Law Enforcement

Porter Ranch's Mohammad Akbar Baraki, 37, arrested after his Newtown post said 'more kids must be killed'
A Porter Ranch man who wrote a Facebook post saying "more kids must be killed" and referring to the Newtown, Conn., school massacre was arrested Wednesday. Mohammad Akbar Baraki, 37, who is on probation for a drug charge, was held on a probation violation after police found two air rifles in his home, Los Angeles police Lt. Silvia Atwater said.
Los Angeles Daily News

White House may consider funding for police in schools after Newtown
The Obama administration is considering funding many more police officers in public schools to secure campuses, a leading Democratic senator said, part of a broad gun violence agenda that is likely to include a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips and universal background checks. The school safety initiative, one of several under consideration, would make federal dollars available to schools that want to hire police officers and install surveillance equipment, although it is not nearly as far-ranging as the National Rifle Association's proposal for armed guards in every U.S. school .
Washington Post

Ask the Chief: 2012 crime stats, patrolling LAUSD schools and 10,000 LA cops
The LAPD just nudged over the magic 10,000, the number of sworn police officers, but did it happen by moving officers around, rather than adding them? Police chief Charlie Beck talked to Patt Morrison and took questions about policing in the City of Angels. He also discussed what thinks of even tougher California gun law proposals in the wake of the Newtown massacre.
Southern California Public Radio

Officer injured in foot pursuit near Gold Line
An LAPD Northeast officer injured his leg while running after a suspect at approximately 5 p.m. near the Highland Park Gold Line Station on Thursday. An ambulance took Patrolman J.C. Duarte to an area hospital after he suffered a leg injury attempting to hop over the fence surrounding the tracks at the Highland Park train station during the chase of a man suspected of stealing a cell phone. The injury was not believed to be severe, said Senior Lead Officer Mark Allen.
Highland Park - Mt. Washington Patch

Reseda man identified as victim in fatal Northridge shooting
A man who was shot and killed outside The College Inn sports bar in Northridge was identified Wednesday night by the coroner's office as 45-year-old Paulo Lopez of Reseda. Lopez died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 8600 block of Lindley Avenue, one block south of Parthenia Street, said Officer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations office.
City News Service

Los Angeles man pleads no contest to beating puppy to death, faces up to three years in jail
A Los Angeles man has pleaded no contest to animal cruelty after nearly beating his two-month-old puppy to death, the city's Animal Cruelty Task Force announced. Kevin Hor, 25, entered his plea Jan. 4 before Superior Court Judge Dorothy Reyes to one count of felony animal cruelty. His sentencing is set for April 4, prosecutors said. If convicted, he could face probation or from 16 months to three years in the Los Angeles County jail.
Los Angeles Daily News

State Budget

Gov. Jerry Brown releases first 'good news' budget in years
Gov. Jerry Brown today unveiled the first good-news state budget California has seen in years, which he said boosts investment in education, implements health-care reform and maintains fiscal stability while projecting surpluses for years to come. The budget pays down debt and creates a $1 billion reserve, the governor said, offering a degree of stability the Golden State hasn't seen in more than a decade.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Government

Los Angeles City Council plans to regulate valet parking operators
It looks like the city of Los Angeles will finally regulate valet stands, an effort to protect car owners and prevent valet operators from blocking traffic and hogging prime public parking spots. City Council members Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel, both now candidates for mayor, called for valet regulation four years ago. In December, the LA City Council voted unanimously to ask the city attorney to draft valet regulations that will soon come back for formal approval.
NBC4

City Elections 2013

L.A. city attorney candidate Mike Feuer gets Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's endorsement
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa endorsed former Assemblyman Mike Feuer for Los Angeles city attorney on Thursday over incumbent Carmen Trutanich. Villaraigosa said he's known Feuer for 20 years and called him tenacious and innovative about solving problems. The mayor's choice for city attorney isn't exactly a surprise.
Los Angeles Daily News

L.A. mayoral candidates Garcetti, Greuel locked in fundraising battle
The top contenders in the race to become Los Angeles' next mayor are locked in a tight fundraising battle, with both reporting Thursday that they have collected more than $4 million in contributions and city matching funds. City Councilman Eric Garcetti raised $717,692 in the fourth quarter of 2012, and City Controller Wendy Greuel raised $672,230 in the same time period.
Los Angeles Times

Public Health

Deaths increase, misery mounts as flu sweeps nation
As the flu sweeps the USA, the death toll climbs daily and offices and classrooms face empty chairs while hospital emergency departments struggle with overflow crowds. By Thursday, there were 23 flu deaths in Minnesota, raising the state's total to 27 flu-related deaths reported so far this season. Other states reporting deaths included Pennsylvania at 22; Massachusetts, 18; Oklahoma, eight; and Illinois, six. Nine nursing home residents have died in New York.
USA Today