latimes--2020-01-23--L.A. Mayor Garcetti foresees progress on homelessness via talks with HUD Secretary Ben Carson

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Thursday that he hopes to reach a preliminary agreement with the Trump administration on a joint plan to help combat the city ’ s swelling homelessness crisis when he meets with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson on Friday .
Garcetti said a final deal was still days or weeks away but expressed optimism that the two sides were making progress toward an agreement to provide federal resources , including land , to augment local efforts to erect more shelter space for people living on the streets .
“ I hope we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti said on the sidelines of the U.S. Conference of Mayors ’ annual meeting in Washington .
Citing the negotiations , Garcetti would not say how much money the Trump administration might contribute .
But he said the federal aid would not match the hundreds of millions of dollars spent at the local level .
Garcetti also said he could not yet publicly say where temporary shelters would be located .
But he added that federal officials had visited sites in L.A. County including property owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have all over , so I think they looked at everything , ” he said .
Garcetti ’ s aides met with Carson ’ s staff this week following months of phone calls and site visits .
A HUD spokesperson confirmed the scheduled meeting between Garcetti and Carson .
In his comments to the mayors ’ conference , Garcetti downplayed hopes of a massive federal aid package to helps cities and states fight homelessness .
“ There ’ s no cavalry coming from Washington , ” he said .
“ But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state capitals and our nation ’ s capital.
” Garcetti faces intense pressure to find housing for the city ’ s burgeoning homeless population .
Despite his aspirations for higher office as a Democrat , he has been eager to court help from the Trump administration as the crisis has worsened .
President Trump , a Republican , threatened for months to take action without consulting the city .
But he has struck a more cooperative tone in recent weeks as it became clear federal officials could do little without local cooperation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with local officials regardless of political party .
In San Francisco , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom said state officials also have met with Trump administration officials in an effort to secure federal resources .
But those talks appear to be lagging behind Los Angeles ’ efforts .
Newsom said he sent a letter to Carson this week in his third attempt to convince the federal government to adjust funding for housing vouchers for the homeless to account for California ’ s high cost of rent .
“ We ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
We ’ ve got 151,000 folks on the streets and sidewalks , more than any other part of the country , ” Newsom said at a news conference Wednesday .
Newsom emphasized the state ’ s current efforts , saying he has authorized $ 650 million in emergency aid and grants to get people off the street .
The governor has proposed spending $ 1.4 billion on homelessness in the new state budget , and has called for allocating $ 750 million to a new California Access to Housing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and develop affordable units to provide more stable housing options .
Newsom said he is seeking more than temporary assistance from the Trump administration .
To alleviate the homelessness crisis , California needs permanent supportive housing , he said .
“ What I don ’ t want to see is a bunch of new trailers out there that become permanent , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re looking for some clarification.
” Times staff writers Dakota Smith in Los Angeles and Philip Willon in San Francisco contributed to this report .

Los Angeles police officers collect shopping carts at a homeless encampment in downtown L.A. during a cleanup of skid row.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Thursday that he hopes to reach a preliminary agreement with the Trump administration on a joint plan to help combat the city’s swelling homelessness crisis when he meets with Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson on Friday.
Garcetti said a final deal was still days or weeks away but expressed optimism that the two sides were making progress toward an agreement to provide federal resources, including land, to augment local efforts to erect more shelter space for people living on the streets.
“I hope we’ll get very close,” Garcetti said on the sidelines of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting in Washington.
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Citing the negotiations, Garcetti would not say how much money the Trump administration might contribute. But he said the federal aid would not match the hundreds of millions of dollars spent at the local level.
Garcetti also said he could not yet publicly say where temporary shelters would be located. But he added that federal officials had visited sites in L.A. County including property owned by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“There’s surplus property that they have all over, so I think they looked at everything,” he said.
Garcetti’s aides met with Carson’s staff this week following months of phone calls and site visits. A HUD spokesperson confirmed the scheduled meeting between Garcetti and Carson.
In his comments to the mayors’ conference, Garcetti downplayed hopes of a massive federal aid package to helps cities and states fight homelessness.
“There’s no cavalry coming from Washington,” he said. “But we will not solve this locally without our state capitals and our nation’s capital.”
Garcetti faces intense pressure to find housing for the city’s burgeoning homeless population. Despite his aspirations for higher office as a Democrat, he has been eager to court help from the Trump administration as the crisis has worsened.
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President Trump, a Republican, threatened for months to take action without consulting the city. But he has struck a more cooperative tone in recent weeks as it became clear federal officials could do little without local cooperation.
HUD Secretary Ben Carson, center, talks with Andy Bales, chief executive of L.A.’s Union Rescue Mission, after touring the facility last year. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Carson has also cited the need to work with local officials regardless of political party.
In San Francisco, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said state officials also have met with Trump administration officials in an effort to secure federal resources. But those talks appear to be lagging behind Los Angeles’ efforts.
Newsom said he sent a letter to Carson this week in his third attempt to convince the federal government to adjust funding for housing vouchers for the homeless to account for California’s high cost of rent.
Letter from Gov. Newsom to Secretary Ben Carson Newsom said he sent a letter to Carson this week in his third attempt to convince the federal government to adjust funding for housing vouchers for the homeless to account for California’s high cost of rent.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do across the state. We’ve got 151,000 folks on the streets and sidewalks, more than any other part of the country,” Newsom said at a news conference Wednesday.
Newsom emphasized the state’s current efforts, saying he has authorized $650 million in emergency aid and grants to get people off the street.
The governor has proposed spending $1.4 billion on homelessness in the new state budget, and has called for allocating $750 million to a new California Access to Housing and Services Fund meant to support rent subsidies and develop affordable units to provide more stable housing options.
Newsom said he is seeking more than temporary assistance from the Trump administration. To alleviate the homelessness crisis, California needs permanent supportive housing, he said.
“What I don’t want to see is a bunch of new trailers out there that become permanent,” Newsom said. “We’re looking for some clarification.”
Times staff writers Dakota Smith in Los Angeles and Philip Willon in San Francisco contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-23--Boy beaten, another stabbed in fight near Lake Balboa middle school

A boy was beaten with a skateboard and another was stabbed in a possible gang-related issue near a Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The Los Angeles School Police Department received a call about 3:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ about a fight occurring near Mulholland Middle School , Sgt .
Rudy Perez said .
@ @ @ @ @ boy was being taken to a hospital with lacerations to his head and cuts on @ @ @ @ @ was in possession of a sharp object , Perez said .
Another boy showed up @ @ @ @ @ own with a stab wound , Perez said .
It appeared that there were numerous @ @ @ @ @ detaining subjects of interest .
Police are now investigating the fight as an assault with @ @ @ @ @ Tomorrow the L.A. School Police Department will be patrolling with high visibility in the area @ @ @ @ @ “ We will continue on this investigation until we get to the bottom of it @ @

A boy was beaten with a skateboard and another was stabbed in a possible gang-related issue near a Los Angeles middle school Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The Los Angeles School Police Department received a call about 3:30 p.m., during dismissal hours, about a fight occurring near Mulholland Middle School, Sgt. Rudy Perez said.
When police arrived, a boy was being taken to a hospital with lacerations to his head and cuts on his hand. That boy was in possession of a sharp object, Perez said.
Another boy showed up at the hospital on his own with a stab wound, Perez said. It appeared that there were numerous others involved and police are detaining subjects of interest.
Police are now investigating the fight as an assault with a deadly weapon.
“Tomorrow the L.A. School Police Department will be patrolling with high visibility in the area,” Perez said. “We will continue on this investigation until we get to the bottom of it.”


latimes--2020-01-23--3 U.S. firefighters killed in Australia air crash amid bush fires are identified

