Napolitano nomination. Students and immigration activists opposed to the nomination of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as the next president of the University of California are planning to protest today at a Regents meeting in San Francisco.
The Regents are scheduled to vote this afternoon on Napolitano’s nomination and the former Arizona governor is expected to be on hand.
Sacramento Bee reporter Laurel Rosenhall told “Which Way, L.A.?” that the activists are concerned about Napolitano’s record as head of Homeland Security – particularly the deportation of undocumented immigrants. “The students that I’ve spoken with have said they worry whether those students who do not have legal status in this country would still be welcome at U.C. with Janet Napolitano at the head,” Rosenhall said.
Napolitano is thought to have broad support on the Board of Regents. But some faculty members have also opposed her nomination because of her lack of academic experience.
Meanwhile, a U.C. Berkeley campus leader has become the university system’s first Muslim student regent. Sadia Saifuddin’s nomination had been opposed by some Jewish groups because she’s led a push for the university to divest from Israeli companies that do business with that country’s military. Which Way, L.A.?, Sacramento Bee
Mountain fire. A wildfire burning out of control in Riverside County has forced the evacuation of 6,000 residents and vacationers in and around the mountain community of Idyllwild. The blaze has already churned through nearly 20,000 acres and is nowhere near containment. The Mountain Fire was burning toward low desert areas yesterday before the winds shifted and flames moved into the San Jacinto Mountains. Nearly 3,000 firefighters are battling the flames with the help of 16 water-dropping helicopters and 10 air tankers. Several houses and more than a dozen other buildings have burned. Press Enterprise
Trayvon Martin case. A fifth night of protests in the L.A. area over George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the Trayvon Martin case was calm. One group of demonstrators marched along Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and another peaceful rally was held in Pasadena. But it was a different story in Victorville. Seventeen people, many of them minors, were arrested after some demonstrators who turned out for a protest ransacked a gas station minimart and then tried to force their way into a shopping mall. The mob was blocked from entering the mall by security guards. Those who refused an order to leave were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly. KNBC
Homeless rights. A federal judge has refused to modify the ban on removing and destroying the unattended belongings of homeless residents of Skid Row. But in a notice of appeal filed yesterday, L.A. officials indicated they may challenge that injunction again, as they have for the past two years. The city argues that the ban keeps authorities from cleaning up Skid Row, causing a deteriorating health situation. Residents say their property has been taken while they used a restroom, filled water jugs or appeared in court. Homeless rights advocates say the city should be providing better access to clean toilets and health services. L.A. Times
Emmy nods. A little bit of TV history was made this morning with the announcement of the Emmy nominations: Netflix’s “House of Cards” became the first online program to be nominated for top drama. It was one of nine nominations for “House of Cards.” The FX production “American Horror Story: Asylum,” received 17 nods, more than any other show. In addition to “Hose of Cards,” the contenders for outstanding drama series are “Homeland,” “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad”, “Justified,” “The Americans” and “Game of Thrones.” The nominees for outstanding comedy are “Modern Family,” “Louie,” “Girls,” “Veep,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “Parks and Recreation.” The Emmys will be handed out September 22nd. The Hollywood Reporter