Back in business. The eight-day strike that brought work to a virtual standstill at the busiest port complex in the country is over. Few details have been released, but the tentative deal appears to give the clerical workers what they wanted most: a guarantee that no jobs will be outsourced to other countries or to states where shippers can pay lower salaries. The pact still must be ratified by the full union membership. Steep economic losses – estimated by some at $1 billion a day – put tremendous pressure on both sides to compromise. Meanwhile, it will take some time to clear the back log of ships waiting to unload their cargo. L.A. Times
Opting out. California Attorney General Kamela Harris says local law enforcement agencies are not required to comply with the federal Secure Communities program. The goal of Secure Communities is to deport undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes. But Harris says the program has not lived up to that standard. Instead, she says data shows that nearly 30 percent of people targeted for deportation have committed no crimes. Harris issued a bulletin stating that immigration detainer requests are not mandatory. Shes says law enforcement agencies can make their own decisions. Sacramento Bee
Conversion confusion. Conflicting rulings have thrown the fate of a new state law that bans so-called conversion therapy for minors up in the air. The controversial therapy aims to change the sexual orientation of gays and lesbians. A federal judge declined to interfere yesterday in a case brought by therapists and parents who claim the law violates their free speech. The decision came just one day after another federal judge ruled in a separate case that the law might violate the 1st Amendment. That judge issued an injunction preventing the law from taking effect as planned on January 1st. But he narrowed his ruling to apply to only the three plaintiffs in the case. N.Y. Times
Water fight. The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be resisting an effort by environmentalists to force L.A. County and other local governments to crack down on pollution from water runoff. During a hearing yesterday, the justices suggested that they were inclined to throw out an appellate ruling that favored the environmental groups. The groups say that highly levels of bacteria, mainly from animal feces, and toxic metals often exceed water quality standards. They sued the L.A. Flood Control District, which argues that its responsibility for monitoring runoff is limited. AP
Slow growth. Economists say Proposition 30 approved by California voters last month may slow growth in the state but won’t derail the fledgling recovery. The proposition boosts sales taxes a quarter-cent and retroactively raises income taxes for the wealthy. The quarterly UCLA Anderson Forecast out today says jobs will be added more slowly and the statewide jobless rate will improve less quickly. Anderson Forecast
Quadruple killing. The man suspected of shooting to death four people outside of a Northridge home and three alleged accomplices are due in a Las Vegas courtroom today for an extradition hearing. Ka Pasasouk, the man suspected of pulling the trigger, has an extensive criminal record. The four were arrested at the Silverton Hotel and Casino. L.A. officials say the home where the shooting took place was an unlicensed boarding house. L.A. Daily News