Essential: Drama in the mountains.

Essential California

Good morning. It is Monday, March 9. A new website tracks the interfamily drama of the mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains. Here's what else is happening today in the Golden State:

TOP STORIES

High cost of teachers' health care  School districts across California are beginning to grapple with a time bomb in their budgets: Lifetime healthcare coverage promised to teachers and other. The price tag forretiree health care obligations has reached about $20 billion statewide — an amount systems are not prepared to absorb, and the financial burden threatens to drag down credit ratings and crowd out other budget priorities. L.A. Times Stopping crime before it starts  The LAPD is using helicopters to stop crimes before they even take place. In their down time, pilots are flying over crime "hot spots" in the hopes that criminals will be less likely to act if they hear the buzz of a chopper overhead. "Months of data show that the number of serious crimes reported in the LAPD's Newton Division in South L.A. fell during weeks when the helicopters conducted more flights." L.A. Times Silicon Beach moves to DTLA  Some tech firm are bucking the Westside trend and moving to downtown L.A. The lure: old spaces with character. That means you won't find many start-ups amid the modern high rises of Bunker Hill. Whether downtown will remain a serious competitor for Santa Monica, Venice, Playa Vista and the rest of "Silicon Beach" remains unclear. L.A. Times

L.A. STORIES Lingering impact of recession: Steve Lopez writes about a family-owned auto repair shop in Glendale that shows how even as the economy improves, anxiety and penny-pinching remains. L.A. Times Why is the 405 so congested?: Congestion on the San Diego (405) Freeway is worse than ever despite a $1.1 billion project to add a carpool lane in the Sepulveda Pass. "The lack of discernible congestion relief on the 405, after so many prominent and public promises were made, cannot be seen as good advertising for Metro as it prepares to ask Los Angeles County residents for yet another tax hike to pay for transportation and transit projects." LA Weekly Toxic tests in Torrance: Were Torrance residents exposed to dangerous gases thanks to hazardous chemical dumping sites? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now testing the air in nearby homes to determine if gases may have seeped through a process known as "vapor intrusion." L.A. Times City council helps its friends: L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar's victory in last week's election is just the latest example of what a tight group the city council can be when an incumbent is in trouble. L.A. Times Director found dead: Dirk Shafer, director of the acclaimed mockumentary "Man of the Year" and a former centerfold for Playgirl magazine, was found dead in West Hollywood in a car. Authorities are investigating. L.A. Times Internet throws a party: An overweight man mocked on social media for dancing could be getting a celebrity-studded party in his honor at the Coliseum. LAist

CALIFORNIA CHRONICLES Rice won't run for Senate: On paper (and in polls), Condoleezza Rice — Stanford professor, Soviet specialist, former U.S secretary of state — looks like a Republican's salvation to win Barbara Boxer's Senate seat. The reality is much more complex. L.A. Times Hotel stays in O.C.: A tourism boom in Orange County has investors snapping up hotels. An estimated 46 million people visited the area last year, a 4% increase from 2013. Orange County Register Power of Pelosi: Though she was written off by many when her party lost in 2010, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) continues to maintain control over House Democrats. "Ms. Pelosi's continued reign often surprises, but it is based largely on her ability to manage her members, one at a time." New York Times Lawmakers top priorities: Figuring out how to pay for higher education andcrumbling roads will be top priorities for state lawmakers this year. State leaders are also expected to weigh in on whether vaccinating a child should be mandatory and if terminally ill patients can end their lives. San Diego Union-Tribune Veteran pols run for Senate: Two special elections to fill vacancies in the state Senate have veteran politicians battling one another. One race is in Orange County, while the other straddles Contra Costa and Alameda counties. L.A. Times

TALK BACK In Friday's Essential California we asked for your thoughts on the decision by Ringling Bros. to retire elephants from circus performances. Here's what one reader had to say: "Children will find other, better ways to learn about elephants. They're fascinated by, and have learned about, dinosaurs without any of them appearing in any circuses." -- Jim Bickhart For today's Talk Back, a Los Angeles Times editorial urges Congress to reject a law that would require California to recognize concealed-weapon permits issued by other states. What do you think? Should only Californians be allowed to carry concealed weapons in California? Or is the permit like a driver's license, which is issued by one state but recognized by all? Tell us by tweeting with the tag #EssentialCalifornia or sending us an email: Alice Walton and Shelby Grad.

AND FINALLY How to act like an authentic San Franciscan? The Chronicle offers some tips: —Use "BART" as a verb —Don't complain about the high prices —The Golden Gate Bridge is "international orange," not red —Say 'The City' or 'S.F.,' not 'Frisco' or 'San Fran.' Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.