Jasper Stallings, now 29, perpetrated a string of serious felonies all on May 13, 2009, and now, as part of a no contest plea deal, he will spend the next 127 years to life behind bars, say L.A. County officials. more ›

Molly Bergen more ›

With the ongoing recession and continued threat of piracy, 2009 may have been tough for the multi-billion dollar adult industry, but it was also Sasha Grey's most prominent thus far. With the leading role in Steven Soderbergh's labeled her "The Dirtiest Girl in the World" and Fleshbot included her in their Top Ten Crush Objects of 2009 (NSFW). So it's no surprise that she will be honored with The Jenna Jameson Crossover Star of the Year at the AVN Awards this Saturday at the Pearl Theater inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. more ›

As the year-end approaches, statistics on crime are coming out. Los Angeles' murder rate topped 300 over the weekend, according to the Daily News, but that was still over 60 murders less than last year. Overall, L.A. County has seen a drop in crime throughout. Areas patrolled by Sheriff's Deputies saw the murder rate go down by 23 percent compared to last year. more ›

Daily News columnist and city hall beat writer Rick Orlov sat down with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for an interview recently. Orlov came out with this lede: "Despite all evidence to the contrary, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa insists this past year was one of the best in his nearly six years as the city's chief executive." more ›

Music fans across the world are waiting with bated breath for the Coachella announcement, which is supposedly coming today. People are done with the rumors and want to book their trips, possibly taking advantage of the new "recession proof" payment plan. more ›

We've spent much of the past few weeks reviewing the year that was, in music, movies, TV, food, and more. We've talked New Year's resolutions but now's the time to get real: What is really gonna go down over the next 12 months? Below are some of our early predictions -- what are yours? MTA installs turnstiles at all Metro subway stations, securing millions of dollars of unrealized revenue from erstwhile freeloaders. Construction begins on... more ›

Happy New Year! Greetings 2009! LAist is glad to meet you. more ›

Today will forever be remembered as The Day The Fun Died for those Californian motorists who revel in texting-while-driving. As we flip the calendar to 2009, that act becomes illegal whether you have an iPhone, a Blackberry, or a hefty Zack Morris phones from 1992.

Text Messaging (SB 28) This new law makes it an infraction to write, send, or read text-based communication on an electronic wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, while driving.

Moby at Electric Daisy Carnival 2008 | Photo by Drew "Rukes" Ressler/Used with Permission more ›

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In late-August when Los Angeles foodies learned of the annual tofu festival's end, there were still rumors that another festival operator was to take over. The Tokyo Service Center who ran the popular festival didn't bring it back this year instead looking for new lucrative yet fiscally conservative events to pursue (think Sake drinking events). An anonymous source originally told LAist that someone was definitely planning on bringing the festival back in November or December, but today we find out there are some new tentative dates. The tipster says it has been pushed to April of 2009, most likely the last weekend for a two-day affair. more ›

As millions in LA County were casting their ballots at the polls, LA City Council was at city hall voting on what we'll be voting on at the March 3rd election, a day most notable to LA residents as it is when we vote for our next or the same Mayor and City Council. One measure of interest that we'll be voting on is to allow the city to have an independent monitor oversee the Los Angeles Fire Department who would be responsible for auditing and reviewing the department's complaints against sworn and civilian employees, according to wire reports. Issues around the department arose when a culture of hazing and inappropriate behavior were brought to the public's attention. more ›

The rumors were true, so if you've already booked your vacation time or hotel room, change it up. This year Coachella has been moved up two weeks from its regular last weekend of April slot to the 17th-19th with the country-folk version of the fest--Stagecoach--following the next weekend on April 25th for two days. (Photo: Joey Maloney) more ›

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