News and notes for July 1

News, notes and observations from LA Observed and selected media sources. Sometimes daily, often in the morning.

Count of the final county's ballots in the state controller race gives Betty Yee a 484-vote lead over ex-Speaker John Perez. Her team says the race is over and that she is in the November runoff against Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin. Perez's team says not so fast.
Mercury, Bee

When Jarl Mohn takes the helm as NPR’s chief executive today, he will call on lessons learned from public radio in Los Angeles to address what he says is one of NPR’s most pressing priorities: increasing its reach into communities of color. KPCC's "Take Two" and more diverse newsroom hiring is cited. NYT

A July 7 trial into whether Shelly Sterling had the right to sell the Clippers will not focus on her husband's mental capacity, but instead will review if she acted properly under the terms of a family trust and if Donald Sterling could legally kill the deal after it appeared set. LAT

Bobby Shriver will run his runoff campaign on donations and not largely self-finance as he did in the primary. There are some repercussions of this, plus some news of independent expenditures on his behalf. LAT

High-speed rail officials said they want to start a segment between Burbank and Palmdale in the next several years, a strategic shift into LA County to help secure new funding for California's bullet train project. LAT

Mayor Garcetti pledged to appoint a "chief resilience officer" who would search for ways to improve the city's ability to recover from man-made or natural disasters such as earthquakes. LAT

City controller Ron Galperin describes his push for more transparency at City Hall. The Planning Report

D.J. Waldie offers a primer in Los Angeles political geography: "What are we talking about when we describe places as incorporated, unincorporated, 'contract city,' or 'county territory?' KCET

The Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Drakes Bay Oyster Company, the Marin County oyster farm that is facing closure of its operation in the Point Reyes National Seashore. AP

Ford's Filling Station is closing in Culver City after eight years. Chef Ben Ford will focus on a place at the JW Marriott at LA Live and a location at LAX. Daily Dish

Also in Culver City, Villa Italian is closing around July 13 after 65 years. Via email

Culture reporter Cara Buckley will be the New York Times' new Carpetbagger blogger, covering Hollywood awards season. Fishbowl NY

The Huffington Post Washington bureau features a fully stocked kitchen, beers on tap, a meditation room, a nap room and a yoga studio. Fishbowl DC

The Fire Family Foundation has established a fund for Arcadia firefighter and paramedic Mike Herdman, who was found dead after a search in the Los Padres National Forest. He leaves a wife and six-year-old daughter. FFF

At Sunday night's LA Press Club awards, TV personality Lisa Ling introduced Maria Shriver by saying she should run for governor. The Hollywood Reporter did a story on it, somewhat improbably, and then Ling and Shriver took it to Twitter.

You're in trouble @lisaling. Thanks again for coming last night. xo @THR

— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) June 30, 2014

Congrats to @FrGregBoyle for being honored for your work at @HomeboyInd today at the White House! pic.twitter.com/2ZqaBDydJO

— CSG Justice Center (@CSGJC) July 1, 2014