An aviation company has identified the three U.S. crew members who died battling Australia ‘ s bush fires , after their California-based air tanker crashed in a rugged part of the country ’ s coastal mountains .
The C-130 Hercules aerial water tanker , owned by Coulson Aviation , crashed while flying in the Snowy Monaro region of southern Australia ’ s New South Wales state , officials said .
It immediately set off a day of mourning among firefighters on both sides of the Pacific .
In a news release late Thursday , Coulson identified the three crew members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 44 , of Great Falls , Mont .
; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson , 42 , of Buckeye , Ariz. ; and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan , Jr. , 43 , of Navarre , Fla .
Prior to the identification of the firefighters , the U.S. Forest Service shared the news with its public information officers throughout Oregon and Washington at 11 a.m. Thursday via email .
“ The wildland firefighting community is a family and when there is a loss it is felt throughout the entire organization , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathy to the families of the fallen.
” “ We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the crew , their friends and loved ones , and our own CAL FIRE family who worked , fought fires , and trained with the crew of Tanker 134 , ” the governor said .
The plane that crashed in Australia was known as Tanker 134 , which operated out of Ramona , Calif. , during the 2019 fire season .
Australia is facing its worst wildfire season ever , with tens of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed , including the U.S. crew on Thursday .
Scores of aircraft have been contracted to help fight the blazes .
In Australia , what was supposed to be a gracious farewell for some American and Canadian firefighting crews on Friday morning instead became a more somber occasion punctuated with a moment of silence for those killed .
In New South Wales , Australians , Canadians and Americans joined together in a one-minute moment of silence for the three crew members .
McBeth was a military pilot who also served with the Wyoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Montana Air National Guard while working for Coulson .
He is survived by his wife and three children .
Hudson was a decorated Marine with 20 years of service who also flew C-130s for the Marine Corps .
He retired as a lieutenant colonel before joining Coulson .
He is survived by his wife .
DeMorgan was an Air Force pilot who served as a flight engineer on C-130s for 18 years .
He had more than 4,000 hours of flight time and nearly 2,000 of those in combat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The crew was working on an active fire in a difficult-to-access area of New South Wales , where the mountains stretch into the neighboring state of Victoria .
It took hours for crews to locate the crash site .
There was no immediate indication of what caused the crash , New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Thursday .
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau , the national air crash investigator , and state police will investigate the crash site , which firefighters described as an active fire site .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70 in the air battling blazes in the state that afternoon , under conditions that Fitzsimmons described as very hot , dry and windy .
“ It was another very difficult , aggressive fire weather day which resulted in many of these fires spreading and breaking out , ” he said .
Fire officials grounded all aircraft for the rest of the day following the crash .
Fitzsimmons described the crew members as seasoned veterans , well known throughout the firefighting community and close with many of their colleagues .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inherent dangers and risks associated with firefighting as we ’ ve seen all too often unfortunately , ” Fitzsimmons said .
The state ’ s fire danger rating for many affected areas was lowered Friday as light rain and cooler conditions began to spread over the southern coast , where many of the fires have originated .
That , however , has also lowered a smoky haze onto Sydney .
Of the more than 70 bush and grass fires burning in New South Wales , fewer than half were contained , officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New South Wales for the last four or five years , Fitzsimmons said .
The Rural Fire Service has purchased one of the company ’ s retardant-dropping 737 jetliners for its own fleet and contracted with the company to maintain and operate it , he said .
The fire service was also operating another 737 in New South Wales and a C-130 in Victoria , in addition to the aircraft that crashed Thursday .
Serna reported from Latrobe Valley , Australia , and Sahagun from Los Angeles .
The Associated Press contributed to @ @ @

An aviation company has identified the three U.S. crew members who died battling Australia‘s bush fires, after their California-based air tanker crashed in a rugged part of the country’s coastal mountains.
The C-130 Hercules aerial water tanker, owned by Coulson Aviation, crashed while flying in the Snowy Monaro region of southern Australia’s New South Wales state, officials said. It immediately set off a day of mourning among firefighters on both sides of the Pacific.
In a news release late Thursday, Coulson identified the three crew members as Capt. Ian H. McBeth, 44, of Great Falls, Mont.; First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, 42, of Buckeye, Ariz.; and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan, Jr., 43, of Navarre, Fla.
Prior to the identification of the firefighters, the U.S. Forest Service shared the news with its public information officers throughout Oregon and Washington at 11 a.m. Thursday via email.
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“The wildland firefighting community is a family and when there is a loss it is felt throughout the entire organization,” it began. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the fallen.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement Thursday.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the crew, their friends and loved ones, and our own CAL FIRE family who worked, fought fires, and trained with the crew of Tanker 134,” the governor said. The plane that crashed in Australia was known as Tanker 134, which operated out of Ramona, Calif., during the 2019 fire season.
Australia is facing its worst wildfire season ever, with tens of thousands of acres burned and at least 32 people killed, including the U.S. crew on Thursday. Scores of aircraft have been contracted to help fight the blazes.
In Australia, what was supposed to be a gracious farewell for some American and Canadian firefighting crews on Friday morning instead became a more somber occasion punctuated with a moment of silence for those killed.
In New South Wales, Australians, Canadians and Americans joined together in a one-minute moment of silence for the three crew members.
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McBeth was a military pilot who also served with the Wyoming Air National Guard and was a current member of the Montana Air National Guard while working for Coulson. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Hudson was a decorated Marine with 20 years of service who also flew C-130s for the Marine Corps. He retired as a lieutenant colonel before joining Coulson. He is survived by his wife.
DeMorgan was an Air Force pilot who served as a flight engineer on C-130s for 18 years. He had more than 4,000 hours of flight time and nearly 2,000 of those in combat. He is survived by his two sons.
The crew was working on an active fire in a difficult-to-access area of New South Wales, where the mountains stretch into the neighboring state of Victoria. It took hours for crews to locate the crash site.
There was no immediate indication of what caused the crash, New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Thursday. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the national air crash investigator, and state police will investigate the crash site, which firefighters described as an active fire site.
The plane was one of more than 70 in the air battling blazes in the state that afternoon, under conditions that Fitzsimmons described as very hot, dry and windy. “It was another very difficult, aggressive fire weather day which resulted in many of these fires spreading and breaking out,” he said.
Fire officials grounded all aircraft for the rest of the day following the crash. Fitzsimmons described the crew members as seasoned veterans, well known throughout the firefighting community and close with many of their colleagues.
“It is a confronting and sobering reminder of the inherent dangers and risks associated with firefighting as we’ve seen all too often unfortunately,” Fitzsimmons said.
The state’s fire danger rating for many affected areas was lowered Friday as light rain and cooler conditions began to spread over the southern coast, where many of the fires have originated. That, however, has also lowered a smoky haze onto Sydney. Of the more than 70 bush and grass fires burning in New South Wales, fewer than half were contained, officials said.
Coulson has been working fires in New South Wales for the last four or five years, Fitzsimmons said. The Rural Fire Service has purchased one of the company’s retardant-dropping 737 jetliners for its own fleet and contracted with the company to maintain and operate it, he said.
The fire service was also operating another 737 in New South Wales and a C-130 in Victoria, in addition to the aircraft that crashed Thursday.
Serna reported from Latrobe Valley, Australia, and Sahagun from Los Angeles. The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-24--Audit of California high-speed rail finds inadequate federal oversight

Federal regulators were not aggressive enough in reacting to the California bullet train ’ s problems since 2009 while overseeing a $ 2.5-billion grant to the troubled project , a federal audit released Friday found .
The review by the U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general said the Federal Railroad Administration did not adequately oversee the grant to reduce financial risks in the largest and most complex grant in its history .
As a result , “ the California High-Speed Rail Authority is at increased risk of not achieving the purpose of the agreements , ” it said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grant money , asserting that the project has violated the terms of the grant .
In February 2018 , it terminated a second grant for $ 927 million on the same basis , an action that is now in legal dispute .
The California project received more than a third of federal spending for high-speed rail projects across the country and as it went over budget and fell behind schedule the Federal Railroad Administration missed opportunities to document and react to the growing problems , the audit found .
“ FRA provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project ] to improve future submissions but , prior to May 2019 , did not make decisions on whether to take additional actions — such as withholding funds — to address CHSRA ’ s consistent failure to meet grant requirements.
” The audit backs up Trump administration assertions that the state did not meet the grant terms , but also faults the federal regulators for not doing its part .
The audit , for example , examined 30 random requests for reimbursement from the grant by the rail authority and found 18 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment request that did not include documentation for $ 8.28 million out of $ 8.32 million .
The audit also asserts that California never provided an acceptable plan by 2016 for an alternate use of the Central Valley construction if it could not complete the entire Los Angeles to San Francisco system .
The state has long asserted that the Central Valley track would have “ independent utility ” if the project fails completion or is indefinitely delayed .
In a statement , rail authority Chief Executive Brian Kelly said the audit raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in the past , involving communications on federal expectations , requirements and standards .
Kelly added , however , that it would respond to inaccuracies in the audit .
The audit asserted that the state has matched only $ 476 million of the $ 2.5-billion grant , but Kelly said the state has submitted $ 1.3 billion .
The difference apparently results from federal regulators refusing to accept some of the state ’ s documentation of the matching spending .
The FRA also took exception to the audit findings .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions related to the two California cooperative agreements or FRA ’ s grant oversight program more broadly , ” said agency chief Ronald Batory , who cited a half-dozen alleged problems with the audit .

