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What the Whitman-housekeeper boomlet means, Whitman and Brown tied in another poll, the FBI and LAPD collaborate to solve a whole bunch of homicides, almost half don't pay their red-light camera tickets, plus one ex-councilman gets a job and another one passes on.
- Yesterday''s story boomlet about Meg Whitman employing and then firing her illegal housekeeper (continuing today) is a big deal for Whitman because of the Latino vote and "finally, a political story TV can understand." Calbuzz
- A new Public Policy Institute of California survey supports what the Field Poll hinted at a few days ago: Most Californians want legal pot. The poll shows Brown and Whitman tied. Bay Citizen, California Watch
- One of the bills signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger at the end of the session repealed a 1967 code requirement that state health officials seek the "causes and cures of homosexuality." Out in the 562
Plus: Schwarzenegger vetoed a consumer protection measure that would have barred merchants from charging people a fee when they use a debit card. SF Chronicle - Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who struck down California's ban on same-sex marriage, is retiring in February. Contra Costa Times
- More than two dozen homicide cases were solved during a first-of-its-kind collaboration this summer between the FBI and the cash-strapped LAPD. LAT
- About 45% of red-light camera tickets issued in Los Angeles are currently unpaid, possibly because holds are not placed on driver's licenses and vehicle registrations for unsettled photo enforcement infractions. LAT
- At the end of 11 days of testimony in McCourt v. McCourt, the main question remains: is that dully written, 10-page document the McCourts paid $8,000 to have drawn up valid or not? The judge has 90 days to rule, while settlement talks are expected to resume. LAT, ESPN, LA Weekly
- Global investigations firm Kroll has chosen former Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss to lead its Los Angeles office, the company announced Thursday morning. L.A. Land
- Former Los Angeles City Councilman Robert M. Wilkinson, who represented the West Valley in two separate elected stints, died at age 89. DN
- Tribune non-union employees may get merit raises next year. Romenesko Memos
- John Arthur, the former L.A. Times executive editor who has been interim editor of The Bakersfield Californian for the past three months, has been promoted to vice president and executive editor of the newspaper. Bakersfield.com
- "SoCal Connected" is re-airing its January report on Cal-OSHA tonight at 8 on KCET in the wake of a federal move against the state agency. SCC
- KFI's John & Ken were voted #1 Best On-Air Los Angeles Radio Persons for the third straight time by readers of L.A. Radio.com.