Lisa Brenner

Tonight in Extra, Extra!! Turtle smuggling, McMansions, bulldog theft, DeLay goes from house majority to big house, pain in store for medical fraud ring and a big ol' frothy beer map. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

Johnny 5 is alive. A rookie team of teenagers called Code Orange have turned an OC garage into a robot-building headquarters, reports the OC Register. Their logo, a robot next to a surfboard, unites members of the Dana Point-based club who are currently planning a robot for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics competition. Last summer the team built its first robot, taking on all parts of development from...

Photo by Joey Maloney, Used with permission Brian Murphy, the former chairman of Southern California music for Live Nation, will become the West Coast president of his ex-company's biggest competitor, AEG Live. Could this be the final piece for AEG securing a NFL arena downtown? The potential impact of this move on the local live music scene cannot be overstated. In addition Murphy's industry connections with everyone from program directors to real estate developers...

Photo by Greg Lilly Photos via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr "A draft report from the Federal Aviation Administration has bared the long-standing safety issue of Bob Hope Airport's passenger terminal and its proximity to the runway," reports the Glendale News Press. In 1986, the FAA prohibited planes from taking off to the east because of a belief that the terminal was too close to the runway. However recent safety concerns have brought...

Authorities are warning residents of Long Beach to beware of a man impersonating a gas utility employee to gain access to homes. According to police, two incidents were reported Friday "where people tried unsuccessfully to enter homes after identifying themselves as employees of Long Beach Gas and Oil," reports the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Ask before you open the door -- all city employees carry identification at all times and are required to present it...

Tonight in Extra, Extra! Home tours in Highland Park and beyond, warm body to be arraigned in cold case, murder/suicide in San Pedro, Native American remains found in downtown?, Amy Winehouse bikinis up for her first full gig since '08, & MORE! Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

A detailed and easy to use 'budget balancer' is ready for your thoughtful and frugal fingers to attempt a red-ink elimination from the California budget. Says the L.A. Times, "The state's budget shortfall for the rest of this fiscal year and next, estimated to be $28 billion, is the size of the total general fund budget of 12 states combined: Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota,...

In an effort to start a rival league made up entirely of offspring, Los Angeles-based David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly expecting their fourth child this summer. The couple's three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, five are said to be "very excited," reports the BBC. The former Manchester United and current LA Galaxy star married "Posh" former Spice Girl, Victoria, in 1999.

Images of suspects courtesy Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department A second of four suspects has been arrested in connection with the case of sexual assaults of physically and mentally disabled women that was first brought to the attention of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in March when an anonymous tipster delivered a DVD containing over 100 hours of recorded rape sequences. In a statement made by Sheriff’s Captain Michael Parker, "27-year-old Ernie Lloyd...

Today in Extra, Extra: UPDATES about the Gabrielle Giffords attempted assassination, murmurs of Los Angeles AEG / Farmers Insurance NFL deal, Bieber on Glee, Glendale issues a trifecta of warnings. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

Further evidence that the ground is made of swiss cheese, rescue crews pulled a 200-pound Mastiff to safety early Saturday morning after he fell into a large, backyard sinkhole in San Luis Obispo County at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Friday, reports KTLA. Owners told authorities the sinkhole, estimated at 20 feet deep and 3 feet wide, was located near the site of an old concrete well. Technical Rescue Teams, fire crews and a veterinarian...

Photo by TheeErin via Flickr And they're off!! WIth a goal of filling and fixing up to 15,000 road hazards this weekend, approximately 50 city road repair crews have been deployed across Los Angeles repairing potholes and pavement deterioration caused by recent, heavy hitting rain. Reports the Beverly Hills Courier, "'We hope to make between 10,000 to 15,000 small asphalt repairs, including potholes, pop-outs and skin patching,' Bureau of Street Services Director William Robertson...