Morning Buzz

Morning Buzz: Wednesday 2.20.13 *

Law enforcement sources said that Christopher Dorner stalked at least five LAPD officials connected to his firing and their family members in the weeks before he began killing. LAT, DN

The $1.2 million reward offered for Christopher Dorner's capture should be paid out despite his death, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said. DN

The Highway 58 detour through Tehachapi to get around the snowy Grapevine section of I-5 didn't work: cars became trapped last night in snow along the route to Mojave.


Campaign 2013

The contenders for mayor are talking up the issue of runaway film and TV production, but "there are doubts about just how much can be done at the city level to keep a movie or TV show in LA." Wilshire & Washington/Variety

At least three of Jan Perry's mailers "include disingenuous criticisms of [Wendy] Greuel, a tactic that appears at odds with the plainspoken and upright image she has sought to nurture." LAT/Mehta

Eric Garcetti stepped up his attacks over union spending in the mayoral race, challenging chief rival Wendy Greuel over her independence at a debate this week. Greuel's campaign launched a new Web page to rebuff criticisms over her relationship with the Department of Water and Power. DN/Smith

James Duff, creator of "The Closer," gave the first $25,000 contribution to the independent Hollywood committee backing Eric Garcetti. THR

Former state Senator Tom Hayden is sending around email endorsing Eric Garcetti for mayor [fixed.]

From a reader/listener: Garcetti is advertising on Pandora Radio.

KCRW is working through the candidates and posted its interview with Garcetti, and also talked to Jon Regardie of the Downtown News and Anthea Raymond of Echo Park Patch about city council races.

Kevin James interviewed on videos by LAStreetsblog

James PAC not as bipartisan as claimed. LA Weekly/Maddaus

Outside spending for the Los Angeles Unified school board campaign has soared past $2 million – including $1 million in the contentious District 4 race that has shaped up as a pitched battle between reform and union interests. DN/Jones

The LANG papers urged a no vote on Measure A, the city's sales tax meausre, calling it a "permanent mistake." DN

Coming off his dismal defeat in the race for district attorney, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is now trying to fend off former Assemblyman Mike Feuer and lawyers Greg Smith and Noel Weiss from taking his job in the March 5 election. DN/Villacorte

Gov. Jerry Brown endorsed Gil Cedillo, a former state lawmaker, for the City Council in the 1st district. The LA Times today endorsed rival Jose Gardea. The Times also endorsed Bob Blumenfield in CD3.


More news and observations

AMPAS is rebranding that Hollywood awards show scheduled for Sunday. It's no longer the 85th annual Academy Awards, but simply The Oscars. The Wrap

David Dreier, the recently retired Republican congressman from the San Gabriel Valley area, has landed a gig to lead a new commission focused on trade for an arm of the nonprofit Annenberg Foundation. National Journal

The president of Caltech, Jean-Lou Chameau, announced Tuesday that he would step down at the end of the current school year and become head of a new and well-endowed university in Saudi Arabia. LAT, DN
Also: Daniel LaVista will resign as chancellor of the LA Community College District. LAT

Philanthropists Eli Broad and David Bohnett authored an op-ed piece for CNN saying that if you back gun reform, write a check. CNN

Four LA County supervisors signed a letter telling the Probation Department unions to cooperate with department chief Jerry Powers. Witness LA

Robin Roberts returned as a co-host of ABC's "Good Morning America" after six months on medical leave. NYT

Conan O'Brien will host this year's White House Correspondents Dinner. The Wrap

dtn-cover-40-years.jpgThe Los Angeles Press Club will dedicate its awards banquet in June to Huell Howser, and give its 2013 award for public service to Sue Laris, editor and publisher of the Downtown News. The weekly celebrates its 40th anniversary in the current issue, and Laris writes about her experiences as a publisher.

A roundup of the James Beard Foundation award semi-finalists from the LA area. LA Weekly

Petro Vlahos, a Hollywood special effects pioneer credited with advancing green screen technology in films, died at age 96. LAT


More by Kevin Roderick:
'In on merit' at USC
Read the memo: LA Times hires again
Read the memo: LA Times losing big on search traffic
Google taking over LA's deadest shopping mall
Gustavo Arellano, many others join LA Times staff
Recent Morning Buzz stories on LA Observed:
Thursday news and notes
A little bit of mid-week reading
A few links from a few different places
Let's talk about anything but the weather
A few links from here and there
A couple of links from a couple of places
A bit of news from a few places
Morning Buzz: Wednesday 4.16.14