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Another good Times story out of the sheriff's beat: Sheriff Lee Baca maintained a special hiring program that granted preferential treatment to the friends and relatives of department officials, including some candidates who were given jobs despite having troubled histories. LAT
Sheriff's Department admits wrongly hiring problem officers. DN, LAT
Three LAPD officers who shot and killed an unarmed car-chase suspect have been temporarily taken out of the field, Chief Charlie Beck said. KPCC, LAT
The state Department of Toxic Substances Control has issued an emergency order directing Exide Technologies to clean up lead and other metals that have been deposited near its Vernon plant. LAT
Mayor Eric Garcetti has ordered his administration to start posting vast troves of city data on a public website early next year, saying he wanted to “promote transparency and accountability.” LAT, DN
The City Council agreed Wednesday to tighten the rules for who can vote in neighborhood council elections: voters must work, live, own real property or show membership in a community organization. LAT, KPCC
Rep. Loretta Sanchez got into Disneyland for her 2013 holiday card. Roll Call
The barefoot Triqui Indian basketball team, from the mountains of Oaxaca, is in Los Angeles for a couple weeks. True Tales
Chuck Cecil has been doing his "Swingin' Years" radio show since 1956. LAT
"Young Turks," the documentary on the downtown LA art scene of the 1970s and 80s by Stephen Seemayer and Pamela Wilson, has been released by Indie Rights on cable video on demand and digital platforms such as iTunes, XBox, Playstation and Vudu. Info
Deadspin writer John Koblin is moving to the New York Times Style section to write about fashion. Romenesko
The LA Times is moving Home editor Craig Nakano to be an assistant Calendar editor. Via memo
Al Goldstein, the pornographer who created the very successful Screw magazine, died in a Brooklyn nursing home at age 77. NYT
