Avenues gang blamed for shootout in Glassell Park area

A man who opened fire on LAPD officers with an AK-47 was killed and a big swath, including four schools, was locked down for hours yesterday during the manhunt for other suspects. In the end, no cops were hurt, one suspect was in custody, and a 37-year-old man was killed by gang members while holding the hand of a 2-year-old girl. Police returned this morning to hunt for another suspect. LAT, DN, CBS2, NBC4, AP

A.J. Duffy stays at helm of UTLA

He is relected head of the teachers union with 58% of the vote. LAT

UCLA wins restraining order against animal rights activists

Several activists and groups were ordered to stay 50 feet from faculty members and to take their personal information off websites. The Animal Liberation Front followed with a communique taking credit for a Feb. 3 firebomb placed at the home of faculty researcher Edythe London. "We know what we are doing and fires can be much larger," it said. LAT

City sits on $129 million in parks funds, Chick says.

Controller's audit blames cumbersome rules and lack of a plan. DN, LAT

Ex-Britney paparazzo tells all

He moved from England and found that, in L.A., celebrity photos paid much more than news photos. And nothing fetched cash like Britney Spears photos.

Accidents were common. The chase would start on Mulholland, and red lights would be ignored. Along Sunset, the paps would veer onto the wrong side of traffic islands to pass cars that had stopped at the lights. We'd travel at 80 mph, even 90, on crowded freeways. We were lawless.

Nick Stern resigned recently from the Spears beat. LAT Op-Ed

Magic Mountain vows to expand

Park in Valencia won't be sold and closed after all. DN