L.A. Now

No double bubble for June election ballot

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:58:28 -0700

Remember the presidential primary in February, when close to 50,000 nonpartisan L.A. County voters didn't understand that extra bubble on the ballot and almost had their votes invalidated? Fixed now, the Daily News reports.

The revised crossover ballot will eliminate the need for voters to mark an additional bubble to vote for partisan candidates.

"The solution we prepared with the revised ballot eliminates the double-bubble so the voter doesn't have to take that extra step," said Eileen Shea, spokeswoman for the registrar-recorder's office.

"We now have the nonpartisan Democratic crossover ballot and nonpartisan Republican crossover ballot already pre-marked so the voter won't have to make any separate marks on their ballot. They simply have to go to the Democratic booth or the Republican booth and vote their ballot."

Now, if only the propositions on the ballot could be as easy to figure out.

-- Veronique de Turenne

This just in: Pellicano guilty of racketeering *Updated

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:43:34 -0700

*Updated at 12:57 p.m.

Anthony Pellicano, the celeb sleuth on trial for wire tapping, racketeering and using law enforcement data bases to spy for his clients, has been found guilty of racketeering.

Pellicano acted as his own lawyer during the surprisingly low-key trial, despite the presence of witnesses like Chris Rock, Garry Shandling and studio boss Brad Grey. Earlier this week, it was clear the jury had settled in for a longer-than-expected deliberation.

Our news story, which will be updated throughout the afternoon, is here.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Los Angeles Times

A Hollywood classic, press agent Warren Cowan, dies

Jesus Sanchez — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:45:00 -0700

When legendary Hollywood press agent Warren Cowan defended his profession in a short article a few years ago, he could not help but mention that Kirk Douglas was "one of my oldest friends and clients;" Paul Newman "would think nothing of ... holding a limo door open for me;" and that he spoken not once but twice that very morning with pianist Van Cliburn. It was typical of Cowan not to miss an opportunity to promote and influence, which made him popular with a long list of Hollywood stars over a career that spanned more than 60 years.

Late Wednesday, Cowan, 87, died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with cancer only three weeks earlier, his firm, Warren Cowan & Associates, announced.

But it was the many years at his previous firm, Rogers & Cowan, where Cowan and partner Henry Rogers reigned supreme in Hollywood publicity. You have Cowan to thank (or blame) for helping pioneer such popular publicity tools as celebrity sporting events, top 10 lists (the "most watchable man" or "most hypnotic eyes"), and product placement.

Their firm took off in the 1950s as Hollywood's studio system broke down, prompting many stars to hire their own publicity agents. But Cowan was working in the business years before, juggling journalism classes at UCLA while representing actress Linda Darnell.

When asked who is favorite client was, Cowan, at least publicly, never strayed from the same response: "The next one."

Times Staff Writer Dennis McClellan is working on a full obituary. More coverage in Daily Variety and LA Biz Observed.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: 1989 photo from Los Angeles Times Library

This just in: State Supreme Court says yes to same sex marriage

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:17:52 -0700

The State Supreme Court had been asked whether the rights of same-sex couples are violated by California's one man-one woman marriage laws. Their answer: yes. Maura Dolan has the details.

The state high court's 4-3 ruling was unlikely to end the debate over gay matrimony in California. A group has circulated petitions for a November ballot initiative that would amend the state Constitution to block same-sex marriage, while the Legislature has twice passed bills to authorize gay marriage. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed both.

Massachusetts is the only other state in the union to recognize same-sex marriage.

Full story here. Reactions to come.

Get ready -- this weekend's going to be hot, hot, hot

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:03:00 -0700

Here comes another heat wave, thanks to a high-pressure system hovering over the West Coast. Meteorologists say it'll be strong enough to beat the stuffing out of a weak onshore flow. (Love that weather lingo.)

We're looking at possible record-high temps this weekend, well into the 90s. Add in high winds making it hard to fight that fire on Mt. Baldy, and we could be in for a bumpy ride.

