California: L.a.

Because by far the most popular man in the city hates Antonio. Kobe can't stand the man. Really....

With the financial news not so rosy, "Marketplace" tapped L.A. composer and musician Joe Matzzie to craft a "more melancholy version" of the classic tune "We're in the Money" that...

The morning after he was forced into a runoff election for city attorney, City Councilman Jack Weiss said his first-place finish gave him a "flattering feeling."

But outside City Hall, a number of political experts were surprised by Weiss' 36% showing citywide -- given that he began running long before the other candidates, spent $1.7 million and had a nearly 2-to-1 cash advantage over his runoff opponent, Harbor City defense attorney Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich.

"It's a blow -- there's no way around that. He had the most money, the most mailers and definitely the most TV time," said Jaime A. Regalado, executive director of the Edmund G.

Former state Assemblyman Paul Koretz was battling neighborhood council member David T. Vahedi for the top spot in the contest for the only vacant seat on the Los Angeles City Council, according to early election returns.

In the crowded six-way race to replace Councilman Jack Weiss in the 5th District, Koretz and Vahedi were nearly tied, with the remaining candidates bunched together behind them, early results showed.

The extremely narrow margin left both Vahedi and Koretz on edge.

"I'm in first, but the actual number of votes is so small," said Koretz, who also spent 12 years on the West Hollywood City Council. "It's such an evenly matched race, it's unbelievable, and it still could change."

Slightly further behind were businesswoman Robyn Ritter Simon; nonprofit group director Adeena Bleich, a onetime aide to Weiss; and attorney and businessman Ron Galperin, the early results showed.