Handicapping Parks vs. Ridley-Thomas

The first seriously contested Board of Supervisors race since 1992 — when Kenneth Hahn was replaced — is "going to be a humdinger," says Jaime Regalado, executive director of the Edmund G. "Pat" Brown Institute of Public Affairs. Filing closes in March, the primary election is in June. DN

Furutani on top in Assembly race

College board member Warren Furutani rode labor support to the most votes in the 55th Assembly District, but fell short of 50% plus one and has to wait until the Feb. 5 runoff to be formally elected. Breeze

LACMA gets 20 Picassos

Janice and Henri Lazarof's gift of 130 works by major artists, including Pablo Picasso, has "transformed the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's holdings of modern art," says Suzanne Muchnic. LAT

Controversial elections official gets promotion

Dean Logan was named acting Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County, despite arriving here last year from Seattle under a cloud of questions and lacking a college degree. He would fill in during a national search for a successor to Conny McCormack, who will retire Jan. 3. DN

Magnet schools use race legally

Superior Court Judge Paul Gutman upheld the LAUSD's integration plan, which makes race a key factor in deciding admission to magnet schools. LAT, DN

Studio City adds a mural

Local scenes and historical flavor decorate a wall at the Studio City Hand Car Wash on Ventura Boulevard. DN, LAT

The coyote got away

An SUV driver who swerved to avoid hitting a coyote smashed through a backyard wall in the hills of Studio City and just missed landing in a swimming pool. The driver walked away unhurt. DN

Jeff Kent stays with Dodgers

The surly 40-year-old second baseman will give it another go. LAT