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Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
Gov. Jerry Brown's budget this week will propose billions of dollars in new spending on schools, healthcare, social services and environmental programs as California reaps the benefits of an economic turnaround. LAT, Bee, Reuters, EdSource
City Controller Ron Galperin said he was issuing subpoenas to compel Brian D'Arcy, leader of the DWP's largest employee union, to show what happened to $40 million from the DWP that went to nonprofits D'Arcy co-manages — the Joint Training Institute and the Joint Safety Institute. LAT, DN, KPCC
Transparency for a better L.A.? Let's start with D'Arcy and the DWP. LAT Op-ed
Mayor Eric Garcetti will be at the White House today for President Obama’s announcement that Los Angeles has been selected as one of five Promise Zone cities. LA is expected to get tens of million of federal dollars for projetcs in East Hollywood, Pico-Union/Westlake, Thai Town, Little Armenia and Koreatown. DN, Curbed, LAT
In a major overhaul of the city’s animal-services commission, Mayor Garcetti has removed three commissioners and appointed three new ones. DN
The Metro Blue Line, Los Angeles County’s oldest light rail line and one of the busiest in the United States, is undergoing a $1.2-billion overhaul that will replace power stations, overhead power lines, tracks and rail cars and make improvements to station platforms. The Source, LAT
The Los Angeles teachers union was notably absent in the debate this week over replacing Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, reflecting a difficult situation for United Teachers Los Angeles. LAT
Former Santa Monica Mayor Bobby Shriver has filed papers that allow him to begin raising money to run for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. LAT
From the LA Times Sacramento bureau:
California Catholic Bishops "ask people of all faiths to pray for rain."
— Anthony York (@AnthonyYorkLAT) January 7, 2014
Gabriel Snyder is leaving as editor-in-chief of The Wire to take a position at a "VC-backed mobile start-up." Andrew Golis has been named general manager of The Wire. Capital NY
Columnist Jack Shafer urges Rep. Henry Waxman to "buzz off" with his letters to Tribune about the future of the LA Times. Reuters
Paul Mason is resigning as Chief Strategy Officer of KCETLink to pursue opportunities closer to his home in New York, per an internal email at the station.
"Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle," the documentary produced by Phillip Rodriguez, has an April 29 air date on PBS. LAT
Celeste Fremon recommends several of the editorials posted about Sheriff Lee Baca's exit. Witness LA (end of column)
L.A. needs a better way to pick and keep tabs on its sheriff. LAT Op-ed
Looking ahead at the race for sheriff. LAT
As Baca withdraws, his possible successors line up. KPCC
Sheriff candidate Bob Olmsted asked the media in an open letter to host several debates in the upcoming campaign.
David Gershwin writes in praise of serving on jury duty in the Stanley Most courthouse downtown. Zocalo
South Korean tycoon, the chairman of Hanjin, has high hopes for his Wilshire Grand hotel project. LAT
Mountain lions in Santa Monica Mountains need more room, experts say. LAT
The downtown City Club is once again trying to attract younger members. LAT
More renovations and upgrades coming to Dodger Stadium before this season. Dodger Insider
Here's the scene I'm shooting today, minus spoilers. #Scandal pic.twitter.com/6N2BsvEz8X
— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) January 7, 2014