LOS ANGELES-Pacific Gas & Electric seeks Chapter 11 protection, even after having 46% rate hike approved a week earlier. Move shocks state officials and leaves 13 million residential and commercial electricity users hoping for the best.

LOS ANGELES-Investment group advised by J.P. Morgan Chase purchases the 600,000-sf Westside landmark. GlobeSt.com reported a sale was near last month.

LOS ANGELES-Neither firm will comment, but one former Cushman Realty exec says a deal is in the works. Rumors about a combination began spreading in brokerage communities on both coasts last week.

LOS ANGELES-Government commission determines that an independent San Fernando Valley is financially viable, pushing the secession efforts closer to a public vote. Newly created city would be the nation's sixth largest.

LOS ANGELES-Government-mandated commission determines that an independent San Fernando Valley is financially viable, pushing the secession efforts closer to a public vote. Newly created city would be nation's sixth largest.

LOS ANGELES-Lawmakers and others try to put the proposed huge increase in electricity rates in the best possible light. Some even claim the increase of more than 40% will help, not hurt, the state's economy.

LOS ANGELES-California's Public Utility Commission approves plan to hike electricity charges by up to 46%, saying the big increase is needed to bail out utility companies and force "utility hogs" to conserve energy.

LOS ANGELES-California's PUC says increase is needed to bail out utilities and force energy users to conserve energy. Consumer and business groups say it will create hardship on consumers and cause more businesses to leave the state.