A full-scale mock-up of a high-speed train is displayed at the Capitol in Sacramento.
Federal regulators were not aggressive enough in reacting to the California bullet train’s problems since 2009 while overseeing a $2.5-billion grant to the troubled project, a federal audit released Friday found.
The review by the U.S. Department of Transportation inspector general said the Federal Railroad Administration did not adequately oversee the grant to reduce financial risks in the largest and most complex grant in its history.
As a result, “the California High-Speed Rail Authority is at increased risk of not achieving the purpose of the agreements,” it said.
The Trump administration has threatened to claw back the grant money, asserting that the project has violated the terms of the grant. In February 2018, it terminated a second grant for $927 million on the same basis, an action that is now in legal dispute.
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The California project received more than a third of federal spending for high-speed rail projects across the country and as it went over budget and fell behind schedule the Federal Railroad Administration missed opportunities to document and react to the growing problems, the audit found.
“FRA provided technical assistance to [the high-speed rail project] to improve future submissions but, prior to May 2019, did not make decisions on whether to take additional actions — such as withholding funds — to address CHSRA’s consistent failure to meet grant requirements.”
The audit backs up Trump administration assertions that the state did not meet the grant terms, but also faults the federal regulators for not doing its part.
The audit, for example, examined 30 random requests for reimbursement from the grant by the rail authority and found 18 of the requests had deficiencies, including one payment request that did not include documentation for $8.28 million out of $8.32 million.
The audit also asserts that California never provided an acceptable plan by 2016 for an alternate use of the Central Valley construction if it could not complete the entire Los Angeles to San Francisco system. The state has long asserted that the Central Valley track would have “independent utility” if the project fails completion or is indefinitely delayed.
In a statement, rail authority Chief Executive Brian Kelly said the audit raised concerns similar to what the state has made in the past, involving communications on federal expectations, requirements and standards.
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Kelly added, however, that it would respond to inaccuracies in the audit. The audit asserted that the state has matched only $476 million of the $2.5-billion grant, but Kelly said the state has submitted $1.3 billion. The difference apparently results from federal regulators refusing to accept some of the state’s documentation of the matching spending.
The FRA also took exception to the audit findings.
“The draft report does not accurately reflect FRA’s actions related to the two California cooperative agreements or FRA’s grant oversight program more broadly,” said agency chief Ronald Batory, who cited a half-dozen alleged problems with the audit.


latimes--2020-01-24--Coroner identifies 4 people killed in Corona plane crash

Authorities have identified the four people killed in the crash of a small plane at a Riverside County airfield .
The Riverside County coroner ’ s office named the dead as Paula Mitchell , 61 , of La Mirada ; Daniel Rodriguez , 70 , of Whittier ; Teresa Rodriguez , 63 , of Whittier ; and Joseph Zingali , 85 , of Torrance .
The four were aboard a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed and burned Wednesday near one end of the runway at Corona Municipal Airport .
A witness said the plane was taking off , got no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground and struck a fence .
It then flipped over and quickly caught fire .
People rushed over with fire extinguishers but the aircraft was engulfed in flames .
It was not known who was at the controls .
Eddie Rodriguez of La Mirada told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that the Rodriguezes were his brother and sister-in-law and that Mitchell was a friend .
Danny Rodriguez was a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer and an experienced pilot , Eddie Rodriguez said .
Teresa Rodriguez was a marvelous and kind woman who worked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , he said .
Eddie Rodriguez told KNBC-TV Channel 4 that his brother had invited him to go on the flight , which was on a friend ’ s plane .
“ I said I ’ ll take a rain-check on that and he said , ` OK , OK , ” he said .
Eddie Rodriguez said his brother flew so much that whenever he heard of a plane crash he would leave a phone message telling his brother to call when he got back .
“ Of course , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating .

Authorities have identified the four people killed in the crash of a small plane at a Riverside County airfield.
The Riverside County coroner’s office named the dead as Paula Mitchell, 61, of La Mirada; Daniel Rodriguez, 70, of Whittier; Teresa Rodriguez, 63, of Whittier; and Joseph Zingali, 85, of Torrance.
The four were aboard a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed and burned Wednesday near one end of the runway at Corona Municipal Airport.
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A witness said the plane was taking off, got no more than a few feet off the ground and struck a fence. It then flipped over and quickly caught fire.
People rushed over with fire extinguishers but the aircraft was engulfed in flames.
It was not known who was at the controls.
Eddie Rodriguez of La Mirada told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that the Rodriguezes were his brother and sister-in-law and that Mitchell was a friend.
Danny Rodriguez was a retired Los Angeles Police Department officer and an experienced pilot, Eddie Rodriguez said.
Teresa Rodriguez was a marvelous and kind woman who worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years, he said.
Eddie Rodriguez told KNBC-TV Channel 4 that his brother had invited him to go on the flight, which was on a friend’s plane. “I said I’ll take a rain-check on that and he said, `OK, OK,” he said.
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Eddie Rodriguez said his brother flew so much that whenever he heard of a plane crash he would leave a phone message telling his brother to call when he got back.
“Of course, he didn’t call,” he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.


latimes--2020-01-24--Cleanup of orphaned oil wells could cost California $500 million, new report says

California is staring at a massive bill to clean up the deserted oil and gas wells left behind by businesses that have gone defunct as the industry has diminished , according to a new report released Thursday by a state research agency .
The California Council on Science and Technology estimated that the state already is liable for more than $ 500 million in cleanup costs for more than 5,500 orphaned wells up and down the state .
The potential liability far outpaces the funds the state has on hand to combat the issue .
The companies holding wells identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just $ 26 million available to the state for their cleanup .
The state ’ s responsibility could quickly grow , the report says : Another 69,000 wells have little to no production and little hope of restarting , or are held by financially weak businesses .
Judson Boomhower , an energy expert and assistant professor of economics at UC San Diego who was lead author of the report , said in a statement that the state has recently taken steps to require a greater financial commitment from oil and gas companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleanup in the future .
“ However , our initial analysis implies that the potential cost to the state still substantially exceeds the value of these assurances , ” Boomhower said .
The report says orphaned wells are concentrated in Los Angeles and Long Beach , where costs associated with cleanup are “ systematically high.
” Two orphaned wells that started emitting odors in Echo Park in 2016 cost the state more than $ 1 million to seal .
Mothballed wells off California ’ s coast , such as Platform Holly , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their potential to spill into the ocean and the large costs associated with their decommissioning .
But , the report points out , issues with sealing wells are not limited to offshore wells , which represent just 2 % of the state total .
“ The vast majority of orphan wells in the state are located onshore , ” the report states .
“ These wells represent potentially large liabilities for the state.
” The California Council on Science and Technology describes itself as a nonpartisan , nonprofit organization that has operated since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state Legislature .
The report was prepared after being requested by the Division of Oil , Gas and Geothermal Resources under the California Department of Conservation .
The report highlights the need for stronger state oversight , one environmental group said Friday .
“ This study shows it ’ ll ultimately cost billions to plug these dangerous wells , yet the companies profiting from the oil have set aside a tiny fraction of that money for cleanup , ” said Hollin Kretzmann , an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose stronger rules , California taxpayers will end up paying big bucks to fix this toxic problem .
”

A pair of drilling rigs pump out oil in Long Beach in 2008. A new state report raises concerns about idle and abandoned oil wells statewide, as well as the potential cleanup costs.
California is staring at a massive bill to clean up the deserted oil and gas wells left behind by businesses that have gone defunct as the industry has diminished, according to a report released Thursday by a state research agency.
The California Council on Science and Technology estimated that the state already is liable for more than $500 million in cleanup costs for more than 5,500 orphaned wells up and down the state.
The potential liability far outpaces the funds the state has on hand to combat the issue. The companies holding wells identified as orphaned in the 67-page report made just $26 million available to the state for their cleanup.
The state’s responsibility could quickly grow, the report says: Another 69,000 wells have little to no production and little hope of restarting, or are held by financially weak businesses.
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Judson Boomhower, an energy expert and assistant professor of economics at UC San Diego who was lead author of the report, said in a statement that the state has recently taken steps to require a greater financial commitment from oil and gas companies to avoid being saddled with the responsibility of cleanup in the future.
“However, our initial analysis implies that the potential cost to the state still substantially exceeds the value of these assurances,” Boomhower said.
The report says orphaned wells are concentrated in Los Angeles and Long Beach, where costs associated with cleanup are “systematically high.” Two orphaned wells that started emitting odors in Echo Park in 2016 cost the state more than $1 million to seal.
Mothballed wells off California’s coast, such as Platform Holly, have attracted the attention of state regulators for their potential to spill into the ocean and the large costs associated with their decommissioning. But, the report points out, issues with sealing wells are not limited to offshore wells, which represent just 2% of the state total.
“The vast majority of orphan wells in the state are located onshore,” the report states. “These wells represent potentially large liabilities for the state.”
The California Council on Science and Technology describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has operated since 1988, after it was created by the state Legislature. The report was prepared after being requested by the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources under the California Department of Conservation.
The report highlights the need for stronger state oversight, one environmental group said Friday.
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“This study shows it’ll ultimately cost billions to plug these dangerous wells, yet the companies profiting from the oil have set aside a tiny fraction of that money for cleanup,” said Hollin Kretzmann, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “If state officials don’t impose stronger rules, California taxpayers will end up paying big bucks to fix this toxic problem.”
There was no immediate comment from the California Independent Petroleum Assn. In the past, the CIPA has opposed more stringent state drilling regulations, arguing they will result in California becoming more dependent on imported oil.


