A local weatherman filed a suit claiming that a local news station refused to consider his impeccable meteorologist credentials and instead opted to hire the candidate who looked best in a skirt. Kyle Hunter, who has been a weatherman at different stations around Southern California for the last two decades, hired Gloria Allred and filed a suit in court alleging that he faced discrimination. more ›

The brush fire burning near Corona is said to have been started by a mower-powered tractor, according to the local paper Press Enterprise. Cal Fire Capt. Phil Rawlings explained that while cutting weeds the mower hit a rock throwing a spark that started the fire. Burning up to 900 acres as of this morning, the McKinley Fire got dangerously close to homes but nothing was damaged. Firefighters expect to have the brush fire completely contained by early tonight, reported KCAL 9. With 70 percent of the fire contained and no active flames the Fire Department does not expect to call for any evacuations. more ›

Veteran weatherman Johnny Mountain and early-morning co-anchor Suzanne Rico have retired from KCBS/KCAL duopoly, according to the Variety. But that's not all in what is being called a "restructuring plan" or "newsroom carnage," depending on how you look at it. Word is that several staffers, perhaps up to 12, were laid off last Friday and are all expected to be replaced, presumably by cheaper workers to help save money. Meanwhile, KPCC 89.3 FM is expanding in a big way. more ›

In an expose about TV news ratings, Variety's Michael Schneider digs into the current landscape, finding some interesting results: "According to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 52% of the public say they watch local TV news -- down from 64% in 1998. NBC affiliates in particular have been stung this fall; due to its low-rated 'Jay Leno Show' lead-in at 10 p.m., Los Angeles' KNBC has seen its late news drop 25% so far this fall in the adults 25-54 demo (the preferred measurement for local news)." KABC has dropped 17% for its 11 p.m. newscast, but KCBS is up 20%," perhaps in part because of parent CBS' strong primetime performance" and the duopoly with KCAL9. more ›

Local television news, so quick to cut into programming for car chases, and often repetitive non-stop coverage of celebrity-involved incidents (i.e. the death of Michael Jackson) has been eerily quiet this weekend as the Station Fire--one of three current blazes raging in Southern California--has prompted the evacuation of more than 6,600 homes, threatens 12,000 structures, and has blazed through 35,000 acres and is growing with 5% containment. more ›

Beloved Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Las Vegas tomorrow. The National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame honors one radio and one television broadcaster every year. more ›

Gizmodo caught wind of this gem of local TV news reporting from one of the Friday's iPhone long line reporting stories, an ubiquitous scene played across the nation, channel after channel. more ›

Yesterday, Chuck Henry of NBC contacted LAist to gather more information regarding the Mandeville Canyon "road rage" incident that landed two cyclists in the hospital. This two minute segment aired last night during the 11:00 p.m. news. CBS/KCAL also aired their own version of the story. more ›

10,500 people packed into the Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome this morning for a very special service for fallen LAPD SWAT Officer Randal Simmons. Police officers from as far as Canada have come to Los Angeles to honor him. More waited outside and people began to gather on the streets along the procession route. more ›

*UPDATE: Saturday, 2:45 p.m.* more ›

Yesterday we wrote about the high speed car chase that started in Burbank, got hot as it sped up 5 at speeds over 100 mph, then ended on the 138 eastbound. more ›

One thing that separates LA from the rest of the world are our televised high-speed vehicle pursuits. more ›

LA has always been a stronghold for weathermen. We've had Fritz, Dallas Raines, Johnny Mountain, Christopher Nance... even Garth Kemp has made a dent out here. Did we miss any? But lately we've noticed that there have been a few weather-women who have brought pleasant little smiles to our faces as they find new ways to tell us it's going to be sunny and mild here in LA. On the top of the list... more ›

While watching the KCAL local noon news today, we saw that they did a story about a trend in England about mini pigs. Yes, we know... how dare the local LA tv channel do a story about something OUTSIDE OF LA... but it happens, and we tell you it happens but you ignore us. Whatever. Anyways, the beautiful Mia Lee delivered the lil story about the lil pigs and David Gonzales busted with a... more ›

The party is over in apartment 269 after Irvine cops acting on complaints from neighbors discovered a small brothel in the OC. One woman was charged with pimping and two were popped for whoring via Craigslist - at bare bottom rates.

