The independent bodies that monitor and investigate the L.A. County Sheriff's Department faced budget cuts, leadership departures and legal challenges this year, creating uncertainty about their future.

How the late Rob Reiner connected with liberals and conservatives

Southern California home prices dropped to $852,629 in November, marking the sixth time in seven months that values have fallen.

Many school districts are keeping child abuse settlements secret, preventing the public from knowing the full cost, sometimes in the millions of dollars.

The Pasadena Unified School District faces a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, and schools in Pasadena face enrollment declines in the aftermath of the Eaton fire.