Law Enforcement

Ex-TSA agent who allegedly threatened LAX leaves trail of packages
Even after a former TSA agent was arrested and charged with making threats to Los Angeles International Airport, at least two suspicious packages were found that authorities believe were sent by him. One was discovered Wednesday afternoon at the Inglewood apartment building of ex-Agent Nna Alpha Onuoha, the other at the TSA office at LAX. Both prompted evacuations and repeat appearances by the bomb squad.
LA Times

Young cancer patients given vacation to LA, become honorary LAPD officers
Young cancer patients from around the United States have been given a week-long vacation in Southern California. Sunshine Kids, a nonprofit organization, brought 27 children to Los Angeles to experience positive group activities. The Los Angeles Police Department, which has partnered with the organization for the past eight years, sworn in the kids as honorary officers.
CBS LA

9/11 Anniversary: talking to the LAPD's top terrorism cop
When he wakes up in the morning, LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing often looks at the news from overseas first. "We are paying a lot of attention to what's going on in Syria right now," he says. Downing, 54, heads the department's Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. He says his officers are watching for any violent reaction here, should the U.S. take military action. "Whether it be an anti-war protest, or whether it be a Syrian diaspora that has family over there - the emotions are very high," he says.
Southern California Public Radio

Eight plead guilty in Armenian Power racketeering case
Eight of 70 defendants charged in a wide-reaching investigation that targeted the small but ruthless Armenian Power gang pleaded guilty this week in federal court, authorities said Wednesday. Four of the eight were allegedly "members or associates" of the organized crime syndicate, which investigators say took root in east Hollywood in the 1980s. The other four took part in Armenian Power-driven crimes, but were not actual gang members, according to a U.S. attorney's office news release.
LA Times

LA merchant fined $388,000 for selling fake brands
A Los Angeles merchant has been ordered to pay $388,000 in fines for selling fake designer clothing - $250 for each phony item he peddled. A court also placed Ahmad Salim on seven years' probation. During that time he may not possess, sell, manufacture or store any counterfeit goods. If that order is violated he must close his business. The City Attorney's office said Tuesday that Salim was arrested following a joint investigation by Los Angeles police and the FBI.
Associated Press

Legislation

Bill to provide driver's licenses to immigrants is shelved for the year
The author of a bill that would provide driver's licenses to many more immigrants in the country illegally said Wednesday he is delaying action on the measure until next year to build greater support. Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Watsonville) decided that the multiple proposals to change his bill required more time for the interested parties to discuss them, said spokeswoman Marva Diaz.
Los Angeles Times

Deal to ease prison crowding sails through Assembly
A deal brokered by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders to ease prison crowding passed with overwhelming approval in the Assembly on Wednesday. By a 75-0 vote, lawmakers approved the proposal, announced Monday, under which the state would ask a panel of three federal judges for time to expand programs aimed at reducing new crimes by ex-cons.
Los Angeles Times

Jerry Brown urges OK of amended bill to raise minimum wage
Gov. Jerry Brown said Wednesday that he supports raising the minimum wage in California to $10 an hour, urging lawmakers to approve a bill that was amended Wednesday and awaits action in the Senate. The Democratic governor's announcement came after Assembly Bill 10, by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, was amended to raise the minimum hourly wage to $10 sooner than previously proposed.
Sacramento Bee

City Government

Garcetti tries to heal rift with unions at L.A. labor convention
Months after much of organized labor fought hard to block his election as mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti tried to mend fences Wednesday with a call for solidarity with unions in their struggle for more jobs that pay middle-class wages. "Now more than ever, our fight must be for more than just jobs," Garcetti told hundreds of union leaders at a national AFL-CIO convention in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Times

Garcetti's DWP commissioners are confirmed 15-0 by City Council
The Los Angeles City Council cleared the way Wednesday for Mayor Eric Garcetti to overhaul the five-member panel that oversees the city's electrical utility. On a 15 to 0 vote, the council confirmed four new commissioners at the Department of Water and Power: former U.S. Rep. Mel Levine, political consultant Jill Banks Barad, attorney William Funderburk Jr. and foundation director Michael Fleming.
Los Angeles Times