The fire in Montecito, now called the Tea fire, has burned 1,500 acres and destroyed at least 80 homes in the high-priced enclave. (Insurance execs are losing serious sleep right now.) The LA Times is in full disaster mode and has a story, pix, map and evacuation info here. Also in the Daily News, the Ventura County Star, and there's info on the Montecito FD's web site.

No weather relief in sight as predictions call for a hot and windy weekend.

LA's Gay and Lesbian Center has condemned yesterday's intimidation tactics in which letters filled with white powder were delivered to Mormon temples in Westwood and Salt Lake City. Hazmat teams responded to both incidents, and the substances were found to be harmless. LAT

The cash-strapped LAUSD has ordered a hiring freeze and a moratorium on credit card use, all in an effort to save $300 million to meet payroll. LADN

Is a new fee hike in store at CalState and UC schools? LAT

Planning honchos in LA call for a moratorium on new billboards. LAT

Carol Muske-Dukes is California's new poet laureate. LA Now, The Californian, Sac Bee

The alligator-in-a-bar story gets legs and makes the OC Register.

Prop 8-related boycotts are spreading. LAT

A science teacher in Anaheim is named one of five state Teachers of the Year. OC Reg

LA's 99 essential restaurants from Jonathan Gold. LA Weekly

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Pilot Productions / Flickr (Used by permission)