LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is following through on a pledge he made last year in which he promised to put a stop to private meetings between real estate developers and planning commissioners.
LA Times' EMILY ALPERT REYES: "Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has banned city planning commissioners from meetingor communicating privately with real estate developers whose plans they are vetting, following through on a pledge made last year."
"The mayor, who signed an executive directive Thursday to halt the practice, said it would enhance trust in the planning process. Critics have argued that such private meetings tilt city decisions toward politically connected developers."
"We need to bring transparency and accountability to a process that, for too many, doesn’t feel like there’s enough,” Garcetti said. He signed the order two days after L.A. voters reelected him by a landslide and soundly rejected a controversial ballot measure that would have imposed new restrictions on development."
READ MORE related to Local: Sacramento mayor faces council pushback on plan giving housing vouchers to homeless -- Sacramento Bee's ANITA CHABRIA; Fearing Trump threat to state emissions law, California lawmakers plan a fight -- Sacramento Bee's SEAN COCKERHAM; 'Babies before booze' bill would raise liquor tax to pay for tax-free diapers, tampons -- Sacramento Bee's ALEXEI KOSEFF; Does AG candidate Dave Jones recall his vote on legal pot? 'I truly do not' -- Sacramento Bee's CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO; Long-time lobbyist Brian Hatch appointed to California Fair Political Practices Commission -- Sacramento Bee's TARYN LUNA
Trump supporters are cheering recent reports of declining Mexican/US border detainments involving immigrants as a display of the efficacy of Trump's hardline.
LA Times' JENNY JARVIE: "The number of immigrants caught by Border Patrol agents as they attempt to cross the Southwest border has plunged dramatically, dropping 40% since President Trump took office and signed sweeping executive orders to enforce immigration laws."
"About 840 people a day were caught trying to cross the border or deemed inadmissible after presenting themselves at a port of entry in February, down from about 1,370 a day in January, according to new figures released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection."
"Although there are often seasonal fluctuations — fewer immigrants usually attempt to cross the border from Mexico into the U.S. in winter — Border Patrol agents typically see a 10% to 20% surge of people making the journey in February."
READ MORE related to Immigration: Gay Iranian refugee in US worries about friends left beind -- The Chronicle's HAMED ALEAZIZ;
Oakland's Public Ethics Commission is taking aim at East Bay officials who are receiving free sports tickets through a process that 'has built-in conflicts of interest, lacks transparency, and raises the specter of governmental corruption.'
The Chronicle's KIMBERLY VEKLEROV: "East Bay officials are getting free tickets to Warriors, Raiders and A’s games through a process that has built-in conflicts of interest, lacks transparency and raises the specter of governmental corruption, according to the draft of a scathing new report from the Oakland Public Ethics Commission."
"The commission found that all of Oakland’s City Council members and Mayor Libby Schaaf failed to complete the paperwork required by city and state law that shows the public purpose for which they used or gave away tickets in the past two years. Some, like the mayor, missed only a few reports, but others filed none at all."
Trump's mettle as a dealmaker will be put to the ultimate test as he eyes the GOP's healthcare replacement plan.
LA Times' NOAH BIERMAN/LISA MASCARO: "Conservative critics launching daggers at the Republican healthcare bill emerged confidently from the White House this week, insisting President Trump was heeding their concerns. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz — a sometime rival — dined at Trump’s private residence. Renegade GOP lawmakers were invited to bowl at the White House."
"This is what Trump looks like in “sell mode,” as his staff calls it."
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The Chronicle's TRISHA THADANI: "Mike Levin, a new Congressional candidate in a Southern California swing district, wants to do everything he can to beat the incumbent Republican in 2018 — and to do so, he said, a strong digital and social media presence is key."
"But professional tech work can cost a candidate thousands of dollars, which Levin, a self-proclaimed progressive grassroots activist, did not have ahead of his Wednesday campaign launch."
The Oroville Dam spillway may be needed within the coming week, despite the catastrophic damage it endured during February's record-setting storms.
LA Times' JOSEPH SERNA: "A damaged flood control spillway at the Oroville Dam may have to be used as early as next week as storm runoff and snowmelt continue to fill the massive reservoir on the Feather River, state water officials said."
"The spillway has been dry since Feb. 27, when engineers with the Department of Water Resources rapidly reduced the flow of water down the concrete chute from 50,000 cubic feet per second to zero so they could repair the spillway and restart a nearby hydroelectric plant."
"But since that shutdown, the water level in the reservoir has climbed 21 feet, even though the power station began operating last week. The reservoir’s water level was at 859 feet Thursday afternoon, 41 feet below capacity and only 6 feet shy of the threshold at which engineers have said they’ll want to use the spillway again."
