Potassium Iodide Not Necessary, Says Health Dept.

1. Los Angeles County's Director of Public Health Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding advises against taking potassium iodide as a guard against possible radiation exposure due to problems in Japan. Fielding says there is no increased risk of radiation exposure in the U.S. from the emergency at the nuclear power complex in Japan. Fielding says potassium iodide would be ineffective and also could cause side effects.

2. Today is St. Patrick's Day. L-A's biggest celebration will be the second annual "St. Patrick's Day Festival at L.A. Live'' which begins at 4 p.m. at L.A. Live. Ken O'Malley & the Twilight Lords are set to perform. Festivities will begin at noon at the Original Farmers Market. An estimated 100 L.A. County law enforcement agencies will deploy roving patrols to arrest drunken drivers.

3. Speaking of St. Patrick's Day, PInk Taco in the Westfield Century City Mall is celebrating from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. tonight with $5 Irish car bombs, Guinness on tap and $20 all-you-can-drink green beer.

4. Also at the Century City Mall, today is the grand opening of London designer's Karen Millen's new store.

5. Weather: Partly cloudy, highs in the upper 60s. Tonight; Mostly clear with lows in the upper 40s.

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