Union leaders have called a noon news conference, presumably to announce that Councilman Martin Ludlow has been named executive secretary of the County Federation of Labor. The Times story quotes county fed president Rick Icaza enthusing on the choice and labor leader Mike Garcia predicting an "open road" for Ludlow when union reps meet this morning to vote. Ludlow also has the backing of Maria Elena Durazo, the union leader who is the widow of Miguel Contreras, whose death last month opened up the powerful job. The Daily News has a shorter speculative story in which Ludlow refuses to say what he would do if offered the job. The councilman from the 10th district is only two years into his first term, but he used to be political director of the county fed — and everyone seems confident he will take the job. Former Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson is the name buzzed about most often as a candidate to replace Ludlow in a special election. So it turns out the Korea Times, and the City Hall source who emailed me on Saturday, knew of what they spoke.

Also: Doug Dowie pleaded not guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy and fifteen counts of wire fraud. Trial for the former Fleishman-Hillard executive was set for August 2.(* The judge decided that Dowie and his former deputy, John Stodder, will be tried together.) Previously: Dowie indicted.