• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has launched an inquiry into allegations of racism and discrimination within the LAFD.
• Two men have filed suit against the L.A. Zoo and the city to stop construction of a $40 million elephant exhibit and to prevent it from having elephants on the grounds, alleging instances of abuse and neglect.
• Bring on the air pollution: the South Coast Air Quality Management District board voted to approve, 8-3, rule changes that will speed the construction of 11 or more power plants.
• Secretary of State Debra Bowen has taken steps to secure the use of electronic voting maches, ordering new security protections to be implemented and limiting the use of two types that were to be used next year in Southern California.
• There has been much grousing amongst Laker fans circles over the loss of Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics.
• Jay Leno interviews the dark prince, Dick Cheney, to hilarious effect.
• A-Rod becomes the youngest player in MLB history to whack 500 home runs.
• The State Department dismissed Rep. Tom Tancredo's (a Republican presidential hopeful) ridiculous "suggestion" of staging a pre-emptive attack on Islamic holy sites to avert a nuclear strike as "absolutely crazy."

Photo by revolute via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr