Journo signs on with Ridley-Thomas

Aurelio Rojas, a reporter for the Sacramento Bee, is the new communications director for L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. An item at Capitol Morning Report says that Rojas used to cover the Supes for United Press International [where he worked for Doug Dowie] and Copley News Service. With the Bee in cutback mode, like most newspapers, Rojas told CMR, "I learned a lot, but it was time to go. It's not a fun time." Rojas, somewhat famously, attended Cathedral High School in the late 1960s with Tony Villar. After his pal became Antonio Villaraigosa, Rojas covered him in Sacramento and for awhile worked on a book on the rise of Latino politicians, including the mayor. Rojas' wife, Linda Rapattoni, is the press secretary to state Assemblywoman Julia Brownley.