Column: Steve Garvey won California’s U.S. Senate debate
SACRAMENTO — Donald Trump’s strong victory in the New Hampshire presidential primary Tuesday probably hurt fellow Republican Steve Garvey in California’s U.S. Senate race. I’ll explain…
Column: As Congress neglects its duty, the courts and regulators step in
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case about fishing boats, and it could spell the end of government as we know…
Column: Taiwan held an election. War didn’t break out. That’s good for California
WASHINGTON — Good news has been scarce in world affairs this year. So it’s worth noting a conflict zone where the worst-case scenario hasn’t happened: the…
Column: Snarky comment, Biden apology show politics can be better
Asa Hutchinson was never going to be the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, much less the nation’s 47th president. In another time, before Donald Trump became…
Australian Open 2024: Elina Svitolina column on Ukraine’s fight against Russian invasion
A lot of people are in very dangerous places where missiles are coming down every day and landing in Ukrainian territory. Unfortunately, people in Ukraine…
Column: Trump’s ‘I’m not responsible’ presidency
WASHINGTON — On the eve of the D-day invasion of France in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote down the words he planned to say…
Plaschke: Chargers want to finally make a splash? Hire Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh is there if the Chargers want him. The question is, how bad do they want him? Do they want to deal with the…
Column: What have we done to deserve these House Republicans?
The 118th Congress — who is responsible for this train wreck of a legislative body? Is it them or is it us? Because to quote…
Column: Biden wants his team to look competent. Austin made it look chaotic
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s belated disclosure that Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was hospitalized twice without informing President Biden touched off a controversy that isn’t…
UCLA gets back in win column with victory over Washington
From the day he started at UCLA, Mick Cronin said he spelled fun W-I-N. Over the last two months, as one loss followed another, his…
Column: Iowa caucuses’ odd history of political spectacle
When Iowa’s brave and hardy Republicans venture Monday night into the arctic cold to cast the first presidential ballots of 2024, Richard Bender will be…
Column: Eric Freeny will be perfect fit for Mick Cronin, UCLA
Eric Freeny drives to the basket, sees an open teammate and feeds him the ball. Swish. It’s a three. Freeny watches a shot go in…
Column: Newsom’s budget plan reflects his rosy view of the economy
SACRAMENTO — How do you cut a colossal $68-billion state budget deficit nearly in half? Easy. With a pencil. You simply erase the “68” and write…
Column: Blame climate for California’s budget woes?
SACRAMENTO — California has officially entered the era of climate-driven economic insecurity. On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out his new budget, facing a nearly $38-billion…
Column: Third-party candidates could (actually) swing the election — putting Biden in real danger of losing
WASHINGTON — This year’s presidential election campaign is likely to be remembered as a year in which voters pondered a rematch no one really wanted. President…
Column: Hollywood awards season is upon us. Pity the introverts
One might assume that the people who vote for film, TV and music awards would be aware when the contenders are released and would already…
Column: To reduce crime, fix San Quentin
In 2020, after the tragic murder of George Floyd, there was a moment when it seemed as if America, California included, was ready to reform…
Column: A crystal ball forecast for high school sports in 2024
It’s time to peer into my crystal ball to see what 2024 has in store for the Southland’s high school athletes (and a few former…
Column: Why I failed to write less about Trump in 2023
WASHINGTON — My New Year’s resolution 12 months ago was to write fewer columns about Donald Trump. That well-intended goal met the same end as most…
Column: 2023 was the year we said goodbye to too many matriarchs
María Fernández Miranda is the epitome of a matriarch. Seven of her 11 surviving children live on the same street as she does in Anaheim.…