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From the LA Times:

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L.A. to Fund Upgrades Near LAX
The city will pay almost $500 million to improve airport-area schools and homes. Neighbors, in return, agree not to sue over plans to modernize.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lax4dec04,1,2815688.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Debate Leaves No Doubt Foes Will Hammer Hahn
If there was any doubt that allegations of corrupt contracting in City Hall would play a central role in the March mayoral election, it was probably erased in the campaign's opening debate Thursday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-debate4dec04,1,7049114.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Busing Homeless to Sylmar Rejected
An L.A. city-county panel says winter shelter should be established in or near Santa Clarita, rather than shifting problem elsewhere.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless4dec04,1,117361.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Murder-for-Hire Plot Alleged
Police believe a woman stabbed as officers stood outside her home was targeted for killing by her estranged husband. He is arrested.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-stabbing4dec04,1,6549069.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Officials Embrace Advice in Port Audit
Los Angeles and port officials on Friday said they will adopt most of the recommendations in a sweeping new audit that faults Harbor Department management practices.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-port4dec04,1,1670514.story?coll=la-headlines-california

L.A. Area to Receive $61 Million for Security
Los Angeles County and 17 of its cities will receive Homeland Security grants totaling $61 million in the latest round of funding under the federal Urban Area Security Initiative, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn said Friday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-terror4dec04,1,3487222.story?coll=la-headlines-california

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From the Daily News:

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City's costly trash talk
Workers keep jobs after racking up $7,000 in cell phone calls
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2575305,00.html

Hahn rivals tested themes at first debate
Analysts say most will rely on charges of corruption
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2575306,00.html

City OK's subsidy for hotel project
Los Angeles city officials announced an agreement Friday for the city to heavily subsidize construction of the long-sought 55-story, 1,200-room Convention Center hotel-condominium complex in downtown Los Angeles across from Staples Center.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2575362,00.html

Ambulance bills an emergency
With unpaid ambulance bills costing the city of Los Angeles about $23 million a year, a City Council committee Friday voted to explore measures to crack down on scofflaws and to seek more reimbursement for patients on Medicare and Medi-Cal.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2575160,00.html

Reyes appointed to MTA board
Mayor James Hahn announced Friday that he has appointed City Councilman Ed Reyes -- a backer of Hahn's re-election bid -- to fill a 2-month-old vacancy on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2575297,00.html

Audit: Port needs master plan
Management of the Port of Los Angeles came in for harsh criticism Friday with the release of an audit calling for more strategic planning and limits on commissioners' activities.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2575203,00.html

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From other sources:

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From the LAPD
Chief Of Police To Kick-Off 4 th Annual LAPD Angels Community Toy Drive
http://www.lapdonline.org/press_releases/2004/12/pr04587.htm

From Senator Feinstein
Feinstein Urging Passage of Legislation to Reform the Intelligence Community
http://feinstein.senate.gov/04Releases/r-dni5.htm

From the Department of Homeland Security
Over $2.5 Billion in State and Local Grants Awarded
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/