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Sheriff's Dept. inquiries about inmate abuse found to be shoddy

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 31 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department failed to thoroughly investigate allegations from inmates who said they were physically abused by deputies, according to an analysis of 31 cases by the department's internal watchdog.

In a 145-page report, the Office of Independent Review said the department's shoddy initial investigations made it difficult to determine whether the inmates' allegations were valid. The watchdog launched its review of the handling of the cases after the American Civil Liberties Union in 2011 released sworn declarations from 78 inmates who alleged they were abused.

After the ACLU made the declarations public, Sheriff Lee Baca promised to reinvestigate the complaints. That review has led to three deputies being criminally charged: one on suspicion of assault and two others suspected of making false reports. Five deputies have been disciplined for violating policy in other cases. Some of the allegations remain under review.

The Office of Independent Review, which is headed by former federal prosecutor Michael Gennaco, said the department's effort to reevaluate the allegations was undermined by the inadequate investigations that occurred when the inmates initially complained to authorities. Most of their allegations were dismissed at the time.

The watchdog's report, which was released this week, comes as federal authorities continue to investigate alleged deputy abuse of inmates. Currently, criminal and civil rights investigations of the county jails are being conducted.

Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the department will analyze the watchdog's report to see whether improvements can be made. But he defended the department's initial investigations into the allegations, saying they were thorough.

Peter Eliasberg, legal director of the ACLU of Southern California, said the watchdog's report highlighting problems with Sheriff's Department investigations was consistent with what his organization has been saying for years. He also questioned why the sheriff's watchdog hadn't identified problems with those investigations earlier.

"What does that say about the oversight of the OIR?" Eliasberg asked.

Gennaco said the allegations of abuse — with "mid-level injuries" — didn't rise to the level that his office typically reviewed. He said his office now does review such cases.

In other reforms, Gennaco said, the department has changed the way it handles use of force investigations in the lockups. A team of sergeants and lieutenants now oversees cases involving force and presents its findings to a commander's panel that convenes to discuss the case. Supervisors have also started receiving daily reports on incidents involving force to help monitor how force is used in the jails.

Another reform, the report said, has been the installation of 1,500 cameras in the downtown jails. Ninety percent of force used in those jails is now caught on camera, according to the report.

james.barragan@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

UC Irvine students try 'speedfaithing'

You have 10 minutes to sell someone on Catholicism, no more than that to distill the teachings of the Koran or the foundations of Mormonism.

It's speed-dating for religion, and in a burst of faith-driven curiosity, dozens of students at UC Irvine raced from room to room Wednesday to listen to religious students (and two atheists) break down the core tenets of their belief system while on the clock.

"Is it required to wear wraps on your head?"

"What exactly do you do on a mission?"

"Do you go to an atheist church?"

Before students began faith shopping, organizers offered a little advice: Don't see it as an opportunity for debate. Just listen. And keep it short.

"You obviously can't learn everything about a religion in 10 minutes and that's not the point," said Karina Hamilton, director of the Dalai Lama Scholars Program at UC Irvine.

Speedfaithing was developed by Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based nonprofit that promotes religious tolerance, as a way to help young people interact with members of diverse faiths. Since it began in 2005, similar events have been held at colleges across the country.

In Irvine, organizers planned the midday event in advance of a visit next week by Interfaith Youth Core founder Eboo Patel, a member of President Obama's inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

"In Orange County we have tremendous diversity," said Raid Faraj, diversity educator for the school's Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. "We have members of almost every major religious faith you can think of.... This is an opportunity to create a safe environment for people to come together and ask questions."

During the first session, a handful of students gathered around Chase Davis, a fourth-year biology major, who was responsible for explaining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He covered the basics — the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and the importance of family. And he told his own story, of finding faith a couple of years ago.

"I didn't have a perfect family," he said. "I was a second-year biology major at UCI and I was just stressed beyond belief."

Religion, he said, "really has brought me an amazing amount of peace."

The students in his group asked about missions and prohibitions against alcohol and coffee.

Sami Kabbara, who graduated last year, wanted to know whether it was OK to drink energy drinks.

In an adjacent room, one of the largest crowds gathered around two young atheists.

Albert, a second-year math major, said he was raised Catholic but started to doubt when he was in ninth or 10th grade.

"If I can't really logically deduce that there's a God, it's going to be really hard for me to believe," he told the group.

One student wanted to know whether his family accepted his atheism. Adam Milbes, a third-year economics major, asked, "Do you guys believe in any kind of accountability for your actions?"

"I personally just enjoy being a good person," Albert responded.

The event was the first time Albert had spoken publicly about his atheism, he said later. He asked that his last name not be used because people he is close to don't yet know that he is no longer a Catholic.

"Even going into this, I had a couple of doubts as to whether or not I was an atheist," he said.

But as he prepared to explain his thinking to a group of strangers in 10 minutes, he said, "I settled my feet down and said, 'I'm a good person and I don't necessarily need religion to show I'm a good person.' "

paloma.esquivel@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sebelius apologizes for Obamacare 'debacle'

WASHINGTON — In her first appearance before Congress since the botched debut of the federal healthcare website, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday apologized for the "debacle," accepted responsibility and promised the technical problems could be fixed.

Sebelius acknowledged that enrolling in insurance plans through the federal government's online marketplace was a "miserably frustrating experience for way too many Americans" — an observation Republicans repeatedly underscored by pointing to a screen that showed in real time that the website, healthcare.gov, was displaying an error message.

"I am as frustrated and angry as anyone with the flawed launch," she told the House Energy and Commerce Committee, becoming the second administration official to testify before Congress on the issue. "So let me say directly to these Americans, you deserve better. I apologize. I'm accountable to you for fixing these problems. And I'm committed to earning your confidence back by fixing the site."

In 3 1/2 hours of testimony, Sebelius endured an intense grilling from Republican critics, but tried to spotlight what she argued were the overlooked successes of the healthcare law.

"Millions of Americans are clearly eager to learn about their options and to finally achieve healthcare security made possible by the Affordable Care Act," she said. "And my commitment is to deliver on that promise."

Sebelius, a popular second-term Kansas governor when President Obama tapped her to run the department and oversee his planned healthcare overhaul, is in the eye of a maelstrom that has undermined confidence in the administration and given new ammunition to GOP critics of his biggest domestic achievement.

"Americans were assured that their experience would be similar to other online transactions, like purchasing a flight or ordering a pizza," said committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.). "But after more than three years to prepare, malfunctions have become the norm."

The administration has promised that the website will be fixed by the end of November. Upton said Sebelius had agreed to testify again in the first week of December.

Republicans have sought to pin the blame for the website's dismal performance on Sebelius. Last week, 32 members of the House signed a letter to Obama urging him to fire her as a "powerful signal that the American people will not be held responsible for her department's failings." This week, the top Republican on the Senate Health Committee, Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), also said Sebelius should step down.

Senior White House officials have dismissed such calls, saying their priority was to fix the problems. A White House spokesman reiterated Wednesday that the president "has complete confidence" in Sebelius.

Sebelius also said she did not support delaying a tax penalty for Americans who did not have health insurance next year, as many lawmakers, including Democrats, have called for. "We're still at the beginning of a six-month open enrollment, which extends through the end of March. And there's plenty of time to sign up," she said.

The technical problems that have marred the rollout of a crucial feature of the healthcare law were a recurring theme of the House hearing. But Sebelius argued that, despite major issues, the website had never crashed. "It is functional, but at a very slow speed and very low reliability," she said.

Republicans also continued a new line of attack over Obama's promise that Americans who already had health insurance would be able to keep their policies if they liked them.

"I'd call this a red herring that misled voters, intentional or not," Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) said. "Your words and those of the president, as he campaigned last year … seem to be directly refuted by the millions of cancellation notices already sent to Americans just in the past few weeks."

Sebelius told the committee the administration lacked "reliable data" on how many Americans had enrolled in new plans so far. She speculated that, because of the "flawed launch," it probably would be "a very small number."

Insurance companies have reported receiving inadequate or confusing information, which Sebelius said was one of the "priority fixes" now being made. Sebelius said she intended to release "confirmed data" on a monthly basis beginning next month. "The system isn't functioning, so we are not getting that reliable data," she said.

Critics have suspected that the administration was withholding information about enrollment because the numbers were low. If signups are significantly below expectations it could jeopardize the healthcare law, particularly if younger, healthier Americans do not enroll to help balance older, sicker ones who do.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, also raised concerns about the security of the personal data consumers submit to the website. He cited warnings in a Sept. 27 memo from Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees the online health marketplace. Tavenner noted that an outside contractor had not been able to test security controls.

"Don't you think you had the obligation to tell the American people that we're going to put you in this system, but beware, your information is likely to be vulnerable?" Rogers asked.

Sebelius said regular monitoring and testing continued, and security protocols were being upgraded.


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

USC cornerback Kevon Seymour expects to be busy against Oregon State

Written By kolimtiga on Rabu, 30 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

Kevon Seymour welcomes the challenge.

On Friday night, USC's sophomore cornerback anticipates that Oregon State's high-powered passing attack will target and test him.

"I want the opportunity," Seymour said Tuesday. "I'm like, 'Please go at me.' That's how I make a name. That's how I get better."

Oregon State, led by quarterback Sean Mannion, is the top passing team in major-college football, averaging 420.8 yards per game.

Mannion has passed for 30 touchdowns, with only three interceptions.