latimes--2020-01-24--Santa Monica man charged with hurling Molotov cocktails onto streets

A Santa Monica man has been arrested on suspicion of throwing Molotov cocktails out of his car onto city streets , police said .
Korie Paul Schmidt , 31 , was arrested Sunday for hurling the crude incendiary devices as he drove through the city the same day , authorities said .
He ’ s being held at the North County Correctional Facility on $ 1.65-million bond , according to Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s jail records .
Santa Monica police could not be reached for comment .
But police officials told the Century City/Westwood News that they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homemade devices — made of flammable liquid — near Santa Monica and Pico boulevards .
Police arrested Schmidt a short time later , the paper reported .
Authorities said they found evidence in the vehicle that tied him to the incident .
The Los Angeles County district attorney charged Schmidt Wednesday with seven counts of possession of a destructive device , one count of possessing destructive device materials and two counts of possession of an explosive device with intent to destroy property , according to the criminal complaint .
Schmidt is secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a member of the board .
Schmidt ’ s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 5 .

A Santa Monica man has been arrested on suspicion of throwing Molotov cocktails out of his car onto city streets, police said.
Korie Paul Schmidt, 31, was arrested Sunday for hurling the crude incendiary devices as he drove through the city the same day, authorities said. He’s being held at the North County Correctional Facility on $1.65-million bond, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s jail records.
Santa Monica police could not be reached for comment.
But police officials told the Century City/Westwood News that they had received reports of a man throwing the homemade devices — made of flammable liquid — near Santa Monica and Pico boulevards. Police arrested Schmidt a short time later, the paper reported. Authorities said they found evidence in the vehicle that tied him to the incident.
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The Los Angeles County district attorney charged Schmidt Wednesday with seven counts of possession of a destructive device, one count of possessing destructive device materials and two counts of possession of an explosive device with intent to destroy property, according to the criminal complaint.
Schmidt is secretary of the West Los Angeles-Sawtelle Neighborhood Council, according to a member of the board.
Schmidt’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 5.


latimes--2020-01-24--Southern California plastic surgeon extradited two years after fleeing with fake passports to Israel

A Southern California plastic surgeon who fled to Israel to avoid prison for mail fraud and other charges was extradited this week to Los Angeles , where a federal judge Friday ordered him to begin serving his 20-year sentence , authorities said .
David M. Morrow , 75 , of Beverly Hills pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to commit mail fraud and filing a false tax return , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Los Angeles .
Prosecutors described Morrow , who owned the Morrow Institute in Rancho Mirage , as a greedy and dangerous man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t want or need , then billed insurance companies for millions of dollars in fraudulent claims .
Morrow operated on some patients without their consent , prosecutors said , leaving them disfigured and suffering from severe complications .
Morrow invented diagnoses to bill insurers for cosmetic surgeries , according to the government : Nose jobs became “ deviated septum repair surgeries , ” breast augmentations were needed to treat “ tuberous breast deformities , ” and tummy tucks took care of “ umbilical and ventral hernias , ” prosecutors said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2016 , Morrow surrendered his passport , posted $ 5,000 bond and agreed not to travel outside the continental United States .
Probation officers recommended he spend 51 months in prison .
Quietly , however , Morrow and his wife , Linda , were preparing to flee , a prosecutor wrote in a sentencing memo .
They secretly transferred their Beverly Hills home to an LLC , which sold it for $ 9.45 million , Charles E. Pell , an assistant U.S. attorney , wrote in the memo .
Morrow sold his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took out a $ 1-million loan against a San Jose property , emptied his wife ’ s bank account of its last $ 88,000 and transferred more than $ 4 million to bank accounts in Israel , held in the names of nominees , Pell wrote .
On May 26 , 2017 , Pell wrote , David and Linda Morrow flew , using Mexican passports bearing their photographs and other people ’ s names .
They applied for Israeli citizenship using the fraudulent documents , Pell said .
An agent with the Internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six weeks later to find their mailbox “ overflowing , ” Pell said .
Their attorneys had no knowledge of their whereabouts , and their phones were disconnected .
In September 2017 , Judge Josephine L. Staton sentenced Morrow in absentia to 20 years in federal prison , calling him a man whose “ greed knew no bounds.
” His wife , who pleaded not guilty , was awaiting trial when she disappeared , charged with fraud and aggravated identity theft .
Israeli authorities arrested David and Linda Morrow last year .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a new set of fake Guatemalan passports , Pell said .
Israeli authorities deported Linda Morrow in July 2019 .
She faces an added charge of contempt of court , to which she pleaded not guilty .
She is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles , booking records show .
The Israeli justice minister signed David Morrow ’ s extradition order in December 2019 , Pell wrote .
He arrived at LAX late Thursday night , escorted by U.S. marshals .
His attorney , Ben Lechman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened when [ Morrow ] was gone was extremely unfair.
” In pleading guilty , Lechman said , Morrow agreed to a sentencing range of a few years in prison .
After he fled , prosecutors asked for — and received — 20 years .
“ That ’ s a big swing , ” Lechman said .
“ He ’ s a 75-year-old with health problems — that ’ s a death sentence.
” “ Assuming everything in the plea agreement is true , it ’ s pretty much a garden-variety fraud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lot of money involved , but this is a guy who ’ s a doctor , who ’ s done a lot of good in his life .
And he ’ s getting a death sentence.
” Lechman said he will fight the sentence , which Judge Staton ordered Morrow to begin serving immediately .
“ As far as the government ’ s concerned , this guy ’ s serving a 20-year sentence , period , ” Lechman said .
“ We ’ re swimming upstream on this one , for @ @ @

A Southern California plastic surgeon who fled to Israel to avoid prison for mail fraud and other charges was extradited this week to Los Angeles, where a federal judge Friday ordered him to begin serving his 20-year sentence, authorities said.
David M. Morrow, 75, of Beverly Hills pleaded guilty in 2016 to conspiring to commit mail fraud and filing a false tax return, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors described Morrow, who owned the Morrow Institute in Rancho Mirage, as a greedy and dangerous man who subjected his patients to procedures they didn’t want or need, then billed insurance companies for millions of dollars in fraudulent claims. Morrow operated on some patients without their consent, prosecutors said, leaving them disfigured and suffering from severe complications.
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Morrow invented diagnoses to bill insurers for cosmetic surgeries, according to the government: Nose jobs became “deviated septum repair surgeries,” breast augmentations were needed to treat “tuberous breast deformities,” and tummy tucks took care of “umbilical and ventral hernias,” prosecutors said in court documents.
After pleading guilty in March 2016, Morrow surrendered his passport, posted $5,000 bond and agreed not to travel outside the continental United States. Probation officers recommended he spend 51 months in prison.
Quietly, however, Morrow and his wife, Linda, were preparing to flee, a prosecutor wrote in a sentencing memo. They secretly transferred their Beverly Hills home to an LLC, which sold it for $9.45 million, Charles E. Pell, an assistant U.S. attorney, wrote in the memo. Morrow sold his Mercedes Benz to his children. He took out a $1-million loan against a San Jose property, emptied his wife’s bank account of its last $88,000 and transferred more than $4 million to bank accounts in Israel, held in the names of nominees, Pell wrote.
On May 26, 2017, Pell wrote, David and Linda Morrow flew, using Mexican passports bearing their photographs and other people’s names. They applied for Israeli citizenship using the fraudulent documents, Pell said. An agent with the Internal Revenue Service visited their Beverly Hills home six weeks later to find their mailbox “overflowing,” Pell said. Their attorneys had no knowledge of their whereabouts, and their phones were disconnected.
In September 2017, Judge Josephine L. Staton sentenced Morrow in absentia to 20 years in federal prison, calling him a man whose “greed knew no bounds.” His wife, who pleaded not guilty, was awaiting trial when she disappeared, charged with fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Israeli authorities arrested David and Linda Morrow last year. The couple had assumed new fake identities, using a new set of fake Guatemalan passports, Pell said. Israeli authorities deported Linda Morrow in July 2019. She faces an added charge of contempt of court, to which she pleaded not guilty. She is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, booking records show.
The Israeli justice minister signed David Morrow’s extradition order in December 2019, Pell wrote. He arrived at LAX late Thursday night, escorted by U.S. marshals. His attorney, Ben Lechman, said in a telephone interview “what happened when [Morrow] was gone was extremely unfair.”
In pleading guilty, Lechman said, Morrow agreed to a sentencing range of a few years in prison. After he fled, prosecutors asked for — and received — 20 years. “That’s a big swing,” Lechman said. “He’s a 75-year-old with health problems — that’s a death sentence.”
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“Assuming everything in the plea agreement is true, it’s pretty much a garden-variety fraud,” Lechman said. “There’s a lot of money involved, but this is a guy who’s a doctor, who’s done a lot of good in his life. And he’s getting a death sentence.”
Lechman said he will fight the sentence, which Judge Staton ordered Morrow to begin serving immediately. “As far as the government’s concerned, this guy’s serving a 20-year sentence, period,” Lechman said. “We’re swimming upstream on this one, for sure.”


