizon Communications that it says would put an end to net neutrality and create a system of pay-to-play haves and have-nots when it comes to internet access. " ... It sets up a two-tiered structure," sa ... More >>

Betting On Hollywood Movies' Box-Office Gets Initial Approval By Trading Commission

​The Commodity Futures Trading Commission gave its approval this week to one of a few start-ups that plan to allow people to essentially bet on the success of movies at the box office, but the thumbs up might not last: A U.S. Senate version of financial-reform measures being considered in Cong ... More >>

Schwarzenegger's Tuesday Voting Attempt A Fail

​Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got a do-over Tuesday morning when his ballot was rejected because he apparently voted for two U.S. Senate candidates instead of one (Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner?). The fail in Brentwood was caught on Fox 11 News live. The governor was apparently given two choices ... More >>

Another Happy Cinco De Mayo, This One From L.A.'s Danny Trejo

"This is Machete, with special Cinco de Mayo message ... to Arizona," says Los Angeles-based actor Danny Trejo, in character as "Machete," the antihero in the Robert Rodriguez film of the same name. The movie, with shades of the Arizona immigration-law battle, also stars Robert De Niro (as a Sherif ... More >>

Self-Styled Hollywood Producer Quintana Wants To Speak At Dem Convention

Brian Quintana.​Following news this week that mega-blogger and candidate for U.S. Senate Mickey Kaus was turned down for speaker's slot at the state Democratic convention in Los Angeles next week, self-styled Hollywood producer Brian Quintana is now angling for just such a slot. Good luck. Th ... More >>

Hollywood Producer Will Run Against Barbara Boxer For U.S. Senate

Brian Quintana.​Hollywood producer Brian Quintana (Superman: Man of Steel) has announced he filed papers to challenge Barbara Boxer for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in California's June primary. He says he would be the first "person of color" to represent California in the senate. ... More >>

Mayor Villaraigosa Optimistic That 'Subway To The Sea' Can Happen In 10 Years

​Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. optimistic about his plan to accelerate several transit projects, including his beloved "subway to the sea" that would take rail from the Miracle Mile to Santa Monica. His plan to compact 30 years worth of work in ... More >>

Local Candidate To Head The TSA Pulls Out After 20-Year-Old Dirt Is Dug Up

USCErroll Southers.​Erroll Southers, assistant chief of Los Angeles airport police and President Obama's nominee to head the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, has withdrawn his candidacy after 20-year-old dirt about him surfaced and he faced opposition from Republicans in Congress. ... More >>

Tom Campbell Aims For Barbara Boxer's Senate Seat

​Former Congressman Tom Campbell announced in Los Angeles Thursday that he's pulling out of a crowded Republican slate in California's gubernatorial race to challenge Democrat Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat. "I initially made the decision to run for governor because I believe that my ... More >>

Airport Police Union TSA Pronouncement

​The organization representing Los Angeles airport police says the attempted attack on an airliner over Detroit Christmas day highlights the need for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to get a new permanent leader. Marshall McClain, president of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Off ... More >>

Tax A Tan? It's Possible Under Senate Version Of Health Care Bill

FoxTan Stewie.​Los Angeles is the capital of tanning. (We know, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hasn't made this declaration yet, but we assure you, he will). Now, hold on to something and breathe steadily, especially you George Hamilton, the cast of E! reality show Sunset Tan, and Tan Stewie, beca ... More >>

County, State, Stuck With More Of The Bill To Jail Illegal Immigrants

The County Inmate Reception Center.​The federal government, she is a fickle lover. And even in this time of stimulus, Los Angeles County is getting stuck with more of the bill to jail illegal immigrants who have been arrested locally. KPCC (89.3 FM) reports that the county will see $3 million ... More >>

Senator V? One Pundit Thinks Villaraigosa Is Going Senatorial In 2012

​He's an utterly ambitious career politician with the $2,000 suits, million-dollar smile and billionaire friends, but you all know him simply as Mayor V. Observers have wondered what Antonio Villaraigosa was going to do next after letting the gubernatorial race pass him by. One pundit thinks ... More >>

Prop.93: How 42 Politicians Could Cash In

Proponents say it fights incompetence. Opponents say it serves power and greed

Bush's Big Bluff

The end of Internet gambling

G.I. George

Fuck Yourself, Dick Cheney

We Endorse

L.A. Weekly’s recommendations in the major contested races of the March 2 primary

The Revelators

Martin Scorsese’s blue Christmas

Thank$ a Million

Uncomfortable questions about the outpouring of disaster donations

October Demise