Zach Behrens

Photo: atomicshakespeares via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr This could be the turning point for Measure B and a few other close races. The City Clerks office has 21 days by election code to announce the official results, but they could be announced earlier, one representative said over the phone. Here's what's left to count: 12,000 provisional ballots 24,000 vote-by-mail 10,000 "snag" ballots (those are the ones they have to look more carefully at,...

The Manny Ramirez saga is over. In what the LA Times has dubbed "The Great Compromise of 2009," a deal was reached today, confirmed by a a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity. We're looking at a $45-million two-year contract that includes an opt-out clause that can be used after the first year. Ramirez, 37, will earn $25 million this year, making him the second highest paid player in the sport,...

The main band of the rainstorm has already come through the Los Angeles area, but there's a lighter secondary one in Ventura County right now and it could sweep down into the city, according to Bonnie Bartling, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service. Otherwise, we're looking at partly cloudy skies through tomorrow night when a weak front is expected to hit through Friday morning. Then more cool, but dry weather throughout the...

We're hearing more and more of rumors and rumblings that residents in Los Angeles did not receive their sample or vote-by-mail ballot. Even LA resident and Secretary of State Debra Bowen was left out. But as she pointed out, there could be a variety of factors involved beyond a city gaffe including post office delivery, mailroom mistakes at condos, etc. But we want to hear from you in the comment section below. If you...

At a December Prop 8 Candlelight vigil in Hollywood (more photos here) | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist "The night before the California Supreme Court hears arguments against Prop 8 we will stand together," reads a flyer (.pdf) for tomorrow night's event. "Meet at El Pueblo to hear from our legal council, celebrate our families, and unite in solidarity and hope." The 5:30 p.m. event goes to 8 p.m. and organizers urge people to use...

If one person wins tonight's Mega Millions jackpot, they'll be taking home $8.15 million over the next 26 years, or $138 million if taken in one lump sum, according to a California State Lottery official. Of course, these numbers could be higher depending on sales today (and if you are going to buy, you must by 7:45 p.m. as the drawing will be 10 minutes later). And since today is election day, it should...

Taken at Prop 8 Protest last November (more photos here) | Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist Both the California state Assembly and Senate today voted in support HR5, which "challenges the legality of Proposition 8, the voter-approved initiative that declares that marriage is defined as between only a man and a woman," reported the Sacramento Bee. But what does that mean for Prop 8, which was passed in November banning gay marriage in the state?...

Tweeted by Debra Bowen earlier today If you were the LA City Clerks office, there's one elected official you probably want to make sure their vote-by-mail ballot gets to. And that would be the Debra Bowen, California's Secretary of State who is charged with being the state's Chief Elections Officer, among many other important duties. A City of LA gaffe or easily blamed on the post office? In any case, better luck on the...

If you only read the LA Times local section online, you wouldn't have noticed know the difference, but today the paper dropped the California section, rearranging the " A section, with local news starting on page A2, followed by national and foreign news, editorial pages and obits," notes Kevin Roderick at LA Observed. "The second or B section now has Business and some classified ads." Why is this happening? Among the many questions the...

Photo by neonspecs via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Happy election day! Whether you're doing a last-minute catch up or need to get some information, we've got a few basic tips for you below. The following is intended for the City of Los Angeles election, but some may be useful to everyone. If you are voting in another city, go to your city's homepage and check in with their election information. Los Angeles Information...

Milk prices plunged early last month leaving it more affordable for California farmers to send hundreds of dairy cows to a slaughter house. "I don't ever remember being able to produce milk at that price," dairyman Ray Souza told the Associated Press. Farmers were receiving 80-cents a gallon which is less than $1.65, the estimated amount it costs to produce a gallon, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. A gallon of...

The Rowena Reservoir in Silver Lake | Photo by Atwater Village Newbie via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr According to the state's Department of Water Resources, "the mountain snowpack that feeds the state's reservoirs has reached 80% of normal for the date [.doc]," finds the LA Times. "Precipitation in the northern and southern Sierra has climbed above 90% of average and another storm is on the way." This comes after Friday when Governor Schwarzenegger...