Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
Falcon and the snow job, interviewing begins for LAPD chief and more 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.
- The Colorado family that ran a hoax about their son being adrift in a balloon met in Los Angeles acting class and were trying to get on a reality TV series. They also skipped town owing rent, says their landlord. AP, LA Daily
- City Attorney Carmen Trutanich allegedly threatened to prosecute Councilwoman Jan Perry and city building officials over permits for wall signs at the new Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live. LAT, Blogdowntown
- The police commission begins interviewing candidates for chief this week, with 12-15 expected to make it that far. Also: DWP chief David Freeman stiffs the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. Orlov/DN
- Los Angeles' coming showdown over the proliferation of marijuana clinics goes national in the New York Times and Newsweek.
Plus: The Obama administration says it will not seek to arrest medical marijuana users and suppliers as long as they conform to state laws. AP - Gang intervention leader Alex Sanchez has a new bail hearing today amid new evidence that prosecutors omitted a key piece of information in the case. Witness LA
- Chabad of California has sued the late Roland Arnall's estate for $17.5 million, the alleged balance on a pledge the Ameriquest chief Arnall made in 2004. LA Business Journal
- Eric Holoman, president of the City Employees' Retirement System board, resigned after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law placing new limits on private financial work performed by publicly appointed pension board members. LAT
- The body of 75-year-old Mostafa Mahmoud Zayed, an apparent suicide, sat for days on the balcony of his Marina del Rey building because neighbors thought it was a Halloween display. LAT
- The USC Center on Megacities is jumping into the DWP's investigation into why so many water mains are breaking. Fox 11
- The Airport Commission is set to vote Monday on a $1-billion-plus expansion and makeover of Tom Bradley International Terminal. Daily Breeze, L.A. Now
- Los Angeles County's cost of lawsuit settlements and verdicts jumped in one year by 20 percent to $60 million, according to the county's annual risk management report. DN
- More than 30,000 people raised more than $3.1 million today during the 25th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles and other Los Angeles-area AIDS service organizations. Fox 11, LAT
- The Los Angeles Times presence in Afghanistan keeps a lower, lighter profile than in Baghdad, says Foreign Editor Bruce Wallace. NYT
- El Monte city manager Jim Mussenden resigned Saturday after being arrested during a police prostitution sting in Pomona last week. SGV Tribune
- Daniel Weintraub's first column for the Bay Area edition of the New York Times focvused on the politics of water in California. NYT, NiemanLab
- Valley historical types are enjoying the Hollywood-inspired interest in Amelia Earhart. DN
- Q&A with Majestic Realty Co. chairman and CEO Edward Roski, about his desire to bring an NFL team to the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Tribune
- Elizabeth Clare Prophet, retired spiritual leader and "Guru Ma" of the Church Universal and Triumphant, died in Montana at age 70. LAT