Friday desk clearing

Political consultant Sue Burnside denies she was hired by candidate Ben Austin to circulate his petitions: "I was on my honeymoon in South America." Sausage Factory
Controller Laura Chick has retained attorney Fredric Woocher in her legal dispute with City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo.
KNX morning drive anchor Dave Williams has left the station, to be replaced at least temporarily by Dick Helton, a station source says.
At least six different L.A. Times blogs have posted items off Hugh Jackman being named to host the Oscars telecast.
The Santa Clarita Symphony cancels its 2009 season, citing the economy. Culture Monster
A Las Vegas DA's investigator testified that a witness admitted being bribed by O.J. Simpson. LAT
PolitickerCA is shutting down as the network of state politics sites concentrates in the Northeast. Politico
Victor J. Gold, professor and William M. Rains Fellow at Loyola Law School, has been named the school's dean.
Washington Post chairman and CEO Donald Graham is joining the board of Facebook. Inside Facebook
El Coyote being hurt by anti-Prop. 8 boycott. NBC Los Angeles
Former Times reporter Chuck Philips was less than forthcoming in his reporting on a figure in the Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls stories, says Patterico.
Pulitzer eligibility for online news sites remains ambiguous, with the burden of proof on prize entrants. PBS MediaShift
The Lakers will switch their radio games to 710 ESPN 710 next season. Release
The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists opposes Councilman Dennis Zine's move to limit photography in public near schools and medical facilities.
Anne Thompson likes "Valkyrie" with Tom Cruise: "a well-made, entertaining thriller that had me on the edge of my seat in its second half." Blog
Robin Toner, the respected New York Times reporter, died at age 54 of colon cancer. Her husband is L.A. Times reporter Peter Gosselin. NYT

Also: LAT opinion editor Robin Rauzi leaves journalism for UCLA Live. Native Intelligence