Gabby Giffords is one tough lady. We knew that when she somehow survived the shooting in Arizona back in 2011 that killed six others.
Today the now former Arizona congresswoman was back on Capitol Hill in the first congresssional hearings since the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre, pleading with lawmakers to "be bold" in enacting tough new gun control legislation.
She spoke slowly but clearly. It was very emotional, short, and to the point. "OK," she began, steeling herself before a packed yet hushed committee room. "Speaking is difficult," she continued, pronouncing each syllable with deliberation.
This former congresswoman, once blessed with a politician's easy gift of gab, spoke in a high pitch, her voice almost childlike.
"I need to say something important. Violence is a big problem. Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold, be courageous, Americans are counting on you."
The National Rifle Association's Wayne LaPierre, not surprisingly, doesn't necessarily agree that more legislation is necessary.
And as a backdrop to all this, today a group of Republican legislators here in California proposed some new rules that would allow for firearms training for school personnel, which is what the NRA is pushing for as well. One Democratic assemblyman called that "ludicrous."
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
Seeking to toughen the allowable alcohol limit for drivers, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling on states to lower the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.05 or lower from the current 0.08.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
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Friday, May 24 2013 3:22 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:22:39 GMT
Mayor Villaraigosa was all smiles as he walked up to a podium set up just feet from the northbound 405 near Santa Monica Blvd. He praised all the workers who have been working on this project and made
Mayor Villaraigosa was all smiles as he walked up to a podium set up just feet from the northbound 405 near Santa Monica Blvd. He praised all the workers who have been working on this project and made
Friday, May 24 2013 3:20 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:20:09 GMT
Part of the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass is wider than it was yesterday. Last month we told you that this widening project thru the Sepulveda Pass was nearly 100 million dollars over budget.
Part of the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass is wider than it was yesterday. Last month we told you that this widening project thru the Sepulveda Pass was nearly 100 million dollars over budget.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:56:24 GMT
Heal the Bay's annual beach report card is out...and it's good news/bad news for Southern California.
Heal the Bay's annual beach report card is out...and it's good news/bad news for Southern California. An analysis of water quality over the past year found more than 90% percent of SoCal beaches are above average.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:08:40 GMT
Two males were killed in a single-vehicle crash into a light pole in Westchester this morning, police said.
Two males were killed in a single-vehicle crash into a light pole in Westchester this morning, police said. The crash was happened around 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Green Valley Circle.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:35:54 GMT
A 32-year-old Palmdale man accused of inflicting critical injuries on his girlfriend's 8-year-old son was jailed today in lieu of $1 million bail and facing a court appearance next week.
A 32-year-old Palmdale man accused of inflicting critical injuries on his girlfriend's 8-year-old son was jailed today in lieu of $1 million bail and facing a court appearance next week.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:08:43 GMT
400 food service employees at the Honda Center are being laid off and 500 new employees are being hired in their place. The layoff notices say the last day of employment will be June 30th.
400 food service employees at the Honda Center are being laid off and 500 new employees are being hired in their place. The layoff notices say the last day of employment will be June 30th.
Californians will get their first look at the health plans to be offered through the state's new insurance exchange and how much that coverage will cost them.
The state's largest health insurers, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente, will be among 13 plans competing for policies on California's new health care exchange.
Credit: AP
