Good morning -- here's what's happening 4.07.08
Even more snooping at the UCLA Medical Center, with the worker who spied on Farrah Fawcett also rifling through the files of 32 other celebrity patients, including Maria Shriver. Think the Governator might take notice now? Charles Ornstein continues to break the story.
Turns out L.A. cabbies spend just 40% of their working hours carrying passengers. The rest of the time they're stuck waiting in lines forced on them by strict city laws. Is this any way to run a business? Sharon Bernstein explains.
Another SoCal book store on the brink -- this time it's Acres of Books in downtown Long Beach, says Ari B. Bloomekatz.
It's official -- L.A. Times retracts Shakur story.
The details can be dry and dull but the bottom line's that Wall Street sharks are happily lining their pockets with state and city dollars and hoping you don't notice. Bill Lockyer's trying to stop them and George Skelton's explaining how.
Death becomes him. Vidal Herrera, a former deputy field investigator for the Los Angeles County coroner's office has built a thriving business from performing private autopsies, and renting out his morgue equipment for film and TV. Details from Molly Selvin.
Red flags about the small Long Beach hospital that wants take over King-Harbor Medical Center, which failed a crucial inspection last August. Health experts and community leaders talk to Garrett Therolf about their doubts.
What was so special about Gertrude Baines' birthday party in L.A. on Sunday? If there had been room on the cake, they'd have had to find 114 candles. (Plus one to grow on.) More on the world's third-oldest living person from Maria La Ganga.
--Veronique de Turenne
