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Ever heard of hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer, who staked millions of his own money to take on big oil and close a corporate-tax loophole costing California $1 billion a year? You will. Contra Costa Times
If the City Council votes today to put a sales tax hike on the ballot, it will be a major victory to the real estate industry, which sought to avert a tax hike on property sales. LAT
John Noguez began getting campaign contributions from LA property owners before he became county assessor, and began lowering tax bills soon after he took office. Plus: His name creates deep divisions in Huntington Park. LAT, DN
Building the high-speed rail line north from LA would be hard. Real hard - and expensive. LAT
Councilman Tony Cardenas plans to keep his seat right up until he is sworn into Congress on Jan. 3. DN
The OC Weekly has been sued for libel by an incarcerated former congressional candidate. OCW
Artist Barbara Kruger created the billboards and buses for the best ad campaign in the city right now. LA Weekly
Political polling after the end of the land line phone. Atlantic Wire
Installation work has begun at the Natural History Museum's new Becoming Los Angeles hall. Curbed LA
KTLA's anti-pit bull policy is suddenly controversial. Fishbowl LA
A newly discovered sea creature — the "harp sponge" — has been found clinging to the ocean floor off Monterey Bay. KPCC News
The Fine Arts theatre in Beverly Hills, closed since 2009, is on the market. LAT
For the first time history, more women than men now have driver licenses. AP
