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Selected items of news and notes from the media, our in box and other LA Observed sources. Posted some days, often in the morning.
HBO announced it will offer stand-alone streaming directly to Internet customers next year, a major break away from cable TV premium service. LAT, AP
Big New York Times story: The Secret Casualties of Iraq’s Abandoned Chemical Weapons.
"The Pentagon kept silent as munitions left over from Saddam Hussein’s war with Iran found new targets from 2004 to 2011: American and Iraqi troops." NYT
KCRW’s Warren Olney hosts an in-studio debate between District 3 county supervisor candidates Bobby Shriver and Sheila Kuehl, tonight at 7 p.m. as a special edition of "Which Way, LA?"
Aaron Kushner, "by age 40, may be setting a land-speed record for entry, meteoric rise, embarrassing fall and exit from the newspaper industry," says Ken Doctor in a piece about the latest OC Register move. "The best bet: The investors, led by Silver Point, believe that moving Kushner to the back of the bus (if not under it) is a last chance to save their investment." Nieman Lab
Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered new water use cutbacks by City Hall and asked for 20% voluntary cutbacks by residents and businesses that could become mandatory. “Current measures are simply not enough. The ongoing drought has created a water crisis.” DN, LAT, KPCC
The Police Commission discussed the issue of so-called ghost patrol cars, in which LAPD officers are allegedly clocked in on street patrol (for numbers purposes) while actually working back at the station. LAT, LAT editorial, KPCC
The City Council voted to give AEG six more months to secure an NFL team for downtown. DN, LAT
Former City Councilman Nick Pacheco is now running an independent expenditure committee for Jose Huizar, his once bitter rival. Downtown News
Kevin DeLeon is staging a swearing-in as state Senate president pro tem today at Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown. AP, LAT
Neel Kashkari's latest ad for his governor campaign opens with disturbing images of a child drowning in a pool. Kashkari yanks the child out, and then — as the traumatized kid sits with a towel wrapped around him — delivers a campaign pitch. LA Weekly
ESPN's Bill Simmons returns from suspension amid intrigue about what happens next with his brand and the sports network. NYT
New York Times investigative reporter James Risen, facing the possibility of prison for refusing to reveal his source in a story in which Risen uncovered a botched secret CIA operation, was on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Listen
KPCC has strengthened its signal in the Palm Springs desert communities, using 93.3 FM and 90.3 FM. KPCC
If you are a subscriber to the LA Times or other newspapers, beware of scam bills arriving in the mail. They are bogus. LAT, KPCC
Wonkette editrix Rebecca Schoenkopf announced that she has found love, moved to Montana with a man and become pregnant, but continues to run the site. Wonkette
Orange Coast Magazine is advertising for a managing editor. Apply at the Emmis website.
Pretty much everything you need to know about ignoring LA's red-light camera tickets. LA Weekly
The number of available apartments in LA is falling dramatically. Curbed
Another bad move to name a transit station for a politician. In this case living, current politicians. Downtown News editorial
Guy Weddington McCreary, a San Fernando Valley business leader and historian, died at age 77 after a battle with cancer.
