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From the LA Times:

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From Activism Grew a Liberal Voice in Senate
GREENBRAE, Calif. - Barbara Boxer's people live these days in genteel comfort here at the eastern edge of Mt. Tamalpais State Park, their homes tucked beneath swaying trees amid cascading red bougainvillea and the occasional rose bed.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-boxer4oct04,1,6255794.story?coll=la-home-headlines

California Cuts Its Population Projection
The state is reconsidering the demands for new schools and other services primarily because of an unexpectedly large decline in the Latino birthrate.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-birthrate4oct04,1,288734.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Air Quality Improves Markedly
Officials credit cooler weather for less ozone. But Southern California is still failing to meet federal standards.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-smog4oct04,1,1342845.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Hallucinogen Use Takes a Toll
Experts say users of mushrooms, taken by a Newbury Park teen hit and killed on the 101, think it is less harmful than LSD and heroin.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mushrooms4oct04,1,5779995.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Officials to Shut Valley ER Today
Northridge Hospital's Sherman Way campus is closing the unit early. The entire center is to be shut down by year's end.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-close4oct04,1,1078440.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Termed-Out Politicians Head Straight for Lobby
Politicians forced out of office by term limits in Los Angeles don't fade away - they come back as lobbyists.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-polcol4oct04,1,6440948.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Bunker Hill Loses Trolley Service
The Bunker Hill Trolley, a brightly painted bus that shuttled passengers up and down the steep hills that separate Grand Avenue and Hill Street downtown, was scheduled to make its last rounds Sunday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-trolley4oct04,1,3466596.story?coll=la-headlines-california

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From the Daily News:

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ERs in critical condition
More trauma centers may close as care crisis worsens
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2444301,00.html

City Hall blogger spilling secrets
Who knows what secrets lurk in the hearts at City Hall?
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444230,00.html

Glendale in front line of chromium 6 fight
GLENDALE -- Rising levels of chromium 6 in the city's groundwater wells could force the shutdown of multimillion-dollar treatment plants that aren't designed to remove the chemical from the drinking supply, officials warned.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444283,00.html

County surplus makes Baca's Measure A push harder
The discovery of an extra $309 million in Los Angeles County's coffers generated both good news and bad news last week
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2443796,00.html

Stuckey's ready for L.A. post
New animal control chief wants to meet activists
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444237,00.html

Other hospitals set to take up the slack
VAN NUYS -- Valley Presbyterian Hospital officials said they were ready to handle a surge in patients following today's closure of the emergency room at neighboring Northridge Hospital Medical Center's Sherman Way campus.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444401,00.html

Council could send sign about election campaign theft
SAN FERNANDO -- Attempting to prevent a repeat of election tactics that marred the city three years ago, the City Council today will consider imposing a $1,000 fine for stealing political lawn signs.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444533,00.html

Some predict Hispanic backlash on bills
Last year, as he ran for governor criticizing the passage of a law that would allow illegal immigrants, most of them Hispanic, to get driver's licenses, Arnold Schwarzenegger was criticized for not being sensitive enough to Hispanic issues.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2444220,00.html