Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
The feds today will ask for the public's help in identifying a man and woman seen in child porn apparently produced in the San Fernando Valley. LA Weekly
Two marijuana initiatives have enough signatures to get on the ballot. Now the City Council must decide what to do with them. LA Weekly, City News Service, KPCC News
Two embattled Los Angeles County sheriff's captains have retired with their pensions intact: Bernice Abrams, the Carson commander who allegedly tipped off a Compton drug trafficker, and Daniel Cruz, who ran the Men's Central Jail ans has been on paid leave for about a year. LAT, Witness LA
The parcel tax being pushed by county officials would raise about $290 million a year for initiatives to reduce urban runoff pollution into the channels and ocean. The fee would be $54 a year for most single-family homes up to thousands of dollars for large commercial properties. LAT
Eric Garcetti invokes Latino-Jewish ancestry in the mayoral race, by Michael Finnegan. LAT
With the prospect of Fred David money and ads, Kevin James moves from no chance to dark horse in the race for mayor, says Hillel Aron. LA Weekly
Mayoral candidate Wendy Greuel on guns on Facebook: "California has finally banned openly carrying shotguns and rifles, a common-sense reform that will keep guns off our streets. But it's just a small step. Let's take a big one by banning assault weapons altogether and closing gun loopholes."
Emanuel Pleitez qualifies for city matching funds in LA mayors race. KPCC
How Richard Riordan blew $800,000 on his failed try at City Hall pension reform, by Gene Maddaus. LA Weekly
The city's Department of Water and Power bypassed its competitive bidding process when it awarded $480,000 in contracts to lobby Sacramento decision-makers, according to a report issued by City Controller Wendy Greuel. LAT
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said that he stopped his show on Current TV before the network was acquired by Al Jazeera. Capitol Alert
The first official snow survey of 2013 measured 134 percent of normal snowpack in the Sierra Nevada. Bee
Wendy Gordon is now doing press for new Assemblyman Chris Holden of the 41st District.
Michele Norris is returning to NPR from her leave of absence in a new role as as guest host/special correspondent. Audie Cornish will remain as co-host of "All Things Considered,” with Robert Siegel and Melissa Block. Romenesko
Blogger Andrew Sullivan raised $100,000 in the first six hours after announcing he was quitting the Daily Beast and going independent with a $19.99 annual charge to readers. The Verge
Macy's said today it will close its store at Paseo Colorado on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. KPCC
A reader says that the Baskin-Robbins ice cream on Larchmont has closed.
A multi-agency Los Angeles County DUI task force arrested 2,168 people on suspicion of intoxicated driving during their 19-day holiday crackdown which ended Jan. 1. That's actually down from last year. CrimeSceneBlog
The Latino population of Hollywood and East Hollywood is reportedly plunging with the area's gentrification. LA Weekly
When completed, the Jia Apartments at Broadway and Cesar Chavez will "set an auspicious new direction for Chinatown, which has not seen the kind of redevelopment activity experienced elsewhere in Downtown LA." Brigham Yen
