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All courtrooms would be closed in the branch courthouses in Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Malibu, Avalon, Huntington Park, Whittier, Pomona and San Pedro under a budget-cutting plan by the county court system. "It's going to be a sea change in how we do our business," said Lee Smalley Edmon, Superior Court presiding judge. LAT, Breeze
Democrats have gained a super-majority in both houses of the California Legislature for the first time since the 19th century. AP, Bee, LAT
At least two dozen lawmakers and some of the lobbyists who seek to influence them have gone this month on educational trips — to places like Hawaii, Brazil, China, Australia and New Zealand.— to discuss energy, health care, international trade and other policy issues. Bee
The Times mapped LAFD response times block by block on more than a million calls for help, finding that it takes paramedics longer to reach affluent hlllside areas. LAT
Los Angeles County sheriff's detective Francisco Gamez was arrested Wednesday for allegedly shooting and killing a man in Sylmar while off-duty in June. LAT, DN
DA-elect Jackie Lacey steps out of Steve Cooley's shadow. LA Weekly
The City Council approved the plan to divide the city into 11 areas and award exclusive franchises for trash pickup from commercial properties and apartment buildings. LAT, DN, KPCC News
Bail for Assessor John Noguez remains at $1 million and he remains in jail on corruption charges. KPCC News
Rep. Xavier Becerra is campaigning to become Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. KPCC News
October ridership was up on all Metro lines with record months for the Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line and the newly-opened Expo Line. MTA
Regulation of LA stormwater is now worse than before under the new state permit, says Heal the Bay.
The four leading LA mayor candidates all sounded various levels of skepticism about the City Council's sales tax proposal, which would be on the same March 5 ballot as the race for mayor. DN, KPCC News
The Trutanich-Feuer debate in Sherman Oaks last night became testy. Imagine that. LAT, LA Weekly
Former Mayor Richard Riordan accepted the police union's challenge to take part in a series of three debates on his pension reform measure. LAT, LA Weekly
If Councilman Tony Cardenas doesn't resign until Jan. 3 to go to Congress, the election to fill his seat can't be held until May 21 — with a costly runoff to follow if needed. KPCC News
Can Kate Anderson, Mar Vista mom of twins, fix LAUSD? LA Weekly
A Superior Court judge ruled that charges against photographer Paul Raef under a 2010 anti-paparazzi state law are unconstitutional. LAT, DN
The loft that mediabistro built. NYT, Gawker
The Los Angeles Times editorial board editors have augustly advised Los Angeles to "take a breath and work on that virtue that seems to evade us all when we talk about the team: patience." The subject: the Lakers.
At least Los Angeles has one stable, winning franchise: the Clippers. TJ Simers
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar statue outside Staples Center will be unveiled on Friday. DN
Lucille Bliss, the voice of Crusader Rabbit in the early days of television and of Smurfette in the 1980s television hit "The Smurfs," died in Costa Mesa at age 96. LAT