latimes--2020-01-24--Rosie Perez testifies that Annabella Sciorra told her of alleged Harvey Weinstein rape in 1994

Actress Rosie Perez told a New York courtroom Friday that Annabella Sciorra told her she ’ d been sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in 1994 , bolstering the oldest claim against the Hollywood mogul at his rape trial .
The testimony was a boon for Manhattan prosecutors just one day after Weinstein ’ s defense team spent hours grilling Sciorra over her supposed decades-long silence about the alleged assault .
“ She told me that it was in fact Harvey Weinstein that raped her , ” Perez said of a 1994 phone call she had with Sciorra .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her door that she was confused .
That he pushed his way into the door and that she was crying and saying ‘ I tried to fight back .
I tried .
I tried.
’ ” During her testimony on Thursday , Sciorra said Weinstein violently raped her in her New York apartment in either late 1993 or early 1994 .
During a lengthy cross-examination , Weinstein ’ s defense team repeatedly attacked Sciorra for her inability to name an exact date , and implied that Sciorra lied about the rape .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts , including rape and predatory sexual assault .
The charges stem from the alleged 2006 rape of Mimi Haleyi , a former employee of Weinstein ’ s production company , and an alleged 2013 assault against another woman .
Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted on all counts .
Sciorra ’ s allegations date back too far to be prosecuted on their own , but could be a factor as prosecutors look to show that Weinstein has engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior .
Perez , known for her roles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ White Men Can ’ t Jump , ” said Sciorra told her twice about the assault : first in the winter of 1993 , when Perez said she called Sciorra to invite her out to a nightclub in New York .
“ I think something bad happened .
I think I was raped , ” Sciorra said in a whisper , according to Perez .
Sciorra allegedly cried into the phone .
At the time , Sciorra would not tell her who her attacker was , Perez said .
The actress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , but Sciorra refused and hung up .
Months later , when Sciorra was shooting a movie in London in 1994 , Perez said she heard a rumor about Weinstein harassing Sciorra overseas .
Perez called Sciorra and asked if Weinstein was the man who attacked her in her apartment .
Sciorra “ confirmed it , ” according to Perez .
“ She swore me never to tell anybody .
And I told her that you should go to the police , ” Perez said .
“ And she said ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy me.
’ ” Weinstein ’ s defense attorney , Damon Cheronis , repeatedly grilled Perez about how she reacted to Sciorra ’ s initial claim of rape , asking why Perez didn ’ t go the police or go over to Sciorra ’ s apartment to check on her .
“ I was in a panic .
I didn ’ t know what to do .
I was scared ...
I was in shock , ” Perez said .
She recalled calling Sciorra repeatedly , crying and begging her to pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up similarities in Perez ’ s account to testimony Sciorra delivered on Thursday , seemingly implying she may have picked up details from news accounts of the trial , though Perez denied that .
Sciorra , best known for her role as Gloria Trillo in “ The Sopranos , ” was the first woman to testify against Weinstein .
Six women total are expected to testify against him over the course of the trial , which could last through early March .
“ I was trying to get him off of me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicking him .
I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands and he put them over my head , ” Sciorra , 59 , told the court on Thursday .
“ He got on top of me and he raped me.
” Sciorra said she did not report the alleged rape to authorities because she felt confused about what had happened .
Under cross-examination from Weinstein ’ s lead defense attorney , Donna Rotunno , Sciorra told the court , “ At the time , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape.
” Sciorra told jurors that the alleged attack left her emotionally brutalized and that she began drinking heavily and cutting herself afterward .

Actress Rosie Perez told a New York courtroom Friday that Annabella Sciorra told her she’d been sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein in 1994, bolstering the oldest claim against the Hollywood mogul at his rape trial.
The testimony was a boon for Manhattan prosecutors just one day after Weinstein’s defense team spent hours grilling Sciorra over her supposed decades-long silence about the alleged assault.
“She told me that it was in fact Harvey Weinstein that raped her,” Perez said of a 1994 phone call she had with Sciorra. “She told me that when he showed up at her door that she was confused. That he pushed his way into the door and that she was crying and saying ‘I tried to fight back. I tried. I tried.’”
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During her testimony on Thursday, Sciorra said Weinstein violently raped her in her New York apartment in either late 1993 or early 1994. During a lengthy cross-examination, Weinstein’s defense team repeatedly attacked Sciorra for her inability to name an exact date, and implied that Sciorra lied about the rape.
Weinstein, 67, faces five felony counts, including rape and predatory sexual assault. The charges stem from the alleged 2006 rape of Mimi Haleyi, a former employee of Weinstein’s production company, and an alleged 2013 assault against another woman. Weinstein faces life in prison if convicted on all counts.
Sciorra’s allegations date back too far to be prosecuted on their own, but could be a factor as prosecutors look to show that Weinstein has engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior.
Perez, known for her roles in “Do the Right Thing” and “White Men Can’t Jump,” said Sciorra told her twice about the assault: first in the winter of 1993, when Perez said she called Sciorra to invite her out to a nightclub in New York.
“I think something bad happened. I think I was raped,” Sciorra said in a whisper, according to Perez. Sciorra allegedly cried into the phone.
At the time, Sciorra would not tell her who her attacker was, Perez said. The actress said she urged Sciorra to call the police, but Sciorra refused and hung up.
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Months later, when Sciorra was shooting a movie in London in 1994, Perez said she heard a rumor about Weinstein harassing Sciorra overseas. Perez called Sciorra and asked if Weinstein was the man who attacked her in her apartment. Sciorra “confirmed it,” according to Perez.
“She swore me never to tell anybody. And I told her that you should go to the police,” Perez said. “And she said ‘I can’t. He’d destroy me.’”
Weinstein’s defense attorney, Damon Cheronis, repeatedly grilled Perez about how she reacted to Sciorra’s initial claim of rape, asking why Perez didn’t go the police or go over to Sciorra’s apartment to check on her.
“I was in a panic. I didn’t know what to do. I was scared ... I was in shock,” Perez said. She recalled calling Sciorra repeatedly, crying and begging her to pick up the phone.
Cheronis also kept bringing up similarities in Perez’s account to testimony Sciorra delivered on Thursday, seemingly implying she may have picked up details from news accounts of the trial, though Perez denied that.
Sciorra, best known for her role as Gloria Trillo in “The Sopranos,” was the first woman to testify against Weinstein. Six women total are expected to testify against him over the course of the trial, which could last through early March.
“I was trying to get him off of me. I was punching him. I was kicking him. I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands and he put them over my head,” Sciorra, 59, told the court on Thursday. “He got on top of me and he raped me.”
Sciorra said she did not report the alleged rape to authorities because she felt confused about what had happened. Under cross-examination from Weinstein’s lead defense attorney, Donna Rotunno, Sciorra told the court, “At the time, I didn’t understand that that was rape.”
Sciorra told jurors that the alleged attack left her emotionally brutalized and that she began drinking heavily and cutting herself afterward.


latimes--2020-01-24--Heading to Coachella and Stagecoach from L.A.? There's no train going there

