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Pope Benedict XVI said he would step down at the end of the month after less than eight years, becoming the first pope to leave in six centuries. He is 85 and cited age. NYT, BBC, la Repubblica, National Catholic Reporter
in 2007, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles quietly appropriated $115 million from a cemetery maintenance fund and used it to help pay a landmark settlement with molestation victims. LAT
SoCal Connected runs a piece tonight (at 5:30 and 10 p.m. on KCET) on feral cats in LA and the activists who like them. Judy Muller is the reporter.
The Rev. John J. Hunter, abruptly reassigned last fall from First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, has now been fired from his post at a San Francisco church. LAT
The hacker group Anonymous claims to have taken down the LAPD's website, apparently in retaliation for its treatment of alleged cop killer Christopher Dorner and the shootings of two women in South Bay. LA Weekly
Chief Beck's decision to reopen the Dorner firing was an important step, but should only be a first step, says Celeste Fremon. Witness LA
A Times investigation has found that top sheriff's officials used the City of Gardena to funnel hundreds of bulletproof vests to Cambodian police. LAT
Once again, you can help draft the city budget. DN/Orlov's Tipoff
Erika Glazer, who came of age at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, has pledged $30 million over the next 15 years toward the synagogue's ongoing restoration and redevelopment. LAT
Steve Soboroff says the state should reject a proposed deal that would give USC a long-term lease of parking lots used by three public museums neighboring the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAT
Three people died Sunday in an early-morning helicopter crash while taking part in the filming of a reality TV show at the Polsa Rosa Ranch in Acton. DN
A reckless driver being pursued by the LAPD crashed Sunday night into Wurstkuche on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. Four people were injured and taken to the hospital. CNS
Who really was behind the 1975 prank that put Frank Zappa's name and mug among the great composers on Bridges Auditorium in Claremont. Daily Bulletin
