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State Sen. Jenny Oropeza died overnight at age 53, new PPIC poll numbers have Brown and Boxer ahead, plans for Obama's USC rally and more.
- State Sen. Jenny Oropeza of Long Beach died Wednesday night at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.after a long illness at age 53, it was announced this morning. Bee, Press-Telegram
- Public Policy Institute of California poll: Brown up 44-36, Boxer 43-38. LAT, Bee, Chronicle, Register, Calbuzz
Plus: Voters turning against Props. 19 and 23. LAT, California Watch - Jerry Brown's wife Anne Gust plays a critical role in his campaign and is also his confidant and advisor. LAT
- Meg Whitman's proposal to eliminate the capital gains tax could be worth $8.2 million to $42.2 million to her over four years, a labor group says. Bee
- A guide to President Obama's campaign rally at USC on Friday, including street and parking structure closures and warning about long security lines. Neon Tommy
Plus:Ozomatli and Jamie Foxx will entertain the crowd. LAT - Tina Daunt, now writing in the LA Weekly, explores Hollywood's infatuation with AG candidate Kamala Harris. LA Weekly
- The overhaul of gift stores, beverage stands and restaurants at LAX Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8 moved ahead Wednesday when the City Council approved the first round of new concession contracts and rejected further investigation of the bidding process. LAT
- The accused shooter of Sheriff's Deputy Abel Escalante has been in and out of jail since age 13. LA Weekly
- Bell's Rizzo used low-income housing funds to boost his pay, an audit says. LAT
- A 16-year-old cross-country runner at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks was killed while jogging across a busy street, apparently struck by an 18-year-old in an SUV who drove four blocks before pulling over next to a police car. LAT, DN
- Signs tell Mexicans to stay out of church food pantry in Winnetka. DN
- NPR dropped commentator Juan Williams for saying on Fox News that the sight of airline passengers in Muslim garb makes him nervous. NPR, NYT
- Seth Rogen, Tom Hanks and Jon Hamm are among Conan O'Brien's first week guests. Deadline
- Catching up: Liz Sly is leaving the L.A. Times' Baghdad bureau to be bureau chief there for the Washington Post. Fishbowl DC