Venice hit-and-run. A vigil is planned this afternoon for those caught up in an apparently intentional hit-and-run rampage that left one woman dead and 11 others injured on the Venice Boardwalk.
The vigil will be held at 5 p.m. at Candle Café and Grill on Ocean Front Walk.
Meanwhile, L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin says barriers should be erected to prevent non-emergency vehicles from entering the Boardwalk. Thirty-eight-year-old Nathan Louis Campbell is accused of intentionally running people down in Saturday’s incident. But Bonin says police told him that up to 20 drivers a day mistakenly enter the boardwalk pedestrian area. The street Campbell used to enter the Boardwalk does have barriers. But Campbell allegedly maneuvered around them by driving on the sidewalk.
The woman who died has been identified as 32-year-old Alice Gruppioni, who was visiting Venice on her honeymoon. Her husband suffered minor injuries. Members of Gruppioni’s family have reportedly arrived in L.A. from Bologna, Italy. KABC
School funding. California education officials are reaching out to school districts, teachers, and parents as they get ready to implement the state’s new school funding system. They’re holding meetings starting this week to explain the changes and get feedback. Karen Stapf Walters, executive Director of the state Board of Education, says meetings this month at county education offices across the state will help schools put the new system in place: The funding formula is part of the new state budget signed by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this summer. It sets aside more money for districts with large numbers of low-income students and English language learners. Capital Public Radio
UTLA critique. New L.A. School Board member Monica Ratliff says leaders of the teacher’s union need to do a better job countering perceptions that they protect bad teachers. In a speech to union officials yesterday, Ratliff said the union also must improve training of struggling teachers. Ratliff told union activists that the public likes teachers, but distrusts the union. Her speech drew both cheers and taunts. Ratliff pulled off an upset win in May for the School Board despite being far outspent by her opponent, Antonio Sanchez. United Teachers Los Angeles endorsed both candidates. L.A. Times
Fracking study. The federal government has announced a sweeping study of fracking and other oil and gas extraction techniques in California. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will lead the project. BLM California State Director Jim Kenna says the study comes in response to lawsuits attempting to block oil and gas development on public land. He says the intent is to provide more information and to minimize legal challenges. Last year, a federal judge ruled the BLM violated environmental law by auctioning off the rights to drill or frack on 2,500 acres of public land in Monterey County. The BLM says it will work with the state on the study, which is supposed to be wrapped up by early next year. San Jose Mercury News
Ex-games. The X-Games have wrapped up – and you can now call them ex-L.A. games. The ESPN made-for-tv action sport competition has called the L.A. area home for 11 years, drawing thousands of fans each summer. That run came to and yesterday with the conclusion of a sport called Rally Cross at Irwindale Event Center. Organizers say the games will move to Austin, Texas, for at least the next four years. L.A. Daily News