Jason Toney

LAist is really, well, just flummoxed with yesterday's senseless metrolink tragedy so although there are a few other interesting local stories in the papers today, we're going to focus solely on what The Los Angeles Times is calling the Tragedy on the Rails. Times Coverage: Chain Reaction Kills 11 Survival a Matter of Chance A Troubled Past, A Startling Action Concern Grows Over Rail Suicides Rescuers Work Among Carnage For Victims, A Deadly Last...

Need to shake off the sight of two trains crashing and the anger over a selfish act causing so much pain and loss? Yeah, we do too. Thankfully, Pete Rock -- easily one of the 5 best hip hop DJs to ever command the ones and twos -- will be at The Conga Room tonight. RSVP is required to get in (and sadly it looks like RSVP is closed) but if you arrive early,...

There are now 9 reported dead. According to Sherrif Lee Baca, the derailment happened because of a car deliberately put on the tracks. One train hit the car and jumped off the tracks hitting a parked Pacific Freight Train and an oncoming metrolink train heading in the opposite direction. Update:The death toll has now reached ten. The person who left the SUV on the tracks was suicidal. The SUV driver changed his mind about...

The big local story this morning is happening right now as two metrolink trains derailed in Glendale this morning. The Times reports that three are dead but according to a fire department spokesman on KTTV's Good Day LA there are now four fatalities. As of this writing, those injured on the trains have not been cleared to leave. If you are concerned that a relative was on one of the trains, you can contact...

The Academy Award Nominations were announced this morning and with it brought a special gift: a free peek into Calendar Live for the article. It's been so long since we've actually seen the news website, we'd forgotten what it looked like. Apparently they have a section called The Envelope which covers all the entertainment industry awards ceremonies. Free Calendar Live! Free Calendar Live! The Times seems to have the LAPD on the brain this...

Of course, the biggest local story is the death of Johnny Carson. The LA Times has an obituary written by Daily Variety's Brian Lowry and focuses on his entertainment career. The Daily News takes an even more local look and examines how America's greatest talk show host effected Burbank. Johnny Carson was 79 years old. The Daily News sticks with neighborhood stories and talks about the creation of Apartment Watch in Valley Glen and...

Earlier this week, LA.Com's nightlife newsletter, Plus One, gave their list of favorite local hot spots and while we might quibble with their favorite nights at most of the venues we can't much complain. Spider Club continues to be our favorite location to drink with friends, star watch, and dance. We just like it on Mondays when Morty is spinning 80s all night. The crowds have waned a bit and we're not sure how...

You've probably heard the distinctive voice of Jennifer Johns coming through your radio but just didn't know it. The sometime Los Angeles resident has done voiceover work for LA Weekly, Pacific Bell, and Macy's. Her deep, throaty voice is captivating, even more so when she's singing. Her debut album, Heavyelectromagneticsoularpoeticjunglehop, is, as the title suggests, at the crossroads between neo-soul, spoken word, hip hop and just out and out melody for melody's sake. We...

While we're happy that the Clippers are doing much better than expected this year and haven't already given up on the season (and if they can just string a few more wins together might even compete for the 8th playoff spot in the West), we're heading to the Staples Center tonight to get our last chance to see Shaquille O'Neal play in Los Angeles this season. Your Los Angeles Clippers host the Miami Heat...

Reposted without comment (because it is just so good on its own), Los Angeles based recording artist, Afroman, issued this press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AFROMAN IMPOSTER ORDERED TO CEASE AND DESIST Dol Ré Has Performed and Been Advertised as Hip-Hop Star by San Jose Booking Agency Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 13, 2004 - Hungry Hustler recording artist Afroman is one busy sucker, with new releases like 4ro:20 and his Christmas album, Jobe Bells,...