While the remaining Republican candidates converged on Simi Valley yesterday to debate who was most like Ronald Reagan and the two Democratic candidates still standing in the race meet in Los Angeles later today to hash out who is most unlike Reagan, other political news sent shock waves through Washington D.C. that did not portend well for the Grand Ol' Party. Congressman Tom Davis, a Republican who represents the suburban 11th District of Virginia, said......

The eyes of the nation are turning to the Ronald Reagan Library today, where debates for the Republican front-runners will begin. This is the last debate opportunity for the GOP before "Super Tuesday" next week (LAist is throwing an Election Party to celebrate). Pundits are now anointing John McCain as a front-runner thanks to his campaign success this week in Florida, with Mitt Romney cast in the role of his fiercest opponent. The question......

This is why we do all of our Christmas shopping online: first the FBI reported possible terrorist threats to Chicago and Los Angeles malls this holiday season, then took it back. Hey kids! You too can grow up to be a pervert with a social conscience! Dov Charney just signed on for a deal with American Apparel's partner company that could net him millions per year. A Small World it's not: Disneyland is remodeling......

My folks are Republicans. I am not. On a recent visit from the East Coast, they wanted to go to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. I kinda didn't. But since they were only in town for a few days -- to see me and I wanted to spend time with them -- I put our political differences aside and drove them out to Simi Valley (via the 118 -- the Ronald Regan......

Hide the knives, Joan Didion: the Santa Anas are coming! The Santa Anas are coming! The new assistant director over at the Los Angeles branch of the FBI has experience in the domestic terror, white-collar crime, and foreign relations divisions; he has also spent time in Mexico City as an FBI legal attache. This week's Sign of the Apocalypse: kids as young as thirteen and fourteen are now getting into the paparazzi business. We......

In today's LAFD updates, a structure fire at Fuller and a passenger car is trapped underneath an 18-wheeler. Will fewer fast-food restaurants mean healthier citizens? The City Council will be asked to consider a moratorium on new chain restaurants in South Los Angeles. Oscar-winning actress (and first wife to Ronald Reagan) Jane Wyman died today at the age of 93 at her home in Rancho Mirage. Students at forty LAUSD schools will be competing......

A Word or 116: So I missed the first 10 minutes of the Grammys which meant that I missed the effing Police. I punished myself by watching the rest of the Grammys: a collection of posers I will never go see perform and whose songs I've never heard and will never care to hear. 24 is back with a 2 hour allotment but my understanding is that I'm not supposed to watch 24 anymore......

For the divorced lady with four cats We love getting comments here at LAist, especially when we can do a follow up. For Laurie of Crazy Aunt Purl (who gets an average of around 70-some comments per post), who commented this yesterday: I just want the Mayor to try to get on the 101 at White Oak each morning for an entire week, and then we can talk about traffic light timing. If you......

the fish live! - Since March 6, two goldfish have been living in LA River water in the newsroom at the LA Times. It's now June, and the fish are still doing swimmingly — although the tank could use a cleaning. serial prowler - If you live in Arcadia, you might try using the AC at night instead of leaving the window open. Police warn that a petty thief has taken advantage of open......

In between an Angie Dickinson double feature last night, the woman herself made an appearance and answered questions from a hoarde of enthusiastic male fans. At 75, the woman still has it; heck, she doesn't look a day over 50. (she may have had work done, but it's exceptionally good work). The one-time Police Woman was charming and forthcoming. The 1971 film Pretty Maids All In A Row, directed by Roger Vadim, was, she......

November 22 at 7:00 Dutton’s Brentwood Patti Davis signs "The Long Goodbye" Ronald Reagan’s daughter writes about losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease. Monday, November 22 at 7:00 Dutton’s Brentwood Dutton’s Brentwood Books: 11975 San Vicente Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 Perhaps Ms. Davis can educate all of us about the effects of this horrible disease and inform us exactly when her father was diagnosed with the affliction.......

Sarah Lefton’s new “Sacramento Girlie Men” T-shirts, mentioned at LAObserved.com, reminds LAist that our Governator is involved in a lawsuit that spotlights the different rights of celebrities and public servants. T-shirt makers beware: Oak Productions, which holds all rights to merchandise Arnold Schwarnegger’s name and image, filed suit against Ohio Discount Merchandise, a firm that markets a bobblehead doll bearing our governor’s likeness in a suit but posed holding a gun in a manner evoking......