Junior receiver Brandin Cooks has a national-best 13 touchdown catches and also ranks first nationally with 10.6 receptions and 157 yards receiving per game.

Richard Mullaney has averaged 15.9 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns.

Seymour, a former standout at Pasadena Muir High, is seeking his first interception for a defense that has picked off 10 passes, including three in last week's 19-3 victory over Utah.

"I have to get on the board," Seymour said. "I had a few chances last week and didn't capitalize."

Josh Shaw, a junior who has two interceptions, will start for USC at the other cornerback spot. So Oregon State is expected to challenge the 6-foot, 175-pound Seymour.

"That's what all corners want," Seymour said. "It's a good thing."

Recognition factor

End Leonard Williams is among 16 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, presented annually to college football's outstanding defensive player.

The 6-5, 290-pound Williams was the only underclassman among the semifinalists announced Tuesday. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 25, the winner Dec. 12.

Williams, a freshman All-American last season, has a team-leading 54 tackles, including 11 tackles for losses and five sacks.

With Williams and junior end George Uko clogging the middle, junior linebacker J.R Tavai has thrived lately.

Tavai, playing in place of injured Morgan Breslin, had a team-best 11 tackles and two sacks against Utah. It was the second time in three games that the junior from Redondo Beach made at least 10 tackles.

Tavai said he has benefited from lining up in a standing position, rather than a three-point stance he was accustomed to as down lineman.

"You get to see more," he said. "You also get to pass rush against one guy. So, thank you for Leonard and George taking up the middle and putting me on the outside.

"I thank them all the time."

Dion Bailey preparing

Junior safety Dion Bailey was sidelined for the first half against Utah because of shoulder and hip injuries, but he suited up at halftime and played the final two quarters after safety Su'a Cravens suffered a groin injury.

After the game, Bailey said he had received a painkilling injection before playing.

Asked whether he would require another injection to play Friday, he said, "Hopefully not. My parents don't really like me doing that, so, hopefully, I heal naturally throughout this week and I'm as close to 100% as I need to be for me to play without it."

Quick hits

Receiver Marqise Lee (knee) did not practice, and Coach Ed Orgeron said the All-American remains questionable for the game against Oregon State. Cravens did not practice and is questionable, Orgeron said. ... Receiver Nelson Agholor returned to practice after sitting out Monday.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lakers' Steve Nash, pushing 40, may have to learn new trick

Father Time has been giving him a full-court press since last season. He'll be 40 in February.

So he's on board with the Lakers' experiment that might debut Wednesday at Golden State. Nash could be sitting out the second night of back-to-back situations.

"I want to play them all, but if missing the back end of some or all the back-to-backs prevents me from missing a month or two because of injury, then I think it's something you've got to look at," Nash said Tuesday.

The Lakers play 19 sets of back-to-backs this season. That would be a lot of games to miss. Nash is under contract next season too.

Basically, Nash and Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni will get together on the second day of consecutive games and determine whether the NBA's oldest point guard will play that night.

"What you don't want is for the body to be really stiff and not be able to gain that mobility and then go out there and do some damage," Nash said.

He was bothered by a sore ankle and stiff neck this month and stalled by injuries throughout last season — a broken leg, followed by nerve damage resulting from the fracture, then a different nerve problem that required epidural shots because of hip pain and hamstring weakness.

Even if he is supposed to sit out, Nash will suit up in case of an in-game injury or early foul trouble for other Lakers point guards.

"If you get somebody hurt right in the first minute, then he's going to have to play," D'Antoni said.

The Lakers obviously want Nash in the lineup as often as possible.

"I'd like Steve to play every night," Pau Gasol said. "I think he's a great playmaker and a great unselfish player that will help us out there, especially with the young group that we have and a lot of new guys that we have.

"If he does have to sit out the second night of back-to-backs … the sooner that we understand and adjust to that, the better off we'll be."

Karl perplexed

George Karl has always kept an eye on the Lakers, whether his son, Coby, played for them a few years back or his Denver Nuggets faced them any number of times in a season.

But even he can't figure them out these days.

"The Lakers are in kind of a weird state," Karl, now an ESPN analyst, said before Tuesday's game. "I mean, can anyone figure out when Kobe [Bryant] is coming back? What are they going to do with the rotation? Are they going to play fast? Can Nash play 82 games?

"There are so many question marks about the Lakers that the Clippers, they're the celebration of L.A. right now. And they deserve to be."

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

Twitter: @Mike_Bresnahan


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Los Angeles County halts plan to export some jail inmates to Taft

Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to halt a controversial plan to send county jail inmates to a facility in Kern County after a board member who had originally supported the contract changed her mind.

The supervisors voted last month to approve a $75-million, five-year plan to send about 500 county inmates serving lengthy sentences to the correctional facility run by the city of Taft. The plan was touted as a cost-effective way to free up local jail beds and increase time served by the most serious offenders.

Supervisor Gloria Molina, one of the three who initially voted in favor of the contract, said last week that she had changed her mind after learning that there is ongoing litigation between Taft and the state's Department of Corrections.

The Taft facility housed state prison inmates until the corrections department terminated its lease in 2011. Taft sued last year, saying the state should reimburse the city for unemployment benefits paid to former employees after the facility closed. The city also sought to bar the state from exercising a contract clause that would have given it the right to lease the facility for $1 a year after 2017.

Molina said in an interview that she did not want the county to get dragged into the dispute and was concerned that the state might have sought to stop the county from leasing the beds or try to take the facility over in 2017. She said she felt the supervisors had been "misled and misinformed" by sheriff's officials and county attorneys that the contract was ready to go.

"I really wish that Taft would have come to us clear," she said. "We need to find some permanent solutions" to jail overcrowding that has caused many inmates to be released early.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Mark McCorkle said the department had not learned of the potential legal issues until after the board voted to approve the deal and Taft had signed the contract. At that point, he said Taft officials notified the Sheriff's Department that, in addition to the ongoing lawsuit, there had been correspondence between the city and state about Taft's plans to lease the beds to Los Angeles County. Sheriff's officials then notified the county's attorneys, he said.

Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, declined to comment on how the dispute between Taft and the state could affect L.A. County, but said the department — which is facing a federal court order to further reduce prison crowding — is again looking at leasing space in the Taft facility.

The state agency "is interested in the beds and is looking forward to the opportunity to discuss this with Taft officials," she said in an email.

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who — along with Supervisor Don Knabe — voted against halting the county's deal with Taft, said lawyers had found that the county was on "strong legal grounds" to lease the beds at least through 2017.

In the meantime, Antonovich said, it would help relieve overcrowding in the county's jails and increase time served by serious and violent offenders.

Antonovich blames the state for local jail crowding because a law passed two years ago shifted responsibility for thousands of lower-level felons from state prisons to county jails.

Advocates of alternatives to incarceration applauded the decision not to send inmates to Taft because the distance would have made it harder for their families to visit.

Diana Zuniga, an organizer with Californians United for a Responsible Government and LA No More Jails, said she hoped the money that had been slated for the Taft jail beds could instead go to alternatives to incarceration, like a pilot program the county launched earlier this year to house female inmates with substance abuse issues in community facilities instead of jail.

abby.sewell@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ final trailer: Katniss enters the arena

Written By kolimtiga on Senin, 28 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

The final trailer for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" has debuted, showing Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen coming into her own as a symbol of hope for the oppressed citizens of Panem.

In "Catching Fire," recent Oscar winner Lawrence reprises her role as the heroic Katniss, who inadvertently foments rebellion after emerging victorious from the brutal Hunger Games, a televised battle to the death staged as entertainment in a dystopian future.

In the new film, a surprise turn of events lands Katniss and her co-victor, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), back in the battle arena, with Donald Sutherland's evil President Snow determined to bring down the resourceful archer.

"She's struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after the games while living in Victor's Village, where she never wants for food, and feels useless. She's adapting to a new life," Lawrence said of her character's evolution during San Diego Comic-Con International.

Directed by Francis Lawrence ("Water for Elephants," "I Am Legend"), the film also stars Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone and Stanley Tucci.

The second installment in Lionsgate's planned four-movie series based on Suzanne Collins' bestselling young adult trilogy is due in theaters Nov. 22.

Click through the gallery above for a look at "Catching Fire," and let us know your thoughts on the new trailer in the comments section below.

– Gina McIntyre and Noelene Clark

Follow us on Twitter: @LATHeroComplex

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12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Anze Kopitar gets deciding score in Kings' shootout win over Oilers

LOS ANGELES -- Anze Kopitar scored the deciding goal in a shootout and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Sunday night for their seventh victory in nine games.

The Kings outshot the Oilers, 48-18, in regulation and overtime. Nail Yakupov scored for Edmonton on a power play in the second period and Mike Richards tied the score less than 14 minutes later.

The Kings are 5-0 in games that have gone past regulation. Jonathan Quick improved to 4-0 in shootouts, having stopped 10 of 11 shots he's faced in tiebreakers. In 2010-11, he led the NHL with 10 shootout wins and had an .818 save percentage.

Richard Bachman made a career-high 47 saves in his Oilers debut after getting recalled Sunday from Oklahoma City of the American Hockey League.

The three-year veteran played his first 32 NHL games with the Dallas Stars, posting a 14-10 record and a 2.94 goals-against average. Last April 9, he stopped all 22 shots he faced against the Kings in relief of an injured Kari Lehtonen and got credit for a 5-1 victory at Dallas.

