Zach Behrens

Photo by RebelSciences [Kwasi B.] via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr With a projected budget deficit of $350 million over next ten years and a $23 Million projected deficit in the next fiscal year, the city's Department of Transportation is being forced to seriously look at their operations. Part of that includes the management of their transit services like DASH and Commuter Express where massive cuts are being proposed. In addition to doubling cash...

A good LA Times editorial today takes a stab at directing city leadership into focused action as final decisions for next fiscal year's city budget (and deficit) near within the coming months. The Times acknowledges something we all know: Los Angeles is poorly run and we need a complete vision and a back-up plan. "Such strategizing doesn't come naturally to most politicians, and there's no shame in that, as long as they recognize their...

Although Judge Walker received hundreds of thousands of public comments (to be exact, there were 138,542 in favor and 32 opposed) to broadcasting the Federal Prop 8 trial, people across the country were denied that opportunity after the Supreme Court this morning blocked taping until at least Wednesday when a final decision would be made. However, The Courage Campaign, which supports gay marriage, is live blogging from the courthouse. If you know of any...

And for the third suspicious package of the day, the UCLA Police Department this afternoon shut down three levels of Parking Structure 8 after they were notified of a "suspicious briefcase placed behind a trash can on the top level," according to an UCLA advisory. The walkways just west of Spaulding Field and those south of parking structure are also closed. Traffic is blocked along Strathmore Drive between Westwood Plaza and Gayley Avenue. The...

Photo by Wiros via Flickr As the historic Prop 8 trial takes place in a federal courthouse in San Francisco, another historic hearing will be going on in Sacramento tomorrow morning. The California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee will conduct a hearing and vote on A.B. 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act, which is the legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. "This will be the first...

A suspicious package found on the 7800 block of Sunset Boulevard was reported to police at 11:09 a.m. this morning, according to the LAPD. The investigation is ongoing with the bomb squad en route. Various streets around the area are shut down. Earlier today, a suspicious device was detonated in Universal City. (thanks for the tip, @juliabetley!). *UPDATE, 5:08 p.m.: The suspicious package, actually an empty suitcase, was cleared around 3:30 p.m....

Caltrans has issued a retraction to last week's notice about nightly closures on the 405 Freeway. Initially, the agency said they would begin work tonight, but now work will begin Wednesday evening with full northbound closures Wednesday though Friday. All lanes from National Boulevard to the 10 Freeway will be shut down between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Wednesday followed by midnight to 5 a.m. closures on Thursday and Friday mornings. The work...

As expected, Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley announced that he has taken formal steps to make a run for California's Attorney General by forming an Exploratory Committee. “Many people from law enforcement and throughout the political spectrum are urging me to run for Attorney General,” he said in a statemetn this morning. “I am proud of my crime fighting record as District Attorney. As a career prosecutor and District Attorney of Los...

Found in Zuma Beach | Photo by jasmith31 via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr L.A.'s next Mayor? "I know if I'm going to run, I'll need to make a decision this year," Grove and Americana Developer Rick Caruso tells the Huffington Post. Kogi BBQ's brick and mortar location on Overland Avenue revealed. Looking to buy a place of your own? The Roosevelt in downtown will be hosting a condo auction on Valentines Day. Like...

The Day of Decision Protest in Hollywood on May 26 (more photos here) | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist Following Judge Vaughn R. Walker's decision to allow a court-run camera tape the Prop 8 trial for a delayed upload to YouTube, supporters of the measure that banned gay marriage tried to delay the trial, citing how the move violated federal court rules and would intimidate witnesses called to the stand. It didn't work. "A three-judge...

As the Valley joined Los Angeles as a whole this decade with Latinos becoming the majority, another recent census study shows that children of immigrants are the majority statewide when it comes to those under 18, reports the LA Weekly. "Don't tell the producers of The Hills or any of the other youth-oriented television shows that seem to portray people of color as background noise in California," they said, also adding this note: "The...

As part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget proposal, which includes offshore oil drilling to fund state parks, he included an idea that would enable cameras at intersections not just catch red light violators, but speeders, too. If passed, cities and counties would be able to install a speed sensor, says the LA Times. "Those whizzing by the detectors up to 15 mph above the limit would have to fork over $225 per violation," the...