If you read David Wessel’s book “In Fed We Trust” you get the idea that FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair is proud to be the toughest person in the Washington intersection of politics and fiscal policy. As the 106th bank failure in 2009 was recorded last week, Bair needs to be tough to weather the biggest banking crisis in 20 years. Also a key player in financial regulation reform, Bair has been a fierce advocate for the average consumer and mortgage holder to receive more government protection—will she be successful?

Despite threats from the governor and overtime weekend sessions, California lawmakers are still scrambling to seal a water deal. Legislators had compromised on a bond bill put forth by Democratic Senator and president Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg but yesterday the republicans came back with Senator Cogdill’s revised bond bill. Today a hearing is getting to the bottom of how to pay for the bond bills without raising taxes or taking money away from other state programs.

"Raucous" will be the word describing the 25th anniversary party for Chicano/Latino performance troupe Culture Clash, as they get together on the stage at UCLA Friday night. Joined by fellow musicians and actors, they will celebrate their long collaboration in sketch comedy and original drama.

It’s not a mystery that one of the first priorities of the incoming Obama Administration was to turn around the attitude of the State Department toward international organizations, and chiefly the United Nations. Once the object of scorn under President Bush, President Obama has promised to work within the UN and other international groups for a more multilateral approach to foreign policy, from climate change to Iran. Will the change in attitude pay dividends?

Can the next chief step out of Bratton’s shadow and be his own man? Bratton’s success is undeniable so how high is the bar for the next chief? Will he (we know it’s going to be a man) be able to build on improvements in crime, race relations, and department morale?

She was the last empress of India and she lived for more than a century. We examine the life of the “Queen Mother” (a name she found “horrible” by the way)--her charm, her trips, her dinner parties, her relationship with other royals, and her loyal staff (many of whom were gay flamboyant men).