LA Observed front page

Ford Foundation to fund new LA Times reporters and beats

This certainly tweaks the model for how to pay for big-city newspaper journalism. The Los Angeles Times says it will use the $1 million grant to cover immigration and ethnic
communities in Southern California, the California prisons and the border. The LAT will also return to South America with a reporter in Brazil. The money comes no strings attached, says editor Davan Maharaj. Read the memo | LAT story | More media stories and links

LA Weekly: LAT "now officially a charity case"

Read the memo
LAT kills off Sunday magazine again
Sportsageddon

Coming to Downtown this weekend

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Observing Los Angeles

For many LA fans, the Kings play tonight for Tanner

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 6:05 PM

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Tucked in among the purple and yellow and white Kings jerseys filling Staples Center tonight, there will also be small cardboard likenesses of a smiling fan. Tannerheads, the fans call them. Here's the backstory, via Toronto.

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Politics

Trutanich call to investigate DA's office rejected

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 1:48 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> District Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich had asked the Attorney General to look into "suspicious political activity," citing the DA's inability to produce his old personnel file. Today, AG Kamala Harris says there will be no investigation.

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Business Update on KPCC

Are folks starting to notice the California budget problem?

Mark Lacter | May 17, 2012 12:28 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> The last polls I checked show a continuing disconnect between reality and presumed entitlement. Voters don't want to pay more taxes, but they also don't want to see cuts in education or other core services.

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Television

Does anyone care where Jim Rome does his gabbing?

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 12:25 PM

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Sports talker Jim Rome's CBS Sports TV show depicts him in front of a window that appears to look down on Staples Center and across at the Los Angeles downtown skyline. As if he were in the Marriott or one of the other buildings at LA Live. Well, he's not. Daily News sports columnist Tom Hoffarth is concerned enough about this to do some checking.

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Crime

The four stooges break in to Apple store in Santa Monica

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 12:11 PM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> Surveillance video spotted four suspects, two males and two females, fleeing the scene. "Three fled north on the Promenade and the fourth ran south."

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Tech

H-P prepares to eliminate up to 30,000 jobs

Mark Lacter | May 17, 2012 12:09 PM

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That's 10 percent to 15 percent of the workforce and is part of a company-wide restructuring being implemented by CEO Meg Whitman.

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Newspapers

OC Register parent unloads 4 Midwest newspapers

Mark Lacter | May 17, 2012 11:40 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> Irvine-based Freedom Communications, which came out of bankruptcy protection two years ago, has been in the process of selling off some of its properties. There's been considerable speculation that Freedom is shopping its biggest asset, the OC Register.

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Obituaries

Donna Summer, disco queen was 63

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 9:32 AM

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The singer known for her disco era hits such as "Love to Love You Baby," "Last Dance" and "On The Radio" has died of lung cancer.

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Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz: Thursday 5.17.12

Kevin Roderick | May 17, 2012 9:15 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> DA Cooley's media rounds regarding John Noguez, Hollywood for Jackie Lacey, a further note on Rep. Brad Sherman's mom and Photoshop, NPR in the red, local columnist treated for cancer and another bear in Glendale — plus Pacquiao apologizes even though he didn't say what they said he said.

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Aviation

Best and worst airlines for frequent-flier miles

Mark Lacter | May 17, 2012 8:44 AM

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Southwest, United, and JetBlue top the domestic carriers. At the bottom are Delta and US Air, which had no seats available on at least two out of every three inquires. International carriers have some of the best programs.

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Headlines

Thursday morning headlines

Mark Lacter | May 17, 2012 8:35 AM

<!-- Brings in the entry's assets. Can it be lastn="1"? --!> Mortgage rates fall to record lows, Facebook insiders are cashing out, new Dodger owners might not have to share their revenue with other clubs, and council members split over medical marijuana.

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Politics

Cooley calls on Noguez to resign as Assessor

Kevin Roderick | May 16, 2012 4:51 PM

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Los Angeles County's elected tax assessor, John Noguez, should resign, District Attorney Steve Cooley told a gaggle of reporters today. It goes further than his pretty harsh comments yesterday about the investigation into the assessor's alleged dealings with campaign donors and clients of consultants who sell their ability to get property tax bills lowered. "I don't think he should be there,'' Cooley is reported saying. "In my view, he should resign in light of everything that's come out publicly and because it's interfering with the discharge of that important office's critical functions."

Celebrity

J.Lo lands top spot on Forbes celebrity list

Mark Lacter | May 16, 2012 3:06 PM

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Wasn't she on the skids only a few years back? All it took was a judging gig on "American Idol" to fire up the comeback that had Lopez earning $52 million over the past 12 months.

In case you missed it:

Picture window: Two Boots Pizza

Click to view larger. Gary Leonard archive at LA Observed

LA Sketchbook

The latest cartoon by Steve Greenberg. View larger on the LA Sketchbook page

Runaway construction

Among the residents of Laurel Canyon who appear in a video to protest mansionization on their street is a figure from local rock and roll history. Story

Carroll Shelby's LA

The auto racing legend and hot rodder who died last week built his first Cobra sports cars in Venice, raced at local tracks and left his legacy all over Southern California car culture. Story and reader email