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A piece by Space Invader spotted in March 2011 (Photo by Lord Jim via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr) Two French nationals were detained on Friday on suspicion of vandalism in the vicinity of the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, where a high-profile exhibit on graffiti and street art opened over the weekend. The Los Angeles Police Department believe that one of the suspects detained is the well known street artist "Space Invader,"...

It's a busy night in Los Angeles, with plenty to see and do. You could pick up tickets to a mind-opening event put on by Mindshare LA, fire up some marshmallows and sing some songs in Franklin Canyon, see a Film Noir double feature, cheer on a local Top Chef Master, or get to know the art of Rome.

The Long Beach State Cheer Team has taken a metaphoric tumble from the top of a pretty big national pyramid. The team has forfeited their title as National Cheerleaders Association Small Coed Division I and fired their coach after it was discovered a non-student competed with the team, according to the Daily 49er. The student in question is a male who graduated in December. Associated Students Inc. communications coordinator Christina Esparza explained that a...

Intoximeter Alco-Sensor V Breathalyzer machines used to gauge blood alcohol levels by authorities in Ventura County appear to have a defect, which means that hundreds of drunken driving convictions could get thrown out based on inaccurate readings, reports the VC Star. The county owns 128 machines, the Intoximeter Alco-Sensor V, which cost about $4,800 apiece. The breathalyzer machines have shown what the Ventura County DA's office call "erratic results" for tests administered between January...

Photo of the Five Guys in Valencia by R.E.˜ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr The stage has already been set for an East Coast/West Coast battle of the burgers between upstart Five Guys and SoCal classic In-n-Out. But when we brought up the brewing rivalry, a third player, and the second to rep the local scene, was thrown in the mix: Fatburger. Well, score one more for Five Guys in that...

Photo by banspy via Flickr Authorities in the Santa Clarita Valley have arrested 31-year-old Beatriz Flores on suspicion of drug dealing and for using her teenage son as a heroin mule. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department explain that the arrest was made following a traffic stop, during which Flores and her two sons, ages 14 and 11, were present in the vehicle. Flores "admitted that she had [her 14-year-old son] put the drugs...

One of the nation's premiere fundraising food events, Taste of the Nation, returns to Los Angeles on June 12th for a day of drinking and eating to benefit Share Our Strength, an organization whose motto is "No Kid Hungry." The event will take place once again in Media Park in Culver City, and guests will be able to sample food and drinks from some of the city's most beloved restaurants, chefs, bars, breweries, and...

This Taco Bell Cheesy Beef Melt has 88% beef, says the chain (Photo by Like_the_Grand_Canyon via Flickr) A class action lawsuit filed against Taco Bell asked the fast food chain "where's the beef?" and now that lawsuit has been dropped, reports MyFoxLA, after Taco Bell made alterations to their "marketing and product disclosure." At issue was the amount of beef in the beef mix they put in their various menu items; the suit alleged...

Authorities in Anaheim are investigating two recent death threats against teen singer Rebecca Black, whose video "Friday" was a viral sensation, according to the OC Register. 13-year-old Black, who hails from Anaheim Hills, became the target of much critical and public scrutiny when her professionally-produced video soared to popularity. Sgt. Rick Martinez explains that the recent death threats came from people who dislike the video and "want it off the Internet." The young singer's...

Stockton (Photo courtesy LAPD) The Los Angeles Police Department have released information about the arrest of 29-year-old Jeremy Shawn Stockton, an in-home caregiver who is accused of molesting the young boy to whom he provided care. Stockton was taken in on April 13th on charges of Lewd Acts with a Child under the age of 14. Stockton is an employee of Wellspring, which the LAPD describe as "a local agency that specializes in behavioral...

Orange County GOP leader Marilyn Davenport has made a more official and contrite apology for being the mastermind behind the "joke" e-mail she sent out containing a doctored family portrait of chimpanzees with President Obama as the baby. Though Davenport initially balked at criticism of her attempt at political humor, she told the OC Weekly yesterday that she needed to say sorry "with different words." During her interview with the Weekly, 74-year-old Davenport wearily...

Today in Extra, Extra we've got teen vandals, a garden grows in a Boyle Heights schoolyard, a big bridge closing for a long time, and some news about prizes for news. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.