Villaraigosa Wins 2nd Term as LA Mayor

California dumps responsibility onto county, city

(NEWSER) - The good news for California is that its state prison system has a lot fewer prisoners and parolees to deal with. The bad news, according to the mayor and police chief of Los Angeles, is that crime on the streets is going to rise. The state last weekend shifted responsibility for thousands of parolees and inmates onto local jurisdictions, in part to cut costs and in part to comply with a Supreme Court order to improve prison overcrowding, reports the Wall Street Journal . More»

Teachers union says plan will lead to 'chaos in education system'

(NEWSER) - The mayor of Los Angeles wants to allow outside groups to place bids for control of hundreds of the city’s schools, the LA Times reports. Antonia Villaraigosa’s education reforms would allow bidding by charter-school organizations and other education nonprofits to run 50 schools scheduled to open over the next four years. Controversially, the mayor also wants to extend such groups the opportunity to take over hundreds of existing schools ranked “failing” under federal criteria. More»

(NEWSER) - The mayor of Los Angeles wants the city to follow Chicago’s lead and privatize parking meters and garages to stem the city's budget crisis, the LA Times reports. Antonio Villaraigosa says LA can pull in at least $80 million by leasing meters and six city garages to private companies. Critics, noting a backlash in Chicago after rates were quickly jacked up, aren't pleased. “This is fool’s gold,” one councilman said. “What a stupid idea.” More»

Cars half empty on first workday after crash; LA mayor among passengers

(NEWSER) - Los Angeles' mayor joined commuters on half-empty trains today, saying they were still "the safest option for commuters” despite the Friday crash that killed 25. Stations were visibly quieter as Metrolink workers assured passengers the trains were safer than freeways, the Times reports. While many stayed home, one rider says, "I needed to connect with my train people to make sure they were OK." More»

'Conflicted' newscaster covered his divorce

(NEWSER) - A Telemundo reporter who covered the Los Angeles political beat while having an affair with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been suspended for two months without pay. Mirthala Salinas' involvement with the then-married mayor was an open secret at the station when she broadcast the breakup of his 20-year marriage. Media watchdogs are calling for her termination. More»