Mirthala Salinas

A 32-year veteran who helped clean up a corruption-plagued division of the Los Angeles Police Department was unveiled Wednesday as the city's new top cop. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the appointment of deputy chief Charlie Beck as head of the LAPD following the decision of chief William Bratton to resign earlier this year. Villaraigosa said Beck was "the right man to lead the Los Angeles Police Department at the right time." "He's a man of character and integrity. He's a police officer who is tough on crime, and he's a leader with deep respect and understanding of the police officers under his ... Read Full Story

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce his choice for the next leader of the Los Angeles Police Department. Calling it possibly the most important decision he'll make as mayor, Villaraigosa is set to name his pick from a field of three finalists at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The announcement comes days after William Bratton, who headed the LAPD for seven years, stepped down to take a private sector job. The three finalists are: First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, and deputy chiefs Charlie Beck and Michael Moore. Villaraigosa's pick is subject to confirmation by the City Council. Bratton, who is credited with playing a pivotal ... Read Full Story

The head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has stepped down amid increasing concern over recent water main breaks. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Friday that DWP Chief Executive David Nahai has resigned to become senior adviser to the Clinton Climate Initiative. There have been more than 35 major water main blowouts in the Los Angeles water system since last month, flooding streets, homes and cars. Villaraigosa thanked Nahai for his four years of service, saying he helped reduce water consumption to record levels and put Los Angeles on the path to be coal free by 2020. The DWP did not immediately ... Read Full Story

The Los Angeles Board of Education has voted to adopt a resolution that could turn a third of the schools in the nation's second-largest school district over to private operators. The proposal was approved Tuesday on a 6-1 vote after a contentious three and a-half hour public hearing and board debate. Superintendent Ramon Cortines now has 60 days to develop a plan. Proposals will be accepted from private charter school operators, local communities and the mayor's office for the operation of 50 new schools that will open over the next four years, as well as 200 existing schools that are chronic underperformers. THIS IS ... Read Full Story

Los Angeles is pissed off at their mayor Antonio Villaraigosa–with good reason–but does his ethnicity give them the right to be extra pissed? Last week while we were all jizzing over Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s new girlfriend , he was having the Worst. Week. Ever. The same day that news broke of his affair with newscaster Lu Parker–a former beauty queen turned televison journalist who’s covered him on her beat–his face also graced the cover of Los Angeles magazine with the simple headline “Failure.” The featured story, “Dear Mr. Mayor: So Much Promise, So Much Dissapointment. An Open Letter To Antonio Villaraigosa,” written ... Read Full Story