Which Way, L.A.?

Gambling Goes Back to the Ballot

As California fast becomes the gambling capital of the nation, card clubs and racetracks want in on the action and Indian tribes are battling over how much of the take should go to the state. The San Francisco Chronicle has called it a "war zone." Some $70 million has been collected already for two gambling initiatives on November's ballot, and they're likely to break the $92 million record set the last time gambling was on the ballot. Governor Schwarzenegger has made it clear that he thinks Propositions 68 and 70 would be "a disaster for California." Warren Olney speaks with John Hubbell of the San Francisco Chronicle about Prop 68, which would break the tribal monopoly on casino gambling, and with Marc Cooper of the LA Weekly about Prop 70, which would allow unrestricted expansion of Indian gambling. Making News: Completion of Playa Vista Approved The City Council has given final approval to Phase 2 of the biggest single development in LA history. Playa Vista, which stretches from Lincoln Boulevard to the 405 Freeway, will house 13,000 people, along with retail stores and offices and a lot of open space. Richard Weinstein, professor of architecture and urban design at UCLA, says lawsuits have made it a far cry from what originally was proposed. Reporter's Notebook: Dodgers', Angels' Move to Top Could Be So Cal Bonanza The Angels were supposed to be Southern California's top Major League team this year and the Dodgers were supposed to go nowhere. Now, both teams could end up in the playoffs when this weekend is over. Stan McNeal, baseball editor of the Sporting News, predicts it will be an exciting weekend.