First thing Friday, 11.18.05

♦ Leading with the Getty again. John Walsh, the museum's former director, told Warren Olney (KCRW audio) "the spirit of the place is being undermined" and said: "The problem is with the Getty Trust." Walsh left soon after Barry Munitz took charge of the trust. Art critic-blogger Tyler Green gives his prescription.

Today's front pages

New York Times See/Read Washington Post See/Read LA Times See/Read Daily News See/Read Daily Breeze See/Read Press-Telegram See/Read Register See/Read Star-News Read Variety Read Hwd Reporter Read La Opinión Read

Most e-mailed LAT story: Heidi Fleiss of course

♦ This thing with the city Building and Safety Department soliciting money for "charity" from developers and their lobbyists really stinks. Mark Handel, president of MWH Development Corp—which wants to build homes on the Verdugo Golf Course in Tujunga—gave the most.

♦ Staff of the Times Book Review is said to be nervous about a meeting called with them this morning by Associate Editor John Montorio. Also, there's talk that Current might be brought under op-ed editor Nick Goldberg with Bob Sipchen leaving. And if anyone cares to send me the new title for the LAT Sunday magazine, I'm all ears.

♦ The City Council approved the Valley's first historic preservation overlay zone (HPOZ) for central Van Nuys, which dates to 1911. No linkie because nobody covered it, but the L.A. Conservancy says it happened. Meanwhile, the Valley gets Census Bureau status.

♦ Parents, read about the "choking game" your kid might be playing. Seventy deaths so far, says the Times in a Column One by Sandy Banks.

♦ Rabbi Steven Tucker "engaged in behavior not criminal in nature but determined to be inappropriate for a rabbi" before committing suicide, Temple Ramat Zion said in a statement read to 350 people at a hastily called meeting. The Jewish Journal first reported questions.

♦ Mayor Villaraigosa says his coming push to take control of the schools and bring about reform will be the "most expensive campaign" in the city's history.

♦ GPS tracked a paroled sex offender to an elementary school parking lot.

♦ Marc Cooper translates WashPost editor Len Downie's explanation of Bob Woodward's role in the Valerie Plame story. Brutal.

♦ For Robert F. Kennedy Week in Los Angeles, check out what's left of the Ambassador Hotel.

♦ The Times has created a registration-free index page for the recent conservatorship series.

♦ John Tesh joins the evening lineup at Christian radio station The Fish (95.9 FM.)