KPCC: Stories by Frank Stoltze

California attorney general investigates scam targeting black churches

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:46:33 -0800

State Attorney General Jerry Brown Friday said he’s investigating whether 30 African-American churches in Southern California were the target of a computer scam.

Beck is sworn in as LAPD chief

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:39:28 -0800

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa swore in Charles Beck as the 55th chief of the Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday. The swearing in came minutes after the City Council unanimously confirmed Beck.

LA City Council to debate medical marijuana regulations on Wednesday

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

[Update at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009] As hundreds of medical marijuana patients and providers overflowed Los Angeles City Council chambers today, two key council committees rejected an outright ban on the sale of medical marijuana in the city.

Immigration officials identify more criminal undocumented immigrants in jails

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:13 -0800

The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in Los Angeles said it’s identified a record number of criminal undocumented immigrants in local jails.

MoveOn seeks to keep pressure on Southern California lawmakers on health care

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:04:23 -0800

MoveOn.org plans a health care rally outside Southern California congressman Henry Waxman's office.

Schwarzenegger announces money for veterans, plans trip to Iraq

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:39:34 -0800

In observance of Veterans Day, Governor Schwarzenegger Wednesday announced new job training and mental health programs for people who’ve served in the military.

Los Angeles to begin debate on proposed medical marijuana law

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:47:23 -0800

The city of Los Angeles is moving closer to shutting down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee debates new regulations next week.

Inspector general questions LAPD investigations into racial profiling

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:43:18 -0800

The Los Angeles Police Commission’s inspector general said Tuesday that the LAPD’s failing to properly investigate all allegations of racial bias against its officers.

Burbank police chief to resign amid FBI probe

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:07:43 -0800

Burbank’s police chief announced his resignation Monday. The announcement follows a month after the FBI opened an investigation into the Burbank Police Department.

Charlie Beck nomination as next LAPD chief approved by LA's Public Safety Committee

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:12:05 -0800

LAPD Deputy Chief Charlie Beck moved one step closer to becoming Los Angeles' next top cop as the City Council's Public Safety committee unanimously approved his nomination today.

25,000 expected for tonight's East LA Classic football game

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:55:00 -0800

The Garfield and Roosevelt High School football teams face off in what’s known as the East L.A. Classic Friday night. Some call it the oldest and biggest football rivalry west of the Mississippi.

Prosecutors charge boys as adults in Long Beach shooting

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:19:46 -0800

Prosecutors Friday charged two 16-year-old boys as adults in last week’s fatal shooting of high school student in Long Beach.

Carly Fiorina derides Barbara Boxer as do-nothing senator

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:41:46 -0800

Former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina announced Wednesday she’s running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in California. Fiorina brings considerable wealth and name recognition to her bid to oust three-term Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer.

Villaraigosa picks reformed anti-gang cop to be next LAPD chief

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:20:05 -0800

Just a few years ago, it would have been unimaginable for the mayor of Los Angeles to name someone from inside the long-troubled LAPD to lead the department. Tuesday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa did just that. He chose Deputy Chief Charlie Beck – a reformed hard-driving anti-gang cop – to succeed Bill Bratton in what the mayor’s called his most important appointment.

Charlie Beck named as next LAPD chief

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:48:51 -0800

A longtime "true-blue" officer raised in a family of cops and who was a Rampart reformer was named the new chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. Charlie Beck will be Los Angeles' next police chief, the mayor announced at an 11 a.m. news conference.

LA Metro's deal with Italian rail car manufacturer falls apart

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:37:52 -0800

L.A. County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has thrown AnsaldoBreda from the train. The Italian company had agreed to build a factory in Los Angeles and manufacture 100 more light rail cars for the regional transit system. But negotiations derailed over the weekend, and now the $300 million deal is off.

LAPD, City Hall watchers closely track chief selection

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:40:39 -0800

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to name a new police chief Tuesday. The closely-watched choice will likely replace former chief William Bratton.

Mayor Villaraigosa to select LAPD chief Tuesday

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:07:13 -0800

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s expected to name a new police chief Tuesday. Bill Bratton’s last day on the job was Saturday.

Los Angeles reduces police services to help address budget crisis

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:31:54 -0800

The city of Los Angeles continues to grapple with plummeting tax revenues resulting from the recession. Friday, the City Council took a number of actions to help reduce a $400 million deficit, including reducing the number of overtime hours police officers can work.

Cooley declines to file charges against LAPD officers in MacArthur Park melee

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:49:48 -0800

Los Angeles County prosecutors Friday announced they will not file criminal charges against the officers who hit non-violent immigrant rights demonstrators in MacArthur Park two years ago.