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From the LA Times:

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MTA Puts the Brakes on the 'Nanny Express'
With refreshments, hugs, toasts and tears, riders celebrate one last Christmas season aboard Bus 576. Its last run will be next week.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nanny11dec11,1,5083013.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Report on Port Bids Cheers Clean-Air Activists
Harbor agency staff calls a shipper's plan to build a 'green terminal' environmentally sound.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-port11dec11,1,7187028.story?coll=la-headlines-california

More Oversight of LAX Police Urged
Councilman Jack Weiss says airport officers' use of a stun gun on a 78-year-old man underscores the need for civilian monitoring.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lax11dec11,1,1955579.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Open Gate Allows Inmate to Flee Jail
An Altadena man facing the prospect of returning to state prison escaped from the Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles because of a jailer's mistake, Sheriff Lee Baca said Friday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-escape11dec11,1,1275044.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Deal Reached to Open Winter Homeless Shelter
After weeks of disagreement, officials from the county and the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Clarita approved a plan Friday to put a winter homeless shelter in a county-owned flood-control maintenance yard in Santa Clarita.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-briefs11.1dec11,1,3957411.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Effort to Disarm Gang Members Expanded
Holding a TEC-9 handgun, county Supervisor Mike Antonovich announced Friday an expansion of a Probation Department program to disarm gang members.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-briefs11.2dec11,1,4350628.story?coll=la-headlines-california

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From the Daily News:

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Busway squeeze
Some fear MTA vehicles won't fit
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2590802,00.html

IRS has $500K in lost refunds
WASHINGTON -- The IRS has made its list, checked it twice -- and wants to give San Fernando Valley taxpayers more than $500,000 in unclaimed refunds.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590131,00.html

LAUSD facing budget dilemma
Two looming deadlines have created a "perfect storm" for Los Angeles Unified officials, who face the prospect of proposing teacher raises while officially reporting that the district's finances are uncertain.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590185,00.html

Hearing set on new VA halfway house
NORTH HILLS -- Rep. Brad Sherman will host a public meeting Wednesday to seek input on a proposed halfway house for homeless veterans on the Sepulveda VA campus.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590214,00.html

Pierce student launches toy drive
WOODLAND HILLS -- Pierce College's student body president is spearheading a children's toy and book drive to bring a little holiday cheer to hospitalized kids.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590232,00.html

Toys requested for needy kids
Here is a list of local food and toy drives designed to help needy residents during the holiday season:
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590426,00.html

Glendale considers buffer zones for various housing
GLENDALE -- The city has proposed changing development standards and creating buffer zones for apartments and condominiums that tower over single-family homes in Glendale.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590200,00.html

Woodley should reopen this week
VAN NUYS -- Woodley Avenue south of Victory Boulevard will remain closed for another week as MTA crews rebuild the intersection for the Orange Line busway, officials said.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2590201,00.html