Los Angeles Daily News

For the first time since Proposition 13 was passed in 1978, homeowners in Los Angeles County and statewide will see a slight decrease in their property tax bills next year, thanks to a bit of Full Story »

Declaring "I will not let you down," Police Chief Charlie Beck took the oath of office Thursday to become the 56th leader of the Los Angeles Police Department in a formal celebration of his appointment. Full Story »

A strong odor in Porter Ranch Thursday morning prompted residents to call 911, but officials said the harmless smell was the result of routine work being done by the Southern California Gas Co. Full Story »

An apartment building in Van Nuys was damaged by a fire Thursday, but no one was hurt. Full Story »

Authorities acted to protect Roman Polanski from public attention Thursday by moving him from a Zurich area jail to an undisclosed location before his transfer to house arrest in the Swiss Alps. Full Story »

Two men shot in the legs at a North Hollywood synagogue five weeks ago today -- including one who apparently was at the wrong place at the wrong time, were "kneecapped" as part of a warning "linked to a criminal organization," says a senior LAPD commander. Full Story »

Comcast Corp. announced Thursday it plans to buy a majority stake in NBC Universal for $13.75 billion, giving the nation's largest cable TV operator control of the Peacock network, an array of cable channels and a major movie studio. Full Story »

The Los Angeles Kings will begin their annual toy drive at Thursday night's game against the Ottawa Senators. Full Story »

An outdoor ice skating rink at L.A. Live will open Thursday with performances by LeAnn Rimes, Shelia E. and the E Family and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Full Story »

A lawyer for a New York woman who has denied having an affair with Tiger Woods has canceled a news conference that had been scheduled for Thursday in Los Angeles. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Beyonce has enough Grammy nominations for her and Sasha Fierce. The omnipresent diva garnered the most Grammy nominations on Wednesday night with 10 nods, including nominations for album of the year for "I Am ... Sasha Fierce," song of the year for her anthem "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" and record of the year for "Halo." Full Story »

The Los Angeles Auto Show opens Friday with an unspoken theme: Less is more. Read a description of some of the cars on display. Full Story »

Los Angeles Unified announced a tentative deal Wednesday with the teachers union that would allow the opening of 20 more semi-independent "pilot" schools next year. Full Story »

As a Superior Court judge threatened to halt the sale of marijuana from an Eagle Rock clinic, Los Angeles officials said Wednesday they don't expect to finalize plans to regulate dispensaries before the end of the year. Full Story »

The deal to give Comcast Corp. control of NBC Universal is expected to be announced today, transforming the nation's largest cable TV provider into one of the biggest owners of TV and movie programming. Full Story »

It doesn't get more American than to be a cowboy country singer from Oklahoma - who is Muslim. That's what San Fernando Valley organizers of Friday's Muslim American Heritage Celebration say of its key entertainer, Kareem Salama. Full Story »

Lisa Sarkin of Studio City feels like she's trapped in fog of brown soot. For the past several days, a thin sheet of brown dust has been covering her house, her cars, her clothes when she goes outside - and her conversations are broken up with a cough she can't seem to get rid of. Full Story »

Homeless people would be allowed to park overnight in designated zones throughout Los Angeles under a plan that is already generating strong opposition from residents of the Westside and other communities. Full Story »

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. At least as far as volunteer workers in the Los Angeles district of the U.S. Postal Service are concerned. Full Story »

The California Supreme Court refused on Wednesday to consider the case of a man convicted of the kidnap-murder of a Woodland Hills businessman who was forced into the trunk of his Bentley more than 10 years ago. Full Story »

A national immigrants rights group expressed concern Wednesday over a toy-distribution policy by the Salvation Army which it said could discourage some needy immigrant families from seeking free holiday presents. Full Story »

The California State University system received a record-breaking 609,000 undergraduate applications during the two-month priority application period from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, the university reported Wednesday. Full Story »

A body was found in a Palmdale residence that was the scene of an arson fire over the holiday weekend, an official said Wednesday. Full Story »

Four people accused of being part of a so-called "bling ring" burglary group that targeted the homes of celebrities pleaded not guilty Wednesday. Full Story »

A Los Angeles County judge says he may bar a medical marijuana dispensary from selling the drug because he believes it violates state law. Full Story »