Morning Scoop: Preserving history, a DWP deal, and art from the ashes

Good morning from the City Desk, where the air conditioning is blasting and turning my fingers blue. Some California stories from today's paper to get you started on your day:

California is cracking down on illegal immigrants trying to get Medi-Cal benefits. But is the effort worthwhile? A debate rages.

Preserving history is a passion for archivists all over Los Angeles. Columnist Hector Tobar urges us all to keep them in mind.

People are getting laid off and furloughed. But California could save a lot of cash if it just paid its bills on time and stopped paying late fees.

The governor called him irresponsible for not evacuating promptly, but a man who was burned in the Station fire says he was trying to save his neighbors.

Outgoing DWP head H. David Nahai may get a really nice deal today if the DWP commission votes to make him a consultant until the end of the year at his full salary (nearly $6,300 a week).

In an effort to find some good in a bad break, art has risen from the ashes of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, badly damaged in the Jesusita fire.

In the Sheep fire, a Forest Service worker lost his home as well as about 20 dogs he had rescued.

We'll bring you more news as we get it. See something we should be following? Drop me a line at nita.lelyveld@latimes.com.

-- Nita Lelyveld

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