Afternoon news

♦ KABC radio reporter Sandy Wells says he was threatened and assaulted on the street outside Academia Semillas del Pueblo after trying to interview Marcos Aguilar, founder and principal of the LAUSD charter school. Wells called in to KABC talk host Doug McIntyre, who has been crusading against the school, claiming it promotes separatist views and that the principal will only speak to Spanish-language media. Websites that believe Latinos want reconquest of the Southwest have picked up the cause.
♦ Some 86% of LAUSD seniors have passed the state high school exit exam. Statewide the pass rate is about 90%.
♦ The Police Protective League revoked its endorsement of Assemblyman Tom Umberg over his support of a bill to give the LAX airport police power over disaster response.
♦ Mayor Villaraigosa will announce re-activation of the Southern California Regional Airport Authority tomorrow.
♦ Johnny Grant, longtime honorary mayor of Hollywood, will be keynote speaker at the Los Angeles City College commencement ceremony Tuesday morning at the Greek Theatre.