Back in January, Murk Avenue blogger Donovan Strain made music blogging history when he investigated the question a question plaguing West Coast rap for nearly two decades: what was the date of Ice Cube's "Good Day"? His answer came only a week too late to celebrate the twentieth anniversary: January 20, 1992. more ›

Lovie Yancey, who launched what eventually became the popular Fatburger chain of burger-and-fries joints, died January 26th of pneumonia here in Los Angeles. more ›

In the aftermath of tragedies, people say and do some pretty stupid things. Like Reverend Lewis Logan of Bethel AME, who says that Katrina is a Black woman seeking retribution on the South for its history of racism (Matt Szabo). LAist might be a little color blind but the faces we see on TV dealing with this storm seem decidedly black and impoverished. And, regardless, what the hell kind of abuse of religious faith is that? Obviously Reverend Logan went to the same school of ministry as those in the group Columbia Christians for Life who believe hurricane Katrina looks like a fetus at 6 weeks of pregnancy and thus must be the lord's assault on America for its pro-choice ways. (Ms. Musings) more ›

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Your morning begins with Good Day L.A. where Steve Edwards jumps to every scene of violence and mayhem across the city and the world while Dorothy Lucey and Jillian Barbarie horrify you with gossipy pop culture hijinks and bad local fashion; you read every news blog you can find so you know what to be afraid of; You turn on 24 where for three years running, LA has been a hotbed of successful terrorist action; then, finally, you turn on a video game where you play a homeless guy in the City of Angels on a day in which every possible disaster has happened. Simultaneously. more ›

The big local story this morning is happening right now as two metrolink trains derailed in Glendale this morning. The Times reports that three are dead but according to a fire department spokesman on KTTV's Good Day LA there are now four fatalities. As of this writing, those injured on the trains have not been cleared to leave. If you are concerned that a relative was on one of the trains, you can contact the Glendale Fire Department. Coincidentally, the Times runs another story this morning about metrolink re-opening its route from west Ventura county to Los Angeles. It had been closed since the big storm. more ›

Blunck's neighbors don't sound like the typical (i.e. hostile) Angelenos to us; he must live in Venice Beach. more ›