Bitter cold. A man described as a transient was found dead today on a sidewalk in downtown Los Angeles, where the temperature fell to 34 degrees, a record low for a January 14th. It’s not immediately clear if the cold was a factor in the man’s death. The National Weather Service says the 34 degrees recorded this morning broke the record low of 36 set in downtown L.A. on Jan. 14, 2007. Today’s low was also the coldest temperature recorded downtown in 22 years. The temperature slipped to 9 degrees in Lancaster, 18 in Palmdale, 37 in Van Nuys and 0 at Big Bear Lake. KNBC
Bell tolls. Six former officials of the scandal-ridden city of Bell go on trial this week in a massive corruption case that nearly bankrupted the tiny city. The former mayor, vice mayor and four former City Council members are charged with felony misappropriation of public funds. Jury selection begins tomorrow. Key witnesses are expected to be former city employees and officials who discovered the alleged shady dealings and were granted immunity from prosecution. AP
Nordstrom robbery. Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out a brutal takeover robbery at a Nordstrom Rack in Westchester. Police say they have strong evidence linking the trio to the crime. All three suspects were taken into custody this weekend. More details are expected later this morning Fourteen store employees were taken hostage during the holdup. Police say one woman was sexually assaulted. Another employee was stabbed in the neck and police say one was pistol whipped. L.A. Times
Neo-Nazi killing. A Riverside boy who was just 10 years old when he shot and killed his father will learn his fate today. A judge will decide whether the now 12-year-old will be sent to juvenile detention or be given probation and sent to live with relatives. The boy claims that he killed his father – Neo-Nazi activist Jeffrey Hall – after years of physical abuse. Prosecutors insist the boy planned the shooting and had the mental capacity to understand that it was wrong. If the boy is sent to a juvenile lockup, he will be freed by the time he turns 23. Riverside Press Enterprise
World view. The glow of Golden Globe winners warmed up a chilly night in Los Angeles. It was an especially good night for Ben Affleck. His film “Argo” won for best film drama, and Affleck – who’s not nominated for an Academy Award – was also honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for directing. “Les Miserables” won for best musical or comedy. The top film acting awards went to Daniel Day Lewis, for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, and Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook.” The Showtime thriller “Homeland,” the coming of age comedy “Girls” and “Game Change,” the movie about Sarah Palin’s campaign for the vice presidency in 2008, were the big television winners. L.A. Times
King me. The L.A. Kings, winners of last season’s Stanley Cup, are ready to return to the ice. Starting today at 6:00 p.m., the Kings will begin selling tickets for 24 games to be played at Staples Center. The team says that in spite of the lock-out it anticipates selling out all of its home games this season. To celebrate the team suiting up again, the Kings will hold a practice tonight at Staples Center that is free and open to the public. Complimentary tickets for the 7:00 p.m. skate must be downloaded from the web. The Kings’ season opener at Staples Center is Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.