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From the LA Times:

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Homeless Count or Are Counted
Workers, many of them street people themselves, fan out across the county to learn the extent of the problem.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless27jan27,1,6991754.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Hahn Calls Valley Safer and More Business-Friendly
Mayor takes credit for improvements and makes his case for reelection in a speech to economic leaders.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mayor27jan27,1,6847915.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Plan to Add 250 LAPD Officers Is Approved
Hiring could begin this summer. Council also advances a proposal that would hike sales tax to pay for more police.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-coptax27jan27,1,1785586.story?coll=la-headlines-california

DWP Audit Results Mixed
State says transfers of surplus funds to the city are legal but criticizes lax controls over contracts and spending.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dwp27jan27,1,3917091.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Jerry Brown Touts Charter Schools Before Gathering of System's Backers in Pasadena
Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, a likely candidate for state attorney general next year, talked Wednesday about his latest calling - charter schools - to a group of fellow enthusiasts for the independently operated public campuses.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jerry27jan27,1,224182.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Panel Backs Gov.'s Parole Board Picks
The Senate committee's vote is likely to ensure confirmation for a crime victims' advocate, but lack of diversity among candidates concerns legislators.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-parole27jan27,1,4542687.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Governor Asks U.S. for Storm Assistance
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday asked the White House to declare disaster areas in eight Southern California counties hit this month by a spate of deadly storms.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mud27jan27,1,2344222.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Pat-Down Searches of Female Inmates by Male Guards Banned
SACRAMENTO - California's director of corrections has ordered an end to a long-standing policy permitting male guards to pat down female prisoners, officials said Wednesday.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-patsearch27jan27,1,3230931.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Concern Grows Over Rail Suicides
The government plans a study on the problem, which has long worried railroad companies.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-suicide27jan27,1,7737890.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Train's Lineup May Have Added to Risk
With the locomotive pushing from the rear, a passenger car took the brunt of the collision. Experts disagree on the safety implications.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cause27jan27,1,7905670.story?coll=la-headlines-california

Busy Police Station Gets Busier When Grenade Is Dropped Off
The police station nearest Wednesday's train crash was on full tactical alert, dealing with the deadly crisis, when a woman walked in with a live World War II grenade.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-grenade27jan27,1,1713163.story?coll=la-headlines-california

EDITORIAL
A Response of Grit and Grace
The emergency response to Wednesday's commuter train wreck on the border of Glendale and Los Angeles was everything the region could have hoped for. All those earlier rehearsals, some in preparation for possible terrorist attacks, paid off.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-train27jan27,1,6948234.story?coll=la-news-comment-editorials

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From the Daily News:

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Could any safety procedures have prevented this tragedy?
It was only a matter of time before an accident like Wednesday's Metrolink train derailment, which resulted in massive casualties, would occur, mainly because the costs of taking preventive steps are too high, a safety expert said Wednesday.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~2676120,00.html

Red Cross appeals for blood donations
The American Red Cross appealed Wednesday for blood donations - especially Type O blood - to help replenish supplies that were depleted by the deadly train crash.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2676471,00.html

Metrolink checking insurance
The 14-year-old Metrolink commuter rail system is insured against catastrophic events such as Wednesday's deadly derailment, officials said.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2676119,00.html

Post-9-11 drills helped train crash response
Firefighters, hospital teams and other emergency crews said Wednesday that rigorous training and new equipment purchased following the 9-11 terrorist attacks greatly helped to speed rescue efforts after the Metrolink disaster.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2675903,00.html

Modified train schedules
Metrolink will run a modified schedule on the Ventura and Antelope Valley lines for the rest of the week.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E28822%257E2675806,00.html

Hahn mends fences or potholes
VAN NUYS -- Seeking to mend relations with a powerful San Fernando Valley business group, Mayor James Hahn delivered his delayed State of the Valley speech on Wednesday, saying he had heard the message of secession.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2676026,00.html

Sales-tax proposal for cops gains
Council directs city attorney to draw up ballot measure
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2675844,00.html

State auditor scolds DWP but upholds fund transfer
SACRAMENTO -- The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power failed to follow the city's competitive bidding rules in awarding some contracts and does not maintain adequate controls over employee purchases with agency credit cards, state auditors said in a report Wednesday.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2676117,00.html

Mayoral leadership at issue
Three hopefuls challenge Hahn at forum
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2676118,00.html

High-speed train heading to Palmdale
Capping years of lobbying by Antelope Valley officials, state officials formally designated a high-speed rail route through Palmdale rather than up Interstate 5.
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200%257E20954%257E2675757,00.html

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From other sources:

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From Attorney General Lockyer
Attorney General Lockyer Urges Consumers to Avoid Expensive Loans Disguised as 'Instant' Tax Refunds
'Refund Anticipation Loans' Drain Billions of Dollars From Low-Income Families
http://caag.state.ca.us/newsalerts/2005/05-007.htm