Afternoon shorts

The MTA approved putting a half-cent sales tax increase on the November ballot that could raise between $30 billion and $40 billion for transit and highway projects. LAT, Under the Dome
The annual report by the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission concludes hate crimes rose 28% last year, led by clashes between Latinos and blacks. LAT
Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn pleaded not guilty to conflict of interest and misappropriation of $500,000 in public funds. LAT
Copley Press has retained an investment banker to explore sale of the San Diego Union-Tribune. AP
Jean Merl, an editor on the Times' local government desk and former City Hall reporter, will return to reporting. A newsroom memo says she will initially serve as a nightside reporter.
Ex-Angeleno Jay Babcock's observations about L.A. have fueled a bunch of reaction, including many critical blog comments, a post about it at the LA Weekly, and Babcock's demand for a correction by the Times.
Nice review of Denise Hamilton's mystery novel set in 1949 Los Angeles, "The Last Embrace." LA Weekly