Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
Babel leads Golden Globe nominations
If you own a movie or worked on one, you should care. Otherwise... List
State Sen. Alex Padilla has brain surgery
The day after being sworn in he was diagnosed with a malformation in the outer lining of his brain: dural arteriovenous fistula. He had surgery Saturday, is at home in Pacoima and is expected to make a full recovery. LAT
Dodgers raise season ticket prices
They sold 3.76 million tickets last year — then went out and signed Juan Pierre — but seats on the baseline are now $60 to $150, field level $30 to $70, loge $20 to $55 and reserved $8 to $20. Individual seat prices come out later.
Candy Cane Lane in decline
Fewer houses on Oakdale Avenue in the Valley put up Christmas decorations. DN
AFTER THE JUMP:Lots of political notes today, plus attacks on blacks in the Valley.
Politics
Verizon gives mayor $1 million
First big contribution to the Community Partnership Schools effort, Villaraigosa's plan to help three school clusters. There are complaints that it's taking resources from needier LAUSD schools. LAT,DN
Huizar fights for survival
Fundraisers at land-use lobbyist Ben Reznik's office are part of the councilman's campaign to stave off a trash-talking challenge from ex-aide Alvin Parra. Zahniser
City Hall's favorite reformed gang banger still in the life
He does muscle for the Mexican Mafia and his family is deeply involved in gang crime, says the LA Weekly.
McCain would trounce Hillary Clinton
LAT/Bloomberg Poll finds Democrats like the New York Senator, but she is vulnerable nationally.
Tennie Pierce's story
LAT talks to the firefighter and to a friend who says the dog food prank went over the unwritten line: "You don't mess with people's family, you don't mess with their safety equipment, you don't mess with their food."
Council settles plant dispute at port
It will cost the city $27.7 million to make the long case of the Los Angeles Export Terminal coke plant go away. LAT, Breeze
UTLA endorses Jon Lauritzen for school board
Backing the Valley incumbent's reelection is a surprise and sets up a clash between the union and Villaraigosa. UTLA made no endorsement in the open seat in South L.A. LAT
Police beat
Racial tensions behind West Valley murders
Police say jail disputes have spread to the streets of Canoga Park, with blacks targeted. DN
Noted
NYT gets in on the Mayme Clayton story