Royal Couple to Visit California

(LOS ANGELES) -- The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, otherwise known as Prince William and Kate Middleton, will visit California in July.

The couple married on April 29 and will conduct their first official visit together in Canada and California. They will be in California from July 8- July 10. Their itinerary has not been released.

The visit will be the duchess’ first to the United States and the duke’s first U.S. official visit.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Calif Supreme Court: Sick Smokers Can Sue Tobacco Industry

(SAN FRANCISCO) -- The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that smokers may sue the tobacco industry once they develop a disease like lung cancer. The ruling was unanimous. It also says that smokers may still sue, even if they suffered different smoking-related ailments years earlier.

This sets a new standard for the handling of tobacco lawsuits. The decision is likely to keep lawsuits alive that may have otherwise expired, according to some familiar with the case. 

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt Speaks About Divorce Drama

(LOS ANGELES) -- After a public divorce battle, Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is speaking out about his heartbreak and now his battle to keep his team.

McCourt and his then wife, Jamie McCourt, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle with mansions and a private jet until their 30-year marriage came crashing down in 2009. The feud tore apart their family and prompted the Major League Baseball commissioner to take control of the Dodgers and appoint a monitor to oversee and investigate the team's finances and operations.

His wife and former business partner filed for divorce and fought for more than $320,000 a month in spousal support.

Jamie McCourt claimed the couple was worth more than $1 billion and she needed money to maintain her high standard of living.

Frank McCourt said he takes a share in the blame for the extravagant lifestyle. "I think that was what became a problem -- and it was unhealthy -- and unsustainable…," McCourt said in an exclusive interview on Good Morning America Thursday. "I became a caricature of myself -- and I became a caricature of somebody who was uncaring -- unfeeling -- excessively living -- bad guy -- and that's just not who I am."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

DMV Delays Registration Notices

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- On Wednesday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill to delay sending registration renewal notices to California residents whose registrations are due after July 1.

Gov. Brown wants to extend for five years the temporary high registration fees which are set to expire on July 1. The California Department of Motor Vehicles will delay sending the notices for a month and will not charge late fees. 

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Assembly Committee Advances Pension Reform Bill

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- An Assembly committee approved a proposal to end pension corruption Wednesday in Sacramento.

The proposal prevents cases of government employees manipulating their retirement compensation to obscene sizes. In the town of Bell, city manager Robert Rizzo was reportedly making over $780,000 a year.

Government employees assembled outside the Capitol building in Sacramento while the Assembly committee debated the proposal. The workers and retirees have dubbed themselves the "Pension Truth Squad" in reaction to the unprecedented pension abuses. 

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio