Morning Buzz: Shuttle, politics and more

The story of the DURA-BASE mats that will allow the shuttle to cross the grass in Exposition Park. KPCC Off-Ramp

Tonight's crossing of the 405 Freeway at Manchester will be a tougher ticket than some might expect, given the location. The California Highway patrol will be closing ramps and running traffic stops to discourage gawking. ZevWeb

Crowds were out in the early hours. LAT

Andy Lipkis, founder of TreePeople, says "the fiasco of subverting proper environmental impact analyses and euphemistically classifying the shuttle transport as a house move may present...[a] valuable teaching moment. The damage done to neighborhood morale — not just as a result of removing hundreds of mature shade trees, but even more so the sense of exclusion and disrespect that the residents on Endeavour’s route to its new home feel — shows how much we could all benefit from greater knowledge of social, environmental and health science. Jewish Journal

Hundreds of LAPD cadets will be working along the route. LAT

Former mayor Richard Riordan plans to submit language today for a May 2013 ballot measure that would eliminate government pensions for newly hired workers at City Hall, replacing them with 401(k)-style retirement benefits. He still needs to gather signatures. LA Weekly, LAT

The Pierce College tussle between Reps. Brad Sherman and Howard Berman got A LOT of media coverage, including on the Today Show and on web outlets like the Daily Mail. Sample headline: When Balding Jews Attack

Federal authorities Thursday named Mara Salvatrucha MS-13, the ruthless Latin American gang born three decades ago on the streets of Los Angeles, as a "transnational criminal organization," becoming the first street gang to join the list. LAT

The Times endorsed Jackie Lacey for district attorney. LAT editorial

Councilman Bill Rosendahl endorsed Controller Wendy Greuel for mayor.

UCLA Library acquired the papers of Democratic political consultant Garry South. UCLA Newsroom

A documentary on the LA Rams legendary line The Fearsome Foursome. DN

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is poised to release personnel files on 25 former priests accused of sex abuse and child molestation, after the state Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the former priests' appeal to keep the documents confidential. DN

This is the day the LA Kings would have raised their Stanley Cup banner at the first home game of the new season. Instead, the NHL has locked out the players in a labor dispute and the opening of the season (at least) has been canceled. LAT

Cinematographer Harris Savides died on Wednesday at age 55. LAT