Four in the afternoon

1. The El Monte police officer being investigated for kicking a suspect owns a line of clothing that trades on prison and gang slang. PSN

2. PBS wants to end the practice of broadcasting religions services on PBS affiliate stations. WaPo

3. New York Times economic reporter Edmund Andrews writes about his personal mortgage meltdown. NYT

4. Google, the Washington Post and the New York Times are making nice - and maybe profits. Neiman Lab

Solis for labor secretary*

President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, to be his secretary of labor, AP is reporting:

The Democratic congresswoman was just elected to her fifth term representing heavily Hispanic portions of eastern Los Angeles County and east L.A. She is the daughter of Mexican and Nicaraguan immigrants and has been the only member of Congress of Central American descent.

*Assuming Solis is Obama's choice to head the Labor department, speculation season begins in the 32nd Congressional District on who will run to replace her. State Sen. Gloria Romero? State Sen. Gil Cedillo? County Supervisor Gloria Molina? Board of Equalization member Judy Chu? There's also Assemblyman Ed Hernandez...

UPDATE: Politico confirms the AP report, and includes more background on Solis' union ties.

UPDATE II: Looks like BOE member Chu is interested. From her official statement: "In regards to who will succeed her in Congress, it is still too early to speculate. However, I am considering any and all possibilities." Romero is in, the PSN reports, and Hernandez is interested, too.