THURSDAY BRIEFING

Minimum-wage hikes on the way

An early result of Tuesday’s election outcomes: The first increase in the federal minimum wage in a decade may come soon.

Democrats, who will soon control the House, indicate they will push for the hike, which passed handily in six state votes.

President Bush says in a news conference that he probably will sign a minimum-wage boost. Page C1

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Study says more fat not always bad

A new study of low-carbohydrate diets finds that consuming larger amounts of fats does not result in an increased risk to your heart.

But wait. Don’t run out and buy several pounds of bacon, a key element of the popular low-carb Atkins Diet. “Not all low-carb diets are the same,” says one study author. Page A10

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Inmates to serve 25% of sentence

Good news for sex offenders and spousal abusers. They’re among several categories of prisoners who’ll serve only a fraction of their jail time.

Top L.A. County law enforcement officials plan to announce a new early release policy to keep some inmates longer but let others go after serving only a small part of their sentence.

Since the summer of 2002, nearly 200,000 jail inmates have been let go early, most after serving only 10% of their time. The new policy ups the time to at least 25%. Page B1

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Hamas vows new attacks on Israel

Apparently misdirected Israeli shells kill 18 civilians in the Gaza Strip, the worst civilian death toll there in three years, igniting angry demonstrations.

Leaders of the ruling Hamas movement call for renewed attacks within Israel. The military wing suggests hitting American targets as well. Page A4

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A campaign that taxed everyone

If someone writes a book about Proposition 87, here’s a suggested title: “$150 Million Later, Nothing Changed.”

Voters rejected the proposal to tax oil production, despite a $57-million “yes” campaign and maybe because of the $100-million “no” effort. Analysts say voters were swayed by the anti-87 side’s contention it would raise gasoline prices. Page A31

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Former pitcher Johnny Sain dies

Johnny Sain, the last pitcher to face Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium, has died.

A right-hander, Sain formed a famous, poetic Boston Braves mound duo with Warren Spahn. In his 11 seasons he went on to win three consecutive World Series with the New York Yankees. Sain was 89. Page B10

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On the road by air

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, with his wife, Maria, speaks before they fly to Mexico for a two-day trade mission. The governor wants to boost trade and meet Mexico’s new president. Page A26

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CALENDAR WEEKEND

Counter, clock-wise

For all the choices available in restaurants these days, sometimes the determining factor in your selection is the time of day. After-midnight dining just demands a certain ambience, and our expert has found several establishments that put their own spin -- or complete lack of spin -- on the classic diner, such as the Brite Spot in Echo Park, above. Page E28

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She created a role and gave it away

Joey Lauren Adams, actress, needed a hobby, so she wrote a script. And then she wanted to direct it too. But Adams isn’t starring in “Come Early Morning.” Instead, Ashley Judd takes the role as a contractor whose life centers around work and one-night stands.

“I was kind of worried if I would go through the entire process seeing myself in the role,” Adams says. “But the first day of shooting, the first scene, it was, like, ‘OK. We’re fine. It’s hers.’ ” Page E6

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Better music through feuding

“Rock band” and “backstage drama” go together like “perfectionist” and “driving us crazy,” as the Deftones could attest. They needed three years to complete their new CD, and nearly broke up. But it turns out the emotional upheaval inspired them to kick their music into high gear.

“It’s a really onerous, painful process,” bassist Chi Cheng says. “I wouldn’t say it’s a necessary evil, because I would like to not do it ever again, but it seems that kind of tension does make great music for us.” Page E10

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Up close with rock stars

Giving everyone a camera doesn’t automatically improve the art of photography. In the rock ‘n’ roll world, a core of elite photographers such as Neal Preston once had special access to notable performers, and they produced memorable pictures

That era is fading, says Preston, whose work is on display at a Hollywood gallery. Performers and their handlers are guarded, even adversarial, these days, he says, and he and other photographers blame it on the paparazzi-fueled cult of celebrity. Page E4

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BUSINESS

Federated stores report a loss

Big companies that buy local institutions aren’t always greeted with parades and giant turkey balloons. Federated Department Stores, which gobbled up several well-known regional chains and then renamed all of them Macy’s just in time for Thanksgiving, reports a third-quarter loss and lower-than-expected sales.

