Today’s News: Strike crippling ports; Supreme Court watch on gay marriage; Mellowing out on medical marijuana

Idle ships. Talks are back on to end a strike that has shut down most of the terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Cargo ships are stacking up outside the twin ports and at least two ships have left for other West Coast ports to deliver their goods. It’s not clear how much this is costing local companies, but the L.A. Times reports the disruption at the nation’s busiest port complex could reach $1 billion a day. L.A. Times

Mulling marriage. Proponents and foes alike are anxiously awaiting a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on whether it will take up gay marriage. That decision could come as early as today. The court is considering several cases. One is a challenge to a federal appeals court ruling that overturned Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban. If the court decides not to take up the Prop. 8 case, same-sex couples in the state would be allowed to marry right away. CNN

New leaf. The Los Angeles Planning Commission has voted to allow some medical marijuana clinics to keep operating if they meet certain rules, such as paying taxes and limiting hours. About 180 dispensaries would qualify. The issue now goes to the City Council, which passed a total ban on the clinics in July. That ban was rescinded in October after supporters qualified a ballot measure that seeks to overturn the ban. L.A. Daily News

Risk factor. Most offenders transferred to the control of L.A. county probation officials under the state’s realignment program are considered high risk for committing more crimes. A new report finds that more than 11,000 offenders have been released from state prison to L.A. County probation since realignment started in October 2011. Fifty-nine percent of those were classified as high-risk, including some with a history of severe mental illness. L.A. Times

Drive time. The L.A. Auto Show opens it doors to the public today. Over the next 10 days, the world’s automakers will show off their latest and greatest to Southern California, the hub of the U.S. auto market. There are a large number of debuts, with everyone from Aston Martin and Jaguar to Toyota and Ford trying to make a splash. Which Way L.A.?

Paper wait. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is transitioning away from paper ballots to electronic voting for the Oscars this year. But it appears that not everybody is on board with the switch just yet. The Academy says it will give paper voters two extra weeks to request ballots. The new deadline is December 14th. The Academy says it granted the extension because it wants to make sure nobody misses out on their chance to vote. Hollywood Reporter