Today's news and notes are after the jump. Also see today's Mark Lacter morning headlines at LA Biz Observed, and follow Mark and Kevin on Twitter.

• Federal judges ordered the state to reduce the prison population by 43,000 and to have a plan by mid-September. LAT, Sacto Bee, Dan Walters
• Handicapping the search for Bratton's replacement at LAPD. LAT, DN, LA Weekly
• Bratton's Cherkasky connection. LAT, DN
• Bratton was the right person in the right place at the right time. LAT editorial
• Mixed reactions from rank and file in LAPD. DN
• Worrying about whether the old LAPD will return with Bratton gone. LAT
• James Q. Wilson: Bratton has been the best thing that happened to the LAPD since William H. Parker. LAT Op-Ed
• Controller Wendy Greuel will endorse Chris Essel as her City Council successor at 10:45 a.m., says the candidate's campaign.
• Board of Education president Monica Garcia has been summoned to appear before a federal grand jury looking into payments to ex-board members Jose Huizar and David Tokofsky, among others, but she has not decided whether to appear or be interviewed. LAT, earlier Daily Journal story
• Expect heated debate over the legality of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's line-item budget vetoes. Capitol Notes, Witness LA, L.A. Now
• California voters have gradually shifted leftward and more independent, isolating the GOP, says Field Poll. Sacto Bee San Diego U-T
• The City Council scheduled a vote for Friday on an emergency ordinance to prevent new digital billboards, supergraphics or certain other outdoor signs from going up. LAT
• Scientology's new uniforms created by local celebrity designer Richard Tyler for the organization's officer caste. LA Daily
• Downtown parking king Sohrab Sahab, owner of Prestige Parking, faces prison after his conviction on tax fraud. Downtown News
• Hollywood Reservoir trail reopens today after four years. L.A. Now
• Budd Schulberg, the author of Hollywood novel "What Makes Sammy Run?" and Oscar winner for the screenplay of "On the Waterfront," died at age 95. LAT, Variety
• Inola Henry, longtime LAUSD teacher and Democratic Party activist, died July 26 at her home in Los Angeles. She was 66. LAT