LOS ANGELES (AP) — A two-day strike held by workers at University of California hospitals over staffing and pension is coming to an end.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The next mayor of Los Angeles was able to defeat a fellow Democrat by depicting her as a pawn of utility union bosses in the city long friendly to labor, an outcome expected to echo beyond California as unions nationwide face threats to their clout.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — City Councilman Eric Garcetti defeated Controller Wendy Greuel to become the next mayor of Los Angeles after a caustic campaign in which he depicted his fellow Democrat as a pawn of powerful labor bosses.

May 20

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Workers at University of California hospitals around the state picketed for a second day Wednesday over staffing and pension issues.

Your daily look at late-breaking California news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Wednesday:

LOS ANGELES — Wendy Greuel called Eric Garcetti early Wednesday morning to concede the mayoral election, a Greuel campaign source told the Los Angeles Times, ending a two-year campaign to determine Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s successor and the new political leader of Los Angeles.

Last July I wrote a blog item commending the city of Lodi for steering clear of the underfunded retirement health benefit mess that Stockton fell into.

Because our state is so awash in debt and unfunded public employees’ pension requirements, it is imperative that we citizens pay attention to projected huge expenditures that will impact our state for years to come. Can we really afford a high-speed railroad that seems more a dream of Jerry Brown’s ego than anything realistically possible in the near future?

With the exception of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, most city departments are running within their budget projections, according to an update provided to the Lodi City Council this week.

(BPT) - Cuando se trata de hacer planes para la jubilación, los trabajadores jóvenes de hoy confrontan dificultades a la hora de entender los recursos y productos que tienen a su disposición, tanto en sus centros de trabajo como en sus inversiones personales. Según una investigación realizada en el año 2013 por LIMRA (una organización de investigaciones, asesoría y desarrollo profesional) los profesionales más jóvenes pertenecientes a la “Generación X” (nacidos entre 1970 y 1980) y a la “Generación Y” (“Generación del Milenio”, nacidos entre 1980 y el 2000) no están aprovechando la ayuda de los profesionales financieros, quienes pueden brindarles información y educación para planificar una jubilación segura.

The people of Stockton will feel financial fallout for years after a federal judge ruled Monday to let the city become the most populous in the nation to enter bankruptcy.

On its first official day in bankruptcy, the city of Stockton now must grapple with the hard part of reorganizing its financial affairs — how to share the financial burden equitably among creditors while meeting its massive state pension obligations.

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, Sunday, March 31, will feature an ESPN nationally televised game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers. Over the last few years, the season’s opening and closing dates have become earlier and later.

(NewsUSA) - For some aging adults, the retirement piggy bank is looking too slim, especially for those unable to max out 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRA) every year.

(BPT) - When it comes to making plans for retirement years, today’s younger workers are struggling to make heads or tails of all the resources and products available to them through work and personal investments. Younger professionals who fit into the Gen X and Gen Y categories also are not taking advantage of financial professionals, who can provide information and education on planning for a secure retirement, according to 2013 research by LIMRA, a research, consulting and professional development organization.

In December Forbes magazines, one of the nation’s leading business journals, published a list of what it called “Death Spiral States.” The story set off a furious round of Internet mass emails complete with color-coded maps that identified the collapsing states. But although the branded states are in poor fiscal condition — reporter William Baldwin called them “fiscal hellholes” — things might not be as grim as the emails indicated.

(StatePoint) If you’re like many Americans, you have concerns about funding your retirement. According to a recent survey conducted by Ally Bank, retirement planning tops Americans’ financial anxieties.

(BPT) - For all the talk about taxes during the “fiscal cliff” debate at the end of 2012, many people are still left wondering what it means to them as the April 15 filing date approaches. 

(BPT) - Do you dream of the day you can retire, but aren't sure how to get there? You're not alone. Many people find it easier to avoid reality when it comes to planning for retirement.

(StatePoint) There has been a lot of talk lately about the costs of public employee pensions and whether governments have set aside enough money to make good on their promises.

In 2003, I traveled from Lodi to New York to spend a few days at Christmas time in the Big Apple. I had lived in New York for many years during the 1960s and 1970s, and had fond memories that I wanted to relive. By 2003, New York was on its way to recovery from the 9/11 attacks. The city had begun to rebound.

(BPT) - The majority of Americans support continuing the Social Security program, even if they are decades away from drawing benefits, a 2010 survey by AARP found. Nevertheless, with the program’s future financial viability an ongoing subject of political debate, many people may undervalue the role Social Security can play in their retirement planning.

(NAPSI)—More Americans are switching from professionals and retail stores to do-it-yourself tax preparation websites. Online solutions offer a convenient way to file on a computer or tablet from home or anyplace else with Internet access. The tax guidance and tools in online solutions are more than adequate for most taxpayers, even those with complicated tax situations.

The following is a list of public meetings in the Lodi and Galt areas this week: