Andy Sternberg

We're at Techcrunch Disrupt in San Francisco where some 30 startups from around the world are launching, execs, entrepreneurs and VCs are staking positions in the future of media and technology and Ashton Kutcher is introducing Walden Schmidt, his character debuting Monday on CBS' "Two and a Half Men."

Explosions in the Sky guitarist Munaf Rayani took a few minutes to rap with us before the band took the stage at FYF Fest last weekend about surviving the deadly storm at Pukkelpop Music Fest in Belgium, how an art installation at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to debut the band's latest album, "Take Care, Take Care, Take Care," came to pass last April, and why they love Umami Burger.

Sounds from the West Coast and beyond will be showcased at the Pacific Festival in Orange County on Saturday. Dozens of acts will perform on 5 stages at the all-day affair at Oak Canyon Ranch.

With little progress being made to avert an NBA lockout a Turkish professional team is in talks to sign Kobe Bryant. Istanbul's Besiktas club made an offer to Bryant this week according to the L.A. Times. Kobe is said to be meeting with Besiktas officials in Istanbul on Saturday, reports SBNation.

The Angels may be in the middle of a 10-game road trip but that didn't keep a display of power away from Angel Stadium this week. In fact, there may be nobody around to turn the power back on when the team returns next Tuesday. Workers at Angel Stadium voted on Thursday to authorize a strike after seeing their wages frozen by management.

The newest Apple Store is opening at The Americana at Brand this weekend, across the street from one of its first locations -- the Glendale Galleria. Only this one's much larger. Apple announced in an email to customers this week that its newest location will open on Saturday at 10 a.m. at The Americana at Brand.

Google's Android operating system is solidifying itself as the most popular in the U.S. as it continues increasing its market share over Apple's iOS and RIM's Blackberry in recent surveys. Nielsen's June numbers on smartphone puts Android's U.S. market share at 39% to Apple iOS' 28%.

One person is in critical condition and six others were treated and released after a tow truck collided with a car before crashing into a building in the Wilshire Center neighborhood.

LAPD detectives are asking for the public's help in finding three suspects pictured in surveillance video of a recent Jewelry district robbery released Thursday morning. The June 22nd incident was one of several in a recent spate of quick, in-and-out jewelry store robberies taking place in broad daylight

L.A. city council voted unanimously on Wednesday to discontinue red-light camera ticketing, ending an eight-year program that led to moving violations for more than 180,000 motorists.

Three masked robbers entered a Burbank residence late Tuesday night demanding cash and walked out with a woman's purse containing $20,000 in cash as well as assorted jewels. Three men wearing ski masks banged on the door of a home shortly after midnight and flashed badges to a married couple and their teenage son inside, according to Burbank Police Sgt. Adam Cornils. One of the invaders had a gun.

The Angels kick off a 10-game road trip today but when the team returns in August, Angel Stadium will have some gadgets available to help fans ward off the potential boredom of nine innings of American League baseball. T-Mobile on Friday announced a partnership with the Angels to provide fans with a tablet rental program, allowing fans to watch TV, read magazines, chat with friends and hopefully not get hit in the face by a foul ball.