CALIFORNIA

One winner in 2012's political races already has been decided: local television stations.

Christina Aguilera addressed critics of her weight gain at a recent press tour saying, I love my body.

Josh Lucas of Sweet Home Alabama fame is engaged to a mystery woman.

Virginia is the Old Dominion and the Mother of Presidents - a state known for its historic battlefields, rolling hills, and politically-minded Washington commuters. But in the last two decades, the state has grown a reputation for something altogether different: fine wine.

Economic growth has led to an explosion in diabetes cases in India. The public health problem presents an opportunity for both the established multinationals, as well as some smaller American start-ups making their presence felt in the market.

Shares of imaging pioneer Eastman Kodak plunged more than 40 percent this week on reports the company might seek to file for bankruptcy soon.

For those of you who have never heard of a Bark Mitzvah for dogs, word on the street is that it's not the latest trend, but a quite a long-existing tradition to celebrate the coming of age of a dog. The fad has gained steam again after The Associated Press released new footage of a New Jersey dog named Nicky, photographed wearing a kippah for a ceremony attended by his owner and friends.

At the end of 2011, Robert Pattinson and girlfriend Kristen Stewart were rumored to be heading towards a split. However, all the hearsay has been crushed after the couple reunited in LA looking happier than ever.

Southern California authorities have warned homeless people in Orange County to be careful if they sleep alone on the streets, following reports that a serial killer targeting homeless people has already killed three men.

Michael Phelps has reportedly split with his longtime girlfriend Nicole Johnson. According to reports the couple split a few weeks ago right before the holiday season.

For the third straight year, McDonald's is making America look big (in every sense of the word) with the release of four new Big America burgers in Japan.

For the first time in beauty pageant history, not one but two openly gay women are competing for the title of Miss California 2012.

Zooey Deschanel filed for divorce papers from her husband Ben Gibbard. Those papers revealed more than just details of the split. Apparently, Deschanel lives a modest lifestyle for a Hollywood star -- and donates to charity monthly!

New claims for unemployment benefits fell by 15,000 last week in the latest sign the labor market was improving and could help the country resist the effects of a likely Eurozone recession.

Elan Microelectronics Corp, a Taiwanese touch design company, said on Thursday that Apple Inc will pay $5 million as part of a settlement in a patent infringement case.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has unveiled an exclusive exhibition by California-based fashion label, Rodarte, portraying a unique blend of the old and the contemporary.

Apple Inc. is expected to release iPad 3 anytime in the next two months, as reports and analysts forecast suggest February to March time frame.

New York-based fashion house Liz Claiborne Inc. has announced its decision to change the organization's name to Fifth & Pacific companies, to ensure closer ties on the three in-house lucrative lifestyle brands - kate spade, Juicy Couture and Lucky Brand.

Yahoo named PayPal President Scott Thompson as its chief executive on Wednesday, hoping the well-regarded Internet technology and e-commerce expert will replicate his success at eBay Inc and turn around the struggling company.

Google's patent portfolio just got stronger. The software corporation managed to acquire over 200 patents from IBM Corp.

Blackstone Group LP will conclude fundraising for its latest buyout fund in January, raising just over $16 billion, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, in a 4-year process challenged by the global financial crisis.