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Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency today after weeks of intensifying pressure on him to take action. Bee, AP, LAT
Former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado announced Thursday that he was dropping out of the governor's race, leaving Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of Twin Peaks as the sole declared GOP candidate, at least for now. LAT, Bee
State authorities have yet to receive $15 million in penalties they imposed on campaign groups after a headline-making investigation into secret political donations. LAT
Congress OKs measure to cut helicopter noise in L.A. County. LAT
Politicians are putting pressure on Metro to keep looking at tunneling a light-rail line right into LAX terminals. LAT, Breeze
A new Los Angeles County audit has revealed that the Sheriff’s Department did not meet even the most basic—and required—accounting practices in its management of numerous special funds, which have accumulated $160 million with no written plans on how the money should be spent. ZevWeb
The Executive Director and members of the Los Angeles Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence will endorse Jim McDonnell for sheriff. Via release
Jim Hellmold, a 25-year department veteran who rose from Sheriff Lee Baca's driver to assistant sheriff, has joined the race for sheriff. LAT, KPCC
Marianne Williamson Aims to Defeat Henry Waxman and Save Washington's Soul. LA Weekly
Northridge quake anniversary coverage: KPCC, LA Times, Daily News
Gustavo Arellano: Why is New OC Register Editor Rob Curley Already So Loathed in the Newsroom? OC Weekly
Don Corsini, president and general manager of KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles, will now add oversight of KSWB, Tribune Broadcasting's San Diego station, to his responsibilities effective immediately. Via memo
CNN said it would expand duties for two of its early-morning hosts, John Berman and Michaela Pereira, as part of a rejiggering of its daytime lineup. Variety
An Interview With Tom Lutz Of Los Angeles Review Of Books. Los Angeles I'm Yours
Farhad Manjoo explains why he left the Wall Street Journal after just a few months to take his dream tech job at the New York Times. Linked In, Re/code
State Sen. Roderick D. Wright took the stand Thursday afternoon in his perjury and voter fraud trial. LAT
LA County Probation released some new figures showing that the number of its employees who have been arrested in the past year is far lower than those arrested in 2011 or 2012...
"This is heartening news." Witness LA
Steve Soboroff’s New Beat: Improving the LAPD’s Image. Los Angeles Magazine
More than a year after campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee was ordered to repay $10.5 million she embezzled from the accounts of dozens of politicians, including U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, federal officials say they have only been able to recover $94,468.60 from liquidation of her assets to go to restitution. LAT
Inglewood's renovated Forum is mostly fabulous for music, says Randy Lewis. Pop and Hiss
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens has acquired an extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts by Evelyn Waugh. The collection establishes The Huntington as one of the premier centers of Waugh studies in the world. Via release
Actress Justine Bateman is now a sophomore at UCLA. UCLA Today
The City Council has named 12 buildings at USC as city historic-cultural monuments. Daily Trojan
Photographer captures beauty alongside the grit in San Pedro. KCRW
Berlin Wall is across Wilshire from Claremont art. Daily Bulletin
Ruth Robinson Duccini, one of the last two members of the troupe of diminutive actors who played Munchkins in the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz," died Thursday after a brief illness at a hospice in Las Vegas, said her son, Fred Duccini. She was 95. LAT, LAO previous
Homeowner abandoned his truck during evacuation. Home and truck gutted by flames. @KNX1070 #ColbyFire pic.twitter.com/qSm64FUgDZ
— Claudia Peschiutta (@ReporterClaudia) January 16, 2014Thoughts w/ #ColbyFire victims + responders. Pic: SuperScooper gets needed H2O @ SFD Rec Area: http://t.co/71rrrFmbjX pic.twitter.com/ihnMYU6fWh
— Parks and Recreation (@lacountyparks) January 16, 2014#Colbyfire 'selfie' by @rgaut999: Maurice Garibet video chats with a relative as he tries to douse a spot fire. pic.twitter.com/ADsVBjn6kL
— amanda covarrubias (@amcovarrubias) January 16, 2014
Very cool RT @HistoryInPics: The recording of the MGM Lion, 1929 pic.twitter.com/qtkuaX4thB
— Jon Ward (@jonward11) January 17, 2014