L.A. Now Live: Latest updates on USC shooting, Vernon election

Times crime reporter Andrew Blankstein will join City Editor Shelby Grad for a live chat with the latest on the investigation into the fatal shooting of two USC graduate students.

The chat will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday at www.latimes.com/lanow. Questions can be asked live during the chat or by submitting a comment above.

The two were shot early Wednesday while they were sitting in a car double-parked in the 2700 block of Raymond Avenue after a night studying at the library. We'll have updates on the investigation as well as what USC has to say about its efforts to improve security.

Reporter Sam Allen will give us the latest update on Vernon, where a historic election was thrown into chaos this week before officials could even begin counting the ballots.

After a series of corruption scandals and a reform effort at City Hall, the industrial city was holding its first open, competitive council election in years. The race has stirred up the tiny community, bringing door-to-door campaigners, fliers and candidates' forums for the first time in recent memory.

-- Kimi Yoshino