Oh -- and yes, that's City Hall in the photo, reflected and refracted in the mirrored facade of the police administration building now under construction in downtown LA.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Scott Harrison / Los Angeles Times

Even more wranging over the proposed state budget

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:46:23 -0700

To say no one's happy about this one is an understatement: the latest wrinkle in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's wrestling match with California's giant budget deficit gives schools back $1.8 billion but makes deep cuts in a host of programs to help the infirm and impoverished.

Add in his plan to use the unexpected $828 million in gas tax revenue -- generated by those heart-stopping prices at the pump -- to plug the $15.2-billion budget gap and you've got a lot of unhappy campers. Evan Halper and Patrick McGreevy explain:

The challenge that the governor and lawmakers face is daunting. The state has dropped $6 billion further into the red since January, when California was already struggling financially.

The centerpiece of Schwarzenegger's budget is a novel plan to ask voters for permission to borrow $15 billion from Wall Street against future earnings of the state lottery, and to temporarily raise the state portion of sales taxes -- now 6.25% -- by 1 percentage point if voters reject the proposal in November.

"As the deficit grew these past few months, I knew that we could not solve this crisis by cuts alone," the governor said in presenting his proposals. "We had to get creative."

But state Senate leader Don Perata (D-Oakland) called the revised budget "beneath a governor of this great state. It's telling our citizens: This is it. Our best years are behind us."

Assembly Republican Leader Michael Villines of Clovis called the sales tax idea -- a linchpin of the governor's plan -- "a deal-killer."

One thing is certain: Something, somewhere, has got to give. Get all the details in the full story.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Associated Press

Good morning -- here's what's happening 5.15.08

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:59:00 -0700

A massive water conservation plan is in the works at L.A. City Hall. We'll have the usual measures, like fining those who waste water, limiting how much you can use to water your lawn or wash your car. Most controversial, though, is a proposal to recycle wastewater. Will Angelenos go for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's $2-billion plan? Rich Connell explains all.

Expect a ruling on gay marriage from the state's Supreme Court today.

Dump a patient, risk a $25,000 fine. That's the new law that just got preliminary approval from the L.A. City Council. Cara Mia DiMassa has the details.

Did you feel that? Teensy (3.3) earthquake in Paso Robles last night. No reported damage or injuries. AP via LAT.

Lakers win! A squeaker? No, but a bit of a thriller. Get the details from Mike Bresnahan. And how did Kobe do? Bill Plaschke is so glad you asked.

Check in with Mark Ridley-Thomas and Bernard Parks as the two candidates for county supervisor in the 2nd District talk about health care in the area (Mar Vista through South L.A. to Compton and into Carson) they want to help govern. Q&A here.

Did Blackwater use some sleight-of-hand to get their training facility in San Diego County? Some angry locals say you betcha. Tony Perry looks into it.

Last year, CBS wanted to stir things up. This year, it's all about "balance." Matea Gold and Maria Elena Fernandez give a rundown of what you can expect to see next season.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Lemons, lemonade, you know the drill

Veronique de Turenne — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:01:00 -0700

After all those strangely symmetrical supermarket lemons, this photo of a stand at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market is a treat. So much variety in size and shape and color, all tumbled together in a show of abundance.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Schvenger / Your Scene

Cold cases, grains of sand, a new UC chancellor, and a Supreme decision tomrrow -- it's last links

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:11:00 -0700

The California Supreme Court will rule on gay marriage tomorrow. LAT

A greyhound adoption diary is on Unleashed.

Check out the lovely redesign at California Authors.

L.A.'s coldest crime cases of the century. Mean Streets

Reaction to fabulist James Frey's shot at redemption. Jacket Copy

LOVE the jacaranda photo from Just Above Sunset. (It's the bottom photo on the page. And thanks to LAO for the link.)

San Bernardino County supes say no to letting sex offenders drive ice cream trucks. LAT

Fox TV report on L.A. Councilwoman Janice Hahn and gangs is flawed, says the Daily Breeze .

