Best way for LA to bring in the new year: win the Rose Bowl. USC killed Illini at 49-17, winning their 23rd Rose Bowl title. 750 bills go into effect this year and the minimum wage is now $8 per hour! The news battle in Santa Barbara continues: Wendy McCaw, owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press, has lost in court over illegal firings. She "must re-hire and give back pay — to at least......

Blogwar at Martini o'clock starring two guys who don't back down for nobody -- Martini Republic & blogging.la. It started here in the comment section, continued here and went over here. Even the word "pussy" has been used. Downtown Los Angeles Central City East Blogger takes note. A few days earlier: Martini Republic vs. LA Times regarding KTLA's Stephanie Edwards not doing the Rose Parade. LA Times' Joel Stein vs. his readers: "DON'T E-MAIL......

According to Defamer (via the New York Observer and LA Observed), the LA Times has hired former Time and Entertainment Weekly columnist/wiseass Joel Stein as a new op-ed columnist. On the surface, it seems like an odd choice. Stein's favorite topic is himself, though he can be very clever about making you think he's actually writing about something else. Even though his beat will be the entertainment industry, it's a sure bet we'll be......