Oakland City Council held an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon in a bid to protect redevelopment projects and funds from the state of California as part of the tussle over eliminating local redevelopment agencies.

UPDATE: (as of 4:30 pm)

Christine Gasparac, Press Secretary for California Attorney General Jerry Brown, states that the execution is indeed cancelled and that a new execution date will be sought in accordance with applicable law and in conformity with all court orders.

By Christina Jewett, California Watch

The office of Attorney General Jerry Brown has dismissed an increasing number of criminal cases against defendants suspected of elder abuse, while cutting back on surprise inspections to investigate violence and neglect in nursing homes.

One of the challenges in evaluating the administration of an Oakland mayor in these days and times is that twelve years after the passage of Measure X, residents and local media outlets (new and old) still are not certain exactly what a “strong mayor” is supposed to do and be responsible for.