A lot of us still remember the day a beautiful mountain lion came down from the hills and went for a walk on the streets of Santa Monica.
And while that is a rare occurrence, we are seeing it happen more and more and that's why State Senator Jerry Hill wants to enact a new law to help protect mountain lions.
It was May of 2012 when this majestic cat was first spotted in Santa Monica. And while everyone wondered how the cat got there, everyone was also hoping it would be captured safely and returned to the wild where it belonged.
But the story didn't have a happy ending. Officials say that when tranquilizers didn't work and the lion became aggressive, they had to shoot the animal dead.
And just last month, up north in Half Moon Bay, it happened again. Two young mountain lion cubs, weighing only about 30 pounds each and spotted hiding under the porch of a home, were shot and killed by game wardens.
And just like with the Santa Monica lion, many were outraged and angered by what appeared to some as a last resort measure that was taken too quickly. That's why Senator Jerry Hill wants to change the law.
He will introduce legislation that would require the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to utilize non-lethal options in these cases -- unless it's clear that the lion could cause immediate death or physical harm to humans.
Sounds like a no brainer right? But apparently current state regulations don't give wardens much flexibility when mountain lions venture into areas populated by humans.
The mayor of Half Moon Bay says last month's killing of the cubs was a wake up call.
Meanwhile, Hill's legislation will also allow the CDFW to partner with wildlife groups and non-profits who are experienced in dealing with these wild animals can hopefully assist wardens in tranquilizing and trapping them.
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.
Los Angeles & SoCal NewsLos Angeles & SoCal NewsMore>>
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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:18:07 GMT
After emerging victorious from a hard-fought and costly campaign, mayor-elect Eric Garcetti thanked voters today for propelling him into office and said he was prepared to take on the city's major issues.
After emerging victorious from a hard-fought and costly campaign, mayor-elect Eric Garcetti thanked voters today for propelling him into office and said he was prepared to take on the city's major issues.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:23:56 GMT
Officials say a woman in a Los Angeles suburb found a bear cub sitting on her kitchen counter. A Los Angeles county sheriff's statement says the department received a 911 call Wednesday from the woman.
Officials say a woman in a Los Angeles suburb found a bear cub sitting on her kitchen counter. A Los Angeles county sheriff's statement says the department received a 911 call Wednesday from the woman.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:34 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:34:01 GMT
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
Credit: The Mountain Lion Foundation
