Two or three birds gave their lives on Thursday evening so that Air Force Two could land at Santa Barbara Airport. A bird strike downed the plane Vice President Joe Biden was on just as it landed on Thursday. more ›

17-year-old McKay Hatch, the South Pasadena teen famous for founding the No Cussing Club and instigating a No Cussing Week here in L.A. County, is at it again, calling out Joe Biden out for swearing. The Vice President whispered into President Barack Obama's ear--and everyone else, thanks to a microphone--"This is a big fucking deal," at the health care bill signing on Tuesday (video). Hatch is planning a 3 p.m. press conference today to ask for Biden's apology, says the Pasadena Star News. He'll also send the VP a No Cussing club penalty jar and a club t-shirt. more ›

At today's official announcement of high speed rail funds given to various states, including here in California, in Tampa, Florida, President Barack Obama turned to train lover Vice President Joe Biden--he used to ride 250 miles a day--and asked, "Now, Joe, in terms of the high-speed rail here, do you have something specific to say?" more ›

Fire Capt. Tedmund Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, the two Los Angeles County firefighters who lost their lives battling the Station Fire, were honored today in a public memorial held at Dodger Stadium. The men were remembered for, among other things, “served with dedication, courage and, during their last alarm, with absolute bravery and selflessness,” said Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp, according to LA Now. more ›

Today, the California High Speed Rail Board meets to discuss a number of things, but mainly the route between Anaheim and Union Station and up to the 134 Freeway, which could be on of the first legs to be built along with a leg between San Francisco and San Jose. more ›

Speaking from South LA today, Vice President Joe Biden announced that affordable-housing development Esperanza Community Housing Corporation will receive $875,000 for the removal of toxic paint from 225 homes. more ›

The Obama Administration certainly likes Los Angeles a lot more than the Bush one. President Barack Obama has already done a Los Angeles visit, now it's his counterpart's turn. Vice President Joe Biden will be in town tomorrow to highlight the progress of the Recovery Act, according to the White House today. He'll be touring the Esperanza Community Housing Corporation in South LA with Mayor Villaraigosa, Rep. Xavier Becerra and Ron Simms of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Then he and others will discuss with the press how stimulus funds are supporting HUD's "programs to eliminate dangerous lead-based paint from low-income homes and protect young children from lead poisoning." more ›

Even though she was confirmed by both the Senate and House a few weeks ago, Hilda Solis this morning officially became the Secretary of Labor after she was sworn in, taking the oath-of-office. more ›

On this historical day Barack Obama will toss his suddenly-dated business card, reading "President Elect," in favor of a new batch. President Of The United States of America. Congratulations Mr. President. more ›

Vice President-Elect Joe Biden has a new puppy. more ›

Next week's election presents a tough choice for some, although others have known for sometime which option is more suited to their taste. Here the dilemma gets a sweeter treatment, in the form of McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden chocolates for your choosing, as caught by LAist Featured Photos contributor C-Monster. These confection candidates were found in Laguna Niguel at Downey's Chocolates--we don't know which one is more delicious, but we did get to sample their nonpartisan--but artisan--chocolates a few weeks ago at the Luxury Chocolate Salon. more ›

Confused? Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden was in town this week, doing the fundraiser thing and taping segments on Jay Leno and "The Ellen Show." On the show and to a magazine reporter, Biden said he opposes Prop 8, the ballot initiative that would eliminate gay marriage in Caliornia. But as Variety reports, Biden does not support gay marriage but nor does he support the unfairness the law would legally cause: "At the vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, Biden said that he opposes same-sex marriage. Obama holds the same position, but also has said he opposes Proposition 8, citing the fact that it would write a restriction into a state constitution." more ›

Did you watch last night's debates? If you did, you were one of the minority. Kevin Roderick at LA Observed reports: "Nielsen says that last night's Biden-Palin debate drew a much larger television audience — 45% of households in the 55 biggest metered metro areas — than the earlier McCain-Obama debate. But the ratings in Los Angeles were dead last at 34%." more ›

As his running mate Sarah Palin prepares for her Thursday debate (notice how FOX News is already giving her an out?) with Obama VP select Joe Biden, Republican nominee John McCain will be trying to raise a quarter million dollars at a fundraiser tonight. It's at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Century City, so plan ahead for some extra special traffic tonight if you're in the area. Or maybe you're going to the fundraiser 'cause hey, you get a nifty little McCain-Palin lapel pin for the $1000 to $2500 entry fee. Wow. Life would be just so complete then. more ›

At 9:50 p.m. I looked at my phone and saw a text message waiting to unveil itself. It was a Friday night and speculation had been swirling like Fay for a week about Obama's partner in crime. Back on Aug. 11, Obama had assured us -- his supporters that turned over emails and phone numbers -- that we would be the first ones to know "the moment Barack makes his decision."* more ›

It's official(ish). Delaware Senator Joe Biden is Senator Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, according to a CNN text message alert. more ›

Photo by LAist Editor-at-Large Carolyn Kellogg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr more ›

The big headline at the Drudge Report all day today (before he just changed it to the Boston hey-it's-not-a-bomb it's-an-ad fiasco) has been "OBAMA 'CLEAN' BLACK", referring to a mischaracterization of a Joe Biden quote, which Biden later clarified in the clip after the jump. But Drudge doesn't just take the clarification with a grain of salt, he adds the statement to his front page list, and adds the link to the video, and... more ›

A Word or 12: Dirt - I forgot to mention Dirt yesterday, someone just kill me please. Tonight - Wednesday - January 31st, 2007 The Spiral Staircase (TCM, 5:00 p.m.) This nifty thriller from the '40s features a strangler that follows a mute maid through a dark New England mansion during a storm. Lakers @ Celtics (KCAL, 5:30 p.m.) Monster (IFC, 6:00 p.m.) Charlize Theron transorms herself in an Oscar winning performance. Worth watching just... more ›