A developer proposes a huge housing project on the site of a former munitions plant. Daily News The Signal

Are they grains of sand or works of art? Both -- and we found them thanks to Funny Pages 2.0.

A new chancellor is to be named at UC Riverside. Press Enterprise

A stable place: Norco named as the No. 1 hometown for horses. Daily Bulletin

-- Veronique de Turenne & Jesus Sanchez

Illustration: Tribune Media Services

Marcus Allen, the mayor's $290,000 man, says "No thanks"

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:59:51 -0700

Antonio Villaraigosa's former deputy chief of staff, Marcus Allen, who the mayor had tapped to be his No. 1 financial guru, has abruptly withdrawn his name from consideration, David Zahniser reports:

Marcus Allen sent a letter to the mayor withdrawing his name from consideration to become the next City Administrative Officer. Although Allen publicly said he was doing so for "personal and professional reasons," he had come under fire in recent weeks from several council members, who questioned his request for a $290,000 annual salary in the middle of a budget crisis.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn called the nomination "problematic" earlier this week, pointing out that Allen has spent the past year working for two high-profile lobbyists with an array of City Hall clients.

Allen's announcement came just as a council committee put the final touches on Villaraigosa's budget. But with Allen out of the picture, there is currently no one to oversee that budget, which goes into effect on July 1.

Maybe Sacramento's soon-to-be-free Budget Nun would consider pitching in?

--Veronique de Turenne

Steve Harvey: 'What's-in-a-name' department

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:21:00 -0700

Apparently the definition of "perfect" in the panty business has changed "slightly,'' notes Sylvia Propes of Long Beach.

Get more Steve Harvey in his column, "Only in LA".

Mad over Mod: Neutra-designed house sells for $16.84 million

Jesus Sanchez — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:03:00 -0700

An undisclosed buyer purchased the Kaufmann House, designed by Los Angeles architect Richard Neutra, at an auction this week. The modernist home was built in 1946 in Palm Springs. David Keeps has the full story.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Better hurry if you want a close look at the Watts Towers

Jesus Sanchez — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:36:00 -0700

Public tours of the Watts Towers will be restricted beginning Monday for nearly a year to repair rain and wind damage sustained during the storms of 2004-05. The $569,000 project will target damage to the nearly 100-foot-high central tower, which will be encased in scaffolding until repairs are completed, officials tell The Times' Lynell George.

“The rain and the wind cause cracks to open up," said city historic curator Virgina Kazor. “If there is damage beneath the decorative layer, it will be carefully removed and the steel replaced.”

The towers, created by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia over a period of more than 30 years, were virtually off limits from 1994 to 2002 to retrofit the landmark following the Northridge earthquake. This current repair job, however, is scheduled to be completed by next February.

Meanwhile, the grounds, including the Watts Towers Art Center, will remain open and visitors will be able to tour the perimeter outside the security fencing. Read the full story for details.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Ex-USC student sues over "Nikki the Nymph 2" video

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:49:27 -0700

OK, first of all, there was a "Nikki the Nymph I"?

Seems ex-Trojan Sean Morrison filed a lawsuit against UVC Inc. and Heatwave Entertainment, producers of the aforementioned "Nikki the Nymph 2", claiming they got him drunk enough at a frat house that he inadvertently wound up as a non-participating extra in the hard-core porn film, CNS reports.

A representative for the producers was not immediately available for comment. The video at issue is “Nikki the Nymph 2.” According to the lawsuit, Morrison, then 20, and a friend were invited by the producers to attend a party at a fraternity house in 2002.

“Once inside, defendants furnished alcohol to (Morrison) and continued to provide (Morrison) alcohol so as to impair his senses,” his suit alleges.

Shortly thereafter, the video makers “introduced several females and males to the party for the purpose of engaging in live sex acts with one another,” according to the plaintiff’s court papers.

Morrison and others were asked to watch and encourage the video performers while they had sex, according to his suit. Morrison claims he was never told that he was himself being taped while drinking alcohol, watching the performers and rooting for them.

