Law Enforcement

LAPD closes backlog of untested rape kits
After 2 1/2 years spent chipping away at a backlog of DNA evidence that had been collected in thousands of rape cases and then was ignored, Los Angeles officials Wednesday announced that all of the potentially crucial material had been analyzed. "Today, we pledge to never let justice wait like this again," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said at a City Hall news conference with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and other elected officials.
Los Angeles Times

Woman slain in officer-involved shooting in Watts
A woman was killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday night in Watts -- the area's second fatal shooting of the day involving police, authorities said. The slaying occurred about 7:20 p.m. after patrol officers responded to a "shots fired" call in the 10000 block of Anzac Avenue, the Los Angeles Police Department said. Officers responded to reports that the woman was shooting at her daughter and her grandchildren, according to LAPD Officer Karen Rayner.
Los Angeles Times

Slain Redondo Beach robber tied to 1978 stabbing death
A burglar killed in a shootout with police at the Redondo Beach pier in 1981 has been linked to the slaying of a San Fernando Valley man three years earlier, police said Wednesday. Using modern fingerprint technology, Los Angeles police cold-case detectives tied Richard Daniel Bower, who was 23 at the time of his death, to the May 20, 1978, stabbing death of Robert Rathbun.
Torrance Daily Breeze

City Budget Crisis

42 furlough days ordered for L.A. workers who rejected labor deal
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday ordered his managers to impose 42 furlough days on city employees in four union groups after those workers rejected his proposal for cutting the budget shortfall. Employee groups representing more than 6,300 full-time workers voted against the labor agreement that the mayor negotiated last month with leaders of the Coalition of L.A. City Unions. Balloting finished Tuesday.
Los Angeles Times

Union, council members fear Fire Department cutbacks
A proposal to cut 18 fire companies and four ambulances from the Los Angeles Fire Department is generating an outcry from some members of the City Council and leaders of the firefighters union. The proposed cuts, which are part of the $6.9-billion budget unveiled last week by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, call for firetrucks or ambulances at about one-fourth of the city's 106 fire stations to be put out of service permanently. A small number of stations would gain services.
Los Angeles Times

City Politics

Zev Yaroslavsky will replace Antonio Villaraigosa as mayor, experts predict
L.A. Weekly asked six political veterans to rank, from 1 to 10, the chances of eight official and possible candidates becoming mayor in 2013. A hands-down winner scores a 10, while someone with no chance of becoming mayor gets a 1. We also asked the veterans: Who has the skills to handle the budget and unions; what will their critics say if they run; how well will each do with fundraising; and which Villaraigosa mistake is each most likely to repeat?
LA Weekly

Pensions

Will pension funds unite to invest in job creation?
Using their massive investment funds to create jobs might be a way for embattled public pension systems to aid the struggling California economy, while also generating some sorely needed good publicity. Gov. Brown may propose a job-creating pension investment program, state Treasurer Bill Lockyer's representative, Steve Cooney, told the CalPERS board this month.
Calpensions