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A woman has obtained an an emergency protective order against Assemblyman Roger Hernandez of West Covina, saying that he struck her with a belt during an argument and that she fears for her safety due to the Democrat's cocaine use. A Hernandez spokesman called the allegations ridiculous, said the women regularly seeks restraining orders against men, and suggested that Tuesday's election is behind the move. Hernandez is running for reelection in a new district. SGV Tribune, LAT
City Attorney Carmen Trutanich told a City Council committee Monday that a budget proposal to lay off 50 of his lawyers could cost the city millions of dollars in adverse judgements. "The layoffs would cascade throughout the department," Trutanich said, "creating a devastating effect on trial preparation and creating havoc." DN
City Attorney candidate Mike Feuer today called on Controller Wendy Greuel to audit Trutanich's office.
Mayor Villaraigosa's goal of having a police force of 10,000 sworn officers "is fiscal folly if the city is forced by layoffs in civilian staff to pull cops off the street to take over clerical tasks," City Council members Paul Koretz and Bill Rosendahl said Tuesday. LAT
Rep. Howard Berman and Brad Sherman were on last night's "Which Way, LA?" on KCRW. Story
City Council candidate Mike Bonin announced the endorsement of the 11th district's former council member, Cindy Miscikowski.
Magic Johnson endorsed DA candidate Jackie Lacey.
A federal appeals court overturned the death sentence of California’s longest serving death row inmate on the grounds that his defense lawyer failed to investigate and present mitigating evidence during the penalty phase of his 1978 murder trial. LAT
Space Exploration Technologies Corp., or Space X, agreed to stay in Hawthorne after the city reduced some taxes. Daily Breeze
Former TV critic Ray Richmond's new fortune cookie business. DN
Crime novelist Michael Connelly, a former LA Times reporter, has joined the board of Fair Warning, the nonprofit investigative news organization in LA started by other former Times staffers.
Alan Kirschenbaum, a television producer and comedy writer who worked on "Raising Hope," "My Name is Earl" and "Yes, Dear," was found dead Friday at his Burbank home. He was 51. LAT
Alice Schoenfeld, a professor of violin instruction and performance at USC for more than half a century, has committed $3 million for the new Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld Symphonic Hall at the USC Thornton School of Music.
Chris McGowan, the LA-based chief operating officer of AEG Sports, was named president and CEO of the Portland Trail Blazers.
A Navy archaeologist thinks he found the cave on San Nicholas Island where a woman lived alone for 18 years and inspired the novel, "Island of the Blue Dolphins." LAT
The space shuttle Endeavour exhibit opens today at the California Science Center. DN
Those members of an Orange County band whose performance on top of a truck on the Hollywood Freeway caused a massive traffic jam were sentenced to probation and community service. City News Service
Food Network Star will hold an open casting call in Los Angeles on Nov. 12 at the Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. Info
The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza will have one of those outdoor ice rinks, starting Nov. 15.
The Lakers open their season tonight at Staples Center against Dallas, possibly without the injured Kobe Bryant.
