Lisa Brenner

The Desert Garden at The Huntington (Photo by Joey Maloney / LAist) After a world-wide search, Steve Hindle, a history professor at England's Warwick University, was named on Monday to succeed Robert "Roy" Ritchie as director of research at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens on July 1, reports the Pasadena Star-News. Huntington President Stephen S. Koblik said they sought a "wonderful scholar" but also someone who could do the job of...

A man died after being stabbed by a rooster at an illegal cockfight. Should I repeat that? According to the Kern County coroner, 35-year-old Jose Luis Ochoa was declared dead at a hospital approximately two hours after an incident at a cockfight where he suffered a life-ending injury.

Photo Courtesy of the Los Angeles Port Police Authority Upwards of $10 million in counterfeit iPods, iPhones and other items shipped from Asia have been seized from a "sophisticated downtown warehouse operation" in a theft-case that was started by the Los Angeles Port Police stemming from a stolen-cargo investigation, reports the LA Times. Ron Boyd, chief of the L.A. Port Police, called the operation "well-funded" and asserted that the counterfeits looked very authentic, so...

Lonely Planet is once again poking the bear of bi-coastal rivalry for the purposes of a poll. The travel guide gurus initially courted controversy in January by starting an SF vs NYC match up, and while SFist noted that "comparing San Francisco to New York City is like comparing chocolate to peanut butter (or something like that)," the silliness of the battle didn't stop the city from clicking, commenting and competing bravely. Verdict: NYC had their tushies handed to them on a cable car.

222 million eyeballs (2 per face) watched Simon Cowell's shattered body Terminator itself back together last night in a musically dramatic 'The X Factor' ad that aired during Super Bowl XLV, the most-watched television program ever. Cowell's panel of cohorts for the upcoming U.S./FOX version of his British hit singing competition have yet to be revealed (or decided), reports the AP, however Deadline reveals new details like the $5 million winning record deal and...

More than 111 million people donated their eyeballs to Super Bowl XLV on Sunday night making it the most-watched program in TV history, says the Hollywood Reporter. What would be interesting would be to cross reference that number with the Ruffles people and see how many bags of chips that translates to. THERE'S a statistic. According to Nielsen Media Research FOX became the first network ever to exceed 100 million viewers for a night...

Frustrated and angry Anaheim residents are trying to shut down a neighborhood medical marijuana dispensary, reports ABC Local. Harbor Boulevard and Chestnut Street homeowners do not want the shop in their area and are trying to figure out how, and if, they can shutter the business that recently opened in January. Because the city of Anaheim is currently in a court battle over its ordinance banishing such establishments, it has not forced the closure...

The city of West Hollywood is considering several proposals to limit cigarette sales including one potential regulation that would ban sales of smokes within 600 feet of a school. Another proposed ban looks to eliminate smoking outdoors, including on patios at nightclubs, bars and restaurants, reports KTLA. On Monday, city council is scheduled to meet and discuss the proposals. One neighborhood group has their own plans to meet up before the council meeting to...

Missing IE man never wants to come back to LA, Ronnie's 100th, Maywood murder mystery, Yoga thieves, Newport Beach's not-so-private bridge, Conan's Puppy + Lingerie Bowl combo. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

24-year-old actor Shia LaBeouf was "briefly arrested" early on Saturday morning following a brawl at Sherman Oaks bar, reports KTLA. LaBeouf was reportedly at Mad Bulls Tavern on Ventura around 1 a.m. when he got into a verbal altercation that turned physical. "Witnesses claim LaBeouf was punched in the face before police arrived on scene," reports KTLA, and the actor who frequents the popular establishment, was "briefly placed in handcuffs along with several other...

Photo by Jonathan Assink via Flickr In 1976, Covina resident David Klein was known as Mr. Jelly Belly until a takeover in 1980 forced Klein to reluctantly accept a buyout from his manufacturer. His signature was removed from Jelly Belly packaging and his name removed from the company. "After that, Klein stopped telling strangers about his past because nobody would believe him," says the Pasadena Star-News. A documentary about Klein and his gourmet jelly...

Tonight in Extra Extra! Surfing accident, Zsa Zsa Watch!, Orca impostors arrested, Smurf Village for sale, Franco 4 Oz?, Lap-Band deaths, and an Inland Empire man goes missing in West Hollywood. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.