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Amazon politics, Villaraigosa's legacy and new platform, Hector Tobar book on Chilean miners, Olivia Wilde's journalism roots, white flight into the cities and more.
Amazon loses no matter how California votes on the company's referendum, but the political consultants will win, says George Skelton. LAT column
About 58% of Californians are willing to allow local taxes to be raised on items such as cigarettes, sugary drinks and liquor. Democrats were for, Republicans against in the poll. But a bill that would authorize such taxes has been shelved for the year. LAT, LAT
Gov. Brown spoke Sunday night at the NAACP convention in Los Angeles, which runs through July 28 at the Convention Center. Sacto Bee
The three L.A. County congressional districts now represented by African Americans provide an example of the challenges aced by the citizens' redistricting commission. LAT
If Mayor Villaraigosa signs the bicyclists-can-sue law, "drivers in Los Angeles can expect a wave of threatened lawsuits and shakedowns. Would this cause a massive change in motorist behavior?" American Thinker
Villaraigosa's new post as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors gives him "a platform and a coalition. Now the question is: Will Washington listen?" Jim Newton/LAT
Villaraigosa is looking at transit projects as a key to cementing his legacy as he enters the final two years of his mayoral term. Rick Orlov/DN
City Council candidate Pat McOsker is facing opposition within the firefighter union that he heads. Orlov/Tipoff
Producer Mike Medavoy, who grew up in Santiago, has acquired the movie rights to the story of the Chilean miners who were trapped underground, and to a book on the miners being written by Los Angeles Times columnist Hector Tobar. NYT
Olivia Wilde, the "House" actress who is in the new "Cowboys & Aliens," grew up in a journalism household: her parents are writer Andrew Cockburn and TV producer/filmmaker Leslie Cockburn. The story suggests her main obstacle to Hollywood stardom is she is too beautiful. NYT
NPR music critic Ann Powers talks about the life and career of Amy Winehouse at 9:51 a.m. on "The Madeleine Brand Show" on KPCC.
The new white flight into American cities is bringing suburban tastes and sensibility that are changing urban culture, says Gregory Rodriguez. LAT op-ed
The Kronish House, a Beverly Hills residence designed by Richard Neutra, appears headed for demolition. LAT
Authorities are searching for an arsonist responsible for setting as many as 18 car and structure fires in the North Hollywood area since Thursday. DN wires
Trudi Sandmeier is leaving as director of education at the Los Angeles Conservancy to become director of graduate historic preservation programs at the USC School of Architecture.