Concertgoers hoping to catch a ride on a train to this year ’ s Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals are out of luck .
The goal was to have the project completed in time for Goldenvoice Productions ’ annual Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals , both of which will be held in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio .
Concertgoers would board an Amtrak train at Los Angeles ’ Union Station to get to the Indio Transit Center , where they ’ d board a shuttle to arrive at the festival grounds .
But construction “ hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said John Standiford , deputy executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission .
The proposal for the train , an $ 8.6-million project with transportation from Los Angeles to Indio , was submitted in 2018 by Riverside County transportation executives .
The state rejected their original pitch but approved a new request last year , according to Standiford .
The agency received $ 5.9 million in March to build the proposed 900-foot platform and tracks at the Indio Transit Center , plus improve pedestrian access and drainage .
It also received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Rail Assistant program , according to a news release .
Palm Springs has an Amtrak station , which is about 30 miles from the festival grounds .
But tracks at the Indio Transit Center are owned by the transport company Union Pacific Railroad , which would have to issue permits for the L.A.-to-Indio route .
Union Pacific spokesman Tim McMahan said via email that the company is in talks with Riverside County about the proposed rail service and didn ’ t have an estimate as to how long the process would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction of related infrastructure in the Indio area to support the proposed service , ” McMahan said .
“ Before the parties can agree to potential service changes and infrastructure improvements , a thorough engineering and operational analysis will need to occur to ensure Union Pacific ’ s freight rail interests are not impacted.
” Goldenvoice Productions could not immediately be reached for comment Friday .
Despite facing a handful of roadblocks since the project ’ s initial proposal , Standiford said he ’ s hopeful it will come to fruition in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He anticipates working with all involved parties in the coming months to get a clearer idea of where the project stands , he added .
“ We ’ d want to have a good indication if this was able to be completed because it ’ s not like we can throw together a train platform overnight , ” he said .
“ This will be an important topic of discussion.
” While the train would help alleviate traffic congestion for Indio residents and festivalgoers , City Manager Mark Scott said the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation will help enhance downtown as a transit hub .
“ It doesn ’ t matter if it ’ s not ready for this year ’ s festival .
We never thought it would be , ” Scott said .
“ But if it ’ s ready for the next year , it ’ d be great .
Long term , it ’ s got a great role for us .
”

Fans flock to Coachella in 2019. Guests hoping to take a train to Indio from L.A. for this year’s festival won’t be able to.
Concertgoers hoping to catch a ride on a train to this year’s Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals are out of luck.
The goal was to have the project completed in time for Goldenvoice Productions’ annual Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, both of which will be held in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Concertgoers would board an Amtrak train at Los Angeles’ Union Station to get to the Indio Transit Center, where they’d board a shuttle to arrive at the festival grounds.
But construction “hasn’t been feasible this year,” said John Standiford, deputy executive director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
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The proposal for the train, an $8.6-million project with transportation from Los Angeles to Indio, was submitted in 2018 by Riverside County transportation executives. The state rejected their original pitch but approved a new request last year, according to Standiford.
The agency received $5.9 million in March to build the proposed 900-foot platform and tracks at the Indio Transit Center, plus improve pedestrian access and drainage. It also received a $2.7-million gas tax-funded grant through the State Rail Assistant program, according to a news release.
Palm Springs has an Amtrak station, which is about 30 miles from the festival grounds. But tracks at the Indio Transit Center are owned by the transport company Union Pacific Railroad, which would have to issue permits for the L.A.-to-Indio route.
Union Pacific spokesman Tim McMahan said via email that the company is in talks with Riverside County about the proposed rail service and didn’t have an estimate as to how long the process would take.
“These discussions include the potential construction of related infrastructure in the Indio area to support the proposed service,” McMahan said. “Before the parties can agree to potential service changes and infrastructure improvements, a thorough engineering and operational analysis will need to occur to ensure Union Pacific’s freight rail interests are not impacted.”
Goldenvoice Productions could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
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Despite facing a handful of roadblocks since the project’s initial proposal, Standiford said he’s hopeful it will come to fruition in time for next year’s concerts. He anticipates working with all involved parties in the coming months to get a clearer idea of where the project stands, he added.
“We’d want to have a good indication if this was able to be completed because it’s not like we can throw together a train platform overnight,” he said. “This will be an important topic of discussion.”
While the train would help alleviate traffic congestion for Indio residents and festivalgoers, City Manager Mark Scott said the city’s main interest is how this new transportation will help enhance downtown as a transit hub.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s not ready for this year’s festival. We never thought it would be,” Scott said. “But if it’s ready for the next year, it’d be great. Long term, it’s got a great role for us.”


latimes--2020-01-24--LAPD chief moves to fire Metro Division officer in gang ID scandal

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore is seeking to fire an officer in the department ’ s elite Metro Division accused of falsely portraying people as gang members after concluding that his actions were a serious violation of department policy .
The officer , who has not been identified , is among 20 members of the division being investigated on suspicion of falsifying field interview cards from traffic stops across the city and entering incorrect information about those questioned in an effort to boost stop statistics .
Moore has referred the officer ’ s case to the Board of Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also referred the case for criminal prosecution , according to a statement released by the department .
“ Chief Moore has directed the officer to an administrative tribunal for the purpose of removal .
The department has also presented this case for criminal filing consideration , ” the statement said .
The officer was among an initial group of three officers placed on leave after body camera footage of the interactions did not match the information on field interview cards .
An investigation into the officer ’ s conduct began early last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assigned to home pending additional investigation , Moore ’ s statement said .
In all , 10 officers have been assigned to home while the others remain on desk duty .
Moore on Friday reiterated his commitment to “ a thorough examination of all of the circumstances of this failure including what organizational issues or motivations may have influenced this behavior.
” “ I have heard clearly the voices of those in our community who believe these actions discovered have existed in our past as well as today , ” Moore said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has found the vast majority of the time our personnel have acted with integrity , we are determined to understand what motivations existed for anyone to commit serious misconduct in the falsification of information on a department report.
” Activists called for the officer to be prosecuted .
“ Having talked to Chief Moore , I ’ ve got the sense this is the tip of the iceberg , ” said community activist Najee Ali .
“ I give credit to Chief Moore for being transparent .
This isn ’ t a South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
The officer here deserves to be criminally prosecuted and the district attorney needs to act.
” In the LAPD disciplinary system , once a complaint against an officer is initiated , it is investigated and rises through the chain of command up to the chief .
If an allegation is sustained , a commanding officer recommends discipline .
The chief can either accept or modify the punishment , which can be appealed by the officer .
In the most serious cases , the chief can order a Board of Rights hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers can call witnesses during a hearing .
The panel can find the officer guilty or not guilty of the allegations and recommend a penalty , typically demotion , lengthy suspension or firing .
The chief can either accept or reduce that penalty , but not increase its severity .
Moore has said the investigation initially focused on three officers and expanded to others who worked with the original three , and then on to others who worked with the second group .
Now , at least 20 officers are under investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss it publicly said that the misconduct goes beyond falsifying of information on interview cards and that investigators found other violations as they reviewed the officers ’ body camera footage .
The scandal came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers .
She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station .
Officials then reviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found inaccuracies they attributed to the officer .
The conduct of at least one of those involved , Metro Officer Braxton Shaw , is already the subject of a review by the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .
While the department is it still investigating to determine the extent of the failure , it has begun to implement new safeguards “ to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the information recorded by officers in the field , ” the department said .
High-level supervisors must now approve gang field identification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of the reporting officer .
A more robust appeals process that allows people to be removed from gang databases is also being instituted .
The department is establishing more stringent criteria for information to be submitted to the California Gang Database and is ordering retraining of all Metro and anti-gang officers .
Critics have long argued that police unfairly target blacks and Latinos during field interviews in which officers ask those they pull over whether they have a gang affiliation .
The interviews frequently are used to populate a statewide gang database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaccurate .
Hamid Khan of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition said that firing officers won ’ t be enough .
Rather , the LAPD needs to conduct a thorough investigation of its gang suppression tactics .
“ The issue is much deeper than it goes back to a few bad apples , ” he said .
“ The indication to hold officers accountable is there , but we don ’ t want to just take it as this is the accountability.
” The LAPD ’ s data-driven culture has also come under scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the cards to artificially boost their statistics .
The Times obtained what is known as a platoon recap sheet for the Metro Division , which shows that officers were measured daily in 16 categories such as guns , citations and arrests .
Field interviews of gang members were among the categories used to measure productivity .
Asked whether the department ’ s heavy reliance on data might push officers to inflate statistics , Moore said that officers must work within the law and that the department is examining whether the scandal arose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking into that , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t know what would cause these men and women to game the system.
” Rob Saltzman , who served on the Los Angeles Police Commission from 2007 from 2016 , said that the chief ’ s move shows he is taking the investigation seriously .
“ It sends a clear message of deterrence to the extent there are other officers in Metro or elsewhere in the department who … thought this kind of behavior is OK , it ’ s tolerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ There ’ s no stronger deterrent than the chief recommending removal and criminal prosecution .
”

