Topic: Southern California

Was LA earthquake a precursor to the 'Big One'?

The 4.4 magnitude LA earthquake rattled the city Tuesday morning. Experts say it is impossible to tell whether small quakes are a sign that other bigger ones may follow.

4.4 magnitude earthquake rattles LA

Earthquake 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles struck shortly after 4 a.m.

California lawmaker would outlaw 'open carry' gun right

Gun owners have been meeting in coffee shops, parks, and restaurants wearing holstered weapons. California Assembly Member Lori Saldaña says 'open carry' of guns can create ‘potentially dangerous situations.’

Opinion: Healthcare reform must not ignore the Millennials

Healthcare reform will be a crucial test of the Millennial generation's pro-government sentiment. Congress can’t afford to lose the support of young voters.

Urban gardeners versus zoning laws

Urban green thumbs who want to raise livestock or grow vegetables for sale are being thwarted by unhappy neighbors and zoning laws.

Behind mid-Atlantic snowstorms: a rare weather pattern

Meteorologists see similarities between the weather patterns that have led to this winter's mid-Atlantic snowstorms and the Northeast's blizzard of 1978.

California closer to dream of being US high-speed rail capital

President Obama announced Thursday that California would receive $2.7 billion to boost its high-speed rail plan. The state hopes to link Los Angeles and San Francisco by 2017.

El Nino packs a punch far beyond soggy California

A periodic climate phenomenon, El Nino has prompted storms to smack southern California this week rather than the Pacific Northwest. But Indonesia and parts of Australia are also affected, except they're too dry.

Evacuations ordered as storms pound Southern California

Around 800 homes in the Los Angeles area were issued evacuation orders as the fourth storm to hit the region this week arrived Thursday, causing power outages and chaos for drivers. Heavy rain is unusual in this area.

San Andreas fault: Could earthquake happen sooner than expected?

The frequency of a major earthquake along a key stretch of California’s San Andreas fault could be greater than thought, according to studies published Thursday in the journal Science.

El Nino prime culprit for severe weather in California

Three days of severe weather, including mudslides and flooding, is largely courtesy of El Nino, say meteorologists.

No more power lines?

Buried super-cooled electrical cables may replace towering transmission lines and carry solar and wind energy efficiently over long distances.

Opinion: Muslim Americans and US law enforcement: not enemies, but vital partners

But first, both Muslim Americans and law enforcement have to change the way they interact.

The city that said ‘no’

Maywood, Calif., has become a ‘culture of participation’ to help solve its pollution problems, particularly with contaminated water.

A Single Man: movie review

Colin Firth plays a college professor devastated by his partner’s death in ‘A Single Man,’ designer Tom Ford’s first foray into filmmaking.

A passion for pumpkin pie intersects with a love of gardening

A pumpkin lover starts a small garden to grow her favorite vegetable and provide the makings of tasty fall pies.

Record 9.6 percent of homeowners are behind on their mortgages

Job losses are driving more mortgage woes, as a record 9.6 percent of homeowners were delinquent in the third quarter, Mortgage Bankers Association reports.

High unemployment means high military recruitment

Military recruits seek not just an adventure, but a much needed job.

The Muslim Next Door

Movie review: 'Visual Acoustics'

Documentary captures the lifework of Julius Shulman, the celebrated photographer of modernist architecture.

More heat, humidity coming to southern California, scientists predict

Since 1990, heat waves with high humidity have increased in both frequency and intensity in southern California.

Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

Garry Shandling's humor on DVD, an Italian cook's life in paperback, Cuban music after Castro, and more.

In the Southwest, mesquite pods are a tasty treat

Mesquite pods, once a staple of native Americans, are now being added to smoothies, breads, and pancakes.

Zazi case: How far should FBI go in tracking Muslims?

Muslim groups say the surveillance techniques authorized by the Patriot Act and credited with helping nab alleged New York bomb plotter Najibullah Zazi are alienating potential allies against terrorism.