Politics

A flamboyant former Texas savings and loan owner was charged Wednesday with using the thrift’s money to contribute illegally to powerful politicians and to pay prostitutes. The federal indictment accuses Don R. Dixon of 38 criminal counts in the collapse of Vernon Savings & Loan in tiny Vernon, Tex.–a debacle that could cost taxpayers as … Read more

The week after Labor Day, Americans are traditionally blindsided by a new political season–speeches and sparring among aspirants for President or town clerk. This week two unusual candidates for political attention are emerging with typical hype and pandering. But this time the hopefuls are magazines, not men. On Thursday the inaugural issue of George, a … Read more

Henry Salvatori, an Italian immigrant who became a confidant and major contributor to the nation’s most powerful and successful Republicans, including three U.S. presidents, has died. He was 96. Salvatori, remembered as a key figure in Ronald Reagan’s “kitchen cabinet” of advisors, died Sunday at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica. A champion of … Read more

Candidate for governor Dianne Feinstein and her investment banker husband, Richard Blum, reported earning nearly $7.4 million last year and paid $2.5 million of it in combined state and federal taxes–putting them in the rarefied top 0.02% of California money-makers. The two, who are financing a large share of Feinstein’s campaign, released their 1989 tax … Read more

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed Michael R. Bloomberg for president on Saturday, saying the billionaire’s experience as mayor of New York City demonstrated that he has the skills to run the nation. “I’m with Michael Bloomberg because I watched him lead America’s largest city, which has always been a gateway of hope, promise … Read more

There are people who come up to Democratic Sen. Alan Cranston all the time as he travels around California in quest of a fourth term. They thank him. “I cracked up a plane in Sicily in World War II,” says a veteran waiting for Cranston to arrive at a community meeting in Los Angeles. “My … Read more

Ted Cruz, the Republican Party’s newest star, hasn’t even officially won his seat in the U.S. Senate, and already there is speculation about a run for something bigger in 2016. But could the circumstances of his birth get in the way? Cruz, a tea party-endorsed Cuban American conservative, gave the party establishment a thumping in … Read more

Coconuts, ‘brat summer’ and that laugh: The memeing of Kamala Harris It’s out with Dark Brandon and in with coconuts and “brat summer.” Scratching your head about what it all means? For those who still don’t know what a dank meme is, let the explaining by this 142-year-old newspaper begin. In short: Vice President Kamala … Read more

Amazing but true: Americans can hold two contradictory ideas about a person at the same time. Look at President Bill Clinton. On the one hand, Americans see him as a strong and effective leader who is doing his job. On the other, they think he’s not honest and trustworthy. How serious is Clinton’s character problem? … Read more

Donald Trump held a news conference in September at his golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes, above. He returns to Southern California for a rally Saturday in the Coachella Valley. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) Former President Trump will rally supporters at a Coachella Valley polo field on Saturday, in a state he lost … Read more