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An unfamiliar lull in California elections, jail visitor beaten while cuffed, sewer bills go up, L.A. to consider making homeowners responsible for sidewalk damage, Maxine Waters and controversy, and a quake drill this morning.
Also see Mark Lacter's morning headlines at LA Biz Observed.
The annual ShakeOut earthquake drill begins at 10:20 a.m.
For the first time since the 1996 election cycle, California is experiencing what once was a familiar hiatus between elections – a traditional 20-month span between the November general election and the next primary election in June of the following even-numbered year. Capitol Weekly
The FBI probe into the Los Angeles County jails has expanded to include allegations of a man who says he was beaten and pepper sprayed by deputies while handcuffed during a February visit to see his incarcerated brother. There's also a criminal probe. LAT
Los Angeles sewer bills will climb more than 75 percent over the next decade to fund upgrades to aging pipes under a plan approved Wednesday by the City Council. DN
Pressure from Councilman Jose Huizar forced the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Business Improvement District to cancel plans to hire attorney Roberto Saldaña, a past Huizar critic, as executive director, members say. LAT
Costs to the city of the Occupy L.A. protest outside City Hall are mounting, while some of the 700 who stay overnight are planning to move across the street to Fletcher Bowron Square. LAT
The City Council is weighing a plan to shift responsibility and legal liability for sidewalk damage to property owners, even though they can't do much about street trees owned by the city. DN
Rep. Maxine Waters "wears controversy like a badge of honor." Politico
An L.A. Times editorial supports the LAUSD's firing of a substitute teacher who says Jews should be run out of this country. LAT editorial, wires
Lisa Simeone, freelance host of "World of Opera" on NPR since 2002, says she was dropped after becoming the spokesperson for Occupy D.C. Romenesko
California has spent $480 million over five years on students who drop out of community college, a report says. LAT
The busiest U.S. highway bridges in need of repair are of course in Los Angeles County, a report says. LAT
Linsday Lohan posted bail within about an hour of being taken into custody yesterday. A court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.
Sony Pictures has suddenly curtailed plans to open "Anonymous" nationwide next Friday after pre-release surveys indicated that the Shakespeare drama was poised to have a weak first weekend. LAT
The auditorium at San Fernando Elementary School was renamed for comedian George Lopez, an alumnus. DN