Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:

Firefighters lose weapon critical to halting wildfires (OCR)
Specialized teams that cut wildland fire lines fall victim to budget ax.

Deep flaws haunt state’s system for attacking elder abuse, report says (OCR)
There are deep flaws in California’s approach to detecting and responding to elder abuse and neglect - flaws that prevent serious cases from ever coming to light, according to a new report form the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.

Why open a Microsoft store in O.C.? (OCR)
Columnist says computing giant needs to get in touch with its customers.

Man is found floating in harbor (DP and LAT)
Newport Beach police are withholding identity of dead man, 49, until his family has been notified. Results from an autopsy are expected.

City eyes ways to cut costs (DP)
Newport Beach officials discuss ‘paycheck work furlough’ program and shutting down some facilities during the holidays.

Garden Grove mechanic sentenced for sexual assualts (LAT)
A Garden Grove auto mechanic who sexually assaulted five women after luring them into a service pit under the pretense of showing them needed repairs was sentenced today to 14 years in state prison, according to the Orange County district attorney's office.