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Curated news, notes and observations most weekdays from LA Observed.
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg said Tuesday "it is clear" that Sen. Kevin de León will be the next leader of the state Senate. Bee, AP
A north-south battle has emerged over leadership of the California Legislature. LAT
County supervisors gave their blessing Tuesday to a reimagined design for a proposed mix of high-end apartments, businesses and public space across Grand Avenue from Walt Disney Concert Hall. LAT, Curbed LA
Minutes after voting against a motion to place an interim board member in the vacant seat on the LA Unified school board, board member Bennett Kayser changed his mind, allowing the process to go forward. LA School Report
Addressing about 100 Los Angeles arts leaders Tuesday at City Hall, Mayor Eric Garcetti promised a more cohesive arts policy in which a variety of city departments will be attuned to fostering cultural opportunities for Angelenos while his administration banners L.A. to the world as the city “where creativity lives.” LAT
Barry Sanders says that Los Angeles is going from park poor to park rich, one park at a time. LAT Op-ed
Roger Salazar, a former spokesman for President Bill Clinton and Gov. Gray Davis, is leaving Mercury Public Affairs to open his own firm, Alza Strategies. Plus two Sacto. hires by Mercury. Capitol Alert
Los Angeles International Airport executive director Gina Marie Lindsey says airlines have little interest in two projects favored by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti - an intermodal transportation center and an automated people mover. LA Airspace
Freshman Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, a Democrat, is keeping her options open about seeking a San Bernardino County supervisor seat back home, according to multiple Democratic sources. Roll Call
Some Venice activists have ended their years-long legal battle to restrict overnight parking in the community. LAT
SoCal bestsellers this week are familiar: "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt and "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell are the hardcovers. Bookweb
Jim Rutenberg has been named chief political correspondentfor The New York Times Magazine, filling the spot created when Matt Bai jumped to Yahoo News in November. Capital NY
Tammy Bruce will be a featured columnist for the Washington Times. Fishbowl DC
Because I love the thrill of driving with no traffic, I'll be back hosting Today in LA tomorrow at 5am. Join us. Want to hear your thoughts.
— Fred Roggin (@FredNBCLA) January 15, 2014
A Torrance police officer who shot at a pick-up during the search last year for ex-LAPD Officer Christopher Dorner will not face criminal charges. KPCC
Patt Morrison offers "four less-than-obvious theories for L.A.'s record drop in crime." LAT Opinion
In what’s being called the first partnership of its kind, U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones will spend the rest of 2014 advising Los Angeles on seismic issues, officials said Tuesday. DN, KPCC, LAT, Curbed LA
There was a 4.4 earthquake at 1:35 this morning centered near Fontana. SCEC
Offering another stark example of runaway production in Los Angeles, a new Film LA report says that feature filming in the area has plummeted by 50 percent from its peak in 1996, while television drama production is down 39 percent from its 2008 peak. DN, KPCC
Preliminary findings released Tuesday from a study in the Santa Monica Mountains show that air pollution may be increasing fire danger in the mountain range. KPCC, LA Weekly
Exploring the century-old Union Square Theater in University Park that is the new home of the Velaslavasay Panorama. Curbed LA
Redfin says Eagle Rock will be the second "hottest neighborhood of 2014" nationally based on "the places that are trending among the millions of homebuyers searching on Redfin.com leading into the new year." Redfin, LA Weekly, Curbed LA
The non-profit Turtle Conservancy is branding the shells of rare ploughshare tortoises in order to save them from poachers. LAT
20 SoCal museums will have free admission on January 25. LAist
A two banger today.
Prediction for the coming week: the media will dwell on LA's faults, even more than usual.
— Nathan Masters (@nathanmasters) January 13, 2014One day I will rock this outfit on the Tarmac & on that day I will have realized all my goals & dreams #Hustle pic.twitter.com/JsbqD38ybd
— Maeve Reston (@MaeveReston) January 13, 2014