Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz: Wednesday 6.19.13

Politics and government

Gov. Brown is ready to sign a budget that would allow local officials to opt out of some provisions of the Public Records Act as a way to save money, drawing protests from California newspapers. LAT

The City Council voted 11-1 to ban single-use plastic bags at the checkout stand in many Los Angeles markets and stores, and requiring that customers be charged 10 cents for paper bags they use. LAT, DN, LA Weekly

The developer of the huge Millennium Partners project around the Capitol Records landmark in Hollywood agreed to reduce the height of two towers to 39 and 35 stories, but opponents are not mollified. LAT

Caltrans is trying to get the city's attention about the bad effects on the Hollywood Freeway of the proposed Millennium project, but can't get any of the officials to listen, says columnist Michael Hiltzik. LAT

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich filed for a gang injunction targeted at the alleged criminal activity of six rival gangs that operate near Echo Park: the Big Top Locos, Crazys, Diamond Street Locos, Echo Park Locos, Frogtown and Head Hunters. Echo Park Patch, LA Weekly

At 10:30 this morning Mayor Villaraigosa will announce the closing of the turnstiles at the Red Line/Purple Line subway station at Union Station. DN

Departing City Councilwoman Jan Perry was celebrated by her colleagues Tuesday in a ceremony that included a vote to name a South L.A. wetlands project in her honor. KPCC

The LAUSD board approved a $30 million contract to buy iPads for 30,000 students, the first phase in an ambitious plan to equip every pupil with a computer tablet within the next 14 months. DN


Media and books

The Orange County Register is looking to come across the county line into Long Beach with a daily paper, says Gustavo Arellano. OC Weekly

lamag-cover-713.jpgLos Angeles Magazine's July issue is a crime issue, with stories on "unsolved murders, arsonists, gang wars, sinister hotels, homicide detectives, shoplifting, and more." A look back at the North Hollywood bank shootout is included. Plus: an interview with philanthropist Ben Goldhirsh.

KPFK on-air talent has been warned not to convict suspects before their trials. A memo from general manager Bernard Duncan:

Folks,

I am hearing too many of our hosts and programmers talking about “cold blooded murder” in relation to cases that are still before the court. Regardless of our own opinions or the obviousness of any situation you may perceive, we CANNOT run the risk of prejudicing a case with what we say. When charges are pending, the accused is ALLEGED to have committed a crime. You should all know this.

Terry Moran is moving to London to be an anchor for ABC News and Chief Foreign Correspondent.

KCET will air "The Campaign," a documentary chronicling the movement in defense of same-sex marriage, on June 25 at 9 p.m. Following the broadcast, director Christie Herring and producer Marc Smolowitz will participate in a Google Hangout.

Howie Schwab, the longtime researcher and producer at ESPN, was laid off after 26 years. Deadspin


More news, notes and observations

Walter Lee Williams, the former USC professor who made the FBI's Most Wanted list for alleged sex crimes involving children overseas, was arrested Tuesday evening in Playa del Carmen in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. LAT, AP

Attorney, Retired LAPD Officer Caught on Video in Road Rage Brawl just off the 405 at Burbank Blvd. KTLA

"The Lone Ranger," the first Western to be filmed at Albuquerque Studios, was shot in New Mexico locations such as Abiquiú, Angel Fire, Cimarron Canyon State Park, Pajarito Ski Area, Rio Puerco, Santa Clara Pueblo, Shiprock and the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

An Umami Burger is coming to the Arts District spot recently vacated by District BBQ & Lounge, at 738 E. 3rd St. That's right around the corner from Wurstkuche and The Pie Hole. It will have an industrial feel with about 60 seats and a rear courtyard.

Whither business improvement districts such as the one that was recently disbanded in the Arts District? Which Way, LA?

Irwin Held, the former longtime owner of Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, died at age 87. LAT


More by Kevin Roderick:
'In on merit' at USC
Read the memo: LA Times hires again
Read the memo: LA Times losing big on search traffic
Google taking over LA's deadest shopping mall
Gustavo Arellano, many others join LA Times staff
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Morning Buzz: Wednesday 4.16.14