9/11 Anniversary

13 years after 9/11, no end in sight for America's war duties
Thirteen years after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, this was supposed to be a season of relief, with Iraq managing on its own and most U.S. troops finally ending their combat duty in Afghanistan. Instead, Americans are bracing for another upsurge of military engagement in a region where one war blurs into another. Across the world, a generation has now grown up amid this continuous conflict, and there's no end in sight.
Associated Press

Changes surround 9/11 anniversary commemoration
A solemn reading of the names. Moments of silence to mark the precise times of tragedy. Stifled sobs of those still mourning. As the nation pauses Thursday to mark the thirteenth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack, little about the annual ceremony at ground zero has changed. But so much around it has.
Associated Press

Law Enforcement

Real Heroes: The LAPD's 2014 Above & Beyond Medal of Valor & Purple Heart Ceremony
I knew going to a ceremony where 25 officers would be receiving the Los Angeles Police Department's highest honor would be emotional, but I didn't realize I would start the waterworks at ... the National Anthem. LAPD Officer Rosalind Curry took to the stage at the Dolby Ballroom for the ceremony presented by the Los Angeles Police Foundation and belted out a strong, no frills rendition of the patriotic tune that had me dabbing away with my napkin.
Kari Mozena
Los Angeles Magazine

L.A. is 'epicenter' of cartel money laundering, U.S. official says
Federal agents launched a series of raids in the downtown Los Angeles fashion district on Wednesday and seized an estimated $65 million in cash and other assets they allege were part of a widespread attempt by Mexican drug cartels to launder narcotics profits. Nine people were arrested in raids targeting 70 locations, many of them businesses in the fashion district.
Los Angeles Times

LAPD Pacific Division to host open house and pancake breakfast Sept. 20
The Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division will host an open house and pancake breakfast on September 20 at the station. Proceeds from the $5 per person pancake breakfast will benefit the non-profit Pacific Area Boosters Association that supports the division's youth programs and the police station. The free open house will include guided tours of the station, games, raffles and a review of the progress made on the new community center.
Venice Dispatch

L.A. paves a safer way to school
City Attorney Mike Feuer announced the launch of a new Neighborhood School Safety Program on Monday at four schools in neighborhoods that he said have struggled with "quality of life problems." Each school, situated in separate coverage areas, or bureaus, of the Los Angeles Police Department, will get a special blend of police, environmental and city enforcement that Feuer said, if successful, could be replicated at schools across the 469-square mile city.
Los Angeles Register

Family offers $5,000 reward in search for missing Sunland woman, last seen in La Crescenta
More than three months after a Sunland woman mysteriously disappeared in La Crescenta, worried family members are offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps find her. Kimberly Blum, 45, was last seen June 5 after visiting her sister's home in the 2000 block of Cinco Casitas Lane in La Crescenta, according to family members and Los Angeles Police Department officials.
Los Angeles Daily News

New Law

Sick days mandated for most California workers -- even temporary and part-time -- under new law
California will require most employers to provide millions of workers with up to three sick days each year. Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Wednesday in Los Angeles mandating the paid leave that supporters say will guarantee that workers don't lose their jobs - or their paychecks - if they or a family member gets sick. Brown told reporters at a downtown news conference that the law is "the least we can do" with a growing income gap dividing America.
Associated Press

City Government

Times Editorial fails to hide papers' true views
The Los Angeles Times editorial against AB 1881 was a poor attempt to hide its true position; it supports Mayor Garcetti's attempt to upend a 42-year practice of appointments to the City of Los Angeles Employee Labor Board. Taken at face value, the editorial would lead one to believe the Times supports a waste of taxpayer and employee money in long, drawn-out negotiations, to be followed by expensive and lengthy litigation.
LAPPL Blog

L.A. will pay $725,000 to lawyers who stopped skid row police sweeps
The Los Angeles City Council agreed Wednesday to pay $725,000 in fees to civil rights attorneys who successfully challenged police sweeps of overnight homeless encampments on skid row. As recently as July, the city had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the fee award in the long-running case. The council's vote Wednesday was 12 to 1, with Westside Councilman Mike Bonin dissenting.
Los Angeles Times

Richard Alarcon sentencing for perjury and voter fraud delayed a month
A judge delayed the sentencing on Wednesday of former Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife for their voter fraud and perjury convictions. Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli set the Alarcons' next court date for Oct. 14, when Lomeli will hear motions asking for a new trial and, pending that decision, could hand down a sentence.
Los Angeles Times