Zach Behrens

Weather Underground has a pretty sweet Google Map mash-up with live graphics showing the current weather pattern over California (or zoom in on whatever city you want). As of right now there are some isolated patches of rain over Los Angeles County (map). The majority of rain in the county is expected tonight when flash flood watches go into effect.

Although the city of Walnut has settled with the developers of the proposed NFL stadium, the project has yet to get the green light. A lawsuit by a citizen's group is still active and a vote by the Senate, which is expected to pass, should be voted on this week. And now one Walnut councilman is speaking out, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Councilman Joaquin Lim said the city felt pressured into...

This might top that knife-yielding video of his from the Summer. On Friday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger twitpic'd the above image and said "This is how I start my day." He may be part of the major political destruction of California, but he gains at least one adorable point with us. And question... did Maria make that for him? Random Sort-of Related Link: We still prefer our oatmeal cold and raw...

Photo by bossco via Flickr Governor Arnold Scwharzenegger last night vetoed a bill that would have limited the options of completing the 710 Freeway, which is considered the missing link of the regional freeway system, according to the L.A. Times. If signed, the bill would have stopped any possibility of a surface route, therefore increasing chances of a 4.5-mile tunnel under South Pasadena, connecting to the 134/210 freeway exchange. "There is absolutely no need...

Among the hundreds of bills signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last night, two gay rights ones were authored by San Francisco's Senator Mark Leno. One names May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day and the other recognizes same-sex marriages from other states by providing "the same legal protections that would otherwise be available to couples that enter into civil unions or domestic partnerships out-of-state," according to the bill's language. "In short, this measure honors the...

Photo by LA Wad via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr According to a report posted on Metro's website, it appears the Gold Line Eastside Extension could be opening on Saturday, November 14th. It is listed in a powerpoint presentation (.pdf) meant for a board committee meeting this Wednesday. The 6-mile extension will run from Union Station to East LA and stop at eight stations. Previously on LAist: Gold Line Eastside Extension Begins Regular Testing...

Kayakers gather on an island beach at Channel Islands National Park | Photo by mikebaird via Flickr The close of summer means more opportunities at California's desert National Parks like Joshua Tree and Mojave (though you might want to wait a few more weeks for Death Valley). But these colder weather months mean limited options at Channel Islands National Park, just off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara. Of the five islands within...

Statistics for 2008 crime in California were released today (.pdf) by the Attorney General's office, finding that homicides and many other crime categories were down. In 2007, there were 2,258 homicides, compared to 2,143 in 2008--a 5.1 percent change. Forcible rape slightly decreased 1.6 percent to 8,906 incidents. The other two violent crime categories, robbery and aggravated assault, also went down to 69,391 and 104,793, respectively. However, burglary and larcenty theft over $400 increased...

Photo by adactio via Flickr Among the various laws signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday was one strengthening an already existing law aimed at paparazzi. "To curtail the potentially harmful situations and other problems created by out of control paparazzi, AB 524 extends the 'invasion of privacy' laws to persons that purchase, publish, and print images or recordings of individuals, if these persons knew that the images or recordings were obtained illegal," according to...

As part of the proposed network of high speed trains in California, a route from Los Angeles to San Diego could go b-line eastward through into the Inland Empire instead of taking the traditional Amtrak Surfliner route down the coast. Such a trip would take 1 hour and 18 minutes. There are lots of public meetings this month about transit and a series about this project will start up next week....

Last week, after a few rallies throughout the state, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger handed in a grant to the feds, asking for $4.8 billion in stimulus money for California's high speed rail project, which would take passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in a few hours. Today, that grant drew support from both of California's U.S. Senators and 21 other congressional leaders, including many from Los Angeeles. “When it comes to constructing high-speed rail,...

Officials continue to gain control of the Sheep Fire, burning near Wrightwood. The 7,128-acre blaze is currently 90 percent contained with full containment expected tomorrow by 6 p.m. On Wednesday, fire personnel began implementing rehab initiatives for short- and long-term repair of the forest and infrastructure. The fire began last Saturday afternoon and has damaged or destroyed a handful of homes, also leaving eight firefighters injured. At one point, the fire prompted 6,000 to...