October 2009 Archives

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News Editorial Page Editor Mariel Garza, who says those in the top three--as recommended by the Police Commission--are terrific choices. They include Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, and Deputy Chiefs Charlie Beck and Michel Moore.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce his choice tomorrow. It then goes to the City Council for final approval. The next chief replaces William Bratton, whose last day on the job was yesterday.
Bratton is taking a job with the private sector.

Ken Jeffries talks with veteran Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov, who's conducted a wide-ranging exclusive interview with LAPD Chief William Bratton. The outgoing chief leaves the department today after seven years..to take a job in the private sector.

Also, Ken looks at the activities at Pierce College's Halloween Harvest Festival in Woodland Hills..and speaks with KNX Newsradio morning anchor and earthquake expert Jack Popejoy about the things you should check on around the house as we set our clocks back an hour before we go to bed tonight. (Jack says it's a good time to check the batteries in smoke detectors and the freshness of earthquake supplies).

Two men--shot yesterday morning at a parking garage underneath Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic Synagogue--were hospitalized in good condition.
A teen has been questioned--and released.
The shooting brings to mind the 1999 attack on the North Valley Jewish Community Center...a survivor recounts that day.

And, Washington may claim the recession is nearly over..but Ken finds out that many attending a veteran's job fair in Woodland Hills WON'T believe it....until at least THEY find work.

The LAPD has released a 17 year old boy detained after two men were wounded this morning during a shooting at a North Hollywood Synagogue. Police say they still consider him a suspect, but don't have anough evidence to hold him. A Deputy Chief says there's no evidence that the attack was a hate crime, but it remains under investigation.

Ken Jeffries talks with the president of FILM LA...who reacts to news that the Walt Disney Company plans to add a new soundstage and production complex to its Golden Oak Ranch in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Also, new numbers show a DECREASE in the homeless population of LA....and problems with English-language learning programs in the LA Unified School District. LAPD Chief William Bratton holds perhaps his final press conference before leaving on Halloween...without tipping his hand on which of three LAPD 'insiders'--picked by the Police Commission--should replace him. And, Daily News reporter Bob Strauss says 'This Is It'...the Michael Jackson concert rehersal film made just hours before the entertainer's death...is well-worth seeing.

Ken Jeffries says the "Interim Chief" tag goes to Deputy Chief Michael Downing--who did NOT apply for the top job.
The trio that ARE in the running for the top spot include Deputy Chief, Chief of Detectives Charles Beck, First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and Deputy Chief of the San Fernando Valley Bureau Michel Moore.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says his choice to succeed William Bratton, who leaves the department on Halloween, will be the most important decision of the remainder of his (Villaraigosa's) term. He indicates he'll make that decision over the weekend, before taking it to the City Council for final approval.

Also, the LA County Department of Public Health says it has--for the time being--only a limited number of H1N1 flu vaccine dosages available...and is asking the able-bodied NOT to go to county clincs for their free shots--just yet.

Ken Jeffries talks with veteran Daily News reporter Rick Orlov who says the Police Commission makes its annoucement today on the three finalists whittled down from a list of 13. The list goes to the Mayor, who then makes his annoucement of his choice. Odds have increased that an LAPD "insider" will take the place of outgoing Chief William Bratton.

Ken also gets reaction from the head of the California Film Commission after word comes that 36 productions will be filmed in the Golden State in the next few weeks, thanks to California's recently-launched film and t-v tax incentives. Also, we get a look at the goings-on at "LA Live" where the Michael Jackson concert rehersal film 'This is It' premieres today. And, Pierce College in Woodland Hills holds its Halloween Harvest Festival with a giant corn maze, Haunted House--and pumpkin-carving exhibition.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov, who says City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's proposed ordinance is continuing to be reviewed by city officials who wonder why it's taken so long for such regulations to be put in place.

Orlov says that in the 13 years that California voters legalized medical marijuana, the city has been engaged in a long-running dispute over what to do with the estimated 800 clinics and whether to deal with them as a planning issue or as a public safety manner.

Ken also offers a short tribute to a dear friend who died this week back east.
The podcast will resume early next week when Ken returns from the memorial service.

Ken Jeffries talks with DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo who says despite some high-profile recent water main breaks, including one on Mullholland this week that disrupted traffic from the Valley to West LA, the numbers are actually about AVERAGE for this time of year.

Meantime, Ramallo indicates that he's happy that a city council panel has signed off on more than two and a half billion dollars in bonds to replace the city's aging pipe system and on promised upgrades to the power system. Also, a medical marijuana supporter voices her frustration with the council...as City Attorney Carmen Trutanich drafts an ordinance to regulate LA's medicinal marijuana clinics. The law takes on greater urgency following a court decision invalidating the city's moratorium on the dispensaries.

Ken Jeffries looks at two new rulings on medical marijuana dispensaries, and talks with a medicinal pot supporter and with Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov on how they affect the City of Angels. An LA judge has ruled that a city ban on such businesses was vague and illegally extended by the City Council. Also, the Obama Administration has announced that federal agents will not prosecute patients or suppliers.

