Extra, Extra: The Mayor says "no" to $8K raise

• The state says the Mayor should get an automatic $8,283 salary increase retroactive to July 1. The mayor says not so fast: “With the City of Los Angeles facing a tough budget year, I do not believe now is the time for me to accept an automatic and retroactive pay raise. Being Mayor of Los Angeles is reward enough, and I’m committed to working twenty-four-seven to protect essential services.” (via a press release)
• The LA Auto Show opened up to the press today.
• A magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Chile today. It was centered 780 miles north of Santiago.
• NBC4 is reporting that a 91-year-old bicyclist was killed today in Stevenson Ranch when hit by a car. NBC called the cyclist a pedestrian in the body of the article, but they should know that a cyclist is considered a vehicle by code, not a pedestrian.
• A public-private partnership in the name of being Green: Jiffy Lube and the LA Department of Public Works are teaming up to set up battery recycling containers at dozens of local stores. That means you can chuck those AA, AAA, C, D, and button batteries. Call ahead to make sure your local Lube can serve you.
• Phew, not in LA. A mentally ill 18-year-old male was gunned down by the NYPD.
• The 57 freeway was shut down this morning due to a terrorist attack... well, a mock one.
• "Two families who lost their homes during last month's wildfires in Southern California have filed lawsuits against San Diego Gas & Electric Co. accusing the utility of negligence for failing to clear vegetation around its power lines."

Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist