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- Hector Tobar begins a new weekly column in the L.A. Times, adding in his editor's words a voice "whose frame of reference includes the experience and culture of Southern California's Latino population." Reader's Rep blog
- Today is the day that NPR VP for News Ellen Weiss comes to Los Angeles, apparently to plunder NPR West. LAO
- Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the feds for trying to misuse his influence, and like with everything else there is a Tribune/Sam Zell connection. Chi Tribune, Chicago Breaking News
- Former Riordan aide Ben Austin failed to submit enough signatures to quality for the Board of Education election. LAT
- City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo is seeking cash damages from the 18th Street gang for damage to Pico Union and Westlake neighborhoods. LAT, DN
- The view from Variety's new offices in the former People's Bank tower on Wilshire. The sign will be officially lit Wednesday. Franklin Avenue
- Yahoo will lay off more than 1,500 on Wednesday, says Kara Swisher. BoomTown
- Nobody downtown is hailing cabs on the street, still. Blogdowntown
- "No Limits: The Will to Succeed," by Michael Phelps with NBC.com Olympics writer Alan Abrahamson, goes on sale everywhere today.
- Venice Canals Holiday boat parade is next Sunday at 4 p.m. Yo! Venice!
Plus: LA Biz Observed headlines, and all of yesterday's LA Observed in brief.