Brenda Whaley 
Michele Hanisee has been doing everything in her power to expedite the arduous process of rebuilding her Altadena home. But after navigating permitting delays, insurance stalemates and design flaws, there’s still one big unresolved issue that’s complicating her progress: sewage. Hanisee owns one of nearly 700 properties in Altadena that’s never had sewer lines, instead … Read more
The frustratingly unforgettable Kars4kids jingle, which has been worming its way into listeners’ brains for decades, is officially banned from the airwaves in California. While the 1-877-KARS4KIDS song has been called one of the most memorable jingles in history, a court has ruled it is misleading. A California man took the group behind it to … Read more
The stock market fell from its records Friday and joined a worldwide drop for stocks after higher oil prices sent a shiver through the bond market. Stocks that had been caught up in the euphoria around artificial-intelligence technology led the way lower. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 1.2% from its all-time high set … Read more
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — To Fidel Castro and Cuba’s communist elite, private businesses were totems of capitalist evil. Now, with the country running out of food and fuel, the regime on the brink and anger spreading in the streets, it’s those private businesses — run by once-persecuted, small-scale capitalists — that hold the key to salvaging … Read more
A Los Angeles judge has denied a petition by State Farm and other insurers to dismiss two lawsuits accusing them of colluding to drive homeowners onto California’s FAIR Plan. The lawsuits, which accuse the insurers of violating the state’s antirust and unfair competition laws, were largely upheld in a decision Thursday by Los Angeles County … Read more
On a recent weekday morning inside a studio in the heart of Hollywood, Rachel Lindsay and Van Lathan, co-hosts of The Ringer’s “Higher Learning,” were getting ready to roll. By the time the podcasters came into the Spotify Sycamore Studios for their show, which covers all things in Black culture and politics, the overhead lights … Read more
NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter rail system, was shut down Saturday after unionized workers went on strike for the first time in three decades. The railroad, which serves New York City and its eastern suburbs, ceased operations just after midnight after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off … Read more
Dear Liz: You often emphasize the importance of using a financial planner or advisor who is a fiduciary. But how does one know whether a given planner or advisor is a fiduciary? Is it just the planner or advisor claiming to be one? Are there any licensing laws or professional organizations that grant such a … Read more
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The artificial intelligence boom is leading to fights in some states over growing utility profits, as governors, attorneys general and others protesting rising electricity bills say cash-strapped residents are stuck in a broken system. Officials and lawmakers in at least six states — Arizona, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — are … Read more
WAIALUA, Hawaii — The reddish-brown mud that smothered Bok Kongphan’s Hawaii farm has hardened in the tropical sun. Irrigation tubes lie in a tangle where his lemongrass, cucumber and okra once flourished. His niece, Jeni Balanay, lost her crops too —bitter melon, tomato and a mustardy green called choy sum. The leaves of her recently planted banana, … Read more
NEW YORK — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pleaded with unions representing workers for the Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter rail system, to resume bargaining Sunday, saying a long strike would hurt workers and hundreds of thousands of commuters. “This is my official invitation. We didn’t want you to leave. You left. You’re welcome … Read more