Morning Buzz: Thursday 4.3.08

Judge refuses to block release of billboard list

Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor tried to prevent the LA Weekly from obtaining the list of 11,000 billboards the City Council asked for six years ago. LA Weekly, related Patt Morrison column

Higher DWP rates get first OK

City Council approves the rate hikes after hearing them tied to last week's death of a firefighter, but a second vote is required, probably next week. LAT, DN

Mayor's man may get top LAUSD job

Former Supt. Ray Cortines, a top education adviser to Mayor Villaraigosa, is in talks to become the head of instruction directly under current LAUSD Supt. David Brewer. LAT

Levine vs. Pavley

Set up piece on state Senate race for the Westside and West Valley says Lloyd Levine and Fran Pavley "were colleagues at one time, fellow liberal Democrats from the San Fernando Valley who served together in the state Assembly and often voted the same way on big issues." DN

First day of new CityBeat

There's an abortion editorial from new editor Steve Lowery, a
Q-and-A with the literary trauma doctor of Long Beach, an arts piece from Rebecca Schoenkopf and some other new names. Plus a Dutton's appreciation by columnist Andrew Gumbel and L.A. Sniper takes that Chuck Philips deserves a break, Sheriff Lee Baca and DA Steve Cooley are the biggest frauds in public office and Steve Yagman's new prison address.

Demise of the Singleton papers

Roundup of the carnage focuses on Long Beach and the Inland Empire and quotes Daily News editorial writer Mariel Garza saying, "It’s like watching a loved one that’s wasting away from Alzheimer’s. It’s tragic to watch." LA Weekly
Also: District Weekly on Press-Telegram

Another security breach at UCLA Medical Center

This time it was Farrah Fawcett's cancer status being looked at and possibly leaked to the tabloids. LAT

Times vows dance coverage will continue

Despite the forced departure of long-time critic Lewis Segal. Reader's Rep Journal

Columna Uno in Spanish

Yesterday's Column One feature in the Times showed up on the website in Spanish without explanation as to whether it's a new practice or one-time gimmick. In fact, searching for the writer's byline on LAT.com's new search engine doesn't find the story in either language.

Bowa can't believe he's suspended

The Dodgers' new tightly wound third base coach gets three games off after having his first L.A. meltdown in the season's second game. LAT