Lindsay William-Ross

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.

The dynamic duo of Chef Ludo Lefebvre and his wife Krissy took their act on the road for a new series on the Sundance Channel called Ludo Bites America. With the series debuting on Tuesday July 19th, we had the chance to ask the Lefebvres a few questions about the show, the food, and life in front of--and behind--the cameras. Here's Part One of our two-part interview.

Wait, the love isn't flowing for the Los Angeles Department Water and Power, with their excellent and responsive customer service, their easy-to-read bills, and their ever-increasing rates? Yep. Not so much. The LADWP has been ranked by Business Insider as #13 out of the #19 most-hated companies in the nation. Ouch.

The driver arrested recently for a May confrontation with a bicyclist in Mount Washington has a history of violent encounters while behind the wheel. Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch points out a 1999 Los Angeles Times article about Louis Mraz, who was sentenced to probation and Caltrans road duty for punching a 72-year-old man "during a road-rage dust-up."

Today in Los Angeles!!! Double alien love with E.T. and Close Encounters screenings, bike with friends at the CicLAvia group ride and free Shakespeare in the great outdoors.

In today's Extra, Extra we've got Trojans on the beach, a maybe Senator Maria Shriver, solar power, and Octomom in an airplane fight, plus more news of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

The Los Angeles Police Department will be conducting a Sobriety/Driver’s License checkpoint tonight as part of their ongoing campaign to remove dangerous drivers from the roads and educate the public on safety risks of driving under the influence. The checkpoint will be held from 6 p.m. tonight to 1 a.m. Sunday morning, westbound on Imperial Highway between Main Street and San Pedro Street in South Los Angeles.

Um, can anyone say "tacky"? Birds, a longstanding watering hole in Franklin Village gets our vote for the crassest cocktails in town: Two boozy bevs named "in honor" of acquitted Florida mom Casey Anthony. Frankly, it seems like whoever is in charge at Birds had a few too many drinks themselves and lost their sense of decorum. What do you think of these "ripped from the headlines" libations?

Michelle Nicole Stearns of San Juan Capistrano was sentenced yesterday to six years in state prison for her role in the death of a cyclist who died after she struck him while she was driving drunk. Stearns, 30, pleaded guilty in March to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the 2007 Dana Point collision that took the life of 32-year-old Jose Umberto Barranco-Patino.

If ever there was a cause to drown your sorrows in a pint of craft beer, well, the permit woes of Eagle Rock Brewery is a prime one. With their conditional use permit on the line (again) the brewery could get the smackdown by City Hall next week and be forced to stop serving the very product they make.

Former first lady Betty Ford has died. She was 93. Her death was confirmed by the director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. "Ford died Friday evening with family at her bedside," reports KTLA. She had been in declining health since 2007. No other information about her passing was made available.