News

Monday news and notes: 2.23.15

Selected items from the media, our in box and other LA Observed sources. Posted occasionally — often in the morning.

Politics

For "sheer cussedness and arrogance, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is in a class by itself." Dan Walters/Bee

DWP needs both transparency and investment to fix its problems. LAT editorial

The early launch of Kamala Harris’ 2016 Senate campaign and of Gavin Newsom’s 2018 governor campaign "bring both advantages and liabilities." Josh Richman/Oakland Tribune

With no opponent, Kamala Harris can afford to not make news. Gene Maddaus/LA Weekly

In 1991, candidates for Senate were required to tell their positions on issues of the day. Unlike Kamala Harris. Dan Morain/Bee column

Are Los Angeles mayors jinxed when it comes to winning higher office? Michael Blood/AP

I will not be a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016. Joe Mathews/Zocalo

meghan-mccarty-elex-kpcc.jpgKPCC this week will be running a series on the city elections in which reporter Meghan McCarty goes on a mission to convince one Angeleno — a chef named Al Gordon — that voting in the city election is important. Al has never voted in an LA election since moving here 10 years ago. KPCC

They Gave an Election in LA and Almost Nobody Came. Joel Fox/Fox & Hounds

Veteran City Hall hand and legislator Cindy Montañez is portraying herself as the outsider in her CD 6 challenge to Councilwoman Nury Martinez. Catherine Saillant/LAT

Burbank accountant Jack Benadon’s $25,000 donation for Martinez in the CD 6 race, and his refusal to talk about it, draws attention. Dakota Smith/DN

Gentrification fears are at the heart of the Eastside council race. Gene Maddaus/LA Weekly

Rivals take on Huizar over business interests, development decisions. David Zahniser/LAT

Reps. Janice Hahn and Tony Cárdenas endorsed Jose Huizar in CD 14.

Oil drilling in Hermosa Beach pits neighbor against neighbor. Paul Teetor/LA Weekly


Media

The movie out now, "McFarland U.S.A.," is based on a 1997 Mark Arax story in the LA Times about the cross-country running team at the high school in McFarland, California. One of the runners who is a focus of the movie, Jose Cardenas, grew up to be a Times reporter temporarily and now lives in Pennsylvania.

USA Today photographer Robert Hanashiro talks about shooting the Academy Awards from backstage. PetaPixel

The New York Times unveiled its new format and content mix Sunday magazine. New editor Jake Silverstein introduces the changes in a letter. NYT Mag

Former LA Times reporter Ken Silverstein rants on Facebook about his unhappy year-plus as a reporter at Pierre Omidyar's First Look Media, first at Racket then at The Intercept under Glenn Greenwald. Romenesko

Jason Reid, the former LA Times sports writer who has been a sports columnist at the Washington Post, is joining ESPN.com as an NFL columnist and ESPN 980 in Washington DC as a morning drive time co-host. ESPN MediaZone

Politico announced a wave of staff hires. Fishbowl DC

KPCC is hiring a commuting and mobility reporter. They promise it will be "fun." Job posting

And the fun does not stop! Working in KPCC's cross-platform newsroom, (s)he will not only help guide coverage of the beat, but report on air, online and on social media to engage beat sources and listeners/users and develop reporting projects. In collaboration with KPCC's live events team, the commuting reporter will propose and participate in live events based on key beat issues. Just leave yourself a lot of time to get there.

Truthdig is looking to hire a managing editor. Journalism Jobs

Why the Heck Do Mexican Reporters on Public Radio Say Their Names That Way? KQED/California Report

Place

bradbury-demolish-jkt.jpgThe January tear-down of Ray Bradbury's former home in Cheviot Hills has spurred another media look at LA's relationship with its past. AP

More than 200 theater people came out to get information about, and debate, a proposal by Actors' Equity two require small theaters to pay members $9 an hour minimum for rehearsal and performance time. LAT

In the Central Valley, a region that calls itself “The Cantaloupe Center of the World,” vast fields that once annually yielded millions of melons lie fallow. And, for some farmers, planting tomatoes and other traditional row crops may now constitute acts of courage. Bee

Women are leaving the tech industry in droves. LAT

A hidden history of Spanglish in California. PRI

Both lanes of the transition from the eastbound Marina Freeway (90) to the northbound 405 were closed for about an hour Saturday due to a pelican in the roadway. CNS

A fire broke out Sunday night at a two-story soundstage on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood. LAT

The of a one-day ticket for either Disneyland or California Adventure is now $99 for anyone 10 or older. AP


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