Federated warned last week that sales were lagging at the converted stores, which include the Robinsons-May stores locally, Filene’s in Boston and Marshall Field’s in Chicago.

One analyst contends that customers are resisting what he says are Macy’s higher prices. “You can stretch customers up-market somewhat,” he says, “but if you stretch them too much it’s like a rubber band -- you break it.” Page C1

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Who’s reviving the electric car?

General Motors, criticized by the film “Who Killed the Electric Car?”, might be ready to reanimate its creation. The new vehicle wouldn’t be all-electric, though; an onboard internal combustion engine would produce electricity when the batteries run down, sources say.

Environmentalists say the idea could have merit, and Chris Paine, the director of the documentary about GM’s EV-1 car, says the new model could be unveiled in January. Page C1

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NYSE slashes staff to cut costs

A week ago the New York Stock Exchange said it was shutting down part of its famous trading floor in Lower Manhattan to cut costs.

Now the Exchange, which became a for-profit company this year, says it will sever 17% of its workforce, a cut of 520 positions from its 3,000 employees. Page C4

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SPORTS

Leadership is a snap for Kalil

Who’s the most irreplaceable player on USC’s football team? How about the guy who touches the ball first on every play on offense?

That would be senior center Ryan Kalil, who impresses coaches not only with his blocking but with his savvy and leadership. “He’s like a second quarterback out there,” offensive line coach Pat Ruel says. “Ryan’s the one that’s pulled everything together. He’s our focal point.”

Says a teammate about one of Kalil’s fiery sideline speeches: “It was like Braveheart-type stuff.” Page D1

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Bruins officially land a big one

The first day for high school players to sign with college basketball teams goes about as expected, which is good news for UCLA. Kevin Love, a 6-10 center from Oregon who is considered one of the best prep players in the nation, signs his letter of intent with the Bruins after making an oral commitment in July.

UCLA also gets a commitment from Fairfax High’s Chace Stanback. Three players from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana sign with major schools: Taylor King with Duke, Alex Jacobson with Arizona and Kamyron Brown with Oregon. Page D3

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HOME

Noisy site, quiet home

It has been described as “the noisiest site in San Diego,” a downtown lot next door to Interstate 5 and a third of a mile from a Lindbergh Field runway. So when architect Lloyd Russell built his home there, he designed shapes that deflected noise. He took care in choosing building materials. And he designed the interior with a visual quietness that helped him win an award from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Page F1

Plus: Coping strategies from residents of a noisy street in South Pasadena. Page F8

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One’s iconic, the other’s ironic

Need a range of opinions on party planning? Here’s a wide range of sources: Martha Stewart, domestic diva, and Amy Sedaris, writer-comedian from the series “Strangers With Candy.” Home asked each of them for advice on entertaining. For example, on dealing with children:

Martha: Whenever kids are in attendance, give them a place to play and their own table.

Amy: Take something in pill form. If you have a difficult time swallowing ... then offer it up to the children -- nine out of 10 will take it without asking what it is or was. Page F3

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LATIMES.COM

He gets a pardon for football work

In his Overtime blog, sports columnist J.A. Adande focuses on how being a regular on “Monday Night Football” has improved the work of one Tony Kornheiser ... at least his work on his original ESPN show, “Pardon the Interruption.”

“By going to games and talking to the players and coaches ... Kornheiser gains more insight, which he now delivers on the show. People forget that the original premise for putting print folks on TV was to benefit from their insider knowledge and to hear their accounts from the front line.”

latimes.com/adandeblog

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Opinions galore on election impact

At the Opinion LA blog, read what everyone’s saying about how the election changes the face of the state and the nation. Check out their roundup of discussion, featuring local bloggers and commentators and join the conversation at

latimes.com/opinionla

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The Chairman rules in Sin City

With the upcoming release of a CD and DVD box set “Sinatra in Vegas,” Movable Buffet blogger Richard Abowitz notes the outsized influence the Chairman of the Board still has on the city. Any restaurant Ol’ Blue Eyes ever visited has woven the stop into its lore. “Sinatra’s impact on Las Vegas is more than in such tangible things as influence.... It’s still Sinatra’s swagger and attitude that defines a trip here, that still calls out to the soul and quickens the heartbeat of so many who visit.”

latimes.com/vegasblog