Despite Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger’s campaign promises to preserve educational funding, the University of California’s budget may be “on the chopping block,” political analysts say. Facing an $8 billion deficit for 2004-2005, many believe Schwarzenegger’s pledged audit of the state budget will not find enough free revenue to maintain educational funding without raising taxes or making cuts to other programs like health care or prisons. Read more...

In a region with ever-increasing living costs, supermarket mega-chains must not allow investors to pressure them into cutting health benefits and pay for their workers. Seventy thousand unionized Southern California workers are picketing Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons because those companies have said they cannot offer existing levels of compensation or benefits in the next union contract. Read more...

The victory speeches and the thumbs-up poses dispensed, Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger must now turn his attention to dealing with state problems for which he promised solutions during his two-month campaign. Read more...

Workers with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority went on strike midnight Monday, shutting down Los Angeles County’s largest bus system and potentially leaving thousands of commuters ““ including UCLA students and workers ““ stranded. Read more...

It was another day on the streets for dozens of employees of the Westwood Ralphs. At times Monday afternoon, there were more temporary employees than customers in Ralphs, as dozens of picketers outside the student-frequented grocery store urged community members to take their business elsewhere. Read more...