As part of the second annual National Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign -- "It's Not Worth It!" -- the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Impact Teen Drivers and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies will crack down on drivers text messaging and talking on their cell phones.
Cell Phones Down: Police Targeting 'Zombie' Drivers Throughout April
It's ON: California Raisins Mount "Smear" Campaign Against Craisins
It's the revenge of the raisins here in California. Our agriculture-friendly state takes their food products seriously, which is why the California Raisin Advisory Board (yes, the fine folks who brought us the singing, dancing, Motown-ing California Raisins of the 80s) has launched a "smear" campaign to bring down Craisins, those manufactured sweetened cranberries.
Team Hollywood: Mayor Villaraigosa & Eva Longoria To Lead Obama For America
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been extra busy as of late, and his trips to Washington, D.C. seemed to have impressed. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign announced today that it has named Villaraigosa as one of 35 national co-chairs.
Obamajam, Again? The President Is in L.A. Tomorrow
President Barack Obama is returning to Los Angeles Wednesday for another campaign fundraising visit, and he'll follow that up with a trip to Orange County for more of the same. So, naturally, Angelenos are already bracing for a potential Obamajam, aka major traffic snafus courtesy the Commander in Chief's motorcade.
Newt Gingrich In Town Today to Hit Up Wealthy Republicans for Much-Needed Campaign Cash
Things are moving at a whirlwind pace for GOP Presidential candidate hopeful Newt Gingrich, who will make a stop in Los Angeles today as part of a three-day eight fundraiser tour of California. The main purpose for Gingrich's Southland sojourn is to raise some much-needed cash for what Politico calls his "campaign’s dwindling bank account."
LAUSD Elementary Schools Could Soon Offer 100% Less Arts Education [UPDATED]
For many children, a chance to do some artwork, make some music, or get up on a stage is the highlight of their school day, and a opportunity to learn lessons in a creative way. But the Los Angeles Unified School District is looking to take that away from their elementary school students, with a proposal of "total elimination of its elementary school arts education program."
Obama Makes Time for Some Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles During Rush Hour L.A. Arrival
Sometimes the craving hits--so what if you are the POTUS and the city is on traffic lockdown during their already busy rush hour to accommodate your arrival--and you need some Roscoe's Chicken 'n Waffles. And stop is exactly what President Obama did last night, en route to two pricey fundraisers, with an unscheduled snack break at the Roscoe's in Mid-City on Pico.
Over 14K People Want Fullerton Police Officers Fired for Murder of Kelly Thomas
Paul Orloff, a Fullerton resident, has launched a Change.org campaign to bring the four Fullerton police officers who have yet to be charged in the Kelly Thomas murder case to justice.
Laura Vandervoort Gets Naked Then Painted in PETA's 'Exotic Skins' Ad
Covered in body paint, actress Laura Vandervoort stretches over a boulder, posing as a reptile. The sun shines behind her with the text "Whose Skin Are You In?" spelled out below. The ad is part of the People for The Ethical Treatment of Animal's (PETA) Exotic Skins campaign, which urges consumers to buy cruelty-free clothing.
CA Dem Party Slams GOP Candidate Perry, Says He's Not What Californians Want
Election 2012 approaches, and with possible candidates just now making declarations of their intent to (not) run, those who are already in the race have been making appearances and raising bucks. Now the California Democratic Chairman John Burton has released a statement on Texas Governor Rick Perry’s California Fundraising Swing, and he says Perry is not what our state wants.
Whoopsies! Non-Profit Group Says Sorry for Covering Up Arts District Mural With Campaign Posters
One way to get your group's message out: Paste up some posters! But better check first you're not getting slap-em-up happy atop a mural made by a group of well-known global artists.
Falling Whistles, a group seeking to raise awareness about conditions in the African Congo, wound up plastering their campaign posters atop the mural called "Only Time Will Tell."
Obamajam: Street Closures for Today's Presidential Visit
President Barack Obama is coming to Los Angeles today to work the room at a couple of campaign fundraisers tonight. The events, at the House of Blues and Fig & Olive, are both located in the West Hollywood (and West Hollywood-adjacent) area, however traffic will likely be impacted between West Hollywood and the Los Angeles International Airport.
Obama's West L.A. Office Vandalized Last Night
Looks like someone is not a huge fan of our current president -- according to ABC News, Obama's West Los Angeles office was vandalized last night. A witness called the cops after reportedly hearing the sounds of breaking glass and seeing an object being thrown through the window. Officers think that a BB gun may have been used as well.
Only African-Americans & Latinos Like Pit Bulls, Right? Wrong.
Would you think anything of an animal shelter banner depicting children playing with pit bulls? What about African-American and Latino children playing with said canines? Phyllis Daugherty of the Animal Issues Movement does. The banners in question are those at the South Los Angeles Animal Shelter.