Another potential goal by Richards was disallowed by referee Mike Leggo with 6:08 left in the third period. Bachman made the initial save on Jeff Carter's 25-foot wrist shot from the slot, and teammate Matt Frattin made contact with him just before Richards fired the rebound over the fallen goaltender. But there was no penalty called on Frattin.

Kings center Jordan Nolan, who hadn't had gotten a penalty in his first 10 games, brawled with Luke Gazdic at 2:09 of the second period — just 3 seconds after Edmonton's Ryan Jones duked it out with Kyle Clifford. Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin was sent off for interference 20 seconds later, and the Oilers opened the scoring on the ensuing power play as Yakupov converted a rebound of Anton Belov's 55-foot one-timer.

Bachman, playing because of a Devan Dubnyk's sore ankle, stopped the first 19 shots he faced before the Kings tied it at 16:58 of the second period. Carter beat Belov to a loose puck behind the Oilers' net and fed it out to Muzzin, whose one-timer was stopped by Bachman before Richards converted the rebound.

Edmonton had a power play for 4 full minutes in the first, as Drew Doughty got a hooking penalty exactly two minutes after Jarret Stoll was sent off for the same infraction. The Oilers came up empty that time and finished 1 for 4 with the man advantage, after coming in a league-worst 1 for 21 on the road.

It was a bumpy opening period for the Oilers. Center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins crumpled to the ice after a knee-on-knee hit by Clifford at the 7:44 mark and remained there for a couple of anxious moments before he was assisted to the bench by a couple of teammates. But he was back in time for the start of the Oilers' first power play.

Just 1:09 after the hit on Nugent-Hopkins, defenseman Ladislav Smid went crashing into the back of the net in the Oilers' zone and knocked it off its moorings after successfully defending a 2-on-1 rush by Carter and Clifford.


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aaron Rodgers, Packers roll past Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS -- Aaron Rodgers has the Green Bay Packers on a roll, even without three of his best receivers.

With help from a powerful running game, Rodgers picked apart what was left of Minnesota's defense on Sunday night.

Ignoring the injuries around him, Rodgers threw two first-half touchdown passes to Jordy Nelson and guided the Packers to a 44-31 victory over the Vikings on 24-for-29 passing for 285 yards.

Christian Ponder's encore went poorly for the Vikings (1-6), who sent out a different starting quarterback for the third straight week. Adrian Peterson gained a quiet 60 yards on 13 carries, Greg Jennings had just one catch against his old team and the Vikings offense counted only three plays in the third quarter as the Packers (5-2) pulled away in their final game at the Metrodome, now known as Mall of America Field.

Ponder didn't turn the ball over, but he was again out of sorts in the pocket all night and unable to make much happen at all if his intended target was covered. He finished 14 for 21 for 145 yards against a defense missing three starting linebackers to injury and added a late touchdown run.

The Vikings beat the Packers 37-34 last December to make the playoffs. But they needed 199 yards rushing from Peterson and the best game of Ponder's career to do it, because Rodgers has rarely found resistance from this defense in purple. In his last eight games against the Vikings, he has 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing roughly three-quarters of his passes. The Packers have won seven of those.

Micah Hyde had a punt return for a touchdown for the Packers, who never punted and held the ball for more than two-thirds of the game to counteract Cordarrelle Patterson's opening 109-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Packers have won 15 of their last 16 games against NFC North teams.

"We've got a great team, very well-coached," Rodgers said. "Guys are ready to play. It was loud in here. It was a tough environment, but guys stepped up."

Patterson put the Vikings in front before Ponder even touched the ball, with a breathtaking run through the middle of Green Bay's kickoff coverage that was so fast only Hyde, the rookie cornerback from Iowa, had a chance to tackle him.

Even the longest possible play in the sport wasn't enough for the Vikings to feel good about facing Rodgers, though.

The Packers scored on their first two possessions, running a total of 31 plays for 160 yards that drained 15 minutes and 48 seconds off the clock. The touchdown to cap the first drive was a Rodgers classic, a laser on a corner route that somehow slipped past Josh Robinson into Nelson's outstretched hands despite the cornerback being about as close as could be to the receiver without interfering.

"He's the top quarterback in the league in my opinion," Nelson said.

The Packers helped keep the Vikings close in the first half with a pair of ill-timed penalties. Rookie defensive end Datone Jones was flagged for unnecessary roughness after Ponder's nowhere-close incompletion on third-and-6 in the second quarter, extending a drive for a field goal.

Then with 14 seconds left before the break, Tramon Williams was called for pass interference along the sideline during an overthrow on Jennings, putting the ball at the 14. Peterson powered through the teeth of the Packers defense for an 8-yard score, cutting the lead to 24-17.

The harsh reality for the Vikings was that gutsy run came after the 76-yard catch and run by Nelson on third-and-6 and the 93-yard backbreaking punt return by Hyde, just 2 minutes apart. The Vikings, already having a hard time this season finding reliable play from their cornerbacks, had to play their backup safeties, too. Harrison Smith is out with a turf toe injury, and Jamarca Sanford hurt his groin early in this one. Linebacker Chad Greenway was trying to cover Nelson on the touchdown, and safety Andrew Sendejo was late to help.

The way Lacy has been pounding the ball, as the leading NFL rookie rusher, Rodgers hasn't had to come up with as many clutch throws with his top targets missing. Lacy and Starks took turns trampling an exhausted Vikings defense, with each guy contributing a touchdown on the ground and the Packers reaching a season-high 182 yards rushing.

Sixteen of the last 21 regular-season games between these rivals were decided by a touchdown or less, but this went down as one of the outliers in this historically even series that has tilted hard toward the Packers since Rodgers hit his stride in 2010. Since the dome was first inflated here in 1982, and the Vikings went 16-15 under the roof against the Packers.


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Some health insurance gets pricier as Obamacare rolls out

Written By kolimtiga on Minggu, 27 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

Thousands of Californians are discovering what Obamacare will cost them — and many don't like what they see.

These middle-class consumers are staring at hefty increases on their insurance bills as the overhaul remakes the healthcare market. Their rates are rising in large part to help offset the higher costs of covering sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years.

Although recent criticism of the healthcare law has focused on website glitches and early enrollment snags, experts say sharp price increases for individual policies have the greatest potential to erode public support for President Obama's signature legislation.

"This is when the actual sticker shock comes into play for people," said Gerald Kominski, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. "There are winners and losers under the Affordable Care Act."

Fullerton resident Jennifer Harris thought she had a great deal, paying $98 a month for an individual plan through Health Net Inc. She got a rude surprise this month when the company said it would cancel her policy at the end of this year. Her current plan does not conform with the new federal rules, which require more generous levels of coverage.

Now Harris, a self-employed lawyer, must shop for replacement insurance. The cheapest plan she has found will cost her $238 a month. She and her husband don't qualify for federal premium subsidies because they earn too much money, about $80,000 a year combined.

"It doesn't seem right to make the middle class pay so much more in order to give health insurance to everybody else," said Harris, who is three months pregnant. "This increase is simply not affordable."

On balance, many Americans will benefit from the healthcare expansion. They are guaranteed coverage regardless of their medical history. And lower-income families will gain access to comprehensive coverage at little or no cost.

The federal government picks up much of the tab through an expansion of Medicaid and subsidies to people earning up to four times the federal poverty level. That's up to $46,000 for an individual or $94,000 for a family of four.

But middle-income consumers face an estimated 30% rate increase, on average, in California due to several factors tied to the healthcare law.

Some may elect to go without coverage if they feel prices are too high. Penalties for opting out are very small initially. Defections could cause rates to skyrocket if a diverse mix of people don't sign up for health insurance.

Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross in California, said she received a recent letter from a young woman complaining about a 50% rate hike related to the healthcare law.

"She said, 'I was all for Obamacare until I found out I was paying for it,'" Kehaly said.

Nearly 2 million Californians have individual insurance, and several hundred thousand of them are losing their health plans in a matter of weeks.

Blue Shield of California sent termination letters to 119,000 customers last month whose plans don't meet the new federal requirements. About two-thirds of those people will experience a rate increase from switching to a new health plan, according to the company.

HMO giant Kaiser Permanente is canceling coverage for about half of its individual customers, or 160,000 people, and offering to automatically enroll them in the most comparable health plan available.

The 16 million Californians who get health insurance through their employers aren't affected. Neither are individuals who have "grandfathered" policies bought before March 2010, when the healthcare law was enacted. It's estimated that about half of policyholders in the individual market have those older plans.

All these cancellations were prompted by a requirement from Covered California, the state's new insurance exchange. The state didn't want to give insurance companies the opportunity to hold on to the healthiest patients for up to a year, keeping them out of the larger risk pool that will influence future rates.

Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said the state and insurers agreed that clearing the decks by Jan. 1 was best for consumers in the long run despite the initial disruption. Lee has heard the complaints — even from his sister-in-law, who recently groused about her 50% rate increase.

"People could have kept their cheaper, bad coverage, and those people wouldn't have been part of the common risk pool," Lee said. "We are better off all being in this together. We are transforming the individual market and making it better."


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Some health insurance gets pricier as Obamacare rolls out

Thousands of Californians are discovering what Obamacare will cost them — and many don't like what they see.

