Good morning, SoCal. Here's what you need to know today.

Your Weather Planner

Daytime highs will remain below-average, but warm, Tuesday.

Periods of gusty west winds will blow over the mountains and deserts each afternoon and early evening through mid-week.

The upper low responsible for our cooldown lifts north by the end of the week, allowing a ridge of high pressure to slowly build back in. Temperatures gradually warm up each day, climbing above average over the weekend.

Get your 7-day forecast: LA West | LA East | San Fernando Valley/Ventura County | Orange County

 

Around SoCal

1. Whistleblower suit targets LA County, Villanueva, sheriff’s ally

A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employee sued Los Angeles County Monday, alleging she suffered a backlash for speaking out against alleged misconduct by an ally of Sheriff Alex Villanueva, causing the plaintiff to be wrongfully relieved of duty.

Cynthia Maluto’s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges whistleblower retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Villanueva and Capt. Yvonne O’Brien also are defendants in the suit, which seeks at least $5 million in damages.

The sheriff’s department issued a statement Monday regarding the lawsuit, saying “we are unfamiliar with this lawsuit or its content. Due to the pending litigation, we are unable to comment directly.”

Maluto’s career was going well until she allegedly found that O’Brien was involved in questionable conduct, including approving pay for employees for hours they did not actually work, the suit states.

The sheriff’s department should have opened a criminal investigation into O’Brien, but Villanueva “obstructed justice and blocked a proper criminal investigation into this member of his inner circle,” the suit states. Although the sheriff directed that an administrative probe take place, O’Brien was not disciplined, according to the suit.

2. South LA church breaks ground on homeless senior housing

It’s no secret that building housing in Los Angeles takes a long time, but the Serenity supportive housing development for homeless and independent-living seniors in South LA has been decades in the making. Located in the Manchester Square neighborhood, the $35 million building will be constructed in the former parking lot for the Southside Church of Christ.

“The vision was housing. The vision was making sure that we had the highest and best use for this property,” Chris Baccus said at Monday’s groundbreaking for a multifamily building that has been in the works since 2003.

When completed in about 18 months, the five-story building will have 50 housing units. Eighteen will serve chronically homeless seniors, 18 will serve homeless seniors and 14 will be made available to non-homeless independent seniors age 55 and older whose annual income is at or below 60% of the LA County median income. The residential units will be a mix of 20 studio and 30 one-bedroom apartments.

In addition to the residential units, the building will include a courtyard with a barbecue area, lounge, kitchen and computer lab, as well as a gym, laundry facilities and parking for building residents as well as churchgoers. 

3. Providence plans $712M medical expansion in southern Orange County

Providence Mission Hospital announced plans Monday for a major expansion that will include a 100-bed patient tower, along with new medical centers in Rancho Mission Viejo and San Clemente.

“The innovative three-part plan includes a substantial expansion of the Mission Viejo hospital campus and the development of two new multi-specialty health centers in San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo,” Providence Mission Hospital Chief Executive Seth Teigen said in a statement. “Caring for our neighbors is our primary mission, and having just celebrated our hospital’s 50th anniversary, we’re excited at the opportunity to grow with our growing community, and to continue providing care for the next 50.”

According to the hospital, the expansion is a $712 million project.

The new patient tower at the hospital will include operating suites and cardiac catheterization labs, in addition to the 100 beds, officials said. A multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center will also be built on the campus.

(Google Street View)

Around the Nation

1. White House working with state, local officials to aid migrants sent north by GOP governors

2. ‘Serial’ case: Adnan Syed to be released, conviction tossed

3. Fiona slams Dominican Republic after pounding Puerto Rico

Only on Spectrum News 1

Joan Quinn, muse to the world's biggest artist, shares secrets of the LA art scene

Growing up in Los Angeles, Joan Agajanian Quinn befriended artists at a young age. Over time, her relationships in the art world grew. Soon, she was at the center of the Los Angeles art scene, befriending artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney.

She said, at the time, she knew they were talented, but never knew they would become the famous artists they are known as.

“I never thought anybody was going to become who they were,” she said. “They were just friends.”

On this episode of “LA Stories” Quinn tells host Giselle Fernandez how she became known as one of the most painted women in the world — with over 300 portraits of her. Those who have captured her portrait include world-famous artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, George Hurrell, Kenneth Price and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Click the link above for access to the new podcast episode.

SoCal Snapshot

Singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson, center, poses with a replica of her new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with former "American Idol" judges Randy Jackson, from left, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, and music director Jason Halbert at a ceremony in Clarkson's honor on Monday in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)