Morning Buzz: Friday 12.16.11

Pomona Freeway stays closed, State Senate pays for sexual claim against Rod Wright, Villaraigosa defends Asia trip, Hahn won't endorse and another housing authority report tonight on "SoCal Connected."

Top of the news

The Pomona Freeway near Montebello now is likely to remain closed until Saturday at the earliest, due to a complication found while repairing damage from the big tanker fire there this week. LAT, KPCC News, CBS 2

Politics and politicos

The state Senate secretly paid $120,000 to settle a claim by a legislative aide that she was sexually harassed by Sen. Roderick Wright, Democrat of Inglewood, according to her attorney and government documents released this week. LAT

"SoCalConnected" continues its investigation of the city Housing Authority tonight at 8:30 p.m.on KCET with "an exclusive interview with yet another agency insider who experienced corruption first-hand." Preview

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa returned Thursday from his two-week trade mission to Asia "and defended the trip as necessary to bring business to the city." DN, The City Maven

Rep. Janice Hahn announced that she does not plan to endorse in the special election to fill her Los Angeles City Council seat. Daily Breeze

Discussing why American citizens have been detained in Los Angeles County at the request of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement: is this what happens when you cross Spanish surnames and a giant bureaucracy? Which Way, L.A.?

Steve Levin and Sean Rossall have joined Cerrell Associates as as vice-president and public affairs and media relations manager, respectively.

Media and media people

Columnist Hector Tobar and his parents visit the East Hollywood apartment where they lived as new immigrants from Guatemala when he was born. LAT

Tribune Company's plan to release a proprietary news-reader tablet "is not a good business idea. It's worse than New Coke," says Matthew DeBord. KPCC

The Biography Channel, part of the A+E Networks, has signed on to be a sponsor of Live Talks Los Angeles.

Screenwriter-turned-psychotherapist Dennis Palumbo has started a column for the Psychology Today website called "Hollywood on the Couch," dealing with "the psychological issues, both personal and professional, with which creative types in the entertainment industry struggle." PT

Advice for talk radio programmers in the social media age from Jason Insalaco, executive producer of the Tim Conway, Jr. program on KFI. Talkers

More news

Melinda Guido weighed just over nine ounces when she was born four months premature at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, "the smallest baby ever born in California and the second smallest in the United States." Now she's going home. LAT, AP

The sudden departure of Getty acting director David Bomford "further confirms that there is indeed a major structural problem at the Getty that transcends any individual personalities," says former director Michael Brand. Culture Grrl

Charles McNulty review of "Fela!” at the Music Center: "...offers something that only the theater can provide — an immersion in Fela’s music, an encounter with his charismatically frenetic concert presence and a confrontation with his political style. The trade-off, trust me, is worth it." LAT

The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that Henry's Tacos on Moorpark Street in Studio City be given historic status, but the landlord is opposed. DN

"The Gift," a fictional L.A. Christmas story by Alix Ohlin. Zocalo

Former baseball slugger Barry Bonds is expected to be sentenced today in federal court for obstruction of justice.


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

New at LA Observed
Follow us on Twitter

On the Media Page
Go to Media
On the Politics Page
Go to Politics

LA Biz Observed
Arts and culture

Sign up for daily email from LA Observed

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


Advertisement
LA Observed on Twitter and Facebook