The short answer: You betcha. Now for the longer answer. A study released today found that while in some counties, including Los Angeles, the childhood obesity rate is showing some decline, there has been an increase in more than half the state's counties. more ›

Some people turn to an elder or a higher power for guidance in a time of struggle. Los Angeles turns to Portland, Oregon. While before we've turned to Stumptown for direction for our street car transit and bike-friendliness on our streets, this time the City of L.A. has formed a "Mural Task Force" and is turning to Portland for advice based on the success of their mural ordinance. more ›

Flying AirTran next year? You better start shedding pounds now. AirTran passengers packing extra luggage in their derrières will soon start paying double for their flights. As Southwest integrates AirTran, the budget airline will adopt Southwest's large passengers policy on March 1, 2012. more ›

Droves of people with food on their minds will descend on L.A. City Hall on Thursday, September 22, championing Hunger Action Day 2011. The event, which coincides with September's National Hunger Action Month, advocates for the healthy food policies that are currently being threatened by federal cuts and the preservation of SNAP, a food stamp program. more ›

After nearly 18 years of keeping homosexual and bisexual military service members and applicants locked in the closet, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is finally dead. The historical repeal, signed by President Obama almost one year ago, occurred at midnight on Monday. While sexual orientation has zero impact on a person's ability to serve for his or her country, openly gay or bisexual military applicants were turned away while said service members were not-so-politely excused from their duties. more ›

As the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA or Metro) ramps up for phase two of the Expo Light Rail Line, the Crenshaw/LAX Light Rail and an extension of the Gold Line to Azusa, eco-friendly considerations trigger a major green initiative. more ›

It wasn't his policy, and he doesn't really like it: Los Angeles Unified School District John Deasy is sending the district's lame new less-homework policy to detention until it can shape up and be better for their students. The LAUSD's controversial homework policy went into effect this summer, and mandates that homework represent no more than 10% of a student's total grade. more ›

Los Angeles-based director Jeremy Seifert has launched a campaign via change.org to gather signatures of concerned consumers who want to let Monrovia-based grocer Trader Joe's to quit wasting so much food. more ›

A controversial policy revision at the Los Angeles Police Department means that sober but unlicensed drivers caught behind the wheel at DUI checkpoints will no longer automatically have their vehicle impounded. Now Santa Ana's City Council is being pressured to adopt a similar policy at the behest of activist groups supporting undocumented immigrants, according to the OC Register. more ›

Last week, the Los Angeles Police Department announced a new policy for handling the impounding of vehicles operated by unlicensed drivers who encounter the Department's sobriety and drivers license checkpoints. As a result, immigrants' rights groups are praising the LAPD, reports ABC7, though they believe "more needs to be done." more ›

The transportation committee tomorrow will discuss the Department of Transportation's report on its proposed 2010-2011 allocations for available funding from Measure R. The measure, which set aside roughly $40 billion over the next three decades for upgrades to transportation and was estimated to create over 210,000 new construction jobs, was approved by voters in November 2008. more ›

This week the LA City Council voted unanimously to approve a new policy for all City departments and elected offices for donating surplus food, and proponents of the policy believe it could be a model program for the rest of the country. The vote followed the presentation of a final report on the policy, which has enjoyed widespread support as it moved towards implementation. more ›

Rail carrier Amtrak be reversing a long-standing ban next month that will make it possible for some travelers to take their firearms with them on their journey, according to the Sacramento Bee. Passengers who wish to pack their heat will need to pack their unloaded guns in their luggage. Starting December 15th, Amtrak will allow the guns to be brought on board any train that offers checked baggage service. more ›

When there's an event in Los Angeles, who gets the leftovers? Thanks to a proposal put forth by Councilman Jose Huizar, soon those in need will. more ›

In the past few weeks, five California Highway Patrol officers have died in the line of duty. "Three of the five were struck and killed while performing traffic stops on California freeways," notes the SGV Tribune. more ›

