Arson pros are calling this a "suspicious" blaze: A fire broke out at a Long Beach residence shortly after three men were arrested there on drug charges. Inside the house, officers serving a search warrant found drugs of all kinds, as well as a menagerie of exotic pets. more ›

Most of these aren't food. True. In fact, many are likely poisonous, so please do not rush out to your lawn and start mowing mushrooms with your face. The little fungi just seemed like a perfect rainy day food-ish phenomenon to feature. Promise you'll only eat the ones from the market. Or the ones you receive in a bag from a generous friend. Our take a cue from the (fun) guy who's been to the Los Angeles Wild Mushroom Fair. more ›

In their annual warning to the public, the California Department of Public Health wanted to remind Californians "that collecting and eating wild mushrooms can cause serious illness and even death." Oddly enough, the message was sent today, the day before Halloween, but officials over the phone say there was no rhyme or reason to the warning's timing. more ›

If you are into urban foraging, beware of the consequences if you are not savvy to what you pick. A man in Santa Barbara died last week after chose the wrong mushrooms in a park to saute with his steak. "The man had picked poisonous amanita ocreata mushrooms, which are common in the Santa Barbara area, at the Douglas Family Preserve above Arroyo Burro Beach," reported the Associated Press. Six hours after eating his meal, he was in the hospital. more ›

As Californians consider whether or not to vote on the legalization of marijuana this November, a study conducted at a Johns Hopkins University lab is now launching a look into the potential health and wellness benefits of illegal mushrooms, too. more ›

#132 Largo city manger's plans to become a woman got found out by the local paper. So instead of letting the paper announce it, he announced to the people of Largo to be understanding of his upcoming procedure. Nearly 500 people squeezed into City Hall and most asked for his head. At the end of the meeting the council decided to fire their city manager of 14 years. [Post-Trib] more ›