Morrison, who claims invasion of privacy and false and misleading advertising, wound up in the film's print and Internet ad campaigns as well. And, discretion being the better part of valor, that's all we've got to say about that.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Another Southern Califorinia family mourns a fallen Marine

Jesus Sanchez — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:35:00 -0700

During his few months in Iraq, Marine Cpl. Miguel Guzman of Norwalk earned a reputation as a dedicated and top-notch mechanic. This month, about half way through his tour of duty, the 21-year-old was killed along with three other Marines after a bomb struck their Humvee.

This morning, more than 300 relatives and friends gathered in Whittier to praise and mourn Guzman in English and Spanish during funeral services, reports The Times' Francisco Vara-Orta:

A handful of Marines consoled Guzman's parents, Jose and Rosalba, handing them the flag draped over their son's casket and telling them in Spanish their son was awarded the Purple Heart.

While the family resisted breakdowns in crying during the funeral, both male and female relatives cried openly at the burial site, with Guzman's eldest brother, Jose Jr., kissing the casket and whispering "I love you" in Spanish.

Vara-Orta and Tony Perry are working on a full story.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times

A quick Q&A with the save-the-taco guys

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:57:00 -0700

When Aaron Sonderleiter and Chris Rutherford created Save Our Taco Trucks, it was a spur-of-the-moment response to a new law that targets catering trucks that linger too long in one place. But the site and its rallying cry, "Carne Asada is Not a Crime," hit a nerve. LA. locals waged a war of words, while news organizations throughout the country weighed in on those wacky Angelenos and their tacos.

Now, with more then 8,000 signatures on the petition and the law set to kick in at midnight tonight, we thought we'd ask the taco guys about their quest to save the trucks. Here's Chris, answering the questions.

LA Now: How did the save-the-taco-trucks campaign go?

Chris: Extremely well. We’ve received approximately 8,000 signatures and been reported on by Hoy, La Opinion, Time, the N.Y. Times, L.A. Times, Reuters, the local NBC affiliate, Latino 96.3, and KROQ 106.7 just to name a few. It remains to be seen whether this will help nudge the supervisors towards repealing the ordinance.

LA Now: Did any of the County Supes respond?

Chris: No. We’ve heard anecdotally a number of defenses: “Not enough signees are from my district,” “It’s just a bunch of hipsters who think slumming it up is cool,” “They don’t really understand the issues,” etc. I have to emphasize that the only direct correspondence with the supervisors has been a form letter from Gloria Molina’s office that we’ve received (twice now) which I am generous in describing as misleading. We posted both her letter, and our response here.

LA Now: Why the silence?

(Continued after the jump)

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Chris: I think they’re hoping the issue will simply go away. We don’t plan on letting that happen. At the very least, we have a contact list with thousands of registered L.A. County voters who we plan on reminding of the board’s voting history when they come up for reelection. I also sense a certain degree of hubris from a group that may have forgotten that they serve the interests of all their constituents. I don’t expect the board to respond to every individual with a complaint, but after our media coverage and the amount of signatures we’ve received, I think we at least deserve a more personalized explanation of where they stand.

LA Now: What's next?

Chris: We’re putting on a Taco Libre event [today] in East L.A. to celebrate the taco truck and lament the new legislation affecting them. Come out and share some great food and company with fellow mobile cuisine aficionados. After that, you’ll have to stay tuned on the website. We have some things in mind, but don’t want to jinx them by announcing them prematurely.

LA Now: Where's your favorite taco truck and what's your favorite order?

Chris: It depends on what I’m in the mood for but I’d have to side with the Tacos La Estrella on York Boulevard and Avenue 54. The carne asada burrito and carnitas tacos are amazing and their salsa roja recipe should be preserved in the Library of Congress. Of course TakiTaco on Figueroa Street and Avenue 51 has great tacos al pastor for 75 cents. Plus, he parks next to an esquites vendor who allows my girlfriend and me to buy on credit.