Far Right, Left Coast: Candidate Michele Bachmann Holds a Tea Party Rally in the OC
The Orange County Fairgrounds was the site of a small Tea Party rally this morning, where people gathered to hear a speech by Republican presidential candidate hopeful Michele Bachmann. A few hundred fans were there to hear the Congresswoman from Minnesota speak, according to the OC Register.
Obama Coming to L.A. in September for Swanky Fundraising Events. Shall We Start Bitching About Traffic Now?
Got $10k burning a hole in your pocket? You might be interested in blowing it all in one place by spending it on the opportunity to have your photo taken with President Barack Obama, who is coming back to Los Angeles later next month for a pair of high profile fundraisers.
Should Bert & Ernie Have a Televised Same-Sex Wedding?
Most of us grew up watching Bert and Ernie bicker on "Sesame Street," and urban legend has suggested that the perennial roomies were actually educational television's puppet version of same-sex love. Now a group is calling for the show to air an episode featuring Bert and Ernie uniting themselves in legal matrimony.
Local Leaders Reprimand Mitt Romney's NoHo News Conference
In response to Mitt Romney's North Hollywood visit today, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who represents NoHo, and L.A. County Democratic Party Chair and California Democratic Party Vice Chair Eric C. Bauman, both issued statements reproving the Republican candidate's political agenda and economic policies.
Romney To Pontificate at NoHo Shopping Center, Councilman to Rebuke Right After
Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will be making a stop in Los Angeles today at a vacant storefront in North Hollywood's Valley Plaza shopping center. Romney is focusing his efforts, at least today, on pointing out how President Barack Obama has failed Californians by not getting enough of us back to work.
GOP Candidate Jon Huntsman Stops In SoCal Today
Presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman is hitting the campaign trail in SoCal today, holding fundraising dinners in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, reports the Daily Breeze. The GOP candidate, who formerly served as the governor of Utah and announced that he was throwing his hat in the ring for president on Tuesday, spoke at a lunch at the Jonathan Club in downtown LA and will speak a dinner at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach.
HIV Testing Week in L.A. County Starts Today With Event at Rose Bowl
This month marks 30 years since the Centers for Disease Control published its first mention of AIDS, and today marks the start of HIV Testing Week in Los Angeles County. A county-wide effort is underway to make HIV testing as easy and convenient as possible for residents.
As His Campaign Collapses, Gingrich Looks to "Begin Anew" in L.A.
That was fast. Newt Gingrich's campaign to be the 2012 Republican nominee for president appears all but finished just weeks after it began. Gingrich's entire senior staff resigned on Thursday, having decided they had better things to do than slave away for the hapless former Speaker of the House's hopeless campaign.
Former Pretty Boy Presidential Candidate John Edwards Indicted for Campaign Fraud [UPDATED]
A six-count indictment was filed against 2008 Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards by a federal grand jury Friday morning and it ain't pretty. An arrest warrant was issued charging the former senator for conspiracy and false statements in association with illegal campaign contributions and he's expected in U.S. District Court in North Carolina Friday afternoon.
A Return to 'Hope' in Red Wrapping: Newt Gingrich Is Running for President
"Newt Gingrich, a former Georgia congressman who became the first Republican speaker of the House in decades in 1995, announced Wednesday afternoon his candidacy for president in 2012," reports the Los Angeles Times. Gingrich released a YouTube video touting his hat-in-ring-tossing for the next big American vote, saying that he believes "we can return America to hope and opportunity."
Westside Gridlock Alert: Obama's Visit Thursday Will Lock Up Surface Streets
Things are Traffic is gonna get "heavy" tomorrow when President Obama spends some time on the west side of Los Angeles for a fundraising event. Details of the President's precise schedule, including what roads will be blocked off, have not been released, according to LA Now, however word has it "much of the president's travels in L.A. will be done on surface streets."
Guess Who's Coming to Town (to Screw Up Our Traffic!)?
President Barack Obama announced this week that he is officially bidding for re-election in 2012, and to bring his campaign some bucks, he's scheduled a visit this month to Los Angeles for a fundraiser. The event will take place on April 21 at Sony Pictures Studio in Culver City.
Does Pork Inspire You?
Sorry, carnivores, but as of today, pork is no longer "the other white meat." Sure, you can call it that, but the people behind pork, aka the National Pork Board, have officially abandoned the 25-year-old campaign slogan, and instead will now ask you to "Be Inspired" by their product.
Fiorina Beats Infection, Resumes Campaign to Beat Boxer
Following an overnight stay at an undisclosed Los Angeles hospital, Republican Senate nominee Carly Fiorina will get back to her campaign to unseat Democrat Barbara Boxer today, according to the LA Times.
Where's Mayor Villaraigosa Today? Colorado, Of Course!
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appeared yesterday at the massive rally held at USC in support of incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer, for which the major guest star was President Barack Obama. With the mid-term elections just days away, high-profile politicians are helping each other out across the nation by stumping on behalf of candidates in their party, and reaching out to sectors of voters.