The three woman, all Los Angeles residents, allegedly advertised their services on Craigslist.com, and met the men in a two-bedroom unit at the Villa Coronado apartment homes in Irvine, authorities said. more ›

Photo at Universal Studios by nopantsxris via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr more ›

Of course Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite-Burke lives in her district. Or maybe not. (Los Angeles Times) more ›

Dear LAist, more ›

A Word or 56+/-: I guess Tuesday's are Ida Lupinow filmfests on TCM - why, god why? How about a Terry Thomas filmfest for effssake? If you want to watch new stuff tonight you'll have to head over to PBS. And hey, Colbert has a "surprise guest that rhymes with Steagle" tonight. Bugsy Siegel? Tonight - Tuesday - June 12th, 2007 Dodgers @ Jays (KCAL, 4:00 p.m.) Astros @ Angels (Fox Sports, 7:30 p.m.)... more ›

Some bonus coverage from last night's fire story. more ›

A Word or 39: It feels like Wednesdays are going to be the night with new programming this time of year. It feels like it, but it doesn't look like it since not much of this stuff is watchable. Hidden Palms?? For effsake. Tonight - Wednesday - June 13th, 2007 Mets @ Dodgers (PRIME, 7:00 p.m.) Hidden Palms (the CW, 8:00 p.m.) Country club party time The Next Best Thing: Who Is the Greatest... more ›

A Word or 100+: Ooops, I missed the Tonys, malhereusement. If there's a pick tonight, other than arena football, then it's the US version of Creature Comforts on CBS at 8:00 p.m. (from the creator of Wallace and Gromit). I love the UK version but my kids have a hard time with the various British accents and some of the various topics - I know it's a lot to ask for but I'm hoping... more ›

A shooting suspect has been in pursuit by the LAPD for the last hour and a half. Driving a silver pick up truck and circling the city of Los Angeles, the suspect is allegedly responsible for a shooting in Tijunaga. Dozens of police in cruisers and helicopters.are following him as he drives on the 5, 10, 110, 101, and other freeways. KCAL 9 has been broadcasting the chase and they're streaming that broadcast online.... more ›

A Word or 54 (or so): I know that there are some folks who are happy to be getting a few new episodes of the doomed Studio 60 - enjoy it while you can. Funny how there is no cohesive letter-writing campaign to save that one, at least not a campaign that is getting any press. Tonight - Thursday - June 7th, 2007 Dodgers @ Padres (KCAL, 7:00 p.m.) Pirate Master (CBS, 8:00 p.m.)... more ›

A Word or 77 (or so): ABC has a lineup of new episodes and shows tonight - bucking the other networks, with the exception of Fox and the CW, who were always trend-buckers [hey, I said "buckers" ok, you dirty-minded individuals]. You might have also seen on the AP that the kids are trying to keep Jericho on the air - if CBS doesn't want to run it, they should sell it. I always... more ›

A Word or 53: Idol and Lost finish up tonight. Am pleased to see Apolo win DWTS - 24 ended with a 'blah' and as you can see we have very little in the way of new programming. Enjoy the unending Dukefest on TCM. I guess this time of year is why we have baseball to watch. Tonight - Wednesday - May 23, 2007 John Wayne's 100th Birthday (TCM, ALL DAY) Nothing but John... more ›

A Word or 10: Intercity baseball rivalry tonight - check it. Have a great weekend! Tonight - Friday - May 18, 2007 Dodgers @ Angels (KCAL, 8:00 p.m.) That's the Way It Is: Celebrating Cronkite at 90 (CBS, 8:00 p.m.) The last great newsman turns 90. Dateline NBC (NBC, 8:00 p.m.) More exploitive garbage. The Henry Rollins Show (IFC, 8:00 p.m.) Joan Jett(!!); The Blood Brothers perform America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC, 8:00 p.m.)... more ›

A Word or 146: It was fun to watch Molly Shannon on SNL. In general it was a great broadcast and she was just as funny now as she was then but who could really care about Linkin Park? Less fun is reading about the continuing poor decision-making by the networks in their upcoming program development. NBC is trying to cover all it's bases milking Heroes, their only good horse in the running, by creating... more ›

125 firefighters and five water-dropping helicopters are attacking a fire that is being fanned by 10 MPH winds. more ›

A Word or 10: I hope Jon Stewart rips Tenet a new one tonight. Tonight - Tuesday - May 8, 2007 Indians @ Angels (KCAL, 7:00 p.m.) NCIS/The Unit (CBS, 8-10:00 p.m.) Murder victim found in taxi, Jenny discovers a "secret"/The team is having past mission infractions investigated Dateline NBC (NBC, 8:00 p.m.) NBC exploits families looking for loved ones Gilmore Girls/Veronica Mars (the CW, 8-10:00 p.m.) Rory's graduation party/Verionica investigates the disappearance of... more ›