Antonio Villaraigosa’s Legacy: 8 Years Later, A String Of Victories & Party Boy Reputation

LOS ANGELES — The famous smile is intact. But there’s a glint of gray in the hair, a hint of melancholy in the voice and a collection of wrinkles he didn’t bring with him when he became mayor of Los Angeles eight years ago.

Antonio Villaraigosa makes his exit July 1 after a seesaw run that saw him celebrated as the city’s first Hispanic mayor since 1872, praised for bulking up the police department and transit services, but often mocked, fairly or not, as a party boy who cared more about nightlife than his day job at City Hall.

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Internet Explorer 11 Could Get “Click To Call” Feature

Internet Explorer 11 could come with a Click To Call feature.

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Dragon Quest X Heads For The PC Platform

Dragon Quest X arriving on the PC platform in Japan this September 26.

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Bluetooth Glove Makes News Rounds, Again

Here is a Bluetooth glove that allows you to carry out a conversation on your hand.

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Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland Dead: Blues Legend Dies At 83

GRENADA, Miss. — Bobby “Blue” Bland, a distinguished singer who blended Southern blues and soul in songs such as “Turn on Your Love Light” and “Further On Up the Road,” died Sunday. He was 83.

Rodd Bland said his father died about 5:30 p.m. Sunday due to complications from an ongoing illness at his Memphis, Tenn., home surrounded by relatives.

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Dan Persons: Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast: World War Z

2013-06-24-World_War_Z_22381370890389wwz03739r_410.jpgIn perhaps a revelation more dramatic than anything in the film itself, World War Z has triggered a shockingly wide spectrum of reactions from us here on the Spotlight. Is the Brad Pitt-starring zombie thriller a top-notch popcorn movie with well-staged action, gripping suspense, and an amazing global scope? Is it an unfortunate misfire, with good ambitions and notable high-points, undone by a tortured production history? Is it an unqualified flop, simplistic to the point of silliness in its scripting, and inept in its attempt to portray a zombie apocalypse on a worldwide scale? Come join our special guest, beabetterbooktalker.com‘s Andrea Lipinski, as she weighs in on this surprisingly controversial entry in the 2013 summer sweepstakes, with Spotlight regulars Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons.

Then, Andrea, Steve, and Larry give their opinions of the latest Pixar film, Monsters University. Plus: What’s coming to theaters next week.

Click on the player button to hear the interview, or right-click the title to download.

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Coy Mathis Case: Colorado Civil Rights Division Rules In Favor Of Transgender 6-Year-Old In Bathroom Dispute

DENVER — The Colorado Civil Rights Division has ruled in favor of a transgender 6-year-old child who was barred from using the girls’ bathroom at Eagleside Elementary School in Fountain.

The Denver Post reports (http://bitly.com/10LSRqG) that the New York-based Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund said Sunday it would a hold a news conference Monday to explain the decision affecting Coy Mathis.

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Edward Snowden Extradition: White House Expects Russia To Expel NSA Whistleblower

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) – The White House on Monday said it expects the Russian government to “look at all options available” to expel former government contractor Edward Snowden back to the United States to face espionage charges.

The White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the United States also registered strong objections to authorities in Hong Kong and China through diplomatic channels at the decision to let Snowden flee.

And “noted that such behavior is detrimental to U.S.-Hong Kong and U.S.-China bilateral relations,” Hayden said.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Stacey Joyce)

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Supermoon Chicago 2013: Recap Of The Biggest And Brightest Full Moon Of The Year (PHOTOS)

While many witnessed an almost full moon Saturday night, the so-called “supermoon” reached the point in its orbit that is closest to Earth early Sunday, making the evening moonrise prime-time viewing for supermoon 2013.

(See photos of supermoon 2013 around Chicago, below)

During supermoon, the moon appears larger on the horizon next to trees and buildings creating an optical illusion where the moon appears 14 percent larger than normal, according to the Associated Press.

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75 Percent Of Americans Don’t Have Enough Savings To Cover Their Bills For Six Months: Survey

For 47-year-old mom Kim Norton, it’s a “constant battle” to find enough money to even pay her bills, let alone save up.

“I rob Peter to pay Paul; I don’t spend my money frivolously on crap; I just make sure my kids have what they need,” Norton, who works part time as a research coordinator through a temp agency, told The Huffington Post. “I get really wound up thinking about how you just can’t get ahead.”

A single mother of four living in Bangalore, Maine, Norton says she often writes checks for bills without enough money in her bank account to pay them, hoping the check won’t clear until her next paycheck arrives. Between rent, child care and other necessities, Norton says her expenses cost more than she earns, leaving her without a cushion to fall back on in case of emergencies.

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