Law Enforcement

Three people dead in North Hollywood and LAPD shootings
Three people have died in two shootings that began when a gunman opened fire on a busy North Hollywood street and was later killed by officers on a freeway offramp, police said Thursday evening. The gunfire broke out shortly after 4 p.m. near Valerio Street and Tujunga Avenue in North Hollywood. Two people were hit when officers arrived, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Both died, one at a hospital Thursday evening.
Los Angeles Times

Gun sculptures on display at LAPD
Sculptures crafted from two-tons of destroyed guns will be on display at a reception Thursday at LAPD. It may not be your typical exhibition space, but it fits for artist Victor Hugo Zayas. He spent five years working with police to get his hands on pieces of rifles and shotguns collected from the department's Gun Buyback Program. "I never thought I would ever work together with the LAPD, but this was sort of an accident, but in a way sort of a neat accident because they came from the LAPD," he said.
Southern California Public Radio

Police: 3 men arrested on suspicion of committing 'window smash' burglaries in North Hollywood
A man, his adult son and another man were arrested on suspicion of committing a recent series of "window smash" burglaries of several businesses in the Melrose Village, Fairfax and North Hollywood areas, police said Thursday. William Black, 52, of Los Angeles, Cleveland Black, 24, of Palmdale, and Rickie Porter, 22, of Lancaster were arrested on Wednesday and booked on suspicion of commercial burglary, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. Bail was set at $20,000 for each man, police said.
Los Angeles Daily News

Mom pleads no contest in North Hollywood DUI crash in which 4-year-old was left at the scene
A woman arrested last year on suspicion of crashing her car in North Hollywood while driving drunk and leaving her 4-year-old daughter at the scene pleaded no contest Thursday to DUI, hit-and-run and child abuse charges. Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino immediately sentenced Lisette Gonzalez Avakian, 36, to 10 years and eight months in state prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Andrew Barras.
Los Angeles Daily News

FBI, DEA warn IPv6 could shield criminals from police
U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies are warning that a historic switch to the next-generation Internet protocol called IPv6 may imperil investigations by making it more difficult to trace who's using which electronic address. FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police officials have told industry representatives that IPv6 traceability is necessary to identify people suspected of crimes. The FBI has even suggested that a new law may be necessary if the private sector doesn't do enough voluntarily.
CNET

Stanley Cup Celebration

Thousands cheer L.A. Kings' 'glorious run' at downtown parade
Cheered on by thousands of fans, the Los Angeles Kings took a victory lap downtown Thursday, celebrating the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history with a ticker-tape parade and rally at Staples Center. Along the parade route, fans lined up eight deep behind barricades. Despite the crowds, Los Angeles police reported no major problems or arrests.
Los Angeles Daily News

The Courts

Massive L.A. county court layoffs to begin Friday
Squeezed by state budgets cutbacks, the Los Angeles County court system is launching massive job layoffs, pay cuts and transfers, court officials said Thursday. Cutbacks that will be implemented Friday will affect 431 court employees and 56 courtrooms throughout the nation's largest superior court system.
Associated Press

An L.A. County court for young offenders closes
Budget cuts have forced the shutdown of California's only Informal Juvenile and Traffic Court. Some saw it as a dumping ground for problems, but others say it was a speed bump for kids racing toward more serious trouble.
Los Angeles Times

Legislation

California work release bill OKed over MADD objections
Offenders who are sentenced to jail could get credit toward a work release program if they participate in educational, vocational, drug treatment and other programs under a bill approved by the California Senate. Senators approved AB2127 Thursday on a 21-14 vote, despite objections from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The group wants people who are convicted of drunken driving exempted from the change.
Associated Press

State Budget

California lawmakers race to pass a budget bill with little time to read it
The main budget bill coming before California lawmakers today is a 777-page piece of legislation that spells out how the state will spend billions of dollars over the next fiscal year. A Senate panel raced to consider the measure Thursday, along with a handful of related bills that arrived in committee fresh off the printer.
Sacramento Bee