The kite runner of North Hollywood

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:47:00 -0700

Basir Beria's kites connect him to a vanished world -- Afghanistan before the war and horror. Joe Mozingo's lovely story is here.

--Veronique de Turenne

Video: Katy Newton / Los Angeles Times

This just in: L.A. to make patient-dumping illegal

Jesus Sanchez — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:19:42 -0700

Hospitals that drop off patients on the streets of Los Angeles could face fines of up to $25,000 and three years of probation under an ordinance passed this afternoon by the Los Angeles City Council. Until now, prosecutors said that the most they could do in many cases was file civil suits against hospitals and other healthcare facilities that have been found to leave patients, often homeless and destitute, on skid row and at other locations. The big change under the new law is that patient-dumping is now a criminal misdemeanor, said the Times' Cara Mia DiMassa, who is working on a full story.

The ordinance, which will need a second vote before becoming official, was proposed in the wake of numerous high-profile cases of hospitals dropping off homeless and mentally ill patients on skid row. Los Angeles prosecutors have looked into 50 dumping cases since 2005.

The most recent case happened earlier this month when a Costa Mesa hospital allegedly drove a mentally ill patient more than 40 miles to downtown Los Angeles, where he was left near the Union Rescue Mission.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Murder, molestation, two fires and a dog bite -- it's trouble in paradise

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:44:00 -0700

Inglewood police will hold a press conference today to give out info about Sunday's killing of an unarmed man.... Police in Orange arrest an L.A. County sheriff's deputy on suspicion of molesting a 15-year-old girl he's related to.... A Palmdale math teacher at Knight High School is being held on suspicion of having sex with a former student.... Two separate shootings leave two men dead in Pacoima.... Did a woman really sic her dog on a postal worker? (who, btw, happens to be a former Olympian).... Police search for three men who used guns in a carjacking in Pasadena.... A high-speed chase ends in gunfire in Covina.... Two men suspected of robbing a credit union in Buena Park are arrested.... A 10-day manhunt ended when a 16-year-old suspected of killing a parolee in San Bernardino surrendered to police.... The killing of an Oxnard man is thought to be gang-related.... A brush fire in Ventura burned just a quarter-acre before firefighters put it out.

--Veronique de Turenne

Mt. Baldy fire -- 300 acres and growing

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:05:00 -0700

The wildfire on Mt. Baldy -- now named the Big Horn fire -- has grown from 30 acres yesterday morning to more than 300 acres today, Francisco Vara-Orta reports. Stiff winds have grounded planes that drop flame retardants, but four of the five water-dropping helicopters on the scene are at work today. More details in the full story.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

Warren Christopher: I am not a wimp

Jesus Sanchez — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:42:19 -0700

Former U.S. Secretary of State and longtime Los Angeles resident Warren Christopher has been known as a savvy attorney, prominent civic leader and globe-trotting statesman. But a wimp? That's apparently how Christopher comes across in an upcoming HBO movie about the Florida ballot recount during the 2000 presidential election.

Christopher was a top advisor to former Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and a key player in the Florida election battle portrayed in "Recount," which debuts on the cable network May 25. In an interview with the New York Times, Christopher, who is played by actor John Hurt (pictured at top), said he was taken aback by the dramatization's portrayal of him (based on excerpts) as weak and ineffective:

“I was stunned by the excerpt,” he said in an interview. “Much of what the author has written about me is pure fiction. It contained events that never occurred, words I never spoke and decisions attributed to me that I never made.”

Even James A. Baker III, the chief Republican advisor involved in the recall, said he knows that his Democratic rival "was not as wimpish as it makes him appear."

Screenwriter Danny Strong defended the film and the portrayal of Christopher. While other people depicted in the film were sent scripts to review, Christopher received none in advance. He actually learned of the film through his tailor, who was asked to re-create one of the former secretary of state's suits for the film.

Early reviews of "Recount" have been favorable. "A thoroughly engaging, first-rate political drama,” said Jeffrey Wells on huffingtonpost.com. But, as for Christopher, the reviewer warns that he is portrayed "as one of the great all-time wimps."

