Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
In the morning news: a couple of local genius grant winners, a big gang raid, voting in the Valley and a bunch more notes. Also see Mark Lacter morning headlines at LA Biz Observed, and follow Mark and Kevin on Twitter.
- USC law professor Elyn Saks and L.A. artist Mark Bradford were among 24 new winners of the MacArthur Foundation grants. LAT, NYT
- More than 1,200 law enforcement officers took part in a massive morning raid on the Avenues gang, mostly in Northeast L.A. LAT
- They're voting today for the third time this year in the 2nd council district, and December's runoff will make four. DN
- The DA's office searched two homes in an investigation into the residency of Democratic state Sen. Roderick Wright. LAT
- Gov. Schwarzenegger's use of Twitter is explored. Sacto Bee
- The recession's profound disruption in American lives is detailed, from delayed marriage and home-buying to more carpools and traffic. NYT, AP
- The DWP may abandon its plan for a high-voltage transmission line across the desert from the Salton Sea area. LAT
- Former Villaraigosa deputy chief of staff Dan Grunfeld joined law firm Kaye Scholer's Los Angeles office as ch-chair of the litigation department. L.A. Now
- Peter Hidalgo, recently chief of staff to City Councilmember Jose Huizar, is now at Time Warner Cable as Director of Government Affairs. He was also press secretary to Mayor Richard Riordan and director of communications for Metrolink.
- The History News Network interviewed Kevin Starr about his book, "Golden Dreams:California in an Age of Abundance, 1950-1963." HNN
- Federal judge Audrey Collins will hear arguments Sept. 28 on a suit by Liberty Media Group asking that the City Council's new sign ban be ruled invalid. Ban Billboard Blight
- Blogging cartoonist Donna Barstow is not happy about the coyote killings in Griffth Park and does some research. Griffith Park, Interrupted
- Five thousand new UCLA students are being bused across the city today to volunteer at community sites, the biggest one-day effort in the school's history. Mayor Villaraigosa will do a photo op at Gompers Middle School. UCLA Newsroom
- A political type who attended the ACLU garden party on Sunday in Brentwood says the autographed photo of Mayor Villaraigosa, priced at $100, had no bids — while the Hannah Montana-autographed guitar went for over $500.
- The L.A. Philharmonic announced Monday that it will show Gustavo Dudamel's inaugural Oct. 3 concert at Hollywood Bowl on its website for free and in high-definition. Info
- From the weekend: Ray Bradbury's 89th birthday party at Clifton's Cafeteria. LAT
- Editors spill the beans and talk about what they want from freelancers at an SPJ panel at 6:30 p.m. at the Golden Dragon in Chinatown.
- Gary J. DiSano, president of the Tournament of Roses whose turn it was to oversee the 2010 parade and Rose Bowl game, died of cancer at age 62. He talked in 2002 about possibly not living until his parade took place. LAT, Star-News