~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the LA Times:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PR Executive Indicted in 'Pay to Play' Probe
A partner in the Fleishman-Hillard firm falsely billed DWP and private clients, a grand jury says. He is the first charged in the inquiry.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-indict14jan14,1,3367624.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Hahn Rivals Focus on Corruption
During debate, mayor says he supports the investigation of a former P.R. executive accused of padding DWP's bills.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-debate14jan14,1,3507876.story?coll=la-headlines-california

For Insurance Claimants, Wording Is Slippery Slope
Distinction between what constitutes a flood and a slide can dictate whether one is covered.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-damage14jan14,1,624286.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Landslide Suits Are Tough to Win, Experts Say
Liability cases hinge on proving that the work of public agencies or property owners, not Mother Nature, was responsible for damage.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-onthelaw14jan14,1,2334091.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Bay Is Cleaner, but Rain Is a Problem
Water quality has been improving, but runoff from storms still fouls the ocean, study says.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bay14jan14,1,382725.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Bratton Seeks a 10% Drop in Major Crimes
The city saw a similar reduction last year. The police chief sets no goal for reducing homicides.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-crime14jan14,1,6791549.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Alarcon Proposes Fines to Fund Trauma Care
Citing lessons learned from a family tragedy, state Sen. Richard Alarcon said Thursday he has introduced legislation to raise about $100 million annually to stem the tide of trauma center and emergency room closures.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-alarcon14jan14,1,1385485.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Ludlow Seeks Tax Hike to Fund Anti-Gang Projects
Calling gang violence the No. 1 issue in his district, Los Angeles Councilman Martin Ludlow said he planned to introduce a ballot measure today to raise about $30 million a year for anti-gang programs.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ludlow14jan14,1,6045426.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Police Arrest 26 People Suspected of Gang Ties
Hundreds of police officers on Thursday fanned out across South Los Angeles, arresting 26 people who they say frequented a gang-ridden complex.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-briefs14.2jan14,1,1200318.story?coll=la-headlines-california

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the Daily News:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feds indict P.R. exec in DWP billing scam
In the first charges growing out of City Hall corruption investigations, a former top executive with the Fleishman-Hillard public relations firm was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury on 11 felony counts of fraud.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2652511,00.html

Pension showdown brewing
SACRAMENTO -- In his plans for a major overhaul of state government, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces some bruising battles -- none likely to be tougher than his proposal to reform the public employee pension system to save billions of dollars.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2652498,00.html

Crews frantically clean up storm-damaged roads
Work crews scrambled Thursday to repair the most badly needed of the storm-damaged storm-damaged streets and highways, and officials warned that it might take a year to make some of the fixes.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2652613,00.html

Gentry Street improvements worked; houses stayed safe, dry
For nearly 50 years, neighbors on Gentry Avenue suffered constant floods because of poorly constructed drains -- and a stream of city promises to fix them.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2652531,00.html

Mayoral hopefuls hold debate
Mayor James Hahn defended himself and his administration against charges of corruption during a debate Thursday, the same day a major figure of a downtown public relations firm was indicted on charges of defrauding the Department of Water and Power.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2652634,00.html

FBI's new system could get boot
WASHINGTON -- A $170 million computer overhaul intended to give FBI agents and analysts an instantaneous and paperless way to manage criminal and terrorism cases is headed back to the drawing board, probably at a much steeper cost to taxpayers.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2652595,00.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From other sources:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Attorney General Lockyer
Attorney General Lockyer Announces Lawsuit Settlement to Prevent Children's Exposure to Sexually Explicit Material Online
http://caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2005/05-004.htm