Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
Four Southern California men were charged in a plot to "provide material support to terrorists by making arrangements to join Al-Qai'da and the Taliban in Afghanistan in order to kill, among others, American targets," US Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. and the FBI announced last night. The criminal complaint was unsealed after three suspects appeared in court in Riverside; the fourth was taken into custody in Afghanistan. Via release, LAT
Defendants:Sohiel Omar Kabir, 34, a former resident of Pomona and naturalized United States citizen, born in Afghanistan. He was arrested there.
Ralph Deleon, 23, of Ontario, a lawful permanent resident alien, born in the Philippines.
Miguel Alejandro Santana Vidriales, 21, of Upland, a lawful permanent resident, born in Mexico and whose application for citizenship is pending in the United States.
Arifeen David Gojali, 21, of Riverside, a United States citizen.
Companies spent nearly $100 million an hour to buy carbon pollution credits at California's first auction under the state's law to curb greenhouse gas emissions. But eh price pert on, about $10, was a surprise. Capitol Weekly, Register
US District Judge Manuel Real is at it again: he "issued three key rulings over a four-year period that favored companies in which he owned stock. California Watch
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa once again said there has been no conversation with the Obama Administration about a job. “The short answer is they have not talked to me about it yet,” Villaraigosa told Politico.
Latinos, Asian Americans and African Americans collectively made up about 40 percent of the state's voters in this election, about equal to the turnout of white non-Hispanics for the first time in California. That boosted both President Obama and Prop. 30. Whites favored Obama by six points last time, Romney by eight this time. Marc DiCamillo of the Field Poll
District Attorney-elect Jackie Lacey named Sharon Matsumoto to be her chief deputy. Some Alan Jackson supporters lost out. LA Weekly
A final vote to place a half-cent sales tax on the City of Los Angeles’ spring ballot is scheduled for Tuesday, but the top mayoral candidates have already come out in opposition to the proposal. KPCC
City Attorney Carmen Trutanich attacked rival Mike Feuer for his opposition to Prop. 37, the failed ballot measure that would have required labeling of genetically modified foods. LA Weekly
A federal judge tentatively upheld the city of Santa Monica's right to ban unattended seasonal displays in Palisades Park, including the Christmas nativity scenes that had been there for decades. LAT, SM Daily Press
South Bay state Sen. Ted Lieu dropped his plan to raise vehicle license fees are five days of backlash. Daily Breeze
In a unanimous opinion, the state's top court said Los Angeles County improperly withheld millions of tax dollars from at least 47 cities and now must pay up. DN
Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom’s lead over Assemblywoman Betsy Butler grew to 291 votes. Registrar Dean Logan estimates that more than 340,000 ballots remain to be counted countywide. LAT, LA Weekly
Nikki Finke repeated her rant against the National Entertainment Journalism Awards. Deadline, earlier
The Pasadena City Council passed an ordinance doubling the number of large events allowed each year at the Rose Bowl to accommodate an NFL team. KPCC
A man was shot and wounded aboard a southbound Blue Line train at 5th Street and Long Beach Boulevard Monday evening. LAT, City News Service
Ten cities have popped up in Best Buy parking lots for shoppers looking to get Black Friday bargains. DN
Scientists working on NASA's Mars rover "have some exciting new results from one of the rover's instruments," but can't talk about it until it is confirmed. NPR
Pitzer College announced the creation of the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability. LAT, KPCC
More street ficus trees are coming down: 35 along Huntington Drive in San Marino. LAT
Cleve Duncan of the Los Angeles doo-wop group The Penguins died Nov. 7 at age 78. Their biggest hit was "Earth Angel." LAT
From Jeanie Buss of the Lakers family, girlfriend of Phil Jackson: "Dear Michelle: @MichelleObama Have you ever been made to feel that believing in & supporting your man is a bad thing? Need advice. ;) Jeanie"
Photo of Palisades Park nativity scene: Dave Archuleta, Santa Monica Daily Press
