Politics & Governnment

Swearing In For Beck, L.A.'s 56th Police Chief, is a Family Affair

By Ed Fuentes — Tuesday

BeckSwornIn Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| With his family sitting behind him, Deputy Chief Charlie Beck was unanimously approved by council this morning to be the next police chief for the City of Los Angeles.

Before Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa introduced the nominated LAPD Deputy Chief at this morning's hearing, there was one last piece of closed door business: determining Beck's new salary. Then it was front and center in chambers where –– with the Mayor by his side –– Beck fielded questions from council members, mostly centered on each district's concerns. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: November 16 - 18

By Eric Richardson — Monday

Around the Halls: November 16 - 18

Today is Monday, November 16. Council's back from recess and met by a busy set of agendas that feature the confirmation of a new Police chief and rules to govern medical marijuana dispensaries. Also, an update on the state of Downtown's infrastructure.


Around the Halls: November 9 - 13

By Eric Richardson — November 09, 2009

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Today is Monday, November 9. A City Council committee will hear from LAPD Chief-Nominee Charlie Beck this morning, but a full confirmation is not expected to take place until the 17th, after the Council returns from the National League of Cities’ annual conference in San Antonio, TX.


Filming Nodes Proposed for DWP HQ, City Hall and 650 S. Spring

By Eric Richardson — November 05, 2009
8 Comments

Criminal Minds Shoot

A three-site pilot of "infrastructure nodes" to provide power for filming sites and base camps could be in operation by February of 2010, four years after the idea was first introduced at City Council. In the process, the estimated cost per site has ballooned.


What Makes a Film Location Unfriendly?

By Eric Richardson — November 04, 2009 — 4 Comments

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Two days after the City released a report listing Los Angeles' ten "hardest to film" locations -- six of which are located Downtown -- it is clear that the document has raised more questions than answers.

One thing that did become obvious at a Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Jobs and Business committee is that much of the issue revolves around money. — Continued Inside...


Location Managers Say Six of Ten "Hardest to Film" Spots Downtown

By Eric Richardson — November 02, 2009 — 28 Comments

bomb squad entering bank jim Winstead

Downtown Los Angeles has six of the City's top ten "hardest to film" locations, according to a report released on Monday.

On that list is the Farmers and Merchant Bank at 4th and Main, and owner Tom Gilmore finds that interesting. "I find it odd that we are both one of the most filmed locations in Los Angeles and also the hardest to film location in Los Angeles," said Gilmore. "I find that contradictory." — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: November 2 - 4

By Eric Richardson — November 02, 2009

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Today is Monday, November 2, and the week begins without an obvious blockbuster item. A request to house the Joint Terrorism Task Force inside the new LAPD headquarters moves through committees and Council and the Amerland Group is looking for $20 million in bonds to purchase the Rosslyn Hotel.


Bratton Says His Final LAPD Goodbye

By Ed Fuentes — November 01, 2009

BrattonBye Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| A few days after stepping down as chief, William Bratton returned to the Los Angeles Police Department's new headquarters on Saturday to take care of one last task before waving goodbye.

In a small, informal ceremony, Bratton passed the keys to his briefly-used 10th floor office over to Interim Chief Michael P. Downing.

Bratton, credited with bringing major advances to the department over his seven-year tenure, announced in August that he was leaving for the private sector. His departure came the same week the department dedicated its new home, the 500,000-square-foot Police Administration Building. — Continued Inside...


The Mayor's Love of Big Scissors

By Eric Richardson — October 29, 2009 — 9 Comments

The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson
The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson
The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson

Standing outside the new Center for Community Health on Thursday morning, waiting for a ribbon cutting to take place, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was in a playful mood.

"I like big scissors and I can not lie," Villaraigosa sang in his best Sir Mix-A-Lot voice.

The Mayor's had plenty of chances to exercise that affection around Downtown this week, participating in three ribbon cuttings over the past six days. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: October 26 - 28

By Eric Richardson — October 26, 2009

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Today is Monday, October 26, and while no items on the Council agenda may match Friday's three hour signage debate, there is still important stuff going on. High Speed Rail and the River get a discussion, as does smoking in outdoor eating areas.