Homeland Security

People in Boston, surrounding communities, told to stay indoors as hunt for Marathon bombing suspect continues
A massive manhunt is underway this morning in Boston and several surrounding communities for one of the suspects in the Boston Marathon terror bombing attacks. A second suspect has died in a confrontation with police, while one police officer has been killed and another has been seriously wounded. Governor Deval Patrick asked people who live in the entire city of Boston, as well as the nearby communities of Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Belmont, Cambridge, to "shelter in place." The search has also led to the sudden shutdown of the MBTA's entire network of commuter rail, bus, and subway services. Taxi service was shut down. And officials requested businesses across the area not to open this morning.
Boston Globe

Law Enforcement

LAPD reminds public to use 'iWatch' website in wake of Boston bombings
The Los Angeles Police Department is reminding the public Thursday of a website designed for residents to report suspicious activity or behavior in wake of the Boston Marathon bombings. The site, "iWATCH, iREPORT, i KEEP US SAFE", is designed to gather tips from the public following the motto "If You See Something, Say Something". "This program is a community program to help your neighborhood stay safe from terrorist activities," the LAPD states on its website.
CBS LA

Bomb threat at Hooters closes Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard was temporarily closed Thursday over a bomb scare at a Hooters restaurant. Los Angeles Police Department officials said a man walked into Hooters with an ice chest he claimed had a bomb inside. The suspect was later taken into custody. He told officers: "I was just joking," according to a law enforcement source. The LAPD bomb squad was sweeping the restaurant to determine whether there was a threat.
Los Angeles Times

Help LAPD find the man believed to be involved in mail theft
Los Angeles police are asking for the public's help in finding a man believed to be involved in a series of mail thefts throughout the West Hills. LAPD detectives said the suspect is Hispanic, and has been linked to a newer model black pickup truck with the license plate 7T95877. The pickup, described as either a Dodge or a Toyota, is thought to have been used in the thefts. The detectives asked anyone that spots the pickup to call 911 and avoid attempting to stop it.
KABC

Caller said he planted bombs at UC Berkeley and Cal State L.A.
The caller who said he had placed a bomb on the Cal State L.A. campus and would blow it up also told police he had placed a similar device on the campus of UC Berkeley. The reactions of the two public universities, though, were markedly different. Cal State L.A. chose to suspend classes and immediately evacuate the 20,000-student campus, while UC Berkeley police officials determined the threat had "low credibility" and the university continued operating as normal.
Los Angeles Times

The Courts

Court says police need warrant for blood test
The fact that alcohol dissipates from the bloodstream over time does not by itself give the police the right to draw blood without a warrant in drunken-driving investigations, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday. The case arose from the arrest of Tyler G. McNeely, who was pulled over for speeding on a Missouri highway and, the State Supreme Court said, exhibited "the telltale signs of intoxication - bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol on his breath." He performed poorly on a field sobriety test and was arrested.
New York Times

Legislation

CA lawmakers OK funds to take guns from prohibited owners
A day after Congress rejected a package of bills aimed at tightening restrictions on gun ownership, California lawmakers moved in the opposite direction, increasing funds for a program that confiscates weapons from people who are prohibited from owning them because of mental illness or violent criminal pasts. The state Assembly voted 57-10 to approve Senate Bill 140, which devotes $24 million to the state Department of Justice for its Armed Prohibited Persons Program.
Sacramento Bee

City Budget

Neighborhood councils urge economic development, pension reform for Los Angeles
Economic development and further pension reform are at the top of the priorities for neighborhood councils in a white paper released Wednesday as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa prepares to unveil his 2013-14 budget next week. The mayor's spending plan, his last before his term ends June 30, is expected to reflect the improving economy without the need for drastic cuts, but it could call for some program consolidations.
Los Angeles Daily News

State Government

Audit finds problems with Calif. specialty plates
State auditors reported significant problems on Thursday in how California agencies collect and spend money from certain specialty license plate funds, including the loss of more than $22 million in revenue that could have been used for programs to help veterans, college students, firefighters and others. Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers sought the audit after an investigation last year by The Associated Press. In part, the AP found that money in a Sept. 11 memorial license plate fund that was intended to help victims' families and law enforcement had been diverted to other programs.
Associated Press