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore is seeking to fire an officer in the department’s elite Metro Division accused of falsely portraying people as gang members after concluding that his actions were a serious violation of department policy.
The officer, who has not been identified, is among 20 members of the division being investigated on suspicion of falsifying field interview cards from traffic stops across the city and entering incorrect information about those questioned in an effort to boost stop statistics. Moore has referred the officer’s case to the Board of Rights, an internal disciplinary appeal panel, and also referred the case for criminal prosecution, according to a statement released by the department.
“Chief Moore has directed the officer to an administrative tribunal for the purpose of removal. The department has also presented this case for criminal filing consideration,” the statement said.
The officer was among an initial group of three officers placed on leave after body camera footage of the interactions did not match the information on field interview cards. An investigation into the officer’s conduct began early last year. The other two officers remain assigned to home pending additional investigation, Moore’s statement said. In all, 10 officers have been assigned to home while the others remain on desk duty.
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Moore on Friday reiterated his commitment to “a thorough examination of all of the circumstances of this failure including what organizational issues or motivations may have influenced this behavior.”
“I have heard clearly the voices of those in our community who believe these actions discovered have existed in our past as well as today,” Moore said. “And while to date our investigation has found the vast majority of the time our personnel have acted with integrity, we are determined to understand what motivations existed for anyone to commit serious misconduct in the falsification of information on a department report.”
Activists called for the officer to be prosecuted.
“Having talked to Chief Moore, I’ve got the sense this is the tip of the iceberg,” said community activist Najee Ali. “I give credit to Chief Moore for being transparent. This isn’t a South L.A. problem; it is a citywide problem. The officer here deserves to be criminally prosecuted and the district attorney needs to act.”
In the LAPD disciplinary system, once a complaint against an officer is initiated, it is investigated and rises through the chain of command up to the chief. If an allegation is sustained, a commanding officer recommends discipline. The chief can either accept or modify the punishment, which can be appealed by the officer.
In the most serious cases, the chief can order a Board of Rights hearing for an officer. The department and officers can call witnesses during a hearing. The panel can find the officer guilty or not guilty of the allegations and recommend a penalty, typically demotion, lengthy suspension or firing. The chief can either accept or reduce that penalty, but not increase its severity.
Moore has said the investigation initially focused on three officers and expanded to others who worked with the original three, and then on to others who worked with the second group. Now, at least 20 officers are under investigation. Sources familiar with the probe who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss it publicly said that the misconduct goes beyond falsifying of information on interview cards and that investigators found other violations as they reviewed the officers’ body camera footage.
The scandal came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers. She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station. Officials then reviewed body camera footage and other information and found inaccuracies they attributed to the officer.
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The conduct of at least one of those involved, Metro Officer Braxton Shaw, is already the subject of a review by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
While the department is it still investigating to determine the extent of the failure, it has begun to implement new safeguards “to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the information recorded by officers in the field,” the department said.
High-level supervisors must now approve gang field identification cards by checking on the body camera video of the reporting officer. A more robust appeals process that allows people to be removed from gang databases is also being instituted. The department is establishing more stringent criteria for information to be submitted to the California Gang Database and is ordering retraining of all Metro and anti-gang officers.
Critics have long argued that police unfairly target blacks and Latinos during field interviews in which officers ask those they pull over whether they have a gang affiliation. The interviews frequently are used to populate a statewide gang database that has been criticized as outdated and inaccurate.
Hamid Khan of the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition said that firing officers won’t be enough. Rather, the LAPD needs to conduct a thorough investigation of its gang suppression tactics.
“The issue is much deeper than it goes back to a few bad apples,” he said. “The indication to hold officers accountable is there, but we don’t want to just take it as this is the accountability.”
The LAPD’s data-driven culture has also come under scrutiny by critics who suggest that officers filled in the cards to artificially boost their statistics. The Times obtained what is known as a platoon recap sheet for the Metro Division, which shows that officers were measured daily in 16 categories such as guns, citations and arrests. Field interviews of gang members were among the categories used to measure productivity.
Asked whether the department’s heavy reliance on data might push officers to inflate statistics, Moore said that officers must work within the law and that the department is examining whether the scandal arose from department culture.
“We are looking into that,” he said. “I don’t know what would cause these men and women to game the system.”
Rob Saltzman, who served on the Los Angeles Police Commission from 2007 to 2016, said that the chief’s move shows he is taking the investigation seriously.
“It sends a clear message of deterrence to the extent there are other officers in Metro or elsewhere in the department who … thought this kind of behavior is OK, it’s tolerated and perhaps even encouraged,” Saltzman said. “There’s no stronger deterrent than the chief recommending removal and criminal prosecution.”


latimes--2020-01-24--Federal aid for L.A. homelessness hasn't materialized. If it does, don't expect 'the cavalry'

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Friday , ending with encouraging words , but no deal to help the city ’ s massive homeless population .
The lack of an announcement comes after months of negotiations and increasingly conciliatory language between the two political camps .
Garcetti , who was in Washington to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors ’ annual meeting , had built up anticipation for an announcement while speaking with reporters on Thursday , saying he hoped to reach an agreement in principle , even if it would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor has spoken with Carson several times .
His aides spent the week in Washington , hammering out potential agreements to use federal land and money to build temporary shelters .
Homelessness has reached a crisis point in Los Angeles , and Garcetti , though a partisan Democrat , is under pressure to reach a deal with the Trump administration , given the scope of the need for shelter beds and affordable housing .
Trump , who has used the crisis in America ’ s cities to beat up on Democratic mayors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal that would show him fixing a problem that he has characterized as urban blight .
Both sides say that a deal remains within reach .
But Garcetti downplayed expectations that it would be big , warning on Thursday that residents should not expect the federal government to send in “ the cavalry.
” The talks have centered on how to use federal land and other resources , such as health services , to help move and keep homeless people off the streets .
Neither side was willing to divulge how financially large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks come as L.A. has devoted an increasing amount of money toward building more shelters and housing and creating supportive services for homeless people .
But in the eyes of the federal government and many Angelenos , these efforts are not happening fast enough .
The first homeless housing project funded by Proposition HHH , the $ 1.2-billion bond , which passed in 2016 , had its grand opening earlier this month .
An additional 20 projects are under construction , and work will begin on 30 more later this year .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency housing so vulnerable individuals can go to bed with a roof over their heads , ” Carson said in a written statement after the meeting .
“ It is a logical thing to offer people a safe environment while the safer environment is being completed .
...
There is no reason , in good conscience , to leave people and families languishing for years until a solution is struck , state funds flow , and more permanent or transitional housing is completed.
” In September , federal officials , including Carson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , in which nearly 59,000 people are living countywide in street encampments , vehicles and shelters , according to data collected last year .
In the city of Los Angeles , there are 36,000 homeless people .
The city is currently adding to its own network of temporary shelters .
So far , at least nine shelters have opened with a combined 519 beds .
In all , another 2,300 new beds are some stage of being built .
Garcetti ’ s office would not make him available for interview on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carson and promised to work with the federal government to secure “ new resources to Los Angeles to house more of our homeless neighbors through the use of federal lands , new funds , and the wraparound support services they need to permanently come off the streets.
” “ We have an opportunity to show our fellow Californians — and the country — how we will rise to the challenge by working across party lines to put people first and compassionately house our most vulnerable , ” he added .

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson talks to reporters after touring Sprung shelter for homeless people at Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles.
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Friday, ending with encouraging words, but no deal to help the city’s massive homeless population.
The lack of an announcement comes after months of negotiations and increasingly conciliatory language between the two political camps.
Garcetti, who was in Washington to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ annual meeting, had built up anticipation for an announcement while speaking with reporters on Thursday, saying he hoped to reach an agreement in principle, even if it would take time to fill in the details.
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The mayor has spoken with Carson several times. His aides spent the week in Washington, hammering out potential agreements to use federal land and money to build temporary shelters.
Homelessness has reached a crisis point in Los Angeles, and Garcetti, though a partisan Democrat, is under pressure to reach a deal with the Trump administration, given the scope of the need for shelter beds and affordable housing. Trump, who has used the crisis in America’s cities to beat up on Democratic mayors, also is eager to cut a deal that would show him fixing a problem that he has characterized as urban blight.
Both sides say that a deal remains within reach. But Garcetti downplayed expectations that it would be big, warning on Thursday that residents should not expect the federal government to send in “the cavalry.” The talks have centered on how to use federal land and other resources, such as health services, to help move and keep homeless people off the streets.
Neither side was willing to divulge how financially large the federal support might be.
The talks come as L.A. has devoted an increasing amount of money toward building more shelters and housing and creating supportive services for homeless people. But in the eyes of the federal government and many Angelenos, these efforts are not happening fast enough.
The first homeless housing project funded by Proposition HHH, the $1.2-billion bond, which passed in 2016, had its grand opening earlier this month. An additional 20 projects are under construction, and work will begin on 30 more later this year.
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“We have agreed on the need for temporary emergency housing so vulnerable individuals can go to bed with a roof over their heads,” Carson said in a written statement after the meeting. “It is a logical thing to offer people a safe environment while the safer environment is being completed. ...There is no reason, in good conscience, to leave people and families languishing for years until a solution is struck, state funds flow, and more permanent or transitional housing is completed.”
In September, federal officials, including Carson, visited Los Angeles to study the homelessness crisis, in which nearly 59,000 people are living countywide in street encampments, vehicles and shelters, according to data collected last year. In the city of Los Angeles, there are 36,000 homeless people.
The city is currently adding to its own network of temporary shelters. So far, at least nine shelters have opened with a combined 519 beds. In all, another 2,300 new beds are some stage of being built.
Garcetti’s office would not make him available for interview on Friday.
In a statement, he thanked Carson and promised to work with the federal government to secure “new resources to Los Angeles to house more of our homeless neighbors through the use of federal lands, new funds, and the wraparound support services they need to permanently come off the streets.”
“We have an opportunity to show our fellow Californians — and the country — how we will rise to the challenge by working across party lines to put people first and compassionately house our most vulnerable,” he added.