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: HBO

Your governor wants to gamble on your gambling

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:35:00 -0700

Here's the latest plan on the table to erase California's (deep breath) $17.2 billion worth of red ink: borrow against future profits of the state lottery. If things work as planned, that could add as much as $15 billion in three years.

But here's the catch: If things fall apart, this deal calls for our state sales tax to go up one penny in order to cover the loss. Let Evan Halper and Jordan Rau explain:

The lottery proposal, according to [spokesman Matt] David, would come before voters as early as November and hinges on administration estimates that California could borrow against future profits to generate as much as $15 billion over three years.

The governor also will propose changes to the lottery intended to lure more gamblers, such as increasing payouts and updating the games offered by the state to include blackjack and poker themes.

Under the plan, if voters rejected the borrowing, or if the proposal fell through for any other reason -- such as lawsuits or lack of a viable lender -- state sales taxes would automatically increase by 1 cent to cover the loss.

The sales tax increase would stay in effect until the state's finances were out of the red, for up to three years. A 1-cent sales tax increase would generate roughly $6 billion per year, according to state statistics.

Are Republicans screaming? Yes, quite loudly, some of them. Gambling interests, whose business could shrink as the state lottery is expanded, aren't exactly thrilled either. Democrats say they'll wait and see, but think the state needs even more cash than the lottery idea can offer.

You know we're nowhere near hearing the end of this, so catch up on the details in the full story.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Associated Press

Good morning -- here's what's happening 5.14.08

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:59:00 -0700

Talk about printing money. Five guys who used an ink-jet printer to make millions of dollars of fake money were nabbed yesterday, one of the biggest SoCal counterfeiting operations ever, authorities say. Seized at the homes -- more than $7 million in $20s, paper, printers, and Aqua Net. That's right -- when you coat money with hairspray, those counterfeit-detecting pens don't work. Scott Glover has the real details on the counterfeit money story.

The Getty Trust cuts 114 jobs to pump up the budget of the core arts program by 25 percent. Anne-Marie O'Connor explains how the museum might change.

Want to make $100k a year? Consider a job in law enforcement in the OC where, thanks to overtime, two-thirds of sworn deputies in the Sheriff's Department made six figures last year. Stuart Pfeifer and Christine Hanley have the details.

No more training new recruits at L.A. Sheriff's Department, where one instructor was giving his students tests and the answers to the questions. Yeah, state investigators caught that, and some other no-nos, so Sheriff Lee Baca has put an end to new recruit training for now. Details from Richard Winton.

Malibu becomes the latest city to ban plastic bags, Tami Abdollah reports.

We're a bunch of pessimists -- 81% of Americans think the economy is in the toilet for the long haul. Tom Petruno runs the numbers.

Leonardo DiCaprio as James Bond creator Ian Fleming? Jay A. Fernandez says it could be in the works.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photos: Los Angeles Times

A bit hazy on the details

Veronique de Turenne — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:01:00 -0700

A reader shares the view looking from Hollywood toward downtown on one of those misty, hazy days we had this week. I love that flag stretched out in the left of the frame, just a hint of wind and movement.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Dan Simpson / Your Scene

Karen Bass makes history, the governor goes to Torrance, JetBlue is sued over toilet seat assignment — it's last links

Veronique de Turenne — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:44:00 -0700

That's Assemblywoman Karen Bass on the right, hugging her stepdaughter, Yvette Lechuga, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger applauds. Bass was sworn in as speaker of the California Assembly at the Capitol in Sacramento. She is the first African American woman to serve as Assembly speaker.

Thieves hit 11 JC Penney stores and make off with $2.5 million in gold. L.A. Times

Save the honey bees — eat free ice cream today. LAist

Hillary is now a noun. LA MetBlogs

The Governator goes to Torrance. Daily Breeze

A historic mural is vandalized in Inglewood. Wave Newspapers

A JetBlue passenger sues for being forced to sit on a toilet on a San Diego-New York flight. AP

—Veronique de Turenne & Jesus Sanchez