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New police commissioner and more in the news and notes after the jump. Also see today's Mark Lacter morning headlines at LA Biz Observed, and follow Mark and Kevin on Twitter.
- Bruce Lisker was released from state prison this morning. LAT
- Mayor Villaraigosa nominated former U.S. Attorney Debra Wong Yang to the Police Commission at this morning's 9 a.m. dedication ceremony of the city's new Emergency Operations Center at 500 E. Temple Street. Info
- Michael Jackson’s personal physician left the performer alone and under the influence of a powerful anesthetic the morning Jackson died, according to three people familiar with the investigation. LAT
- Tom Hayden calls for an independent probe into the relationship between departing LAPD chief Bratton and his future, the former department monitor Michael Cherkasky. LAT Op-Ed
Plus: Jill Stewart speculates on why Bratton is really leaving. LA Weekly - Bratton has a deal to write a book with Zachary Tumin about the importance of people and organizations working well with others, for publication by Broadway Business in 2011. Huff Post
- The East Valley's Latino factions are divided over who to back for governor. DN
- The next governor will face a financial crisis of undetermined magnitude but the candidates have offered scant clues as to what they would do about it. SD Union-Tribune
- Elizabeth Garrett, USC vice president of academic planning and budget and professor in the Gould School of Law, was appointed to the state Fair Political Practices Commission by Secretary of State Debra Bowen. Bee
- California courts will be closed on the third Wednesday of every month starting Sept. 16. Capitol Weekly
- Los Angeles County faces tens of millions in payouts to settle two lawsuits brought on behalf of taxpayers, plus a new taxpayer lawsuit filed this week. LAT
- The Los Angeles County Democratic Party endorsed Assemblyman Paul Krekorian for the Sept. 22 election for the City Council's 2nd district. Sausage Factory
- Equality California agrees to hold off pushing for a gay marriage amendment until the 2012 elections. LAT, Bee
- Robert Kittle, the high-profile editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune's conservative editorial pages for many years, was among yesterday's departures from the paper. Voice of San Diego
- Los Angeles screenwriter Alex Grossman created a fake Sarah Palin persona on Facebook to see how gullible "faith over fact" Americans were. WSJ
- What Bill Handel said about Dr. Laura leaving KFI. SoCal Media Scoop
- Mike and Maria at the Franklin Avenue blog had their baby — and named it.
- Marc Cooper unveiled a facelift of his blog.
- American Airlines is ending all of its flights between Orange County and the Bay Area. OC Register
- Journalism professor William Mulligan at Cal State Long Beach is seeking remembrances of Roger Wetherington for a story. His deadline is today. Info