Morning Buzz: Thursday 7.31.08

Slim majority of Californians support offshore oil drilling, a PPIC poll found. Chronicle
AG Jerry Brown talks to Celeste Fremon about Joel Kotkin, port pollution and other issues. Witness LA
Councilman Jack Weiss reports collecting more than $1.1 million for his city attorney campaign.
Former LAPD assistant chief George Gasc�n has an op-ed piece about immigration reform and law enforcement in today's New York Times.
Hotter zones of Los Angeles will pay a lower rate for electricity during the summer. LAT, DN
Off-duty LAPD officer Jason Geggie, the son of a lieutenant, was shot and wounded after brandishing a weapon and trying to flee from Long Beach police. LAT, Press-Telegram
L.A. Times managing editor Davan Maharaj to newsroom, after the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens: "Lost in all the hoopla was the fact that the federal investigation was sparked by great journalism from our DC bureau. Here's a link to Chuck Neubauer's story that ran in 2004. It shows that our journalism is continuing to have wide impact."
Add Jewish Journal editor Rob Eshman to those urging Sam Zell to sell the Times: "The evisceration of The Los Angeles Times is a crime against our city." JJ Also, author Gina Nahai writes, "Why do I feel like my already ailing IQ drops to below safe levels every time I pick up the Los Angeles Times lately?" JJ
Departing Times reporter and editor William Lobdell's exit email says, "I was so proud to work for the Los Angeles Times. It was my boyhood dream....[and] always felt like I had somehow managed to land in the big leagues and play year after year for a championship team." He's launching a new blog called Lobdell's OC.
The Beverly Hills Courier has a new website. Watch out, there's uninvited sound. BHC
The Studio City, Encino and Sherman Oaks Sun newspapers are taking August off to reconsider their business future. DN