Hot. If you’re looking for the heat to retreat, you’re out of luck.
The National Weather Service says temperatures in Southern California will stay above average through the weekend, with perhaps some relief beyond that.
Weather officials say a stubborn ridge of high pressure is standing in the way of cooler Pacific air. Instead of average highs topping out in the low 80s in the LA Basin – average for this time of year – we’re getting low 90s downtown and triple digits in the valleys. Humidity levels are also higher than normal.
But at least you can cool off at night, right? Um… no.
Forecasters say overnight temperatures will stay about 75 or 80 in some of the hotter valley locations.
If you’re stuck in the heat with no relief, L.A, County has cooling centers available, usually in libraries, senior centers and gyms. You can call the 211 L.A. County information line, or check out the health department website and look for the cooling center icon.
Meanwhile, The L.A. Department of Water and Power and Southern California Edison are asking customers to conserve energy because of the heat wave, especially during afternoon hours. KCBS
Hunger Strike. Both sides are claiming victory now that a long-running hunger-strike in California prisons has ended. The strike started in July with 30,000 prisoners and concluded yesterday with about 100 holdouts agreeing to end their fast. A spokesman says the strikers are satisfied that the Legislature will take up the issue of the state’s long-term isolation policies, which was their main complaint. Prison officials say they are pleased the hunger strike ended before any of the inmates suffered serious medical problems. They say they have not made any concessions to the strikers. L.A.
DWP contract. Union workers at the Department of Water and Power will begin voting this weekend on a new labor contract that pushes back a scheduled pay raise. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 18, represents about 8,200 workers. Union members are scheduled to get a two percent raise for cost-of-living increases on October 1. But the new agreement would push that increase back to 2016. City officials estimate the new labor contract would save taxpayers $6.1 billion over three decades and help reign in the cost of utility rates, which are expected to go up in the next three years. L.A. Daily News
Pension fight. Former Vernon official Bruce Malkernhorst was the highest paid public pensioner in the state of California when he retired in 2005, receiving more than $500,000 a year. He later pleaded guilty to stealing from Vernon. Subsequently, the state’s public employee retirement system found that his pension was obtained improperly and cut it to $115,000. Malkenhorst then sued the city of Vernon to make up the difference. State lawmakers are trying to make sure Malkenhorst doesn’t get any of the money back. They’ve drafted an emergency proposal to bar local government officials who have been convicted of a felony from suing the cities where they worked. The measure would require Malkenhorst to sue CalPERS – not Vernon – in his attempt to restore his original pension. L.A. Times
Rim Fire. Authorities have declined to identify a hunter suspected of starting the massive wildfire burning in and around Yosemite National Park. The U.S. Forest Service says an illegal campfire lit by a hunter sparked the blaze, which is now the third largest in California history. The hunter has not been charged and officials say his name is being kept confidential while they continue to investigate. The Rim Fire is 80 percent contained. It has scorched about 370 square miles. The cost of fighting the fire is more than $80 million. San Jose Mercury News
Grand Marshal Scully. Legendary Dodgers announcer Vin Scully will serve as the Grand Marshal of next year’s Tournament of Roses. As the event’s ceremonial leader, Scully gets the honor of flipping the coin to kick off the 100th Rose Bowl game. He’ll also ride in the parade, which he has done before. “It’s like going through a canyon of people, not walls of stone. And the crowd begins to roar at the floats,” Scully said. “And there I am, once again, 8-years-old and curled up under the radio.” Scully, who is 85, has called games for the Dodgers since 1950 and was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1982. Last month he announced that he would return to the broadcast booth next year for his 65th season with the Dodgers. KTLA