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Human remains at La Placita, Dennis Zine's dating, rats at City Hall, Playboy to go private, TNT's view of the Valley and more.
Excavation on La Plaza de Cultura y Artes near Olvera Street.has turned up dozens of human remains from the original cemetery at La Placita, the church of Our Lady Queen of Angels. LAT
A second suspect in the videotaped sexual assaults of profoundly disabled women has been arrested in Los Angeles after he surrendered to police. AP
Over the last two years, Councilman Dennis Zine has taken part in at least three votes involving companies that employed lobbyist Veronica Becerra or her firm, Rabuild Commercial. Zine and the lobbyist are now dating. LAT
Orlov Tipoffs: rats at City Hall, Cooley reminds wannabes he might run again, and Mayor Villaraigosa this year becomes both chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (again) and president of the National Conference of Mayors. DN
Councilman Jose Huizar talks to Alice Walton in a Q&A pegged to the 14th district council race. Challenger Rudy Martinez is tomorrow. City Maven
City Controller Wendy Greuel warned that cash flow is falling $28 million under estimates as the city is being hit with unexpected bills and urged the City Council to immediately cut $68.5 million from its $7.01 billion budget. DN
County supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina explain why they are nervous about Gov. Jerry Brown's intent for "realignment" of public services between state and local government. LAT op-ed, Capitol Weekly, Dan Walters
Latinos did not make up 22% of the California electorate in 2010 as reported by the Edison Research exit poll, but 16% of the vote. And “Independents” did not account for 27% of the voters. Calbuzz
Nicolas Berggruen talks to Patt Morrison about why his think tank, the Berggruen Institute, is putting $20 million into the Think Long Committee for California. LAT op-ed
LAUSD superintendent-to-be John Deasy gets high marks from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, a mixed report from UTLA head A.J. Duffy, and per Ron Kaye "got the equivalent of a mail-order doctorate in four months with help from a college dean at the University of Louisville who is in prison for five years for fraud." LAT, DN, Kaye
Los Angeles street crews began making 10,000 to 15,000 small pothole repairs. LAT
If you're late receiving your cool news California drivers license, there's a reason. LAT
The publisher of Playboy magazine said Monday it has agreed to a sweetened offer by founder Hugh Hefner to take the company private. AP
The National Society of Film Critics on Saturday voted "The Social Network" as the best picture of 2010. AP
Tavis Smiley, who still produces his PBS show at KCET, is in talks with AEG Live about moving in a year to their studio space at L.A. Live. LAT
Add AEG Live: Brian Murphy, former chairman of Southern California music for Live Nation, has jumped to West Coast president for competitor AEG Live. Pop & Hiss
Matt Holzman guest-hosts for Kim Masters on KCRW's "The Business" at 2:30 p.m.
A Beverly Hills initiative that would mandate two hours of free parking in city lots is back on the March 8 ballot, but the legal battle over its validity isn’t over yet. LABJ
The FAA is again raising concerns about the safety of Bob Hope Airport's passenger terminal being so close to the runway. Glendale News-Press
TNT's "Men of a Certain Age" has been showcasing the San Fernando Valley as it really is. DN
Dr Mongo Taribubu has been performing poetry live and organizing spoken word events in Los Angeles for over fifty years. Transmopolis
In the New York Times Travel list of 41 places to visit this year, the closest to Southern California is Loreto on the eastern side of Baja California Sur: "Long known for sport fishing, Loreto...is poised to become one of Mexico’s next luxury destinations." NYT
Young Kings defenseman agreed to a seven-year contract extension with the team. Fabulous Forum
Pitcher Ryne Duren, traded by the Yankees to the L.A. Angels a month into their first season, died at age 81. He was known for throwing hard, thick eyeglasses and drinking. NYT, Baseball Reference
Inglewood voters on Tuesday will choose a mayor: either incumbent Daniel Tabor or retired Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts. LAT
Construction on the controversial Santa Anita Dam Sediment Removal Project is scheduled for Wednesday, with dozens of oak and sycamore trees to be removed. Arcadia Patch, L.A. Creek Freak