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... more ›

The New Downtown Ralphs: "They went — loft-dwelling yuppies, SRO dwellers, office workers and even some homeless people — for a chance to browse the aisles of the long-awaited, 50,000-square-foot Ralphs on 9th Street." Not Putting in Crosswalks Near Schools: "'Our Department of Transportation is one of the slowest, most bureaucratic departments in the city,' said City Councilman Greig Smith. 'I am constantly banging my head against the wall to get them to do... more ›

Does this sound like something the City of Los Angeles should do? The city of Moorpark has slapped a $25,000 fine against Time Warner Cable over what it says is poor service provided to customers. The City Council voted 4-0 to fine the company over technical problems, long waiting times and telephone prompts that didn’t lead to the right answer. “Time Warner has, for a period of time, not lived up to the obligations that... more ›

LACityNerd hit the blogging scene earlier this year and this cat has blown us away with the knowledge and history that is spewed upon the blog. Who is it? We will never know. At least we are allowed to ask questions. Lots of questions. Whoever you are, Nerd, rock it in 2007 baby. Rock it. more ›

LAist was fortunate enough to sit down with a member of the South Central Farmers Support Coalition yesterday, one who was at the controversial farm the morning that it was raided last week by law enforcement, who forcibly evicted protesters and activists. more ›

couldn't happen to a skeezier industry: The FCC has launched the biggest radio payola investigation in 45 years. Clear Channel, CBS, Entercom and Citadel Broadcasting are being investigated for taking bribes for playing crappy music. OK, the FCC didn't specify "crappy," but when you have to pay somebody to get your records played on the radio, that's part of the problem. more ›

If you're rich enough to hire a private jet and crazy enough to be flying home to be charged with child molestation, be careful of what you say on the plane. Santa Monica-based XtraJet decided sure, it would fly Michael Jackson to Santa Barbara in 2003 — and it would secretly line the plane with hidden camcorders and tape the one-time King of Pop talking with his attorney. The company, and the co-conspirator who installed the devices, hoped to make a bundle. But instead of buying the tapes, Fox News turned them over to authorities. In a plea agreement, the tapers pled guilty yesterday. more ›

- And, finally, Dakota Fanning -- who shares top billing with Robert De Niro and Tom Cruise -- also shares tagalongs and samoas with the Chatsworth Girl Scouts. more ›

Juan Catalan, the man who was exonerated by Larry David's stock footage, is suing the city for malicious prosecution. The man was falsely imprisoned for 5 months - LAist thinks he's got a case. [LAO] more ›

The L.A. Independent also thinks the Mayor's in trouble. But they call the Stanley Miller affair a potential "sword in the heart".... ? LAist doubts the issue will dictate much by March of next year. more ›