These middle-class consumers are staring at hefty increases on their insurance bills as the overhaul remakes the healthcare market. Their rates are rising in large part to help offset the higher costs of covering sicker, poorer people who have been shut out of the system for years.

Although recent criticism of the healthcare law has focused on website glitches and early enrollment snags, experts say sharp price increases for individual policies have the greatest potential to erode public support for President Obama's signature legislation.

"This is when the actual sticker shock comes into play for people," said Gerald Kominski, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. "There are winners and losers under the Affordable Care Act."

Fullerton resident Jennifer Harris thought she had a great deal, paying $98 a month for an individual plan through Health Net Inc. She got a rude surprise this month when the company said it would cancel her policy at the end of this year. Her current plan does not conform with the new federal rules, which require more generous levels of coverage.

Now Harris, a self-employed lawyer, must shop for replacement insurance. The cheapest plan she has found will cost her $238 a month. She and her husband don't qualify for federal premium subsidies because they earn too much money, about $80,000 a year combined.

"It doesn't seem right to make the middle class pay so much more in order to give health insurance to everybody else," said Harris, who is three months pregnant. "This increase is simply not affordable."

On balance, many Americans will benefit from the healthcare expansion. They are guaranteed coverage regardless of their medical history. And lower-income families will gain access to comprehensive coverage at little or no cost.

The federal government picks up much of the tab through an expansion of Medicaid and subsidies to people earning up to four times the federal poverty level. That's up to $46,000 for an individual or $94,000 for a family of four.

But middle-income consumers face an estimated 30% rate increase, on average, in California due to several factors tied to the healthcare law.

Some may elect to go without coverage if they feel prices are too high. Penalties for opting out are very small initially. Defections could cause rates to skyrocket if a diverse mix of people don't sign up for health insurance.

Pam Kehaly, president of Anthem Blue Cross in California, said she received a recent letter from a young woman complaining about a 50% rate hike related to the healthcare law.

"She said, 'I was all for Obamacare until I found out I was paying for it,'" Kehaly said.

Nearly 2 million Californians have individual insurance, and several hundred thousand of them are losing their health plans in a matter of weeks.

Blue Shield of California sent termination letters to 119,000 customers last month whose plans don't meet the new federal requirements. About two-thirds of those people will experience a rate increase from switching to a new health plan, according to the company.

HMO giant Kaiser Permanente is canceling coverage for about half of its individual customers, or 160,000 people, and offering to automatically enroll them in the most comparable health plan available.

The 16 million Californians who get health insurance through their employers aren't affected. Neither are individuals who have "grandfathered" policies bought before March 2010, when the healthcare law was enacted. It's estimated that about half of policyholders in the individual market have those older plans.

All these cancellations were prompted by a requirement from Covered California, the state's new insurance exchange. The state didn't want to give insurance companies the opportunity to hold on to the healthiest patients for up to a year, keeping them out of the larger risk pool that will influence future rates.

Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, said the state and insurers agreed that clearing the decks by Jan. 1 was best for consumers in the long run despite the initial disruption. Lee has heard the complaints — even from his sister-in-law, who recently groused about her 50% rate increase.

"People could have kept their cheaper, bad coverage, and those people wouldn't have been part of the common risk pool," Lee said. "We are better off all being in this together. We are transforming the individual market and making it better."


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

County presents options for Devil's Gate Dam sediment removal

Devi'ls Gate Dam

Runoff from the Devil's Gate reservoir in Pasadena in 2005. Officials say sediment and debris behind the dam have compromised its capacity to prevent flooding downstream in major storms. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / January 9, 2005)

By Abby Sewell

October 26, 2013, 8:22 p.m.

Los Angeles County flood control officials presented several options for removing built-up debris and mud from a basin above Devil's Gate Dam in northern Pasadena in a draft environmental impact report released Thursday.

The basin became choked by mud and debris after the 2009 Station fire and storms that followed. Flood control officials have warned for years that the buildup compromises the dam's ability to contain debris and floodwater in another major storm.

Officials say locations downstream from the dam along the Arroyo Seco that could be in danger of flooding include the Rose Bowl, 110 Freeway, neighborhoods in Pasadena and South Pasadena, and the northeastern Los Angeles communities of Highland Park, Hermon, Montecito Heights, Mount Washington and Cypress Park.

The county Board of Supervisors in 2011 ordered an environmental study before any significant work could begin. Neighbors had expressed concerns about the destruction of wildlife habitat that has grown in the basin, as well as disruptions to use of the area by hikers, horseback riders and joggers.

Kerjon Lee, spokesman for the county Department of Public Works, said officials in the meantime have taken smaller mitigation measures. They include removing sediment from the face of the dam to allow operation of valves and control of stormwater as it flows through.

The draft report on proposed long-term solutions looks at five alternatives that would remove 2.4 million to 4 million cubic yards of sediment. The report is available for public review through Jan. 6 online at LASedimentManagement.com/DevilsGate.

abby.sewell@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Recipe: Canter's egg salad

Written By kolimtiga on Sabtu, 26 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

egg salad

Canter's Deli simply blends eggs, celery and mayo, with some salt and pepper, for its egg salad. Recipe: Egg Salad (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

October 26, 2013

Dear SOS: Don't laugh, but the egg salad from Canter's Deli on Fairfax Avenue is lovely. Light, not oily or overly mayonnaise-sodden. Think you can get the recipe for this retiree?

Toby Horn

Los Angeles

Dear Toby: Eggs, celery and mayonnaise. Los Angeles' landmark Canter's Deli keeps it simple with its take on this classic. And that's just fine.

Canter's egg salad

15 minutes. Makes about 1 quart salad

1/3 cup mayonnaise, or as desired

1/3 cup diced celery

1 dozen hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced

Salt and pepper

In a large bowl, gently fold the mayonnaise and celery in with the eggs. Season with a generous one-half teaspoon salt and one-fourth teaspoon pepper, or to taste. Chill before serving.

EACH ½ CUP SERVING

Calories 182

Protein 10 grams

Carbohydrates 1 gram

Fiber 0

Fat 15 grams

Saturated fat 3 grams

Cholesterol 285 mg

Sugar 1 gram

Sodium 293 mg

NOTE: Adapted from Canter's Deli in Los Angeles.


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lasagna: A delicious project for a Sunday afternoon

We all have our own rituals for fall Sunday afternoons. Some guys sit around and watch football; for me it takes only about a quarter before I need a nap. Others feel inspired to take up household projects; the less said about my ability with a hammer the better.

Instead, I cook. Well, I cook all year round, but when the days start to cool and the light turns golden, I get more ambitious. Rather than 30 minutes at the grill, I throw myself into hours-long kitchen projects. This year, it's been lasagna.

It started in late September. I had just gotten back from the farmers market when I heard that Marcella Hazan had died. I looked over everything that I had bought and in her honor immediately started making dough for fresh pasta. And peeling and seeding tomatoes and turning them into sauce. And making a Parmesan-enriched white sauce. And blanching, chopping and sauteing beet greens. And then putting it all together. All of a sudden it was dinner time.

There's nothing like lasagna from scratch to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon.

It's habit-forming. I've made lasagna every weekend since. Not all have been so involved, of course. One weekend I made Hazan's wild mushroom and ham version. Another time I experimented with spicy tomato sauce and basil-flecked ricotta. Once you've mastered the basics of lasagna, it really is a most adaptable construct.

And I've learned there are places you can compromise to make the project easier. Canned tomatoes work just fine for most sauces. Not all lasagnas call for both ragù and besciamella. Spread out the work, taking one step at a time and making time for a break in between. Lasagna is forgiving that way.

One place I don't compromise is on fresh pasta. The fresh-versus-dried pasta debate is an old and tired one and, in the end, pointless. Each type of pasta has its purposes. Think of them as types of cloth: Fresh pasta is silk and dried is wool. But while I will grant that there are very good lasagnas made with dried pasta, the simultaneous delicacy and luxuriousness of fresh is what really makes the dish in most cases.

When it comes to building the lasagna, remember the importance of the pasta. The dish should be as much about the noodles as it is about the filling. Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the pan, then a layer of pasta. Spread a thin layer of filling, then another layer of pasta, repeating until you've either filled the pan or used up all the ingredients, finishing with a layer of sauce. Then just sprinkle with cheese and bake.

You'll want to let the lasagna settle for 10 minutes or so after it comes out of the oven. It'll be hard to resist the smell, but just keep reminding yourself that it's too hot to eat anyway. And besides, when you do finally cut into it, the lasagna will taste just that much better.

It's a lot more work than throwing a steak on the barbecue, no doubt. But what else are you going to do on a Sunday afternoon?

russ.parsons@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pancakes, on a grand or silver-dollar scale, in L.A.

Name me one person who doesn't occasionally long to wake up, slowly, and amble out to the kitchen for a pancake. But not all of us are blessed with a significant other with serious pancake-making skills. Fortunately, you can find some stellar examples at restaurants around town that are ready to welcome sleepy heads. Add a good cup of coffee and it's not so bad waking up to the world. American comfort food at its best.

Cooks County

For Cooks County's weekend brunch, baker extraordinaire Roxana Jullapat makes a fantastic buttermilk pancake. Very plain, it's not much too look at, but boy does this one deliver. Baked to order in a cast iron skillet, it's, oh, 10 inches wide and a good inch thick, and light and fluffy. It's served with a dark fuchsia blueberry compote (like all Jullapat's desserts, notably not too sweet) and, if you like, bourbon-barrel maple syrup. And not to forget her exemplary basket of morning pastries, including a pecan sticky bun and ginger scone. Like her mentor, Nancy Silverton, Jullapat has the touch with doughs.

