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State Briefs: May 16
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SACRAMENTO
Selling of historical coliseum site rejected
The state Senate rejected legislation Thursday that would require the state to sell the site of the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and adjoining Los Angeles Sports Arena.
The bill's author, Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, said the coliseum is "falling apart" and that selling the land would generate as much as $400 million to help ease the state's budget crunch.
Opponent Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, questioned whether a sale was even legally possible "given the historic nature of the coliseum."
The coliseum was designated a national historic landmark in 1984, the day before it began hosting the Summer Olympics.
It also was the site of the 1932 games and the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1958 to 1961.
IN BRIEF
SACRAMENTO
Senate votes to repeal Cold War-era laws
The California Senate has voted to repeal Cold War-era laws designed to punish organizations and public employees who profess support for the Communist Party.
Sen. Alan Lowenthal's bill would repeal a 1953 law that allows school districts and state government agencies to fire teachers and other public employees for being members of the Communist Party.
Lowenthal's legislation passed the Senate Thursday on a 24-16 vote and now goes to the Assembly.
LOS ANGELES
Brushfire fought in Griffith Park
A fire consumed about five acres of brush Thursday in Griffith Park, the sprawling wilderness area that still bears the scars of a major wildfire a year ago.
The blaze, which started near a trail, was first reported at 3:38 p.m and was declared contained about three hours later, said Fire Department spokesman Lauren DeRosier.
About 100 firefighters and three helicopters fought the fire, which burned west and downhill from the landmark Griffith Observatory.
SAN FRANCISCO
Family of mauled teen files claim
The parents of a teenager killed by an escaped tiger at the San Francisco Zoo filed a claim against the city Thursday, seeking monetary compensation for the fatal mauling of their 17-year-old son. Carlos Sousa Jr. died on Christmas Day when a Siberian tiger named Tatiana escaped its enclosure and attacked the San Jose teenager and two of his friends.
Sousa's parents, Carlos and Marilza Sousa, allege the city did not properly house the tiger.
—From wire reports
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