Former first lady Betty Ford has died. She was 93. Her death was confirmed by the director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. "Ford died Friday evening with family at her bedside," reports KTLA. She had been in declining health since 2007. No other information about her passing was made available. more ›

As part of a pre-Midterm Election week tour of West Coast cities, First Lady Michelle Obama spent some time in Los Angeles yesterday to speak at a small fundraiser event for incumbent Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer. more ›

The former First Lady was in California this week promoting her new book and made a stop by CNN in Hollywood to talk to Larry King. On the topic of gay marriage, Laura Bush told King that she and her husband George W. Bush disagreed about gay marriage. "It’s a real reversal … to accept gay marriage," she said, predicting that legalization because it's "a generational thing.” more ›

Here in Los Angeles there is a valued relationship between the food on our plates and the ground from which it comes. From weekly stops at favorite farmers' markets to digging in at a local community garden, the bounty of the land and its role in our eating lives has a profound meaning for many Angelenos, and Americans. Local Chefs are eager to share how they use the market to influence their menu, like Grace and BLD's Neal Fraser and Ford Filling Station's Ben Ford, while some, like Border Grill and Ciudad's Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have partnered with the LAUSD to help reinforce the importance of garden-based learning and to be conscious of what we eat. The politics of eating has become a local focal point, thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's championing a Food Policy Task Force this summer as we celebrated 30 years of farmers' markets in L.A. more ›

HISTORY more ›

"If Barack Obama was a state," California's First Lady said, "he'd be California." more ›

As it gets closer to Halloween for LAist, a contributer recollects her tale of staring down the serial killer, Richard Ramirez, otherwise known as the Night Stalker. Must think happy thoughts -- okay, free organic chocolate chip cookies for Los Angeles -- now that's a happy thought. Other happy Los Angeles thoughts include an interview with Jack Kehler of The Big Lebowski (he was the Dude's landlord), a beautiful and magical photographic moment in Venice and the press making the speaker of the California State Assembly, Fabian Núñez, run away when being asked hard questions about sketchy luxurious and worldly expenses. more ›

A teacher friend of mine recently mentioned she was preparing an 80s theme party for the graduating seniors of her school. I asked, "Why 80s?" She replied that the seniors were born in 1989 and thus, they were the very last high school class to be born in that decade. I just about spit my drink all over her. I'm aware that we all age, but it still surprises the bejeezus out of me... more ›

We were a bit apprehensive – OK dreading – reviewing Janis Cooke Newman’s Mary: A Novel (MacAdam/Cage) when it first arrived at our doorstep. It had everything going against it – not only did it weigh in at three pounds and a hefty 707 pages, it was also a work of historical fiction (read: 50-50 shot of being boring) about Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. more ›

So after Sunday's Question and Monday's Answer, the LA City Nerd challenged LAist and you, our readers to a quiz: "I saw you posted a Pop Quiz on LAist, and thought I'd see if I could challenge your readers with an LA City Nerd Pop Quiz." So here you go kids, let's go at it! Put your guesses and answers in the comments section. 1. Before the 2005 opening of LAPD's Mission Division in... more ›

A Word Or 46: The Oscars blew its big TV wad all over the place so let's get on with our lives. The Daily Show and Colbert Report are back from hiatus -- did they think they were doing the Oscars again? What's their excuse? Lots of new TV tonight. Tonight - Monday - February 26th, 2007 Lakers @ Jazz (KCAL, 6:00 p.m.) Bobcats @ Clippers (PRIME, 7:30 p.m.) How I Met Your Mother/The... more ›

As the world holds its breath, teetering precariously on the cusp of the Super Bowl (well, at least in America), the wheels of the -ists keep on turning. more ›

The following Southern California scientists and policymakers, including Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, are among those listed in the third annual Scientific American 50 Awards. more ›

So what fell before the cost-cutting ax? Not much. The two parties agreed on yet another compromise deal that relies heavily on borrowed funds. It avoids new taxes spending cuts, putting tough decisions off for another year and another debate. As for the "tacked-on" labor issues that tangled up the budget dealings? Arnold and the Dems managed to meet each other halfway. Democrats agreed to make changes to the "Sue Your Boss" law targeted by the state GOP, but defended union bus companies from losing their contracts with California public schools. more ›