The LAT today joins the media pack on the Huffington Post, with an arch quip from ex-Timesman Tom Rosenstiel: "Is this a new kind of communication: a unique, elite blog-salon? Or is this just Arianna Huffington trying to find another career? We don't know yet." Still no staff story on the Judith Regan move to L.A....My latest in-print take on the mayor's race — ten things to watch for in the runoff — hit the Los Angeles magazine website Monday, and Tuesday's Page Six in the New York Post grabs this snippet:

"Bringing in William Bratton to shape up the police department was the best move of [Mayor James Hahn's] political life . . . The mayor doesn't care that Bratton schmoozes at Elaine's and gets more attention in the New York gossip columns than he ever will. The chief is popular with the force and the voters . . . Now, if Hahn would just let Bratton do his job instead of constantly summoning him for photo ops."

The race also comes up in today's Washington Times and Boston Globe...Steven Hill of the New America Foundation recommends the instant-runoff system in a Times op-ed...I missed it last week, but KTLA aired — and the Times website posts for viewing — columnist Steve Lopez chatting about the campaign with patrons at his favorite South L.A. barbershop. Matt Szabo calls it must-see TV...Talk radio power KFI is just a tick behind Power 106 for the #1 slot in the latest ratings book. Steve Carney analyzes in the Times...Gustavo Arellano takes exception to the piece on Orange County in Sunday's LAT Magazine...Mickey Kaus has developed a sudden dislike of publication dates on magazines and newspapers...Several of Kaus's fellow Outside the Tent contributors, including pseudonymous cop Jack Dunphy, are expected to attend tonight's Press Club event, along with Sunday Opinion editor Bob Sipchen...The Kings farm team in Manchester, New Hampshire is in the American Hockey League playoffs, not that it matters.