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Ted Kennedy's letter about Sirhan — plus more politics, fires and books — in the news and notes hidden below the jump. Also see Mark Lacter's morning headlines at LA Biz Observed, and follow Mark and Kevin on Twitter.
- The Station Fire reached 145,000 acres, is the largest known in the Angeles National Forest, and the largest in L.A. County history. It's 38% contained despite some new evacuations. LAT
Plus: Investigating the point of origin as a crime scene. LAT - What's the fate of the lesser-known Stony Ridge Observatory? LAT
- Deanne Stillman remembers a stop at the now-gone Hidden Springs Cafe. CityBeat
- Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins was denied parole in a unanimous vote. LAT
Also: Ivor Davis has updated his book on Manson, "Five to Die." Website - Majestic Realty's bid for exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act to build an NFL stadium in the City of Industry is shaping up as a major Sacramento political fight. Capitol Weekly
- Andrew Adelman's record as chief of Building and Safety has soured since was recruited from San Jose a dozen years ago by then-Mayor Richard Riordan. LA Weekly
- Riordan's name is being floated as a possible appointee as Lt. Gov. if John Garamendi moves to Congress, but at least one friend of Laura Chick says don't be surprised if she's Gov. Schwarzenegger's choice. Sacto Bee
- Attorneys fees for Chick in the City Hall dispute over audit powers of the City Controller are a sticking point between new controller Wendy Greuel and City Attorney Carmen Trutanich. LAT
- City Hall's intense politics over the awarding of a golf cart contract reaches a key point. DN
- The City Council rejected for now a DWP plan for raising the city's electrical rates, saying the utility needs to do more work on the proposal. LAT, DN
- An upcoming memoir by Sen. Edward Kennedy discloses that he wrote a a letter to the Los Angeles DA asking that he not seek the death penalty for RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan, but the judge gave him death anyway. NYT
- The Daily News editorializes on the appointment of Andrea Alarcon to the Board of Public Works, replacing another commissioner with family ties to the City Council. DN
- The police commission has begun seeking community input on the choice of a new police chief. KPCC, DN
- How an oblivious LAUSD school board lets its tiny, scandal-ridden police force endanger L.A. kids. LA Weekly
- Councilman Dennis Zine wants to crack down on mobile signs and billboards in the West Valley. DN, L.A. Now
- Feature on legendary LAPD detective John St. John, aka Jigsaw John. Officer.com
- Author William Knoedelseder, who covered the L.A. comedy scene for the Times in the 1970s and '80s, talked about his new book "I'm Dying Up Here" on Morning Edition." NPR with excerpts
- Ann Louise Bardach's upcoming book "Without Fidel: A Death Foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington" received a starred review in Kirkus Reviews.
- Glendale reporter Melanie Hicken's state tax refund check bounced. Jewel City Juice
- On Friday at 1 p.m. KCRW will air and live stream an hour-long NPR News Special on the debate over health care in America.