Mayor-elect Villaraigosa flies to Fort Worth today to speak to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention. Meanwhile, the Times' Patrick McGreevy and Jessica Garrison confirm yesterday's post that a decision on chief of staff is nearing. They write that in addition to Marcus Allen, those under consideration include Carolyn Webb de Macias, vice president of external relations at USC and former chief of staff to Mark Ridley-Thomas when he was on the City Council. As for Jimmy Blackman, chief of staff in Villaraigosa's council office, the Times says he "confirmed that he would be part of the 'leadership team' in the mayor's office, but he declined to say in which position."

Also: A Council committee picked Nov. 8 for the special election in the 14th district. The full Council still has to agree. And, councilmembers and the mayor's salaries went up automatically, retroactive to Jan. 1. Members of the council will make $149,160, the mayor $193,908.