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From the LA Times:

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Health Facility Fails Latest Test
King/Drew's failure to pass an inspection by federal regulators puts millions in funding -- and the hospital's future -- in greater jeopardy.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-kingdrew30dec30,1,5751141.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Plans for L.A. Port Focus on Pollution
Mayor's task force hears several environmental measures designed to cut levels of toxic emissions.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-port30dec30,1,7907926.story?coll=la-headlines-california

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From the Daily News:

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Federal anti-gang drive resumes
L.A. Killers worse than Mafia, Feinstein says
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625407,00.html

Dam functioned just as it was designed
VAN NUYS - As rain continued falling Wednesday in the San Fernando Valley, the sprawling Sepulveda Basin slipped further under water - exactly as it should.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625668,00.html

Americans showing generosity
Millions of dollars are flowing into the coffers of major disaster relief organizations to help victims of the tsunami that ravaged countries on the Indian Ocean.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625356,00.html

Escrow closes on MTA land
Key site for bus station parking
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625071,00.html

Police say shipment naughty, not nice
The packages were labeled as toys for good girls and boys and the business was called Santa's Helpers. But authorities say the packages were nothing more than a naughty ruse to cover a large-scale drug smuggling operation.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625162,00.html

Post-9-11 fingerprint checks lagging
WASHINGTON - More than three years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration has failed to create a unified U.S. fingerprint database because of agency infighting, meaning most visitors to the country still aren't fully screened for terrorist or criminal ties, the Justice Department's watchdog warned Wednesday.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625271,00.html

Sobriety checkpoints part of anti-DUI drive
Although Los Angeles has bucked a statewide trend toward more alcohol-related accidents, city officials warned Wednesday that collisions and injuries could increase over the New Year's holiday weekend.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2625438,00.html