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From the LA Times:

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King/Drew's 1,000 Failings
Consultants' report details a raft of flaws at the medical center that could cost millions and take years to fix.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-kingdrew4jan04,1,7986290.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Mexico's Border-Crossing Tips Anger Some in U.S.
Mexican authorities are distributing more than 1 million copies of an illustrated handbook that gives migrants illegally crossing the U.S. border safety tips, suggesting that they carry enough water, follow railroad tracks and utility lines if they get lost and wear clothing that will protect them from the elements.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-handbook4jan04,1,912982.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Auditors Rebuke Youth Authority
Facilities fail to provide education and training that could rehabilitate offenders, report finds.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-youth4jan04,1,5001420.story?coll=la-headlines-california

El Segundo Sues Over LAX Plan
City alleges Los Angeles' environmental studies failed to adequately analyze traffic, noise and other effects on nearby communities.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lax4jan04,1,5895893.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Suspects Sought in Drive-By Shooting
Police were looking for three men who pulled alongside a car at a South Los Angeles intersection and opened fire, killing the driver and a passenger.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-driveby4jan04,1,7019308.story?coll=la-headlines-california

L.A. Officials to Discuss El Toro
Los Angeles Councilman Tony Cardenas and Mayor James K. Hahn plan a news conference today to discuss their hope that the U.S. Navy will lease the city the closed El Toro Marine base for an airport.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oceltoro4jan04,1,6933125.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Zine Seeks Disclosure of Agency Audits
City Councilman Dennis Zine said Monday that he would propose rules requiring the Department of Water and Power and the airport and harbor departments to provide City Council members, the mayor and city controller with copies of all internal audits.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-briefs4.2jan04,1,7957434.story?coll=la-headlines-california

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From the Daily News:

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L.A.'s 1% homicide drop falls far short of Bratton's goal
Homicides in Los Angeles decreased for the second year in a row in 2004, but the decline was slight and fell far short of Police Chief William Bratton's goal.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633056,00.html

Staph infection spreads in community
Outbreak of resistant strain first noticed in county jails
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633059,00.html

Study: Schools near bottom
State's education system receives low ranking in almost every area
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633177,00.html

Hahn ripped for not borrowing to boost force
Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa on Monday attacked Mayor James Hahn's reluctance to borrow an estimated $30 million against expected state revenue to hire about 300 new police officers.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633136,00.html

Past 3 years especially safe for air travel
WASHINGTON -- Only 34 people have died in U.S. commercial airline crashes in the past three years, making it one of the safest periods in aviation history even as more Americans than ever travel by air.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633205,00.html

Youth Authority may need 'fundamental change'
The agency that incarcerates California's delinquent youths fails at its basic mission of rehabilitating troubled children before they become adult criminals, the correctional system's inspector general said Monday.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2633153,00.html

Bus Riders Union warns against fare increases
Cash-strapped MTA to "pinch every penny"
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E25740%257E2631672,00.html?search=filter

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From other sources:

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From Senator Feinstein
Senator Feinstein Urges Eligible Seniors to Take Advantage of Medicare Benefit
http://feinstein.senate.gov/04Releases/r-medicare-600.htm

From the Department of Homeland Security
Resolve To Be Ready In 2005
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0574.xml

DHS Entry-Exit System Meets 2004 Goals Ahead of Schedule
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0579.xml