Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez received nearly $38,000 in gifts and travel payments last year, according to financial disclosures filed Monday. LAT
NBC4 and Conan Nolan look to be the only LA television station covering Mayor Eric Garcetti's trade mission to Mexico City. NBC4
Garcetti will be going onto Chicago after Mexico, and not to Washington with the chamber of commerce. Sausage Factory, LA Weekly
Consultant's report recommends major overhaul of the LA Fire Department. LAT
Two LA gang members in video are apparently fighting for Syria’s Assad. Washington Post
Central Basin Municipal Water District ratepayers are footing the bill to the tune of $79,000 arising from a 2010 six-car automobile accident involving board member Art Chacon, despite a finding that Chacon was not working at the time of the accident and was at fault. KPCC
The six candidates running for Secretary of State did the forum thing Monday night in Los Angeles. LAT
Michael Bloomberg and his Bloomberg News co-founder Matthew Winkler will accept the 2014 Los Angeles Press Club’s President’s Award. Press Club
Those teens who danced and sang with Pharrell during the performance of "Happy" at the Oscars were from the Academy of Music at Hamilton High School. KPCC
PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O'Brien, who recently lost his arm, reports on Wednesday night's show from Japan on fears about the safety of eating fish as radioactive water continues to leak from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Sunday's Oscar broadcast pulled in its highest ratings of the last ten years. THR
That New York Times story from 1853 about the kidnapping of Solomon Northup contained two obvious misspellings of his name — which the paper corrects in today's paper. NYT
RadioShack said Tuesday it would close about 1,100 of its stores in the United States, or 20% of stores. NYT
Ex-UCLA water polo player accused of raping three women. LAT
Bruce Reed, a former speechwriter for Al Gore and CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council, talks about running Eli Broad's philanthropic foundation. KPCC
The next person to say "selfie" is getting smacked in the mouth.
— Temp X (@Tempdiaries) March 3, 2014