8009 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 653-8009. Baked pancake, $11.

Valerie at Grand Central Market

Valerie Gordon of Valerie Confections first won our hearts with her chocolate-dipped toffees. And now she's expanded with a cafe in downtown's Grand Central Market. Weekdays she serves breakfast and lunch, but on Saturdays, you can order her silver dollar pancakes. "They're a little homage to Sears Fine Food in San Francisco, and I always make little pancakes at home for our kids," says Gordon. They're adorable golden rounds, a dozen to an order, and served with a maple syrup compound butter. If pancakes aren't your thing, you can get old-fashioned cinnamon toast — or perhaps a salted caramel croissant or a crème fraiche scone.

317 Broadway, Los Angeles, (213) 621-2781. Silver dollar pancakes, $8. Only on Saturdays.

Axe

Chef and owner Joanna Moore has been serving up hearty vegetable-centric fare at Axe on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice since 1999. And one of the big draws has been her giant nine-grain pancake — big enough for an entire table to share. The name may sound like hippie fare, but this pancake has heft and sophistication. And the beautiful thing is you can get a half-order, which is about as large as a small pizza: Spongy and dense with whole grains, the legendary pancake is altogether delicious with a little butter and some maple syrup. Nourishing to body and spirit.

1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 664-9787. Nine-grain pancake, $12.

irene.virbila@latimes.com


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Obama softens tone on immigration reform

Written By kolimtiga on Jumat, 25 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

WASHINGTON — After months of insisting the House should take up the comprehensive immigration bill that passed the Senate in June, President Obama changed tactics Thursday and said he might consider GOP proposals to overhaul separate parts of the immigration system.

The White House is hoping that public anger at the 16-day government shutdown has so badly damaged the GOP that House Republican leaders will consider immigration reform as a way to improve their popularity with moderate voters.

Obama's aides also are intent on showing the president is willing to compromise, partly to counter GOP charges that he was inflexible during the bitter shutdown standoff.

In remarks at the White House, Obama hinted that he was no longer tied to the Senate bill, the elaborate product of months of intense bipartisan negotiations, to achieve what he has called a major priority for his second term.

Obama instead signaled that he might consider a package of smaller bills, if necessary, as long as they provide a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million people in the country without legal status.

"If House Republicans have new and different additional ideas on how we should move forward, then we want to hear them. I'll be listening," Obama told several dozen pro-reform activists from labor, business and religious groups.

White House spokesman Jay Carney echoed the shift, telling reporters there are "a variety of ways that you can reach the ultimate goal" of a bill that Obama could sign into law.

"The House's approach will be up to the House," Carney said. "There is a comprehensive bill the House Democrats have put together that is similar to the Senate bill and reflects the president's principles. But the means by which we arrive at our destination is in some ways of course up to the lawmakers who control the houses of Congress."

The White House effort to resuscitate a bill that seemed all but dead in the House before the shutdown still faces steep and perhaps insurmountable odds. But the jockeying Thursday raised at least some hope that compromise remains possible.

"I hope President Obama meant what he said today about listening to new and different ideas presented by House Republicans," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va.) said in a statement. "The president should work with Congress, including House Republicans, to achieve immigration reform, and not against us."

In recent weeks, GOP leaders have worked behind the scenes to craft legislative proposals that might pass muster with rank-and-file Republicans and — if joined with a legalization program — could appeal to the White House.

Majority Leader Eric Cantor and other House Republicans have met in small groups to write bills that would change parts of the immigration system. GOP proposals include adding high-tech visas, revamping farm and low-skilled immigrant labor programs, and ramping up border security.

"I expect us to move forward this year in trying to address reform and what is broken about our system," Cantor said on the House floor Wednesday.

Whether the House will go as far as the Senate, and include a 13-year pathway to citizenship for qualified immigrants, is far from clear. Republicans seemed unwilling to accept the entire Senate bill, which includes $46 billion over 10 years for extra border security and other programs, as well as numerous legal reforms.

On Thursday, House Speaker John A. Boehner's office said the House would not consider "massive, Obamacare-style legislation that no one understands," referring to the Senate bill. "Instead, the House is committed to a common-sense, step-by-step approach that gives Americans confidence that reform is done the right way."

In his comments Thursday, Obama offered some unsolicited advice to House Republicans, who took the brunt of the blame for the bruising budget and debt battles of recent weeks.

"Good policy is good politics in this instance," Obama said. "If folks are really that consumed with the politics of fixing our broken immigration system, they should take a closer look at the polls, because the American people support this."

Outside analysts and advocates say Obama needs to gain support from House Republicans who might be tempted to support immigration reform but are wary of supporting a bill he has embraced. Simply urging the House to pass the Senate bill may antagonize them.

"He has zero credibility," said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who has worked for months on a House bill that would increase border security and make it possible for some immigrants without legal status to pay a penalty and eventually apply for legal status. "If he wants to be helpful on immigration reform, he has to do what he has been doing for the past five years, which is nothing."

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-Ill.), who asked the president in a meeting at the White House earlier this year to step back from negotiations in Congress for fear his involvement would spook Republicans, thought Obama struck the right tone Thursday.

"He didn't say, 'It's my way or the highway,'" said Gutierrez, who is involved in discussions with House Republicans on immigration proposals. Gutierrez wants Obama to step up his involvement in crafting a deal, including bringing together both sides for a face-to-face meeting.

"Camp David is a nice place in the fall," Gutierrez said.

The bigger problem may be time. The House is only in session for five more weeks before the Christmas break. With other business stacked up due to the government shutdown, that leaves scant floor time to debate and pass a complex package of proposals.

Motorola Solutions Inc. Chairman Greg Brown, who heads the Business Roundtable Select Committee on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, saw room for compromise.

"We agree with Speaker Boehner and the president that the time is now to fix our broken immigration system," he said in a statement. "Our economy needs a boost, and immigration reform will help."

Frank Sharry, the head of America's Voice, an immigration reform advocacy group, said he thought the president's comments "signaled openness."

Sharry said that a House GOP proposal probably would not be acceptable to Democrats, but "the question is: Is it in the ballpark where both sides can get what they want?"

brian.bennett@latimes.com

christi.parsons@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

University of Chicago physicist to lead Caltech

Thomas F. Rosenbaum, an expert in condensed matter physics and second in command at the University of Chicago, will become the new president of Caltech, officials announced Thursday.

Rosenbaum, 58, currently is provost at the University of Chicago, where he also holds the position of John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Physics. On July 1, he will succeed Jean-Lou Chameau, who left Caltech earlier this year to head King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

Before becoming Chicago's provost in 2007, Rosenbaum studied the behavior of closely packed atoms in solids and liquids at the university's Rosenbaum Lab. By experimenting on materials in extreme cold — temperatures that approached absolute zero — Rosenbaum and his colleagues were better able to examine the quantum behavior of substances.

Terry Hartle, senior vice president of the American Council on Education, described Rosenbaum's appointment as "a superb choice" for Caltech.

"This is someone who has the intellectual and academic administrative experience to be a first-class new president," Hartle said.

Jacqueline K. Barton, chairwoman of Caltech's chemistry and chemical engineering department, said she believes Rosenbaum's experience at the University of Chicago prepared him well for the Caltech presidency.

"Caltech is a very special place and we need someone who can recognize that, preserve that and continue to help us excel," said Barton, who received a 2010 National Medal of Science from President Obama.

Like others, Barton said the risk of decreased federal funding for research is the greatest threat and that Caltech leaders may have to pursue private funding more vigorously than in the past.

"The model may be changing," she said. "We have to think about the best ways to continue to preserve this jewel of a place. And so we need smart, creative people to focus on that. I think [Rosenbaum] offers that opportunity."

Hartle agreed, saying that research funding will be one of Rosenbaum's biggest challenges.

"The federal budget uncertainty creates massive problems for all major research universities and Caltech is not alone in this regard," Hartle said. Because Caltech's undergraduate program is relatively small, the importance of high-level research looms larger there than at other high-profile institutions, he said.

Caltech Provost Edward Stolper, a geologist, has been interim president since Chameau left at the end of the last school year and will continue in that role through the end of the school year until Rosenbaum takes over, a campus spokesperson said.

As Chicago's senior academic administrator, Rosenbaum helped establish the Institute for Molecular Engineering, an effort that also involved the Argonne National Laboratory. Caltech officials said his scientific and administrative experience would help him "in furthering" the relationship between Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

While the federal government owns JPL's facilities, its 5,000 workers are Caltech employees, who work under government contract.

"The combination of deep management experience and visionary leadership Tom brings will serve Caltech extremely well in the coming years," said David Lee, chairman of the Caltech Board of Trustees. "The board is excited about collaborating closely with Tom to propel the institute to new levels of scientific leadership."

In addition to having five Nobel laureates on its faculty, Caltech was recently ranked as the top research university in the world by the Times Higher Education magazine of Britain.

Harvard University was tied for second with Britain's University of Oxford, followed by Stanford, MIT, Princeton, the University of Cambridge, UC Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Imperial College London, Yale and UCLA.

Rosenbaum's spouse, Katherine Faber, will also join the Caltech faculty. She is currently the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University.

