BRIEFLY LAPD PROBES TWO WOMEN'S MURDERS.

Los Angeles police are investigating the murders of two women over the holiday weekend.

Southwest-area homicide detectives are investigating a shooting early Monday that led to the death of Joi Corrine Douglas, a 22-year-old woman.

Douglas was shot between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday in the 1700 block of Vernon Avenue. Douglas was found in the stairwell leading to her apartment. Los Angeles Fire department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Douglas dead.

Pacific Area homicide detectives are investigating the murder of a 26- year-old woman who was found dead Friday morning in a hotel room in the 5200 block of West Century Boulevard, near Los Angeles International Airport.

The woman's body was discovered at 10:30 a.m. Friday by a hotel security officer conducting a routine check. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the location and pronounced her dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim is not being released pending notification of relatives.

- Daily News

Freeway bridge leap kills woman

VENTURA - The California Highway Patrol is investigating the death of a woman who apparently jumped from a bridge onto the southbound Ventura Freeway near Ventura.

CHP officials said the woman, who was not identified, apparently jumped from the California Street bridge into the No. 1 lane of the southbound 101 Freeway at 6:50 p.m. Monday. There were no other injuries reported. Traffic was backed up about four miles to San Miguelito an hour after the incident occurred, but only the No. 1 lane was shut down.

- Daily News

Elephant en route to Knoxville zoo

Ruby the elephant was en route Monday to the Knoxville, Tenn., zoo despite a lawsuit filed by a woman opposed to separating Ruby from longtime pachyderm pal Gita.

Ruby, a 42-year-old African elephant, has lived at the Los Angeles Zoo for the past 16 years with Gita, a 45-year-old Asian elephant.

Ruby left Los Angeles on Sunday night in a big rig, accompanied by two keepers and a veterinarian, said zoo director Ed Maruska.

Schiff will speak on N. Korea, Iraq

VAN NUYS - Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, will speak on ``North Korea, Iraq and the Budget'' at a luncheon Sunday starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Landings Restaurant of the Airtel Plaza Hotel. Schiff recently returned from a fact-finding trip to South Korea.

The public is invited to the luncheon, sponsored by the Stanford Club of the San Fernando Valley. Luncheon tickets are $29 per person; those interested in attending should contact the club president Bob Ronka by Wednesday at [phone] or at rronka(at)aol.com.

- Daily News