Morning Buzz: Tuesday 4.20.10

Rain on the way, less-dire budget news all around, the morning news battleground, a new book show and more.

Oddly enough, a cold Alaska storm may bring some rain to the L.A. area starting this afternoon. Wires
Mayor Villaraigosa's budget for next year, to be released today, will suggest 750 or fewer layoffs, not the 4,000 previously mentioned. The budget will begin with a shortfall of more $400 million and include more furlough days. LAT, DN
The county's proposed budget calls for only about 100 layoffs, but starts with a $500 million shortfall and eliminates 1,400 vacant positions, including 380 at the Department of Public Social Services, "which routinely has long lines outside its welfare offices." LAT, DN, Yaroslavsky blog
The city budget and Villaraigosa's state of the city speech this afternoon will be Warren Olney's main topic on KCRW's "Which Way, L.A.?" at 7:30 p.m.
The Adam Smith Foundation, a group devoted to "promoting conservative principles and individual liberties in Missouri" that brings in $30,000 a year, donated $498,000 to the campaign to repeal California's greenhouse gas law. Capitol Weekly
Plus: The Iowa-based American Future Fund is running an ad blasting Tom Campbell for refusing to sign an anti-tax pledge. LAT, Bee
The SEC and others are investigating whether Hewlett-Packard executives paid bribes to win a lucrative foreign contract while Carly Fiorina was the boss. LAT
As interim chief of DWP, deputy mayor Austin Beutner will continue to oversee 12 other city agencies. LAT, DN
Ron Kaye is soliciting emailed resumes and cover letters from potential City Council candidates under his latest banner of the L.A. Clean Sweep Campaign. CityWatch
With Fox 11 adding a 4:30 a.m. newscast, mornings are "fast becoming one of the most fiercely competitive time periods in regional news across the country." LAT
AMC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff talks with City Councilman Tom LaBonge and the Trust for Public Land about the campaign to buy the land around the Hollywood sign. AMC
Bruce Beresford-Redman's in-laws aren't buying his story on how his wife ended up strangled in Cancun. LAT, AP
Detectives in the San Fernando Valley are searching for a trio of female robbers who are targeting expensive homes in the Encino hills. KTLA
The Hotel Normandie in Koreatown reopens tonight billed as America's first pot-friendly hotel. LAT
The Getty Research Institute's withdrawal of financial support for the Bibliography of the History of Art has set off hand-wringing in that world, says Lee Rosenbaum. WSJ
Kari Moran is hosting a new Sunday 3 p.m. show about books on KFWB; it debuted this week.