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Extra, Extra

- Due to the statewide drought, the LA City Council today approved new water rates to encourage conservation. If you use a lot of water, watch out, your bill will soon be higher if you don't start using less.
- A vegan cupcake shop from New York City will be opening a storefront on 6th Street in downtown. However, that news comes as another New York based store, City Bakery, confirms it will be shutting down its Brentwood location.
- "For all his green talk en route to the White House, President Barack Obama remains a cipher on one of the most critical environmental and economic issues facing California: whether to expand drilling for oil and gas off the coast for the first time in a generation."
- LAist is at Coachella and also updating via Twitter. Follow us at @LAist!
- This weekend is Esa-Pekka Salonen's last for conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. The New York Times takes note.
- Parents are not happy that Burger King likes square butts (and they cannot lie). That's enough for Franklin Ave. to name it as his Press Release of the Day.
- What are you doing this Earth Day weekend? Green LA Girl has a good list.
- StreetsblogLA interviews Hillary Norton from FAST, otherwise known as Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic.
- LA County Sheriff's Deputies are being arrested for alcohol related offenses more often. In 2005, 24 such cases were on the books, but in 2008, there were 70.
- The latest from the Wildflower Hotline, compliments of the Theodore Payne Foundation, tells us to check out nearby sites such as Vasquez Rocks, the Mishe Mokwa Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Descanso Gardens, which is "awash with color" in its native plant section.
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It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic.
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April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
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A look at years past when snows creeped into our citified neighborhoods, away from the mountains and foothills.
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In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California.
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Another Missing Hiker Has Been Found Dead In San Gabriels As Search For Actor Julian Sands ContinuesBob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. His body was recovered near Mount Islip.