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http://storify.com/metrolosangeles/colby-fire

Light rail should not be built under terminal area, officials say  (L.A. Times)

Metro and Los Angeles World Airport officials narrow the options for connecting LAX to the Crenshaw/LAX and/or the Green Line and recommend not building light rail directly to the terminal area. The story does a very good job of explaining what’s on the table and what’s off. If it helps, here are maps of the alternatives that Metro and LAWA want to study further along with a staff report and handout.

Spending bill likely to give L.A. $130 million for two key rail projects (L.A. Times)

Congress is on the verge of approving a spending bill for fiscal year 2014 that includes $130 million in federal New Starts money for the Purple Line Extension and Regional Connector. The projects together are expected to receive about $1.9 billion from the New Starts program, which helps local transit agencies pay for big, expensive projects. Earlier Source post here.

California to owe feds $180 million for high-speed rail (Bakersfield Now)

The $180 million is part of matching funds that the state needs to pony up in order to federal grants for the project. Recent court rulings have prevented the state from selling bonds it needs to help pay for the project, which aims to eventually connect San Francisco and Los Angeles via a $68 billion, 200 mile per hour rail line.

Why this man is photographing every American Apparel billboard in L.A. (The Atlantic Cities) 

Thomas Alleman likes to seek out the city’s “underside” and “wrinkles” to keep him sane in an urban landscape that can be less than appealing. The juxtaposition of the billboards — with their sometimes sexy poses — and the neighborhoods they appear in are interesting and sometimes jarring. Great article, great pics.