Today’s News: Mayoral candidates hone debate points

Home stretch. They weren’t exactly making nice, but when pressed both candidates for mayor of Los Angeles said their opponent was basically honest. Still, City Controller Wendy Greuel and City Councilman Eric Garcetti found plenty of other things to disagree about during their latest debate.

Moderator Jim Newton of the L.A. Times noted the sharply negative tone of the campaign in recent weeks and asked both candidates if they thought their opponent was a dishonest person. Both said “no.”

But Garcetti said that heavy spending on Greuel’s behalf by city employee unions was subverting the democratic election process. And Greuel said Garcetti needs to be more open about ethics violations.

During the debate at USC’s Galen Center, Garcetti touted improvements in his council district, which stretches from Hollywood to Atwater Village, as evidence that he’d be an effective leader. Greuel cited her audits of city departments and her experience developing housing and community programs. L.A. Times

Next up …KCRW’s Warren Olney will host a live debate focusing on education at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 at the Peterson Automotive Museum.

Racial tensions. Some USC students are taking to social media to protest what they say were overly aggressive tactics by police officers breaking up and off-campus party. They say the police attacked them because of their race. Here’s their YouTube video. KCAL

Medical marijuana. The California Supreme Court is expected to rule today on a case that will decide whether local governments can ban dispensaries entirely. The Riverside case will answer whether zoning laws can be used to by cities and counties to keep pot shops out. Press-Enterprise

Springs Fire. Firefighters are hoping the light rain falling across the region will help get closer to full containment on the huge Springs Fire in Ventura County. The blaze is now 80 percent contained. Ventura County Star

Prison plan. Governor Jerry Brown’s administration is defending it’s court-ordered to plan to further reduce overcrowding in California prisons. Members of both parties in the state Legislature say the plan has serious flaws. Sacramento Bee

LAPD moves. There’s been a shakeup atop the LAPD. Chief Charlie Beck has reassigned the head of the department’s internal affairs division and two other high-ranking deputies in a move he says is intended to bring in a “fresh perspective.” L.A. Times