Port standoff. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is calling for ’round-the-clock negotiations to end a costly strike at the nation’s busiest port complex. The week-old walkout has shut down 10 of the 14 cargo terminals at the L.A. and Long Beach ports. The L.A. Times reports talks intensified over the weekend, but a resolution remains elusive. In a statement, Villaraigosa calls the strike “unacceptable.” He says it’s costing the local economy billions of dollars. L.A. Times
Dem’s den. A new-look state Legislature will be sworn into office today, with Democrats holding veto-proof supermajorities in both houses. Nearly half of Assembly members will be taking seats in the state Capitol for the first time. On the Senate side, 20 out of 40 office holders are either new or freshly reelected. Members of both houses will be taking home five percent less pay this year. Even with the reduction, state lawmakers will remain the country’s best compensated – earning a base salary just above $90,000 a year. Sacramento Bee
Gay marriage limbo. The U.S. Supreme Court will wait a few more days before announcing whether it will up take the issue of same-sex marriage. The high court is considering several cases involving gay marriage. That includes one from California in which opponents are appealing a lower court ruling that invalidated Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage in the state. A decision had been expected today, but it now appears that it will come Friday. SCOTUSblog
Drain blame. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments tomorrow on a local case that could decide who’s responsible for polluted storm run-off that makes it way into rivers and the ocean. The case pits Southern California environmental groups against the L.A. County Flood Control District. The environmentalists accuse the flood district of violating a federal permit by allowing high levels of pollutants to enter waterways. They’re trying force the county and local cities to adopt tougher prevention measures. The county insists that its responsibility has limits. L.A. Times
Tragedy at sea. A Coast Guard officer from Redondo Beach has died after his small craft was rammed by a smuggler’s vessel off the Southern California coast. Another officer was injured. Two men were arrested. The Coast Guard boat was deployed by a larger cutter conducting an investigation into suspected smuggling near Santa Cruz Island. Executive Petty Officer Terrell Horne III was pronounced dead after being brought ashore yesterday at the Port of Hueneme. He was thrown into the water by the crash and suffered head injuries. AP
Sweet repeat. Fans can salute the Los Angeles Galaxy tonight at a championship victory celebration at the Home Depot Center in Carson. The Galaxy beat the Houston Dynamo 3-1 Saturday for its second straight Major League Soccer title. It was the last game in a Galaxy uniform for soccer icon David Beckham. He’ll be there tonight, along with the rest of the team. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the party begins at 7. Admission and parking are free. Fans who donate $5 will get a patch of turf from the Home Depot field. Los Angeles Galaxy