Rosenbaum received his bachelor's degree in physics from Harvard University in 1977 and a master's and a doctorate in physics from Princeton University in 1979 and 1982, respectively.

His honors include an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, a Presidential Young Investigator Award and the William McMillan Award for "outstanding contributions to condensed matter physics."

Caltech enrolls 978 undergraduate students and 1,253 graduate students; it has about 300 faculty members and more than 600 research scholars.

larry.gordon@latimes.com

monte.morin@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

University of Chicago physicist to lead Caltech

Thomas F. Rosenbaum, an expert in condensed matter physics and second in command at the University of Chicago, will become the new president of Caltech, officials announced Thursday.

Rosenbaum, 58, currently is provost at the University of Chicago, where he also holds the position of John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Physics. On July 1, he will succeed Jean-Lou Chameau, who left Caltech earlier this year to head King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

Before becoming Chicago's provost in 2007, Rosenbaum studied the behavior of closely packed atoms in solids and liquids at the university's Rosenbaum Lab. By experimenting on materials in extreme cold — temperatures that approached absolute zero — Rosenbaum and his colleagues were better able to examine the quantum behavior of substances.

Terry Hartle, senior vice president of the American Council on Education, described Rosenbaum's appointment as "a superb choice" for Caltech.

"This is someone who has the intellectual and academic administrative experience to be a first-class new president," Hartle said.

Jacqueline K. Barton, chairwoman of Caltech's chemistry and chemical engineering department, said she believes Rosenbaum's experience at the University of Chicago prepared him well for the Caltech presidency.

"Caltech is a very special place and we need someone who can recognize that, preserve that and continue to help us excel," said Barton, who received a 2010 National Medal of Science from President Obama.

Like others, Barton said the risk of decreased federal funding for research is the greatest threat and that Caltech leaders may have to pursue private funding more vigorously than in the past.

"The model may be changing," she said. "We have to think about the best ways to continue to preserve this jewel of a place. And so we need smart, creative people to focus on that. I think [Rosenbaum] offers that opportunity."

Hartle agreed, saying that research funding will be one of Rosenbaum's biggest challenges.

"The federal budget uncertainty creates massive problems for all major research universities and Caltech is not alone in this regard," Hartle said. Because Caltech's undergraduate program is relatively small, the importance of high-level research looms larger there than at other high-profile institutions, he said.

Caltech Provost Edward Stolper, a geologist, has been interim president since Chameau left at the end of the last school year and will continue in that role through the end of the school year until Rosenbaum takes over, a campus spokesperson said.

As Chicago's senior academic administrator, Rosenbaum helped establish the Institute for Molecular Engineering, an effort that also involved the Argonne National Laboratory. Caltech officials said his scientific and administrative experience would help him "in furthering" the relationship between Caltech and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

While the federal government owns JPL's facilities, its 5,000 workers are Caltech employees, who work under government contract.

"The combination of deep management experience and visionary leadership Tom brings will serve Caltech extremely well in the coming years," said David Lee, chairman of the Caltech Board of Trustees. "The board is excited about collaborating closely with Tom to propel the institute to new levels of scientific leadership."

In addition to having five Nobel laureates on its faculty, Caltech was recently ranked as the top research university in the world by the Times Higher Education magazine of Britain.

Harvard University was tied for second with Britain's University of Oxford, followed by Stanford, MIT, Princeton, the University of Cambridge, UC Berkeley, the University of Chicago, Imperial College London, Yale and UCLA.

Rosenbaum's spouse, Katherine Faber, will also join the Caltech faculty. She is currently the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University.

Rosenbaum received his bachelor's degree in physics from Harvard University in 1977 and a master's and a doctorate in physics from Princeton University in 1979 and 1982, respectively.

His honors include an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, a Presidential Young Investigator Award and the William McMillan Award for "outstanding contributions to condensed matter physics."

Caltech enrolls 978 undergraduate students and 1,253 graduate students; it has about 300 faculty members and more than 600 research scholars.

larry.gordon@latimes.com

monte.morin@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

2 L.A. council members urge changes in city's sex harassment training

Written By kolimtiga on Kamis, 24 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

Two members of the Los Angeles City Council called Wednesday for dramatic changes to the city's sexual harassment training, saying every employee should be required to take the sessions, not just managers.

Council President Herb Wesson and Councilwoman Nury Martinez — the lawmaking body's only woman member — also said in their proposal that sexual harassment training should be done in person, not through the two-hour online sessions now required.

Wesson said he did not view the proposal as a response to the high-profile sexual harassment lawsuits filed in recent weeks against Councilman Jose Huizar and John Lee, chief of staff to Councilman Mitchell Englander. Huizar and Englander have both called allegations in the respective lawsuits untrue.

"I do not believe that we have a problem in City Hall," Wesson said. "I do think from time to time these things come up and it's our responsibility to try to reduce the number of times that they come up."

Martinez, who is also the council's newest member, said she had been concerned for weeks that the city's training was not as extensive as the kind required at the state government level. "I was starting to look into this issue already, and in light of the current lawsuits, it's something we obviously need to look at," she said.

The city now requires that roughly 10,000 managers and supervisors take a two-hour sexual harassment training course that is online only, according to Personnel Department officials. Wesson and Martinez have called for new laws that would not only make sure the training is conducted in person but dramatically expand the number of people who would take it.

RaeLynn Napper, who runs the city's Equal Employment Opportunity division, found the prospect of such an in-person training for roughly 45,000 full-time city employees daunting. "We would have to be training 180 people a day, every day, to hit every employee within a year," she said.

Wesson and Martinez also proposed mandatory in-person ethics training every two years for the city's politicians and higher-level officials. Like the harassment training, those sessions — provided to at least 5,000 employees — are predominantly conducted online, according to an Ethics Commission official. They also pushed for mandatory in-person workplace violence training every two years for every worker.

The latter idea comes just a few months before the Personnel Department is scheduled to begin using a new online workplace violence prevention training program. Maggie Whelan, general manager of the Personnel Department, said in-person training would cost considerably more.

"If we had the resources to give stand-up training, that would be great," she said. "But frankly, we had resorted to the electronic training because it is the best way to reach the largest number of employees efficiently and cost-effectively."

Asked if she was worried about the potential cost of expanded training, Martinez said she was "more concerned about protecting the workers."

"If there's costs incurred as a result of making sure everyone gets trained appropriately, then that's what we have to do as a city," she added.

david.zahniser@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state's oil boom

WASHINGTON — About sundown one Sunday in September, North Dakota farmer Steven Jensen noticed that his combine was running over wet, squishy earth in a wheat field he was harvesting. When he took a closer look, he saw that oil had coated the wheels and that it was bubbling up about 6 inches high in spots.

That was Sept. 29; Jensen contacted authorities immediately. At least 20,600 barrels of oil leaked onto the Jensens' land from a pipeline owned by Tesoro Logistics, one of the largest land-based spills in recent history. Neither the pipeline company nor the state informed the public of the spill for 11 days.

Since then, why there was a delay in disclosure has proved to be one of several fundamental questions that Tesoro and state authorities have yet to answer. No one knows how long the pipeline was leaking before Jensen discovered it, nor why sensors on the pipe failed to detect the leak. Neither the state nor the company could say what the pipeline's capacity was. Experts on pipeline spills question the accuracy of Tesoro's leak estimate, disputing its methodology.

Jensen estimates that more than 20 acres have been affected by the spill and cleanup effort. He says Tesoro appears to be working hard to contain the spill, but he worries that it could seep into groundwater.

The questions have stirred concerns about North Dakota's handling of a major spill, especially because thousands of miles of pipe are being installed as part of the state's oil boom.

"If there is a spill of any sort, the public should be told immediately, so that they have confidence that their officials are responding appropriately," said Mac Schneider, a Democrat from Grand Forks and the minority leader in the state Senate. Schneider said he knew only what he "read in the papers."

Tesoro said it sent a news release about the spill on Oct. 10. Kris Roberts, who is leading the North Dakota Health Department's work with Tesoro on the cleanup, said the state saw no need to publicize the spill immediately because the site was remote.

"It's on top of a low hill, in the middle of a wheat field, in an area with no residents at all," Roberts said. "The public has a right to know. But do I have a responsibility to run out and tell the public every time there's a spill that isn't going to threaten them or the environment, and that the company is aggressively cleaning up?"

The North Dakota spill comes amid a national debate over granting a federal permit to the giant Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport tar sands oil from Canada to Texas. In March, an Exxon pipeline burst in Mayflower, Ark., spewing about 5,000 barrels of oil into a subdivision and a lake. In Michigan, cleanup continues on a spill of more than 20,000 barrels of oil into the Kalamazoo River that occurred in mid-2010.

Jensen smelled the oil in the wheat field before he saw it, raising questions about how long the pipe had been leaking. On Sept. 25, as Jensen was harvesting two miles from in his home in Tioga, he smelled what he thought was oil drilling at a nearby property. Bad weather kept him away from the field until the 29th, when he drove across the oil-soaked section.

The 35-mile-long Tesoro pipeline, which carries oil from Tioga to a rail depot near Columbus, N.D., was laid 20 years ago, meaning it is relatively new. But a pipeline's age has little bearing on reliability, with leaks more often linked to soil conditions and maintenance, said Carl Weimer, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, a watchdog group in Bellingham, Wash.

