Morning Buzz: Thursday 5.5.11

A top baseball official starts making the case against McCourt, plus Dianne Feinstein, Herb Wesson, Steve Lopez, Truthdig, Jackie Cooper and Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Top of the news

In unusually pointed remarks, a senior Major League Baseball official said Wednesday that the Dodgers have not cooperated with baseball's investigation into the team's finances and that team owner Frank McCourt is responsible for his own financial troubles. LAT


Politics and politicos

State officials are reporting an unexpected $2-billion surge in tax receipts that will help lawmakers close the remaining $15-billion budget deficit, and the Capitol is humming with hope that more is coming. LAT

If it weren't for her appearance at the state Democratic convention last month, it would be easy to forget that Sen. Dianne Feinstein will be up for re-election again next year. That is, unless you're one of her donors. California Watch

Councilman Herb Wesson on redistricting, running for City Council president. City Maven

Across the political spectrum, from right to left and among the unaligned, Americans have become more doctrinaire and ideological in their political views, according to a major new study by the Pew Research Center. Washington Post

The Grapevine, once considered a prospective high-speed rail route between the San Joaquin Valley and the Los Angeles Basin over the Tehachapi Mountains but disregarded several years ago, could be destined for a comeback. Fresno Bee

Truthdig has won the Webby Award for best political blog for the second year in a row. Truthdig


Media and media people

Steve Lopez writes about receiving an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, San Jose State. LAT

Jordan Wallens, author of "Gridchronic," uses Osama bin Laden's death to reflect on his brother's death in the World Trade Center towers. Zocalo


More

Representatives of Saudi Prince Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud have submitted scaled-back plans for a compound in Benedict Canyon totaling roughly 60,000 square feet on three parcels along winding Tower Lane. LAT

A survey using radar pinpointed 210 graves in the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar. DN

The new Valley Performing Arts Center has announced its first full season, including the Mariinsky Orchestra led by Valery Gergiev and performances by Bernadette Peters and Savion Glover. LAT

Jackie Cooper, a child actor in the "Our Gang" series in the1930s, and later a TV star and the portrayer of 'Daily Planet' editor Perry White in the Superman films, died at age 88. LAT, DN wires


Around LA Observed

Deutsche Bank accused of being L.A. slumlord - Mark Lacter
Dodger Stadium is getting to be a very lonely place - Mark Lacter
Pat Brown's legacy: A fine documentary - Bill Boyarsky
KCET's guide to the L.A. River - Jenny Burman


More by Kevin Roderick:
Ralph Lawler of the Clippers and the age of Aquarius
Riding the Expo Line to USC 'just magical'
Last bastion of free parking? Loyola Marymount to charge students
Matt Kemp, Dodgers and Kings start big weekend the right way
LA Times writers revisit their '92 riots observations
Recent Morning Buzz stories on LA Observed:
Morning Buzz: Friday 4.27.12
Morning Buzz: Thursday 4.26.12
Morning Buzz: Wednesday 4.25.12
Morning Buzz: Tuesday 4.24.12
Morning Buzz: Monday 4.23.12

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