Lindsay William-Ross

A Los Angeles Fire Department fire captain was busted last week for buying heroin during a sting operation conducted by Los Angeles Police Department Narcotics officers. Captain Matthew Phillpsen, 52, was arrested at around noon on Wednesday, November 9 in the Highland Park area.

City Controller Wendy Greuel has taken a look at the Los Angeles Police Department's approach to tackling a backlog of over 7,000 untested rape kits in recent months, and has found that there is much room for improvement in how the LAPD handles this kind of evidence.

It's a once in a lifetime date, and while many couple have long planned for the auspicious 11/11/11 wedding date, the Los Angeles County clerk's office affirms there won't be any knot-tying at their offices tomorrow.

If a proposed tuition increase is approved by the California State University Board of Trustees, it would mean a sixth straight year of fees going up. The current increase is a proposed 9 percent, or $498 annually for full-time undergrads at the CSU's 23 campuses.

What's going on lately in the L.A food scene? Chew on this! How about a "pocket restaurant" with a crazy name, gluten-free Bouchons, a fan favorite menu item returns to Ammo, a Filipino Food Event and more.

On the still-cooling heels of producer Brett Ratner's exit from the 84th Academy Awards, host Eddie Murphy is bailing, too. It seems the producer and actor were a salt-and-pepper set that could not be delivered apart.

There are some seriously amazing things going on in Downtown on Broadway, as historic spaces are getting new life as restored and reimagined spaces for dining and entertainment. Now comes word the historic Schaber Cafeteria, built in 1928 and heavily damaged during the 1992 riots is about to get a remodel and be transformed into Figaro Bistro on Broadway.

The race to fill Janice Hahn's vacant Los Angeles City Council seat has become the tale of the Officer and an Assemblyman. The two top finishers in last night's special election in CD 15 has resulted in a runoff slated for Los Angeles police officer Joe Buscaino and Assemblyman Warren Furutani.

In today's Extra, Extra we've got a dog who needs a home, Villaraigosa's tax break plan to lure car dealers, and Occupy struggles in Santa Ana, along with more news bites of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

This is some guerrilla art we like, and now it's here to stay: The 18-foot fork placed at the fork in the road where St. John and Pasadena avenues meet up in Pasadena has been given the okay to go in the ground for good.

Happy 10th Birthday, Amoeba Hollywood! The big little music store that could is celebrating a milestone, and this weekend, the party is courtesy KCRW, who will be undertaking a first endeavor, and broadcasting live from the store all day on Saturday, November 12.

The short answer: You betcha. Now for the longer answer. A study released today found that while in some counties, including Los Angeles, the childhood obesity rate is showing some decline, there has been an increase in more than half the state's counties.