Ken also talks with Orlov about the city's creation of a revemped anti-poverty program...and he also talks with Mark Loranger, the CEO of Chrysalis, a nonprofit which finds jobs for the homeless, recovering addicts, ex-cons and the simply desperate.

Ken Jeffries talks with veteran Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov, who says the search for a sucessor to Police Chief William Bratton begins in earnest this week--with the L-A Police Commission conducting interviews for those making the first cut from the city's Personnel Department.

Rick also discusses a unique problem with the consolidation of various city agencies...there are now more commissioners than there are staff.

And, he also looks at new challenges facing the interim chief of the D-W-P...and the possible statewide political future of a city councilwoman.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News business writer Greg Wilcox about the plans of several San Fernando Valley businesspeople as they try to start a bank designed to help small businesses — and are doing so in spite of the economic downturn.

Also, Daily News entertainment writer Rob Lowman gives a "thumbs up" to the new Cirque du Soleil show at the Santa Monica Pier. He adds, however that tickets are rather pricey.

Staples Center in downtown L.A. is 10 years old today, and Ken Jeffries takes a walk down memory lane and looks at the venue's high points, from concerts and Laker championships to special events.

Also, Ken talks with Auto Club spokeswoman Elaine Beno about a special event today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Santa Clarita for teenage drivers ... and he chats with Daily News tech columnist Steven Rosenberg on how this podcast is put together.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News sportswriter Ramona Shelburne for some insight on Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie, also the club's CEO, who announced their separation and what it means for the club's future. All this as the boys in blue begin the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Also, millions of Californians were expected to take part in yesterday's largest earthquake drill ever, Gov. Schwarzenegger signs a bill limiting the sales of ammunition and addresses -- briefly -- his wife's violation of the cell-phone law.

And the L.A. Fire Department holds its fifth annual "Grateful Hearts" fundraiser in Woodland Hills, designed to raise money for San Fernando Valley fire stations.

Ken Jeffries hits the streets of Woodland Hills to get YOUR view on the cell-phone ban violated by Maria Shriver ... and whether YOU abide by it. The law -- enacted in July of '08 -- bans cell-phone use while driving unless the driver uses a hands-free device. The CHP has seen an 80 percent jump in citations between July of '08 and this past July.

Ken also looks at the reported $30 million settlement reached between Metrolink and most of those victimized by a 2005 Glendale derailment that killed 11 people.

And, its the Dodgers vs. the Phillies tonight in Game One of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium. Ken talks with Daily News reporter Kevin Modesti who says many Dodger fans are optimistic about their favorite team's chances -- and it's an optimism that comes from living in L.A.

Ken Jeffries talks with LA City Fire Department Spokesman Eric Scott about storm preparedness....where to pick up sandbags and how to fill them to ward off mudslides...and the proper procedure for evacuation.

LA County health officials say swine flu outbreaks have been reported in 34 schools and one nursing home in the county during the past week. The announcement comes from Public Health Director Dr. Jonathan Fielding...who also says free inoculations will be available at public clinics October 23rd.

City officials have reached a tentative contract agreement with the LAPD officer's union..which is expected to defer overtime payments and save the city up to 100-million dollars.

And today is legendary former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden's 99th birthday

Ken Jeffries asks people in Woodland Hills if they're prepared for today's big storm. And the Auto Club says it's time to check your windshield wipers and tires. And slow down on slippery road surfaces.

Ken also chats with United Way of Greater Los Angeles spokeswoman Christine Marge who points to a new report that says it would be much cheaper to provide public housing for L.A.'s vast homeless population that it would be to leave them on the street where they're more likely to be injured or arrested.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov, who says Mayor Villaraigosa is telling the neighborhood councils that this time the city is serious about budget-cutting. Also: the final days of the LAPD's Parker Center and police Chief Bratton.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News staff writer Bob Strauss about the 13th annual Los Angeles Latino Film Festival where Spanish director Pedro Almodovar will be presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Ken Jeffries talks with Glendale Harley-Davidson dealership owner Oliver Shokouh about the cancellation of this year's Love Ride motorcycle fundraiser due the poor econony. Also, L.A. County health officer Dr. Jonathan Fielding talks about the H1N1 vaccine and Daily News staff writer Kevin Modesti discusses how fire season and ski season are seemingly coming together in the local mountains.

Ken Jeffries talks with Profiles in History's Joseph Maddalena about that famous glove and more Michael Jackson memorabilia up for auction in Calabasas. Also, the City Council votes for a plan to keep film and TV production in L.A., and you can find "Leave It to Beaver's" Eddie Haskell at the VFW in Sunland.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News sports columnist Tom Hoffarth about the Dodgers' and Angels' chances in the playoffs, and with City Hall reporter Rick Orlov on the latest with outgoing DWP chief David Nahai's controversial compensation.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News City Hall reporter Rick Orlov about a potential consulting windfall for recently resigned DWP chief David Nahai.

Ken Jeffries talks with Daily News reporter Bob Strauss about L.A. Councilman Richard Alarcon's multi-pronged effort to keep so-called "runaway" film and TV production from leaving the city.