Tesoro and regulators are trying to determine exactly when a quarter-inch hole opened in the pipe, which is 6 inches in diameter and buried about 6 feet deep. The company's leak detection sensors on the line failed, which Tesoro termed "unacceptable."

Tesoro tested the pipeline and others in the area in early September but did not get the results until Oct. 14. The tests showed weaknesses at several places, including the spill site, the company said.

After learning about the leak, Tesoro said, it shut down the line within 10 minutes, and a representative was there within hours.

The company initially reported that 750 barrels had spilled, but a week later revised it to 20,600. Tesoro based its estimate on soil samples over the 7-acre site, where the oil saturated soil about 3 feet down.

But Steve Wereley, professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University and an expert on spill flows, said such methodology gave Tesoro "just the roughest of ideas" about the spill's size.

"They should know how much oil they put in at the oil field, and how much oil they get at the rail depot," said Wereley, who helped establish an accurate flow rate for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. "If we're talking about tens of thousands of barrels, shouldn't you notice 20,000 barrels missing at the end?"

Tesoro said it was investigating whether there was a discrepancy between oil that went into the pipe and what was received at the rail depot.

The company has cleaned up about 3,000 barrels of oil. The remediation is expected to continue until late 2014 and to cost about $4 million, the state and Tesoro said.

But Jensen is worried.

"They've been really nice and they've contained the spill as well as they can," he said. "But I still don't know if it will get into the water."

neela.banerjee@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

College football top 25: Central Florida, Stanford on the move

Central Florida rose from unranked commuter school in Orlando to No. 15, Clemson got dropped like a hot Howard's Rock and Stanford used a tremendous one-handed catch from Kodi Whitfield to get back in the national title chase. Professor Condi Rice was so excited she picked this season's Stanford team to be in next season's four-school playoff, prompting former Auburn coach Pat Dye to say something along the lines of "This is why girls should only be secretaries of State." All eyes now turn to Tuscaloosa, where Alabama needs to lead 60-7 after three quarters to be more impressive against Tennessee than Oregon was last month.

1; Alabama 7-0; Billboard magazine says Crimson Tide could stay No. 1 longer than "Hey Jude." (1)

2; Oregon 7-0; Aliotti asks that his $5,000 fine go into kitty for Pac-12 refs' postseason party. (2)

3; Florida State 6-0; Bobby Bowden to be honored Saturday but still won't be allowed to wear headset. (5)

4; Ohio State 7-0; Meyer is 19-0 in Columbus but had better shot at getting to BCS title game at Utah. (3)

5; Stanford 6-1; Rankman open-mike reading: "I think that I shall never see a mascot lovely as the Tree." (10)

6; Miami 6-0; To paraphrase Tark, NCAA got so mad at Miami it's going to put Slippery Rock on probation. (11)

7; Baylor 6-0; Scoring average of 64.7 is the average daily December temperature in San Diego. (12)

8; Missouri 7-0; Never won a Big 12 title but could claim the SEC in only its second season. (14)

9; Texas Tech 7-0; Went to Oklahoma undefeated in 2008 and came back with a 44-point loss. (16)

10; UCLA 5-1; Needs to avoid Washington's plight of losing after the Huskies lost to Stanford and Oregon back to back. (9)

11; Clemson 6-1; Coach who said he'd beat FSU five times out of 10 came off as half-cocked. (4)

12; Fresno State 6-0; If BCS ended today, Bulldogs would be putting all their chips in a Fiesta Bowl. (15)

13; Louisiana State 6-2; Miles auctions "The Hat" after it went trickless in loss at Mississippi. (8)

14; Oklahoma State 5-1; Returns to Iowa State for first time since 2011 loss that 'Bama so appreciated. (18)

15; Central Florida 5-1; This ranking has been approved by the Moose Lodge of Downtown Orlando. (NR)

16; Louisville 6-1; Well, at least the St. Louis Cardinals still have a chance to win a national championship. (6)

17; South Carolina 5-2; Team even more motivated this week after learning Missouri is in the SEC. (13)

18; Auburn 6-1; Free "Malzahn Miracle" milkshakes being served this week at Toomer's Corner Cafe. (NR)

19; Texas A&M 5-2; Johnny Gunslinger's right arm was in sling but he'll try to shoot it out vs. Vandy. (7)

20; Nebraska 5-1; Nebraska at Minnesota is a lot closer on a map than you might think. (21)

21; Oklahoma 6-1; Best way to cure Red River Rivalry hangover is to take two aspirin and call Kansas in the morning. (22)

22; Northern Illinois 7-0; Home to the two greatest running backs ever listed as quarterbacks in the media guide. (23)

23; Virginia Tech 6-1; Best effort this season remains that opening loss against No. 1 Alabama. (24)

24; Wisconsin 5-2; Right in the heart of its "I" portion of the Big Ten schedule: Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. (25)

25; Michigan 6-1; First team ever put back in top 25 after allowing 47 points to Indiana. (NR)

Dropped out: Washington (17), Florida (19), Georgia (20).

Moved in: Auburn, Central Florida, Michigan.


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

L.A. County supervisors advance plan for new women's jail

Written By kolimtiga on Rabu, 23 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

As Los Angeles County struggles to deal with rampant jail overcrowding, elected leaders took steps Tuesday to build a new women's jail in Lancaster but appeared on the verge of canceling a plan to ship 500 long-term inmates to a facility in Kern County.

The $75-million contract to send inmates to Taft was contentious when the board approved it in a 3-2 vote in late September. On Tuesday, Supervisor Gloria Molina said she no longer supported it and asked that it be reconsidered at next week's Board of Supervisors meeting.

Molina said she had changed her mind about the contract after learning that there was ongoing litigation between the state and the city of Taft over the jail the county planned to use.

"The last thing L.A. County needs is to be in the middle of two warring parties," she said in an interview, adding that she was upset that the supervisors had not been apprised of the litigation before they voted on the contract.

"I'm very disappointed with all the folks involved in this," she said.

The Taft facility was previously used to house state inmates, but has stood empty since the California Department of Corrections terminated its lease in 2011. Taft sued the state in August 2012, in an attempt to get back more than $500,000 in unemployment benefits paid to former employees after the facility closed. The city also sought to bar the state from exercising a contract clause that would have given it the right to lease the facility for $1 a year after 2017.

Representatives of the Los Angeles County attorneys' office, Taft and the state department of corrections did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Molina said that finding additional jail beds and ensuring that serious offenders serve their full terms remain a priority, but that she now believed the county should not move forward until a consulting firm completes its work on a comprehensive jail plan.

That construction plan, projected to cost $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion, would be the county's largest building project ever, and would include tearing down and replacing the cornerstone of the nation's largest jail system — the Men's Central Jail — and reconfiguring other facilities.

However, supervisors did vote Tuesday to move forward with plans for a 1,604-bed women's jail at the Mira Loma Detention Center in Lancaster.

. Assistant Sheriff Terri McDonald said the primary women's facility in Lynwood is at 160% capacity, resulting in widespread early releases for county prisoners. If sentences are 90 days or less, inmates are processed and sent on their way. The majority of the remainder serves 10% of their sentences, while a small number convicted of more serious crimes serve 40%, she said.

Supervisors had previously planned to build a smaller facility at Pitchess Detention Center, but Mira Loma became available because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stopped using it. Moving the proposed women's facility to Mira Loma enables the county to build more beds at a lower cost.

At least two additional votes must take place before final approval is granted for the construction of the $110-million facility, but Tuesday's vote was necessary so the county can retain a $100-million grant it received from the state earmarked for building a women's jail, and seek an additional $80 million in state money for the design and construction of a proposed "reentry" facility for female prisoners completing their sentences.

The move was approved on a 4-0 vote, with board Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas abstaining after expressing concern that by moving forward to retain the grant, the board was in effect committing to the project before the comprehensive jail plan is complete.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said that while he understood some of Ridley-Thomas' concerns, he believed that this component of the jails overhaul plan was a "no brainer" and said that it would irresponsible for the county to leave $100 million in state funds sitting on the table.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

abby.sewell@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tuition increases at public colleges in U.S. slow

The rise in tuition at public colleges slowed this year to the smallest increase in more than three decades, although financial aid has not kept pace to cover the hikes, according to a College Board study released Wednesday.

At public four-year colleges and universities across the country, the average price for tuition and fees rose 2.9% this year — the smallest annual rise in 38 years — to $8,893 for in-state students, the report said. Room and board adds about $9,500.

However, analysts urged students and families to pay closer attention to what they described as the more important figure: the net average cost after grants, tax credits and deductions. That was $3,120, up from $3,050 last year, for average net tuition and fees at four-year public colleges.

"It does seem that the spiral is moderating — not turning around, not ending, but moderating," said Sandy Baum, a co-author of the College Board study and research professor at George Washington University. Baum said that the relatively small increase, while still above the general 2% inflation, was good news and that she hoped it will encourage more students to enroll in college and apply for financial aid.

The tuition hikes at four-year public colleges from 2010 through 2012 had averaged 7.9%, 8.5% and 4.5%, respectively. California contributed to this year's national slowdown: the UC and Cal State systems froze tuition for the second year in a row after sharp increases for 2011.

At private nonprofit colleges, the average sticker price for tuition and fees was up 3.8%, to $30,094. That was a bit less than the rise of at least 4% in each of the previous three years. The much lower net cost, what students actually pay, averaged $12,460 after grants and tax benefits, up $530 from last year, the College Board reported. Room and board at private schools average about $10,820.