Not everyone loves a car chase. In fact, many police departments around the nation, including here in Southern California, where our expansive freeway system is the frequent scene of police pursuits, are making revisions to their guidelines for when and how to conduct vehicle pursuits of suspects, reports the Star-News. more ›

A Senate Joint Resolution initiated in June of last year is moving towards adoption today follwoing a 10-3 vote in its favor by the California State Assembly Committee on Health, according to a press release issued by the advocacy group Americans for Safe Access. more ›

After months of pressure from Greenpeace, South Pasadena-based Trader Joe's has promised they will "green up their stores" by putting in place "sustainable seafood policies," according to the environmental group. more ›

Los Angeles has the Office of the Controller, an elected position that is the city's fiscal and performance watchdog. If you're doing something wrong, you might be caught and called out publicly after an audit. A recent internal county audit finds that some Supervisors control policy decisions behind the scenes. That report, however, was not made publicly available and it took the LA Times some work to obtain it. "County officials initially declined to release the audit, but after extensive conversations with The Times, the report was released late Thursday," said the paper, which put up a blog post today in preview of a more in depth article on Sunday. more ›

The LA Times today revealed a memo and information from sources about all the recent resignations and new hires within Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's administration. The most poignant fact, one that most people are likely to agree with, is this: a lack of follow-through on certain policy goals. more ›

As Obama prepared for his big "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" speech last week, government figures released showed that women are more likely to be kicked out of military service under the policy than men. In a story, the Associated Press highlighted Julianne Sohn, who now works for the LAPD. more ›

An LA Times investigation this weekend revealed that the response to the Station Fire was scaled back when officials underestimated the power of the blaze. Such an error in judgement is expected to change policy when a fire is ablaze in the lower Angeles National Forest near residential neighborhoods. more ›

This morning at the Little Tokyo/Arts District Farmers Market, where the city celebrated 30 years of certified farmers markets (even though it began in Gardena), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the creation of a food policy task force that will provide a report and recommendations in the next six months on a city food policy council and a foodshed assessment (details listed below). more ›

At today's 30 years of the farmers market celebration, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce a task force on food policy and will lead a pledge for local restaurants to use locally grown food. more ›

At yesterday’s Metro meeting, officials said they may do with the current rush-hour bike-on-rail ban to accommodate the system’s growing cyclist ridership, but they’re also considering implementing a two-bike-per-car rule. During their 6 p.m. meeting, which was considerably quieter than their earlier one at noon, officials said they also want to improve signage that directs cyclists and clearly state the rules (no blocking doors or walkways). more ›

More than 200 citizens died earlier this year while defending their homes from wildfires in Australia. That news made officials do a 180 from considering a stay and defend training program for Southern California. So they announced yesterday a "Ready, Set, Go" wildfire action plan for residents living in high risk fire areas--that is to create a defensible space around the home and go when evacuation orders are given. With a light year in rainfall, we could be experiencing more wildfires than ever this year. Stay safe and be prepared! more ›

Forget worrying about what you've packed in that suitcase you have to shell out a few extra bucks for; if you've packed on too many pounds and want to fly on United, you could be headed for shelling out a second seat's worth. The airline is now enforcing a policy that stipulates that "passengers who are unable to fit into a single seat; are unable to properly fasten their safety belt [using a single seatbelt extender; and/or] are unable to put the seat's armrests down, will be denied boarding unless they purchase an extra seat," according to cbs2. more ›

Rural California is seceding from the urban coast? Well, if industrial pig farmers have anything to do with it, cities like Visalia, Tulare, and Fresno will soon be working to separate themselves from the heathen-vegan coast! The reason? It's all because we took their chicken coops away from them -- or, at least, because we fought against current agro-industrial standards for livestock health and welfare. more ›

Although perhaps a certain segment of the population believes he should be throwing red paint on fur-coated old ladies and boycotting West Hollywood restaurants that serve foie gras, President Obama has actually been doing a pretty good job heeding Michael Pollan's call to real action within the American food industry. more ›