~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the LA Times:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stores' High Prices Put Children's Aid at Risk
Some grocers cater to mothers getting federal assistance, but costs are a burden to the program.
SACRAMENTO - Some of California's poorest children could soon be shut out of a government food program due to an explosion of stores that cater to low-income mothers but charge top dollar for milk, eggs and other staples.
<full story>

City Jails Protect County Inmates
Officials are housing witnesses away from the general population to keep them safe -- but the move is expensive.
<full story>

West Nile 'Hot Spots' Traced
Southland areas where the high numbers of diseased wildlife have been found are deemed the most likely spots for human infection.
<full story>

Gas Prices May Mean Fewer School Buses or Higher Fees
Unanticipated rise in the price of fuel forces districts to make unpopular decisions.
<full story>

6 Chinese, Alleged Smuggler Detained
Six Chinese nationals found on board a private airplane were being held by federal officials on suspicion of entering the United States illegally, authorities said Sunday. In addition, at least one man suspected of helping smuggle them into the country was taken into federal custody.
<full story>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Daily News:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Desparate for cash, some principles want Parents to pay for basics
Stung by the Los Angeles Unified School District's steep budget cuts, a handful of principals have asked parents for donations to help buy basic classroom and cleaning supplies -- a practice that has triggered a heated controversy over whether it's legal, ethical or even fair.
<full story>

Stanley getting Valley steamed
Airport nominee more 'pay to play' by Hahn?
Mayor James Hahn's appointment to the Airport Commission of a sports agent who recently moved to the San Fernando Valley has upset local leaders worried that the community won't be represented at a time critical decisions are made on LAX expansion and controversies swirl around Van Nuys Airport operations.
<full story>

Nay for development?
Residents want to preserve hills as rustic horse area
La Tuna Canyon residents are fuming over a developer's plan to build 280 homes in the heart of their hillside equestrian community.
<full story>

City takes pride in 'kid-friendliness'
BURBANK -- Neighboring Glendale may have received an A in a recent national ranking of "kid-friendly" cities, but Burbank is also a haven for the young, say city officials and youth service providers.
<full story>

South L.A. students denied basic right
By not preparing them for college, we lessen their -- and our -- future
The state of California should provide equal access to educational opportunities for all students, but African-American and Latino high schoolers in South Los Angeles are being denied this basic civil right. This June, hundreds of students will walk the aisle, receive their diploma -- and find themselves with bleak prospects for college.
<full story>
.