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News

The Morning's Stories

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The big local story this morning is happening right now as two metrolink trains derailed in Glendale this morning. The Times reports that three are dead but according to a fire department spokesman on KTTV's Good Day LA there are now four fatalities. As of this writing, those injured on the trains have not been cleared to leave. If you are concerned that a relative was on one of the trains, you can contact the Glendale Fire Department. Coincidentally, the Times runs another story this morning about metrolink re-opening its route from west Ventura county to Los Angeles. It had been closed since the big storm.

Both the Times and the Daily News focus on two key stories coming out of the Mayoral race. While Mayor Hahn spent yesterday in Sacramento for a fundraiser, two of his challengers attacked his push for the sales tax increase for police funding. Mayoral candidate Bob Hertzberg said, "We don't need another tax. What we need is better management." Meanwhile, candidate Antonio Villarogosa said, "I don't need to tell you that this is the most investigated administration since Frank Shaw in the 1930s" referring to the ethics commission rulings released yesterday. $177,000 in fines were levied against people for illegal political contributions to Mayor Hahn's (amongst a few other candidates) 2001 campaign.

The Daily News is really weak on stories today. The Times, however, comes through with a follow up to the police shootings story from yesterday. Initial investigations have found all 4 incidents as justified. They also note that a USC Gene Researcher has been indicted on charges of molestation and that California has been granted 228 million dollars in funding from the federal government for homelessness services.

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