Extra, Extra

"Gehry" by wilshirepix via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

• Thanks to crippling budget cuts in California, the world renowned higher education system could face serious decline.

• The Union Pacific Railroad company wants to kick a homeless man out of his tent in Northridge, but Jimmy, a Palestinian immigrant, fights back with the help of his friends in the feral cat community. With Bruce Springsteen songs providing inspiration, he may just win.

• The family of the USC student who was a hit-and-run victim express outrage at a plea rejection by the suspects.

• A public viewing is set for the 6 year-old boy who was allegedly beaten to death by his stepfather. A memorial fund has been set up to help the family with expenses.

• LAStreetsBlog caught a glimpse of some pay turnstiles being installed at Union Station.

• Wanna see how much your local government will lose under the state budget? Check out this database and see just where the $2 billion to be borrowed from cities and counties is coming from.

• Police found a woman's body near a path in Griffith Park. She was fully clothed and investigators are still trying to determine the approximate age and cause of death.

• Finally... The city of LA has been pushing rubber checks. Over 900 vendors tried to cash checks dated July 24th only to have them returned for insufficient funds. Around $6 million of checks bounced and the City Controller Wendy Gruel says that her office is aware and has taken steps to correct the problem.