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From the LA Times:

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Ethics Watchdog Drops Chase in W. Hollywood
Critic who needled the council for eight years will get no au revoir as he moves to France.
<full story>
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Trauma Unit's Future Unclear
Burke calls plan to close facility at King/Drew hospital rushed. County health chief says drastic action is needed.
<full story>

Governor OKs Over-the-Counter Sale of Syringes
He signs a bill sought by AIDS activists that lets pharmacists sell needles without a prescription.
<full story>

Villaraigosa Reaches $200,000 in Donations
Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa reached the $200,000 mark in campaign fundraising late last week, a month and a half after he announced his second run for mayor of Los Angeles.
<full story>

Ex-Chief of EIDC Avoids Prison
Cody Cluff was sentenced Monday to three years' probation on charges of embezzling public funds as head of the agency that promotes film production in Los Angeles.
<full story>

Refinery Charged in Toxic Dumping
The Los Angeles city attorney has filed 109 charges of environmental law violations against a Wilmington refinery for allegedly dumping harmful chemicals into a storm drain, officials said Monday.
<full story>

26-Year L.A. Employee Is Named City Clerk
Mayor James K. Hahn has appointed Frank Martinez as city clerk to replace Mike Carey, who is retiring after 37 years with the city.
<full story>

EDITORIAL
Reading Gets the Job Done
Is it possible that more than half of working-age people in Los Angeles County are such poor readers that they have trouble reading street signs and understanding a utility bill, as a new literacy study says?
<full story>

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From the Daily News:

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County officials fail to cut pension fraud
Los Angeles County government has made little progress in its efforts to rein in soaring workers' compensation claims despite repeated promises and efforts to reform the system's runaway costs, a report issued Monday says.
<full story>

Valley neighbors fight Hindu temple's plans
RESEDA -- Efforts by the San Fernando Valley's largest Hindu congregation to expand its temple have hit a wall of opposition from neighbors, who say the site is woefully short on parking and will bring too much traffic to the residential area.
<full story>

Santa Anas to return -- along with fire danger -- in hot end to summer
Summer is expected to hit Southern California this week -- just in time for fall.
<full story>

L.A. to be model for world?
Southern California can be the nation's laboratory for creating an antidote to sprawl as it develops land-use and mass-transit strategies to ease gridlock, officials said Monday.
<full story>

Residents fear Best Buy will be no traffic bargain
SHERMAN OAKS -- The planned construction of a Best Buy electronics store at Van Nuys Boulevard and Moorpark Street is raising concerns from neighbors about the anticipated increase in traffic congestion.
<full story>

Water options laid out for project
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power would use groundwater and water from the Owens Valley and the Colorado River to supply the 5,800-home Las Lomas development proposed in the Newhall Pass, according to a report expected to be approved today.
<full story>

Opinion
Smart policing
Monday, September 20, 2004 - Unable to get the funding for an adequate number of cops, the Los Angeles Police Department has had to come up with creative ideas about how to keep the city safe - such as the Motel 6 squad.
<full story>

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From other sources:

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From Mayor Hahn
Mayor Hahn, Councilmember Hahn Urge County To Keep King/Drew Trauma Center Open
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Announces Approval Of Valley's First Adaptive Reuse Project
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Takes Action Toward Permanent Funding Of Housing Trust Fund
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Discusses Drop In Crime, Community Improvements With Pico Union Neighborhood Council
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Announces LA's Best Now Serves Over 20,000 Los Angeles Children
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Announces The Resignation Of Port Executive Director Larry Keller
<full story> (pdf format)

Mayor Hahn Appoints Frank Martinez As Los Angeles City Clerk
<full story> (pdf format)

From Senator Cedillo
Driver's License Bill Goes to Governor's Desk
<full story>

From Senator Alarcon
Letter to Mayor Hahn about DWP Rate Increase
<full story>

From the Department of Homeland Security
Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge Before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security
<full story>

Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at the National Emergency Management Association Conference
<full story>

Department of Homeland Security Highlights Policy Initiatives for Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness
<full story>

Department of Homeland Security Announces $9 Million in Information Technology Grants
<full story>