Zach Behrens

On the heels of a decision last month that deemed a ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, a federal judge in Riverside today ruled that the military's “don't ask, don't tell” policy is also a constitutional violation. "U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips said the policy banning gays did not preserve military readiness, contrary to what many supporters have argued, saying evidence shows that the policy in fact had a 'direct and deleterious effect’'...

Taken in August from Bunker Hill | Photo by Andy Kennelly via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr John North at ABC7 this afternoon took a great look at the salaries of Los Angeles City Councilmembers. The question is, with a $179,000 salary and other compensation -- you'll often hear people say this makes them the highest paid councilmembers in the nation -- how can they justify furloughing city employees during this massive budget deficit?...

Officers responding to a call this afternoon discovered a deceased female body, reportedly in a bag. A 3:05 p.m., the police were alerted to a death investigation at a recycling center on the 1000 block of North Main Street (map), according to LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera. The location is north of downtown in an industrial area abut Chinatown. KTLA, which reported it "near" Dodger Stadium, said the body was found inside a bag....

A unknown Florida pastor has been rocketed into infamy for his plans, which may end up being canceled, to hold a Quran burning event. Terry Jones' rally, which would take place on Saturday, September 11th, is in protest of the controversial Islamic community -- erroneously called a mosque -- center planned for near Ground Zero. The news has sparked protests in the Middle East and offiicals are worried that if the Quran burning goes...

A [Park]ing Day spot in Studio City in 2009 | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist The national annual event known as [Park]ing Day, where city street parking spaces are turned into mini-parks for a day, is no stranger to Los Angeles. For some, however, parks and open space might be a stranger to their neighborhoods. Despite having Griffith Park and lots of access to nature surrounding Los Angeles, the city is actually park poor. "Per...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is China-bound and yesterday made an observation while flying over Alaska. "Over Anchorage, AK. Looking everywhere but can't see Russia from here. Will keep you updated as search continues," he tweeted in reference to Sarah Palin, noted LA Observed. Awesome (but doesn't make up for the fact that the state is in dire straights). During the 2008 presidential campaign, the vice president candidate Palin claimed she had foreign policy experience in...

Photo by @sevenphoto via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Following confusion about bicycle lanes that suddenly appeared along Wilbur Avenue in Northridge, Councilmember Greig Smith is taking action so people aren't taken off guard again. "The City's present outreach process appears to be to implement new bike facilities and wait for community feedback, which is counterproductive and confusing to everyone," Smith wrote in a motion. "The City should prepare a transparent community outreach process...

Mark Lacter at LA Business Observed today picks up on a piece at blogdowntown about a restaurant closing with that gem of a headline. The problem is, a planned Tony's Steakhouse for downtown Los Angeles had its lease terminated after two years and never seeing the day of light. Plans for the restaurant and others from the same owners were announced "just before and during the height of the recession."...

Photo by Friends 4 Expo Transit Rail tracks were installed at Farmdale Avenue yesterday, which means all street crossing the first phase of the Expo Line are completed. Darrell Clarke at Friends 4 Expo Transit called it a milestone. The Farmdale crossing, which is next to a high school, had become the project's controversial chokehold until July when a state commission gave it the go-ahead. "I believe there are continuous rails now all the...

Another night, another protest in Westlake over the police shooting death of Manuel Jamines. But this one on Thursday, unlike other day, was truly peaceful, reported the LA Times. “I know the guy was a threat to the public. He was intoxicated. That’s why the cops were dispatched, but not to kill him,” one demonstrator told the paper. A bigger protest is planned for Saturday morning at 10 a.m....