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No World Cup for Los Angeles, Steve Cooley gets testy, a new communications director for Councilman Rosendahl, and is the yet-to-open Expo Line really a fiasco? Plus hepatitis at Jerry's Deli in Westwood. More inside.
- Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup and Qatar the 2022 tournament, meaning that Los Angeles was not.
- Steve Cooley, described as "testy," defended his run for state attorney general and said he may run for a fourth term as DA, but will want a role in choosing his successor. LAT, DN, LA Weekly
- Ronald George, retiring chief justice of the California Supreme Court, did a round of exit interviews. LAT, SF Chronicle
- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was the subject of his fair share of jokes at the Sacramento media's Gridiron Gala, and he gave some too. Sacto Bee
- The Expo Line, $260 million over budget and as much as two years behind schedule, is called a fiasco and a clever new idea that backfired. LA Weekly
- Patt Morrison will take up issues around the DWP with reporter Molly Peterson, Council President Eric Garceti and other guests at 1:30 p.m. on KPCC.
- Councilman Bill Rosendahl's new communication director is Tony Arranaga, a transportation blogger and former journalist in Phoenix.
- A Los Angeles County social worker from Valley Village was arrested Wednesday on charges of sexually assaulting a woman after threatening to have her children taken away. LAT, DN
- The estimated value of LAUSD's little-known art collection ranges from $9 to $13 million, and it is taken care of by a single part-time curator. View From a Loft, CityWatch
- The son of Riverside Chief of Police Sergio Diaz, a former deputy chief at the LAPD, was found dead in his home in Downey on Tuesday morning. Witness LA
- LAPD union chief Paul Weber says the number of officers on the street is declining while the total number on the force grows. LAT Op-Ed
- In part two of her tale of contracting typhus from backyard fleas, columnist Meghan Daum describes how she's lucky to be alive and well after spending four days unconscious. LAT Op-Ed
- Playboy's December issue has a story by Steve Oney on "Hollywood fixer" Aaron CohenÂ, a Beverly Hills native and Israeli army veteran who is a private commando to the stars through his IMS security company.
- There's a lesson for Matt Kemp in Jane Leavy's new book about Mickey Mantle, writes Joe Mathews. Zocalo
- If you ate recently at Jerry's Deli in Westwood Village, you may want to inquire about a hepatitis shot. LAT, LA Weekly
- Alfred Masini, creator of "Entertainment Tonight" and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," died at age 80. LAT