Which Way, L.A.?

Secession and the Fight Ahead

The San Fernando Valley latched onto Los Angeles in 1915 to avail itself of the city's water supply. Residents have tried repeatedly to reverse the union several, but each try was rebuffed by changes in law or promises from city hall. But last night history was made when the Local Agency Formation Commission agreed to put the Valley secession issue to a November vote. As LA's present and former mayors unite to defeat the measure and others gear up to raise $ 5 million for their effort, breakaway advocates are drawing up blueprints for the fight ahead. We get a preview of the battle to come from the head of the secessionist group Valley Vote, LAFCO Commissioner Cindy Miscikowski, and a political scientist who's studied secession movements across the US. Managing Editor Kyle McKinnon guest hosts. Newsmaker: Southern California Beaches Get Bad Grades Heading into the official start of summer, the environmental group Heal the Bay has released its beach report card. While 70 percent of Southern California beaches get A's, the list of those that didn't is surprising. Shelly Luce, the organization's staff scientist, faults circulation problems at beaches from Ventura to San Diego Counties. Reporter's Notebook: MOCA Mounts Major Warhol Exhibition The Museum of Contemporary Art unveils a blockbuster Andy Warhol exhibit on Saturday. The show is actually something of a return engagement for the pop artist who enjoyed his first solo exhibition here some 30 years ago. Warhol, who died in 1987 at the age of 58, captured life's dark underbelly as well as Hollywood's glitz and glamour. MOCA Director Jeremy Strick has more on the artist who influenced pop culture as much as he reflected it.