At the end of January, Havana was struck by a frente frío, a cold front that blew off the ocean and plunged the island into unaccustomed wintry weather. As high winds sent waves crashing over the seaside promenade, the city’s inhabitants wrapped themselves in whatever warm clothing they had,...

A golf tournament at the scenic Pebble Beach Golf Links with free spa treatments. A six-day stay at an upscale resort in Maui. Tours to Spain, Portugal, Norway and Australia.Those are among dozens of free trips California state lawmakers took last year, most sponsored and attended by special inte...