Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will unveil his budget today. The Daily News’ Rick Orlov has an overview of what is to be expected in today's paper. Libraries and police will largely be protected, while city workers will be asked to contribute more to their pensions or risk nearly 40 furlough days. Librarians can thank voters for Measure L, and police can tip their hats to the mayor, who has pledged to retain the current level of LAPD officers, Orlov explains.

• The recession knocked many car dealerships out of business. And with those empty lots comes emptier city coffers, KPCC explains, a problem Torrance and San Bernardino are trying to fix.

• A Metro committee will address a motion by Metro Board Member Mark Ridley-Thomas today that would create a station at Leimert Park on the upcoming Crenshaw Line and place a portion of the line underground. The stop is currently optional. Streetsblog Los Angeles takes a look at the proposal here. To pay for the station and tunneling, Ridley-Thomas, who is also a county supervisor, proposes shifting Measure R funds from another project, a move that may not go over so well with other board members.

• So what’s behind all these dead sea animals? The Associated Press reports “a deadly neurotoxin produced by a seasonal algae bloom” may be to blame for killing dolphins, sea lions and sardines.