Lindsay William-Ross

In today's Extra, Extra we've got Carrie Fisher's Leia-laden life, Rodney King detained, growing vertically, and more news bites of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

To help make it easier for developers to obtain permits, today Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa opened a new office to handle the bureaucracy. "The Development Services Case Management Office will include staffers from the planning, building and safety, engineering, transportation and water and power departments," explains KPCC.

A creditors committee was named for the Dodgers bankruptcy case today, and among those included in the group is the family of Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally beaten on opening day at Dodger Stadium.

You're dining out with a colleague, and want to split the check, but are told when the bill comes you needed to make that intention clear before you ordered. Would you come back and punch out your waitress? North Hollywood's Della Hamby, was one of two Lil Wayne backup dancers arrested in Connecticut for her role in a scuffle with a PF Chang's waitress that started with a split-check difference of opinion.

Carmageddon has brought out the resourcefulness of some local agencies, and the inventiveness of some business owners. For many, though, "Carmageddon" is simply an overwrought battle cry of the politically beaten-down. Much ado about nothing, if you will. In fact, it is proof that we've all turn into pussies.

Your days of enjoying a combo plan of getting a disc or two via those red envelopes in the mail and streaming content from California-based Netflix are numbered, kids. Starting September 1, the popular site is implementing separate plans for streaming and physical disc borrowing.

In Part One of our two-part interview with Chef Ludo Lefevbre and his wife Krissy about their new TV show Ludo Bites America, we talked logistics, and Hooters girls, foie gras, and "foodies." Now, in Part Two we talk food...and, okay, food bloggers.

In today's Extra, Extra, the royals wing home with the regular folk, knowing your chicken, getting hung up over a Warhol portrait, and more news of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

Obviously, so long as you follow state and local laws, you can drink beer whenever you want. But if you want to do so as part of a larger celebration of beer culture in Los Angeles and Orange counties, you may want to mark your calendar for October 10-23 for the return of LA Beer Week.

A new law requiring online retailers to collect California sales tax from shoppers has stirred up controversy, and now Amazon.com Inc. is saying they are looking for voters to take the matter to the ballot.

If you live or work in the San Fernando Valley, you may have noticed the earth moving right beneath your feet or wheels. Four intersections succumbed to flooding and "pavement disruptions," late this morning, according to CBS2, who note that all of the issues happened in the 11 o'clock hour.

Motorists who use the 405 Freeway to get to work weekdays have one serious stress point: What if the 405 isn't re-opened in time for their commute the morning of July 18th, post-Carmageddon? Metro and Caltrans have been firm in saying "don't worry," but now comes word there's a price tag attached for contractors if they aren't done in time.