Which Way, L.A.?

Cardinal Mahony Proposes Sexual Abuse Panel

The Vatican has summoned America's most senior Catholic leaders to Rome next week on the issue of sexual misconduct by priests. Some of the ideas they'll hear are already getting attention around this country. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony has begun making the rounds of local TV stations to talk about his new initiatives, which include giving lay people unprecedented authority and making children aware of sexual abuse and how to avoid it. We hear more about Mahony's proposals from a reporter whose paper, the National Catholic Reporter, broke the sexual abuse story, then learn about some of the pitfalls of transferring authority from priests to lay people. Newsmaker: Former Mayor Riordan to Launch LA News Daily Although former LA Mayor Richard Riordan lost his bid to run for Governor on this year's Republican ticket, he hasn't lost his desire to shape the perceptions of Californians. His latest project is a daily newspaper to compete with the Los Angeles Times. Riordan, who believes the city deserves a paper with an "honest spin" that puts local issues up front, talks about building his new empire.