latimes--2020-01-24--In California, job growth is strong, but nationally, it's a different story

Job growth slowed nationwide last year , but it accelerated in California as the state notched a record 118-month employment expansion .
California ’ s unemployment rate held steady at its record low of 3.9 % in December , the same as in November and down from 4.1 % a year earlier .
The nation ’ s unemployment rate also remained unchanged in December , holding at 3.5 % .
The Golden State added 310,300 jobs in 2019 , a 1.8 % increase , to a total of 17.61 million , according to data released Friday by the California Employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s increase was 1.6 % .
In contrast , job growth across the United States eased to 1.4 % last year , from 1.8 % in 2018 .
“ December marked the end of an impressive year for the state ’ s economy , ” said Taner Osman , a researcher at Beacon Economics , a Los Angeles-based consultancy .
“ There was some pessimism surrounding the economy early last year .
The stock market had seen a major correction and there was anxiety about trade .
The fears surrounding trade , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers feel secure in their jobs , they spend money , and this , in turn , fuels the economy.
” December ’ s tally of nonfarm job growth was comparatively modest , at 12,600 , down from a revised gain of 24,000 in November , as the state has approached what economists consider full employment .
But with businesses scrambling to fill openings , more Californians were finding jobs or looking for work .
After the labor force contracted for six consecutive months beginning in March , nearly 165,000 people entered or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months .
As a result , the labor force rose 0.2 % over the year .
At the same time , the nation ’ s labor force grew by 0.9 % .
The number of unemployed Californians — 757,700 in December — “ is the lowest since 1989 , despite large gains in statewide population since , ” the EDD report noted .
“ California ’ s strength in technology and its economic diversity helped it to overcome the negative forces hurting the Midwest and other parts of the country more dependent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an economist at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego .
Year over year , the largest California job gain was in professional and business services , which added 71,500 positions , including 6,600 in December .
The sector — which includes scientific and technical services such as software engineers , system analysts and scientific research and development — “ remains the workhorse of the state ’ s economy , ” said Loyola Marymount University economist Sung Won Sohn .
No sectors lost jobs over the year , although mining and logging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 100 jobs .
Despite the state ’ s low unemployment rate , Michael Bernick , a workforce expert and former EDD director , noted that many out-of-work Californians are not counted in the 3.9 % tally because they are not actively looking for jobs .
Including those who are classified as “ discouraged , marginally attached to the workforce and involuntarily working part-time ” raises the jobless rate above 7 % , he said .
“ Many of California ’ s unemployed today do not easily fit into current and projected job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ mental health and behavior issues , lack of experience and mismatch of skills.
” Moreover , he said , “ California employers can pull from a national and international labor pool .
They have gotten choosy .
They hold out for candidates who have experience in the specific job advertised .
They ’ re reluctant to engage in training.
” County-level job data varied considerably in 2019 , according to the EDD .
In Los Angeles County , nonfarm jobs grew by 67,800 to a total of 4.65 million .
That was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare and social assistance ( up 28,000 ) and construction ( up 8,500 ) .
The unemployment rate was 4.4 % in December , down from 4.7 % a year earlier .
In Orange County , nonfarm jobs grew by 25,400 to a total of 1.67 million .
That was a 1.5 % rise , led by professional and business services ( up 8,400 ) and leisure and hospitality ( up 7,700 ) .
Unemployment was 2.4 % in December , down from 2.7 % a year earlier .
In the Inland Empire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nonfarm jobs rose by 30,900 to a total of 1.57 million .
That was a 2 % rise , led by healthcare and social assistance ( up 13,300 ) and professional and business services ( up 6,900 ) .
Unemployment was 3.5 % in December , down from 3.9 % a year earlier .

Gilberto Salazar cleans and preps brake hydro boosters for painting inside Motorcar Parts of America’s world headquarters in Torrance. California’s unemployment held at a record low 3.9% in December.
Job growth slowed nationwide last year, but it accelerated in California as the state notched a record 118-month employment expansion.
California’s unemployment rate held steady at its record low of 3.9% in December, the same as in November and down from 4.1% a year earlier. The nation’s unemployment rate also remained unchanged in December, holding at 3.5%.
The Golden State added 310,300 jobs in 2019, a 1.8% increase, to a total of 17.61 million, according to data released Friday by the California Employment Development Department. The previous year’s increase was 1.6%.
In contrast, job growth across the United States eased to 1.4% last year, from 1.8% in 2018.
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“December marked the end of an impressive year for the state’s economy,” said Taner Osman, a researcher at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles-based consultancy. “There was some pessimism surrounding the economy early last year. The stock market had seen a major correction and there was anxiety about trade. The fears surrounding trade, for now, seem overblown. ... As consumers feel secure in their jobs, they spend money, and this, in turn, fuels the economy.”
December’s tally of nonfarm job growth was comparatively modest, at 12,600, down from a revised gain of 24,000 in November, as the state has approached what economists consider full employment.
But with businesses scrambling to fill openings, more Californians were finding jobs or looking for work. After the labor force contracted for six consecutive months beginning in March, nearly 165,000 people entered or reentered the job market over the last four months. As a result, the labor force rose 0.2% over the year.
At the same time, the nation’s labor force grew by 0.9%.
The number of unemployed Californians — 757,700 in December — “is the lowest since 1989, despite large gains in statewide population since,” the EDD report noted.
“California’s strength in technology and its economic diversity helped it to overcome the negative forces hurting the Midwest and other parts of the country more dependent on manufacturing,” said Lynn Reaser, an economist at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.
Year over year, the largest California job gain was in professional and business services, which added 71,500 positions, including 6,600 in December. The sector — which includes scientific and technical services such as software engineers, system analysts and scientific research and development — “remains the workhorse of the state’s economy,” said Loyola Marymount University economist Sung Won Sohn.
Other growth sectors in 2019 included:
Education and health services (up 98,100)
Government (40,300)
Construction (31,300)
Leisure and hospitality (28,000)
Financial activities (13,000)
Information (11,600)
Manufacturing (11,400)
Agriculture (7,800)
Trade, transportation and utilities (2,100)
No sectors lost jobs over the year, although mining and logging, which includes petroleum extraction, added just 100 jobs.
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Despite the state’s low unemployment rate, Michael Bernick, a workforce expert and former EDD director, noted that many out-of-work Californians are not counted in the 3.9% tally because they are not actively looking for jobs. Including those who are classified as “discouraged, marginally attached to the workforce and involuntarily working part-time” raises the jobless rate above 7%, he said.
“Many of California’s unemployed today do not easily fit into current and projected job openings,” Bernick said, citing “mental health and behavior issues, lack of experience and mismatch of skills.”
Moreover, he said, “California employers can pull from a national and international labor pool. They have gotten choosy. They hold out for candidates who have experience in the specific job advertised. They’re reluctant to engage in training.”
County-level job data varied considerably in 2019, according to the EDD.
In Los Angeles County, nonfarm jobs grew by 67,800 to a total of 4.65 million. That was a 1.5% rise, led by healthcare and social assistance (up 28,000) and construction (up 8,500). The unemployment rate was 4.4% in December, down from 4.7% a year earlier.
In Orange County, nonfarm jobs grew by 25,400 to a total of 1.67 million. That was a 1.5% rise, led by professional and business services (up 8,400) and leisure and hospitality (up 7,700). Unemployment was 2.4% in December, down from 2.7% a year earlier.
In the Inland Empire, spanning Riverside and San Bernardino counties, nonfarm jobs rose by 30,900 to a total of 1.57 million. That was a 2% rise, led by healthcare and social assistance (up 13,300) and professional and business services (up 6,900). Unemployment was 3.5% in December, down from 3.9% a year earlier.