Both public and private colleges have faced more pressure from the public and federal government to keep costs down, said economist Jennifer Ma, a co-author of the report. "Obviously, they have been mindful of that," she said. For example, President Obama has proposed a new college rating system that takes pricing and financial aid into account.

Plus, with the recession receding, some state governments have started to restore higher education funding that had been cut after tax revenues shrank five years ago, experts said. California voters last year, for example, approved Proposition 30, which increased some taxes that helped avoid tuition hikes.

Once again, the annual College Board survey highlights California's two-year community colleges as the best bargain in the nation, with tuition and other fees for state residents averaging $1,424, compared with $3,264 nationwide.

UC's $13,200 in tuition and campus-based fees this year is above the $9,804 average at all doctoral degree-granting public universities, while Cal State's average $6,695 is below the $7,750 for master's degree institutions nationally.

A related College Board report tackled the controversial issue of rising student debt as part of the overall aid package. College Board President David Coleman said that too many students may be scared away from college by fears that education loans would be impossible to pay off when, he said, most college graduates are able to manage those payments.

According to the report, 57% of graduates of public four-year colleges in 2011-12 had school debt, with the average at $25,000. That amount is 22% higher than the load carried by graduates a decade ago.

At private nonprofit colleges, 65% of 2011-12 graduates had debt averaging $29,900, which was 24% more than a decade ago. Those figures do not include students who transferred into the colleges.

Coleman estimated that such loads would require payments of about $300 a month over 10 years, which he believes is manageable and worthwhile given the boost in income that most people receive over the long haul by earning a college degree.

"I don't diminish the concerns," he said. "But I want to be clear that a college education is one of the best investments a student or their families can make in terms of health, income and upward mobility."

Debbie Cochrane, research director for the Institute for College Access & Success, which pushes for college affordability, said that because many recent graduates are having a hard time finding well-paying jobs, many are straining to make their payments and are postponing car and house purchases and marriage as a result.

"It really is a signal of the financial toll the debt is taking," Cochrane said.

Students and parents should beware of colleges that show high loan default rates among their former students.

"That may show they have to question the quality of the education being provided," Cochrane said.

larry.gordon@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tuition increases at public colleges in U.S. slow

The rise in tuition at public colleges slowed this year to the smallest increase in more than three decades, although financial aid has not kept pace to cover the hikes, according to a College Board study released Wednesday.

At public four-year colleges and universities across the country, the average price for tuition and fees rose 2.9% this year — the smallest annual rise in 38 years — to $8,893 for in-state students, the report said. Room and board adds about $9,500.

However, analysts urged students and families to pay closer attention to what they described as the more important figure: the net average cost after grants, tax credits and deductions. That was $3,120, up from $3,050 last year, for average net tuition and fees at four-year public colleges.

"It does seem that the spiral is moderating — not turning around, not ending, but moderating," said Sandy Baum, a co-author of the College Board study and research professor at George Washington University. Baum said that the relatively small increase, while still above the general 2% inflation, was good news and that she hoped it will encourage more students to enroll in college and apply for financial aid.

The tuition hikes at four-year public colleges from 2010 through 2012 had averaged 7.9%, 8.5% and 4.5%, respectively. California contributed to this year's national slowdown: the UC and Cal State systems froze tuition for the second year in a row after sharp increases for 2011.

At private nonprofit colleges, the average sticker price for tuition and fees was up 3.8%, to $30,094. That was a bit less than the rise of at least 4% in each of the previous three years. The much lower net cost, what students actually pay, averaged $12,460 after grants and tax benefits, up $530 from last year, the College Board reported. Room and board at private schools average about $10,820.

Both public and private colleges have faced more pressure from the public and federal government to keep costs down, said economist Jennifer Ma, a co-author of the report. "Obviously, they have been mindful of that," she said. For example, President Obama has proposed a new college rating system that takes pricing and financial aid into account.

Plus, with the recession receding, some state governments have started to restore higher education funding that had been cut after tax revenues shrank five years ago, experts said. California voters last year, for example, approved Proposition 30, which increased some taxes that helped avoid tuition hikes.

Once again, the annual College Board survey highlights California's two-year community colleges as the best bargain in the nation, with tuition and other fees for state residents averaging $1,424, compared with $3,264 nationwide.

UC's $13,200 in tuition and campus-based fees this year is above the $9,804 average at all doctoral degree-granting public universities, while Cal State's average $6,695 is below the $7,750 for master's degree institutions nationally.

A related College Board report tackled the controversial issue of rising student debt as part of the overall aid package. College Board President David Coleman said that too many students may be scared away from college by fears that education loans would be impossible to pay off when, he said, most college graduates are able to manage those payments.

According to the report, 57% of graduates of public four-year colleges in 2011-12 had school debt, with the average at $25,000. That amount is 22% higher than the load carried by graduates a decade ago.

At private nonprofit colleges, 65% of 2011-12 graduates had debt averaging $29,900, which was 24% more than a decade ago. Those figures do not include students who transferred into the colleges.

Coleman estimated that such loads would require payments of about $300 a month over 10 years, which he believes is manageable and worthwhile given the boost in income that most people receive over the long haul by earning a college degree.

"I don't diminish the concerns," he said. "But I want to be clear that a college education is one of the best investments a student or their families can make in terms of health, income and upward mobility."

Debbie Cochrane, research director for the Institute for College Access & Success, which pushes for college affordability, said that because many recent graduates are having a hard time finding well-paying jobs, many are straining to make their payments and are postponing car and house purchases and marriage as a result.

"It really is a signal of the financial toll the debt is taking," Cochrane said.

Students and parents should beware of colleges that show high loan default rates among their former students.

"That may show they have to question the quality of the education being provided," Cochrane said.

larry.gordon@latimes.com


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dodgers' Matt Kemp has surgery; team signs Cuban defector

Written By kolimtiga on Selasa, 22 Oktober 2013 | 12.18

Kemp underwent an operation Monday to clean up his sprained left ankle, a procedure that will prevent him from running for at least the next two months.

The Dodgers are hopeful Kemp will be ready to play on opening day, but if he isn't, are thinking their latest high-priced addition could help offset Kemp's absence.

Earlier in the day, the Dodgers signed Cuban defector Alexander Guerrero to a four-year, $28-million contract.

Guerrero, 26, projects to be a second baseman and offensive threat.

General Manager Ned Colletti said that Bob Engle, the Dodgers' international scouting chief, "thinks that [Guerrero] can play if not right away, very, very soon thereafter."

Guerrero's contract reflects his promise. After the first year of the deal, the Dodgers can't send Guerrero to the minor leagues without his consent, according to people familiar with the terms of the contract who spoke under the condition of anonymity because it hasn't been formally announced.

The Dodgers also can't offer Guerrero salary arbitration when his contract expires, meaning he will become a free agent after four years at age 30. Without a special clause in his contract, Guerrero would have had to accrue six full years of major league service time to become eligible for free agency.

Guerrero can earn an additional $4 million in bonuses over the lifetime of the contract. The bonuses are based on plate appearances.

Colletti said he wanted Guerrero to play winter ball in Latin America, which would give the Dodgers a gauge of how far he is from being ready for the major leagues.

Although Guerrero's signing takes the Dodgers out of the running for impending free agent Robinson Cano, it doesn't necessary rule out the return of Mark Ellis. The Dodgers have a $5.75-million team option on Ellis for 2014.

"I think Mark Ellis still has value to this organization, with or without Guerrero," Colletti said.

As for Kemp, the surgery was his second this month.

Kemp underwent a procedure to clean up his left shoulder less than two weeks ago. The shoulder was the same one on which he underwent major surgery last year.

The operation Monday, performed in North Carolina by ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, was designed primarily to remove cartilage flaps.

Kemp sprained the ankle in a plate collision July 21 on a play on which he admitted to not running hard. The injury prevented Kemp from participating in the postseason, as the Dodgers' medical staff feared he could break his weight-bearing talus bone in his foot if he continued playing.

Kemp's talus bone is still healing. Kemp is expected to undergo another MRI exam in a couple of months to determine if more surgery is necessary.

Kemp can't put any weight on his foot for the next month. In the month after that, he will be in a walking boot. The Dodgers won't have a timeline for his return until he removes the boot and starts running.

Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, said Kemp will still be able to strengthen his upper body and core, something he couldn't do last off-season. Kemp will also be on a program to strengthen his problematic hamstrings.

"We're anticipating he'll be ready for the season," Stewart said.

Kemp played in only 73 games this season. The two-time All-Star batted .270 with six home runs and 33 runs batted in.

Before Stewart revealed Kemp had surgery, Colletti was asked whether any of the Dodgers players were scheduled for surgery. Colletti said there weren't. Colletti later said he forgot about Kemp's procedure.

Changes are made to training staff

Sue Falsone resigned as Dodgers trainer to pursue other opportunities. The decision to part ways was Falsone's and not the Dodgers', according to a person familiar with the situation.

Falsone became the first female head athletic trainer for a major American sports franchise in November 2011. The Dodgers will still have a woman on the training staff next season, as assistant Nancy Patterson Flynn is expected to return. Greg Harrel, the other assistant trainer, is also expected back.

However, strength and conditioning coach Stephen Downey won't be back with the major league club.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com

Twitter: @dylanohernandez


12.18 | 0 komentar | Read More
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