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From the LA Times:

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Massive overhaul of ailing hospital urged
County board must give up its control of King/Drew, experts say. Some also suggest rooting out incompetent workers, linking with a different medical school, even closing for a time to regroup.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solutions23dec23,1,5440783.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Posadas Take a Political Turn
Some Latino churches are using the story of the Holy Family's search for shelter to address issues of discrimination.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-posada23dec23,1,3367608.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Eastside Hospital in Trouble
Accreditation of East L.A. Doctors Hospital could be withdrawn because of lab problems. Facility's officials dispute the findings.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hospital23dec23,1,1219968.story?coll=la-headlines-california

L.A. Unified Selects Special Counsel
The Pasadena assistant city attorney specializes in land-use law. Critics say union support influenced the decision.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lawyer23dec23,1,1064674.story?coll=la-headlines-california

L.A. Planning Director Says He Will Retire
Con Howe intends to stay on until a replacement is named. Critics say he has lacked a vision for developing the city.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-howe23dec23,1,6011969.story?coll=la-headlines-california

The county supervisors respond
As the governing body of King/Drew hospital, the Board of Supervisors is ultimately responsible for reforms there. The following are excerpts from interviews conducted by Times staff writer Mitchell Landsberg:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solutionsbox23dec23,1,4017498.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Holiday closures
Friday is Christmas Eve. The following schedule will be in effect in observance of the holiday:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-close23dec23,1,6988150.story?coll=la-headlines-california

L.A.'s Budding Mogadishus
Nearly feral areas need urgent help.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rice23dec23,1,4268203.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

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From the Daily News:

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Fight on for repair money
County wants to fix earthquake damage
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2613941,00.html

Attacks on hopefuls get nasty
Hahn, challengers get personal -- and dirty
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2613967,00.html

Planning director to quit in 2005
The city's top planner, who won praise for shepherding major projects and criticism for his style and failure to supply the same leadership to reviving the neighborhoods, will retire in 2005 at age 55, the mayor's office announced Wednesday.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2614006,00.html

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From other sources:

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From the Department of Homeland Security
CBP Border Patrol's National Security Efforts Benefit From New Technology
23,502 Criminal Aliens Identified and Detained in a 91-Day Period
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/12202004_2.xml