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Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
The National Weather Service says strong Santa Ana winds are coming to the region today, creating a very high fire danger. The city of Los Angeles put red flag parking restrictions into effect for the hills at 8 a.m.
Geraldine Knatz is out as general manager of the city's harbor department. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that she will retire at the end of the year. City Engineer Gary Lee Moore will serve as acting general manager until a permanent GM is appointed. LAT, DN
Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed a law granting driver's licenses to people who are in the country illegally at a big celebration event outside City Hall. There could be pitfalls ahead. LAT, DN
Garcetti heads to New York on Saturday for a fundraiser and a conference on urban innovations: “City Lab: Urban Solutions for Global Challenges.” LAT
Garcetti has asked some department heads to stay, and has not told his intentions to others. DN
Does tiny Maywood need three private water companies? KPCC
Nikki Finke announced announced she will take a hiatus from the box office report on her Hollywood website: "I intend to take what I consider a well-deserved break from box office until the new year when my contractual obligations start again. Please don’t beat up my temporary replacements as badly as you’ve bruised me over the years." Deadline.com
Los Angeles Times Calendar reporter Deborah Vankin is moving to the arts and culture beat as a reporter. Food and nightlife reporter Jessica Gelt is a new TV writer with "special emphasis on the expanding world of Internet programs."
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites the public to a panel discussion, "Beyond Snowden: When Free Press and National Security Clash," at 7 p.m on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena.
The Los Angeles Press Club will give its Visionary Award to Forest Whitaker at a banquet on November 24 at the Biltmore Hotel.
Ex-Lakers Byron Scott and Luke Walton have joned the on-air team at Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
Writer urges that felons be allowed to work as valet parkers in Los Angeles. Atlantic Cities
A personal remembrance of Ernie Johnson, a legendary football coach at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera and later at Cerritos College. Sam Quinones
The Dodgers won the first game of their playoff series with the Atlanta Braves, 6-1. ESPN
What did the cops say after they cleared the scene of the shooting at the U.S. Capitol, "Okay, everybody, go back to not working"?
— Joel Stein (@thejoelstein) October 3, 2013