READ MORE related to Environment: Southern California residents bask in warm temperatures -- Press-Enterprise's MARK MUCKENFUSS; What happened at Lake Oroville? -- The Chronicle's EMMA O'NEILL/JOHN BLANCHARD/KURTIS ALEXANDER; When is a drought over? Wet California wants to know -- NY Times' ADAM NAGOURNEY; A photographer re-examines Los Angeles -- NY Times' IAN BAUMAN
A confrontation between a couple of teenagers and an LAPD officer who was off-duty at the time may be headed to the court after one of the young men involved filed a lawsuit recently with the help of his parents.
LA Times' JAMES QUEALLY/KATE MATHER: "A lawsuit has been filed against an off-duty Los Angeles police officer who fired his gun during a videotaped clash last month with several teenagers in Anaheim."
"Christian Dorscht, a 13-year-old boy who was grabbed by the police officer, filed the suit along with his parents on Feb. 28. The suit alleges that Officer Kevin Ferguson violated the boy’s civil rights and caused the plaintiff emotional distress. It also claims that Ferguson assaulted and falsely imprisoned the boy."
"The lawsuit marks the beginning of what could be a lengthy legal battle over the Feb. 21 encounter, which remains under investigation by police in both Anaheim and Los Angeles. Videos of the clash, posted online, renewed the debate over how officers use force — whether on-duty or not — and prompted protests in Anaheim."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: High-speed CHP chase ends in Sun Valley crash -- Daily News' STAFF; 45 drivers cited in Lake Balboa during LAPD pedestrian safety crackdown -- Daily News' WES WOODS; LAPD launches Valley 'knock knock' task force amid rash of celebrity break-ins -- Daily News' BRENDA GAZZAR; Police: Suspected 'serial burglar' arrested in San Francisco -- The Chronicle's MICHAEL BODLEY; Man attacked by biker gang on SF highway was an Uber driver -- The Chronicle's SARAH RAVANI/KURTIS ALEXANDER; Two dozen guns stolen from SF home -- The Chronicle's KURTIS ALEXANDER; Man wounded in gun battle with police faces attempted murder charges -- Sacramento Bee's CATHY LOCKE; Ex-CHP chief snared in son's escape from rape trial seeks disability pension -- Sacramento Bee's ADAM ASHTON; Prosecutors sift through mountain of files, videos from last June's California Capitol riot -- Sacramento Bee's SAM STANTON
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is opening its doors to the public this coming May; those interested in attending will be happy to learn that the tickets are free!
San Gabriel Valley Tribune's JASON HENRY: "NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will open its doors to thousands of visitors again this May."
"But if you want to be among the crowds to explore the birthplace of the Mars rovers, you’re going to have to wake up early Saturday to get tickets."
"The free tickets to the popular two-day open house set for May 20 and 21 become available at 9 a.m. Saturday at explore.jpl.nasa.gov. They’re expected to disappear at rocket speeds."
READ MORE related to Education: San Bernardino police chief speaks to CSUSB students about Dec. 2 terror attack -- San Bernardino Sun's DOUG SAUNDERS; At UC Berkeley, Justice Sotomayor discusses obstacles to justice -- The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO; School district emphasizes ongoing efforts to address sexual harassment, bullying -- Daily Californian's CHARLOTTE KOSCHE; Little impact expected on California as Congress rescinds school accountability rules -- EdSource's JOHN FENSTERWALD; UC Davis women's coaching couple make it work -- Sacramento Bee's AILENE VOISIN
Those familiar with the magic of Portland's Voodoo doughnuts can find a new location in Los Angeles -- the Maple Bacon Bar and their amazing soft serve ice cream.
Long Beach Press-Telegram's ANGELA RATZLAFF: "Voodoo Doughnut’s Los Angeles location had its soft opening Thursday afternoon at Universal Studios City Walk, and people went nuts."
"Lines formed around noon."
"Others heard through the grapevine about the new location and might be making plans to visit in the near future."
READ MORE related to Economy: In four years, 15 dreamers have turned ideas into real Sacramento businesses -- Sacramento Bee's CATHIE ANDERSON; Could Sacramento's downtown get by with less parking? Some say yes -- Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK; Some say Farm to Fork is all wet when it comes to new motto for I-5 water tower -- Sacramento Bee's BILL LINDELOF; Here's what you need to earn to afford a two-bedroom rental in each Sacramento community -- Sacramento Bee's PHILLIP REESE; This Sacramento nonprofit drove home its fast pitch, walked away with $10,000 in cash -- Sacramento Bee's CATHIE ANDERSON; Mobile food bank brings fresh produce to low-income Sacramento area neighborhoods -- Sacramento Bee's SAMMY CAIOLA
Sacramento's J Street will be closed this weekend around the new arena, so plan your activities accordingly if you're headed into midtown.
Sacramento Bee's TONY BIZJAK: "Downtown drivers and fans attending Golden 1 Center events this weekend are being warned they may run into some extra street traffic hassles."
"Two blocks of J Street between 5th and 7th streets will be closed from Friday night to Sunday night to allow the Sacramento Kings to disassemble and haul away one of the two 350-foot cranes in use at the hotel tower construction site."
"Closures will start Friday at 8 p.m. and are expected to last until Sunday at 9 p.m."