The state of the economy may be a big question mark but one thing's for sure: L.A. tech is hot. Westwood-based Elevator Labs received $20 million in funding this week in another example of investors putting money into innovative Los Angeles-based startups. Managing partner Zack Zalon spoke to us about how his years at Virgin Digital influenced his approach and why he's excited about L.A.'s tech community. more ›

Mr. Clerks had it out with another airline, this time because he was late and they were jerks. Eight minutes to blastoff and first class tickets in hand Kevin Smith and wife were denied boarding on a Virgin Atlantic flight from JFK on Monday having missed the ten minute pre-leave window. Pleading with the "unfriendly face" about the jetway still being attached and some much-needed medication in the checked luggage another 15 minutes went by with the couple standing in the terminal. Following Smith's tweet rant Virgin, unlike Southwest, sent an immediate apology, refund and free tix offer. more ›

Common, Colbie Caillat, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Robin Thicke, Taryn Manning and Justin Long were among the stars who came out to support Richard and Eve Branson's 4th Annual Rock the Kasbah fundraiser for Virgin Unite at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Thursday night. more ›

Virgin America announced today that they will be ceasing operations in and out of Orange County's John Wayne Airport, according to the OC Register. The airline has been running flights between there and San Francisco International since April 2009, when they launched the route with a splashy event that included Virgin chairman Richard Branson strumming a boogie board on the tarmac and appearances by some of the "Real Housewives" ladies. Instead of the JWA-SFO route, Virgin is throwing their focus to two new routes out of LAX, Orlando and Toronto. The last JWA-SFO flight is scheduled for May 26. JWA will welcome Air Canada next month, and says they have a waiting list of airlines interested in replacing Virgin. more ›

Many people in Los Angeles consider a trip downtown as practical as visiting the moon, which may explain why it was never a big deal to Buzz Aldrin. "I used to come down to the Midnight Mission, I had a lot of friends working there," recalled the astronaut. Another charitable cause brought him back on Monday night, a fundraiser gala that generated over $300,000 for Virgin Unite and the Eve Branson Foundation. The charitable arm of Sir Richard Branson's empire supports social and environmental causes, including health care in rural parts of Africa. more ›

- JetBlue to match Virgin's prices to NYC - The final offer has been submitted by the union of clerks for the LA and Long Beach Ports. If not accepted, strikes could begin Monday, stopping work for 40% of cargo container traffic in the country. 15,000 longshoremen of a different union have also agreed to honor the picket lines. - West Adams, or WeAd is the black WeHo. - Harry Potter Fools! Why wait... more ›

Sir Richard Branson's SFO-based harem of nubile air carriages wants you on board. Beginning this morning, cut-rate tickets are on sale for LAX-SFO flights on Virgin America. 5 flights daily are scheduled to shuttle between the two airports starting August 8 -- with coach seats going for $44 each way (before tax). First-class Virgin tickets are also offered at the introductory price of $149 each way. While numerous airlines have been grounded, bought out, or... more ›

The concept of being an over-18 male virgin in LA isn't a foreign one to LAist, if it wasn't for that night in the Honda in Ventura a few days after our 21st birthday (thnx Michelle) who knows how long it may have taken us to lose it. But no way would we have gone on MTV to be taped for Suburban Virgin, a new show the teen-orientated former music network is now casting... more ›