Law Enforcement

FBI-LAPD anti-gang task force closes 11 more murder investigations
The joint FBI-LAPD operation that is trying to cut the backlog of unsolved gang-related killings in South Los Angeles totals 43 homicide arrests in nearly three months, with 11 of those cases closed in the last day, officials said Thursday. Officials with operation Save Our Streets said the Los Angeles County district attorney's office has filed 11 new murder charges -- and authorities have made 175 related arrests -- in connection with the intensive effort to cut down on gang crime. The operation, which began July 1 and ends Sept. 30, is in its second year.
Los Angeles Times

Suspect barricades himself inside Northridge home for hours
A suspect barricaded himself inside a home in Northridge on Thursday. The incident began early in the morning when authorities served a warrant at a house on the 17800 block of Raymer Street. The suspect -- a parolee who police say violated his parole -- refused to come out prompting police to call in the LAPD SWAT unit. No shots were fired, but at one point during the day, LAPD fired tear-gas canisters into the residence. A reverse 911 call was sent out to neighbors advising people to stay inside or stay away from the scene. Police say the suspect is wanted for making terrorist threats and for assault with a deadly weapon.
KTLA

Dodger Stadium Beating

Bryan Stow 'more responsive than ever,' family says
One week after injured San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow received a shunt to relieve pressure on his brain, his family is reporting that he is progressing and speaking. During a session with his speech therapist Wednesday, Stow said his first and last names -- as well as the names of his children, Tabby and Tyler. When shown pictures of his children, he said, "I would like to see them," the family reported on its website. "We are blown away with all of this," the family said. "Literally one day we got some facial responses and the next, he's talking."
Los Angeles Times

Prisons

Brown: Prisons give state 'healthiest damn criminals in the world'
Gov. Jerry Brown said Wednesday that California's prison system, under pressure from the courts, has focused on turning inmates into "the healthiest damn criminals in the world" but has done little to make them less likely to commit another crime after they leave custody. County sheriffs, probation officers and others at the local level could do a much better job if given the funding and the authority to supervise low-level offenders and try to rehabilitate them, Brown said.
HealthyCal.org

Pelican Bay inmates vow to resume hunger strike
Corrections officials are taking security precautions and gearing up medical staff in response to growing indications that inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison will resume a hunger strike that was suspended July 20. Strike leaders are calling on state inmates to begin refusing state-issued food Monday to protest conditions in controversial Security Housing Units, according to handwritten letters, Internet postings, and communications with lawyers and advocates.
California Watch

City Government

LAFD engine's use in porn video raises alarms
Another city agency has become embroiled in accusations involving an X-rated movie, this time that firefighters allowed one of their engines to be used in a porn film shot at Venice Beach as they watched from a distance. The Fire Department has launched an investigation into the use of Engine 263, which is assigned to Station 63 in Venice, as a prop in an adult video. Fire Chief Brian Cummings said through a spokeswoman that the incident, first reported Wednesday by KNBC (Channel 4), is being investigated and there will be "zero tolerance" for any misdeeds by the firefighters.
Los Angeles Daily News

City Politics

Voters to select Janice Hahn's L.A. City Council successor
Voters in the Harbor area may be feeling a touch of election fatigue. In July, they cast votes in a special congressional election that sent Democrat Janice Hahn to Washington. In early November, they'll be asked to go to the polls again, this time to choose Hahn's successor on the Los Angeles City Council. Already, brightly colored campaign signs dot the district, which includes San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor Gateway and Watts. The flurry of endorsements and campaign mailers is well underway. On Thursday, city election officials certified the list of 11 candidates who qualified for the race.
Los Angeles Times

The Economy

Global markets buckle on fears of new financial meltdown
The strain of deteriorating economic conditions and the failure of governments to contain the damage are raising fears that a new financial market meltdown may be unavoidable. The grim mood was evident worldwide as a cascade of selling in stocks and commodities was triggered by concerns that policymakers lack the firepower and political consensus to revive their faltering economies.
Los Angeles Times