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News, notes and observations from LA Observed and selected media sources. Sometimes daily, often in the morning.
Aaron Kushner insists his OC/LA Register experiment is a "simple business strategy" not an experiment: "We believe in quality, we are focused on delivering great quality to our subscribers and our advertisers. It's not a print or digital strategy, it's a quality strategy." He also says growth is happening just slower than hoped. The Wrap
New audio tapes show Donald Sterling called and harangued two psychiatrists who had deemed him mentally incompetent. But Shelly Sterling still lost her bid for a court order against intimidation of witnesses by her husband. LAT, DN
Mayor Garcetti appointed Danielle Brazell, the head of Arts for LA, to become the new general manager of the city's cultural affairs department. KPCC
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday struck down a 31-year-old Los Angeles law that bars people from living in parked vehicles, saying the vaguely written statute discriminates against homeless and poor people. The court, ruling on a Venice case, said the law was unconstitutional because its ambiguous wording does not make clear what behavior would constitute a violation and “criminalizes innocent behavior.” AP
LAPD officials are investigating allegations that veteran detective Frank Lyga made racially charged comments about shooting black men and disparaged several superiors with vulgar insults during a training lecture given to other officers. In 1997, Lyga shot and killed Kevin Gaines, a black off-duty LAPD officer. LAT
South LA serial killer Chester Turner was found guilty of four more murders, for a total of 14. AP
Two San Fernando Valley houses at heart of Alarcons’ trial. DN
The population of California’s iconic tricolored blackbird has suffered a dramatic decline in the past six years, according to a new survey coordinated by the University of California, Davis. "More than 90 percent of the entire population of tricolored blackbirds are found within California’s borders, yet a bird that was once common is now a rare sight,” said an Audubon California project manager. UC Davis
A mountain lion was spotted roaming in the Brace Park area in Burbank late Wednesday and early Thursday. Burbank Leader
On the 40th anniversary of the film "Chinatown" opening, it's still true that in Los Angeles "you have to follow the water." LAT op-ed
Songwriter Gerry Goffin, the lyricist for (and for awhile the husband of) Carole King died at home in Los Angeles. He was 75. One of their biggest hits was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," made popular by The Shirelles. King and Goffin wrote more than 50 top-40 hits and became one of the most successful songwriting duos in and around NYC's Brill Building. LAT
Talk about doubling down. "@LAcrimes: Suspect allegedly tags San Diego courtroom during his graffiti hearing http://t.co/t1V278l0V0”
— Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) June 19, 2014Photos of L.A.'s Most Famous Streets When They Were Dirt Roads http://t.co/KzAXWIBNY5
— Metro Library (@MetroLibrary) June 19, 2014My favorite thing about the Donald Sterling voicemail is that at the end, he reminds them it's Donald Sterling http://t.co/z6MJrDWO32
— Emily Alpert Reyes (@LATimesemily) June 19, 2014Has history ever recorded an instance of someone looking good on a Segway?
— Saul Gonzalez (@SaulKCRW) June 19, 2014Well done South Bay!! The support from all the beach towns was incredible #GoKingsGo #LAKings @jarretstoll @mb90266 pic.twitter.com/r95qvU17Mo
— Alex Curry (@Alex_Curry) June 19, 2014