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Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
Baseball is expected to suspend all-time great Alex Rodriguez today through the 2014 season for repeat use of performance-enhancing drugs, but he is also expected to play for the Yankees for the first time this season.
Former mayor Richard Riordan and Daily News columnist Tim Rutten co-signed an op-piece in the New York Times calling on President Obama and Congress to "avert the worst fiscal collapse in urban American history" with a reform plan for public employee pensions. NYT
The federal investigation into allegations that Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies abused inmates is expected to conclude within the next five months, according to U.S. Atty. Andre Birotte Jr., who is overseeing the probe. LAT
Another woman has come forward with accusations that San Diego Mayor Bob Filner made unwanted advances -- this time at a church fundraiser in La Jolla to heighten awareness about refugees from Africa. U-T San Diego
A BART strike in San Francisco was called off for a week after Gov. Jerry Brown told the unions to go back to work. SF Chronicle
Los Angeles investment executive and key Democrat John Emerson was confirmed as President Obama's ambassador to Germany. He raised money for Obama, but he also was a deputy in the Clinton White House (as well as a former member of the City Attorney's office in LA.)
Labor groups are targeting Westfield malls in a new campaign to highlight business property tax breaks tied to Proposition 13. LAT
Monterey Park's sign ordinance to require some English recalls the '80s controversies over Chinese in the San Gabriel Valley. LAT
Mayor Eric Garcetti named Matt Petersen the city's first-ever chief sustainability officer, assigned to oversee the city's environmental practices. DN
Councilman Joe Buscaino says his Facebook account was hacked:
Dear Everybody. Happy Weekend!! Some of you may have seen a post earlier from my profile that actor 成龍 Jackie Chan has died. This is an internet hoax/joke that has been going around for months. Its not true. Mr. Chan is alive and well and I look forward to his next movie. My Facebook account was hacked. Not a biggie. The cure for a hacked account is to simply change your password. Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend and #LongLiveJackieChan
Also: Buscaino spends the night at Nickerson Gardens. YouTube
Sebastian Ridley-Thomas is running for state Assembly, and the San Fernando High School connection in local politics. Rick Orlov's Tipoff/DN
Don't panic about West Nile Virus, but don't shrug it off either. DN
CBS and Time Warner aren't talking to each other in their dispute which led to a blackout of CBS-owned channels on cable systems in Los Angeles, New York and across the country. NYT
Glasgow-born Peter Capaldi, who is 55, was announced Sunday as the 12th actor to play the Doctor in the hit BBC series "Doctor Who." BBC
The last temptation of Tina Brown, and Newsweek's sale. NYT, Romenesko
Tonight on HBO, "Casting By" is a documentary on those who cast TV and movies. LAT
KCETLink announced that Richard (Dick) Cook was elected chairman of the station's board of directors. He had been vice chair. Cook was previously chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. Via release
Steve Wasserman remembers his friendship with Gore Vidal. Truthdig
"42" filmed extensively in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee after the filmmakers collected millions in subsidies from those states' taxpayers. Then the producers of this all-American story co-financed by American taxpayers recorded its soundtrack in London. LAT/Hiltzik
Add to last week's working list of mainstream US journalists now at Al Jazeera America: Michael Eaves, formerly the host of "Clippers Live" and "Angels Live" for Fox Sports West and sideline reporter on Lakers and Dodgers broadcasts.
Callie Schweitzer, a USC Annenberg graduate who has been director of marketing and communications for Vox Media, and formerly deputy publisher of Talking Points Memo, becomes the director of digital innovation at Time. Fishbowl NY
Slated is a free, members-only service that allows Hollywood directors, producers, actors, sales agents and investors to communicate about possible projects. "Members — there are 4,000 — describe their moviemaking or investing backgrounds, specify what types of movies they are interested in and indicate how much they are willing to invest. Filmmakers can also put up trailers for movies they want to finance, and everyone can send messages to one another privately." NYT
Author Amy Wilentz ponders whether to clean out some books and take them to downtown's Last Bookstore. It's a tough call. NYT Sunday Book Review
The "chilling history" of how Hollywood helped Hitler. Hollywood Reporter
Bloomberg News posted a job opening for "a talented, fearless reporter in its Los Angeles office to cover Hollywood film studios and the ever-changing business of entertainment." Bloomberg News
A look back at the legendary comedy duo Bob and Ray. LA Weekly
Comedy writer and blogger Ken Levine makes fun of collected Huffington Post headlines. Blog
The Justice League of Photographers versus Hollywood Boulevard. BeFrank
The Los Angeles Times editorial board urged Sheriff Lee Baca not to run for reelection: "What possible argument is there for a fifth term for Baca?" LAT editorial
Federal law enforcement is suspected behind the placement of malware on the Tor anonymity network. Wired
Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance and Ozomatli headlined a Grand Performances concert in Grand Park keyed to the Josh Kun book of Los Angeles Public Library sheet music, "Songs in the Key of L.A." LAT, LAist
Stevie Wright, lead singer of the 1960s band the Easybeats, is in failing health at home in Australia. Noise11.com
The Dodgers swept the Cubs in Chicago and now have won 14 straight road games, but their top hitter, Hanley Ramirez, injured his shoulder and will have an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury. MLB.com
Tonight's Mansion movie is Hugh Jackman in "The Wolverine."
— Hugh Hefner (@hughhefner) August 5, 2013
