Zach Behrens

Photo by A.C. Thamer via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr It's another typical day in the Los Angeles area--temperature wise at least--but south facing beaches are expected see some of the biggest waves seen in years because of a swell originating in the South-Pacific. "The high surf is a byproduct of 50-knot winds that developed off Tahiti and are blowing toward Southern California, producing 8-to-12-foot swells at some beaches," explains the LA Times. As...

In addition to approving support for high speed rail, the Metro Board today approved ExpressLanes for portions of the 10 and 110 freeways as part of a one-year congestion reduction demonstration project funded by a federal grant. Because there's no space to build more freeways, Metro says this is a way to squeeze in more capacity. Under the plan, car pool lanes would turn into toll lanes of sorts. Those who carpool, take public...

A quick 20-minute trip to Anaheim via high speed rail could be a reality in less than ten years, according to Metro, whose board today officially supported the California High Speed Rail initiative, as well as a first segment that would connect Los Angeles to Anaheim. The segment within the 800-mile system could begin construction as early as 2012, finishing six years later, and is considered to be the most "construction ready.” “Union Station...

Early this morning, 27-year-old Luis Pozos was fatally shot while apparently parking his car. Police found him lying on the curb in the 1700 block of South Longwood Avenue located near the major intersection of La Brea and Venice. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics around 1 a.m. The motive and any suspect descriptions are unknown at this time police are asking for help. Anyone with information about the incident is...

K-Town is getting its own food festival early next month and it looks like it could become a staple of LA's summer festival scene. How could grilled and smoked meats with magical flavors not be a hit? Details are slowly coming out for the event, set for August 8th, but here's what we know: Jonathan Gold and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are confirmed to be cook-off judges. Confirmed restaurants include Beverly Soon Tofu, Byul Dae Po (Star BBQ), Ham Ji Park, Mu Dae Po, Park's BBQ, Seoul Jung, So Hyang, Soowon Galbi. There will be a food eating contest

Apparently, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was booed at when he was introduced at last night's Dodgers pregame ceremony, according to the LA Times. And maybe rightfully so, but considering his latest promises for the next four years, we think he deserves a second chance in his new term. That chance won't last forever by any means, but if he does what he says he's going to do--major rail infrastructure being a sexy one--you know he...

Photo: Julie Wolfson/LAist Crumbs is constantly reinventing itself every month with new cupcakes matched with current events. When it was Elvis' birthday, the released a magical fried peanut butter cupcake. Now Harry Potter is out and the sweets are casting spells like Stupify, a vanilla cake with light green vanilla frosting, decorated with m&m's, chocolate chips, colored sprinkles, and toffee. This reminds us: awhile back, Harry Potter Jelly Beans hit the market. You know,...

Sad news, y'all. Gidget, who we all know as the Taco Bell chihuahua ("Yo Quiero Taco Bell") suffered a stroke and died at age 15. After she retired from her commercial fame, she lived her days in the sun before dying Tuesday night. "She made so many people happy," said Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton. Speaking of Taco Bell, they've also joined the Twittering trend of mobile food trucks, but fear not, they are not...

Photo: Tom Andrews/LAist Times are a-changin'... Three galleries--Pharmaka, the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art (LACDA) and El Nopal Press--at the corner of 5th and Main were recently given eviction notices by the building's owner, reports blogdowntown: "While the notices were surprises, the move fits with the growth patterns that have characterized gallery districts around the country. Galleries enter a depressed but interesting neighborhood, help make it a safer and more vibrant place, and...

Police in Houston Police and federal agents served a search warrant in Houston today to Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray. "The search was conducted by members of the DEA, two Robbery-Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department and Houston Police officers. The search warrant authorized law enforcement to search for and seize items, including documents, they believed constituted evidence of the offense of manslaughter," Murray's lawyer said in a statement. The...

Judy Ramos was crossing the street shortly past midnight on Sunday when a car struck her. She was brought to the hospital where she died the next day from her injuries. Now police are looking for the suspect vehicle but have few leads. It could be a 4-door white vehicle, but that's about it. She was hit on Vaughn, a side street, near Glenoaks Boulevard. Anyone with information is asked to call Valley Traffic...

All things gubernatorial seem to be Gavin, Gavin, Gavin these days. At least for the Democrats. Where's Jerry Brown? Will there even be a primary? Gavin has been to the Los Angeles area on a regular basis hosting town hall style meetings and today he's back, this time in South LA. Tonight's event is open to the public and is a "Conversation About California’s Future." "California needs new leadership with new ideas," the San...