Lindsay William-Ross

Image courtesy FOX 5 DCist was shocked when a Metro train car derailed, slamming into another waiting train, killing nine people and injuring dozens others. An investigation continues, but cracked rails have been found. Gothamist has now seen it all: An SUV driver, who allegedly assaulted a cyclist, apparently claimed the cyclist caused damage to his SUV—you know, because the cyclist slapped the vehicle since it was illegally in a bike lane, about to...

This weekend's Fourth of July holiday and the many celebrations taking place all over Los Angeles means that it's time to remind the non-professional pyrotech-ies that fireworks are, in fact, not only illegal, but also dangerous. The Daily News quotes County Fire Captain Mike Brown, who says: "The use of fireworks not only can cause fires, but can result in severe injuries and burns if not used properly."

Lt. Dan Choi Earlier this year, Tustin's Dan Choi, a lieutenant in the Army National Guard, shared during a television interview that he is homosexual, which put him in violation of the military's Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gay servicemen and women's need to keep their sexuality a secret. Tomorrow Choi is due in military court, "defending himself against an effort to oust him for 'moral and professional dereliction,'" according to the...

The Jackson kids in 2008 One frequent question that lingered on many people's mind following the sudden death of Michael Jackson last Thursday was the fate of his three children, Prince Michael (12), Paris Michael Katherine Jackson (11), and Prince Michael II aka "Blanket," (7). This morning a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge granted temporary guardianship of the Jackson children to Michael's mother Katherine, 79, reports LA Now. Mrs. Jackson filed the papers...

Photo by 888bailbond/Flickr Sex in jail is illegal, but if it's going to happen, it had better be safe. At least that's the wisdom behind the eight-year-old program that "makes condoms available once a week to 300 inmates within the segregated unit" at the Men's Central Jail in Downtown Los Angeles, explains the Daily News. Now Sheriff Lee Baca is working to determine if the program should grow; "the expansion contemplated by Baca would...

Photo by honeybeejen via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Actress Farrah Fawcett, who died Thursday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer, will be honored and mourned in a private funeral service on Tuesday, according to the Huffington Post. The Catholic service is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown. Fawcett's death at age 62 last week after a brave and public struggle to...

Photo by dtaylor123 via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a press conference today that the family of Michael Jackson would like to have a second autopsy performed on the body of the late pop icon. What was probably a natural gas leak caused a small explosion (and caused damage and a headache) in a Canoga Park apartment last night. LA County Sheriff Lee Baca said if his...

Photo by suckafuck via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr There's plenty to do this weekend, like keeping cool inside the movie theatre or getting out and about around town. But with summer comes warm temps, long days, and festivals galore. There are a couple of such goings-on happening this weekend that you might want to check out. Saturday: Venice Eco-Fest The Venice Eco-Fest aims to honor the Earth and all of life...

Photo by m kashara via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Occidental College, the private liberal arts school with its campus on the hills above Eagle Rock, is experiencing a marvelous surge in enrollment for the upcoming school year, reports the LA Times. They are "expected to enroll a freshman class of about 560 this fall -- up 100 students, or 21% -- from last year," and this has many wondering if the...

Following the autopsy conducted amid massive media buzz yesterday, the LA County Coroner's office has turned the body of Michael Jackson to his family, who are working to finalize plans for the star's funeral, according to LA Now. "Los Angeles Police Department sources said officials have been talking to the Jackson family about plans for a memorial, which is likely to take place in the L.A. area. The LAPD is involved in the planning...

This pint-sized protester expressed dismay for the circus' arrival in Norfolk, Virginia. (Photo by alaspoorwho via Flickr) The circus is coming to Orange County soon, but not before a show of a whole other kind hits town, which is due to take place midday tomorrow in the heart of Anaheim. The show is actually a protest organized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who will express their displeasure about what they...

Twitter's infamous Fail Whale Los Angeles' "photo-op" Mayor has spent the past few weeks with the word 'FAILURE' hanging over him, so to speak, thanks to Los Angeles Magazine's recent cover story on Villaraigosa's approaching second term in office. Now it seems that the bulk of his Partnership schools within the LAUSD have also given the Mayor an 'F' in the form of a "thumbs down from teachers," according to the LA Times, adding:Eight...