A lawsuit that sounds like a scene out of a gangster movie against UC Regent Norman Pattiz has surfaced in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that Pattiz forced a former employee to falsify data related to advertising revenue; Pattiz maintains his innocence.
The Chronicle's NANETTE ASIMOV: "A new lawsuit accuses University of California Regent Norman Pattiz of requiring an employee to fake data to boost advertising revenue, brandishing loaded handguns to force compliance, and illegally firing the employee for complaining about it."
"The lawsuit, filed Sept. 22 in Los Angeles Superior Court against Pattiz and his company, PodcastOne, also accuses the regent of directing employees to bad-mouth the plaintiff, Raymond Hernandez, at his next job, getting him fired."
"The lawsuit says the reason for this bullying was that Pattiz believed that Hernandez had given another employee, Heather McDonald, a recording of Pattiz sexually harassing her last year. McDonald quit and made the recording public in an embarrassing episode for which Pattiz publicly apologized."
CA120: GOP delegation sour on House majority
PAUL MITCHELL/JONATHAN BROWN in Capitol Weekly: "Throughout the 2016 election cycle, Capitol Weekly conducted several polls. Two of them, one during the primary and the other during the general, were targeted to voters right after they had mailed in their ballots."
"In total, more than 80,000 Californians participated in these surveys."
"Now, more than a year since we began, we went back and asked these voters how they feel about the candidates they backed. We asked about the issues of greatest importance to them, and we sought their perceptions about the political climate since the election."
The GOP tax reform proposal on Capitol Hill could have serious consequences for one third of Californians.
LA Times' SARAH D. WIRE: "A third of Californian taxpayers could lose thousands of dollars from the repeal of one deduction under a GOP proposal released Wednesday, setting up another political dilemma for California Republicans facing tough reelection battles next year as Democrats work to win back the House of Representatives."
"The potential repeal of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, the federal deduction for state and local taxes, would hit especially hard in wealthier areas, some of which are on the exact turf Democrats are trying to win over in Southern California."
READ MORE related to Beltway: Trump waives cargo restrictions to speed help to Puerto Rico -- AP
A rock slide at the famous El Capitan monument in Yosemite National Park has claimed one life and injured another.
Fresno Bee's BRIANNA CALIX: "One person died and another was injured when a sheet of granite sloughed off the face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, the Park Service said Wednesday."
"The rock appeared to fall from the “Waterfall Route,” a popular climbing route on the East Buttress of El Capitan, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said. This is the area where Horsetail Fall flows in winter and spring, he added."
"Park rangers were working to transport the injured person to medical care outside the park, Gediman said."
Taking college classes in high school can lead to more college success
EdSource's MIKHAIL ZINSHTEYN: "New evidence says taking college classes while in high school can improve a student’s chances of earning a college degree."
"The findings indicate that these “dual enrollment” classes may be another tool as California grapples with a looming shortage of college-educated workers."
"Dual-enrollment classes have been shown to give students a preview of the college experience and permit students to amass some post-secondary credit before even enrolling at a college or university. That can lead to savings in tuition and reduce the risk of dropping out."
READ MORE related to Education: Help for college graduates with jobs, finances, housing and more -- East Bay Times' GEORGE AVALOS
Did the DA's office accidentally tip off an LA gang member to a witness' address where two people were later shot?
LA Times' MATT HAMILTON/RICHARD WINTON/NICOLE SANTA CRUZ: "The court order obtained by a Los Angeles County prosecutor was clear: The gang member was required to stay away from a woman he was charged with assaulting, as well as several members of her family."
"Weeks later, the gang member, Jonathan Quevedo, 34, allegedly opened fire outside the woman’s East Hollywood home, wounding two people including her relative, who was named in the protective order."
"Quevedo was charged this week with two counts of attempted murder and trying to use force to dissuade witnesses."
READ MORE related to Public Safety: 'What I saw ... was excessive.' Witnesses describe alleged beating of DUI suspect by Rocklin cop -- Sacramento Bee's NASHELLY CHAVEZ/ANITA CHABRIA; Jury awards $6.5 million to family in deputy's shooting of mentally ill son -- Sacramento Bee's DARRELL SMITH; Was this man a threat to the CHP officer who shot him? Newly released video raises questions -- Sacramento Bee's SAM STANTON; No criminal charges for Ghost Ship owner Chor Ng, but she could collect more than $3 million in insurance -- East Bay Times' MATTHIAS GAFNI
CBS pondering sale of historic Television City studios in Los Angeles
LA Times' ROGER VINCENT/MEG JAMES: "Broadcast giant CBS Corp. is pondering the sale of its historic Television City studio complex in the Fairfax district as the Los Angeles construction boom propels developers in search of new places to build."
"CBS has not decided whether to part with the property it has owned since the 1950s, but real estate brokers put a tempting value on it for the owners — $500 million to $750 million."
"Its desirable location near Farmers Market and the popular Grove shopping center could help drive the price much higher if a bidding war erupts. One insider estimated the price at more than $900 million."
READ MORE related to Economy/Development: Toshiba inks $18 billion deal nto sell chip arm to Bain group -- Bloomberg's PAVEL ALPEYEV/YUKI FURUKAWA; Own a home and looking to move? California Realtors want to get you a major tax break -- Sacramento Bee's JIM MILLER; LA should step up enforcement to stop growth of homeless encampments, says the City Controller -- Daily News' ELIZABETH CHOU
The legendary Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy, has passed away at the age of 91.
LA Times' ELAINE WOO: "Hugh Hefner, the incurable playboy who built a publishing and entertainment empire on the idea that Americans should shed their puritanical hang-ups and enjoy sex, has died. He was 91."
"He died of natural causes at his home, the Playboy Mansion, according to Teri Thomerson, a Playboy spokesperson."
"Hefner was the founder of Playboy magazine, launched amid the conservatism of the 1950s, when marriage and domesticity conferred social status. Hefner pitched an alternative standard — swinging singlehood — which portrayed the desire for sex as being as normal as craving apple pie. He redefined status for a generation of men, replacing lawn mowers and fishing gear with new symbols: martini glasses, a cashmere sweater and a voluptuous girlfriend, the necessary components of a new lifestyle that melded sex and materialism."
Accidental bank robber? California tech exec didn't know he drove the getaway car
East Bay Times' SCOTT SCHWEBKE: "Wes Lewison spent two hellish mid-May days in an Orange County Jail cell, sharing space with a gang member named Monster, a man who claimed to be Jesus, and someone he really couldn’t stand – his co-defendant, Greg Roberts."
"A few days earlier, Lewison and Roberts had been arrested together for bank robbery. Both men were captured on camera; Roberts inside the bank, passing a note to a teller and walking out with money, and Lewison driving the alleged getaway car. Both men were taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport."
"But Lewison, 51, a long-time executive with no criminal convictions, insisted he knew nothing of the robbery."
Hayward considers rules for wide range of marijuana businesses
East Bay Times' DARIN MORIKI: "Proposed regulations could open the door for nearly all types of marijuana-related businesses to operate within Hayward’s industrial and commercial areas."
"Set to be heard Oct. 17 by the Hayward City Council, the proposed regulations would generally permit most commercial cannabis activities allowed under state law, including indoor cultivation, manufacturing, testing laboratory, delivery, distribution and dispensary sites."
"However, those businesses must adhere to a number of guidelines, such as a 1,000-foot buffer between marijuana dispensaries and 600-foot distances from schools, day care centers, youth or recreation centers, parks, libraries and designated open space."
