Zach Behrens

Photo by Salina Canizales via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Sorry! Parole for former Charles Manson family member Bruce Davis has been denied by Governor Schwarzenegger. The man killed in a hit-and-run on the 405 Freeway over the weekend has been identified as James Daniel O'Connel, who went missing after a Bel Air party on Friday night. "The Supreme Court held Monday that the Constitution's Second Amendment restrains government's ability to significantly limit 'the...

Some LAist readers have been asking when a decision in the Prop 8 case will be made. In short, the answer is: we have no idea. But we do know that whenever a decision, the streets in Los Angeles, West Hollywood and across the state are sure to fill up in celebration... or protest.

Because this isn't the first DUI arrest for "American Pie" actor Chris Klein, his latest set of charges could mean anywhere between three days and one year in jail. Earlier this month, Klein was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence when he spotted weaving across three lanes of the 101 Freeway at Woodman Avenue in Sherman Oaks. He apparently tested three times over limit.

The Silver Lake Jubilee has come and gone, but Silver Lake's other major music festival is coming in August. The people behind the Sunset Junction Street Fair (now in its 30th year!) have been rolling out their line-up piece by piece and most recently added some bigger name acts, including Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Other notables include Fitz and the Tantrums (LAist predicts them as the next up and coming band), Meshell...

Despite its beauty and household name among local beaches, Paradise Cove has been one of the most polluted when it comes to water quality. Last year it received an F. Why? "High levels of fecal indicator bacteria," according to Heal the Bay's annual beach report card (eek!). But this year it jumped to a B, thanks to a...

The plan in Congress was to put aside $4 billion for high speed rail in 2011 federal appropriations, but it's been cut by 62%, down to $2.5 billion. Tomorrow, a group of Southern California leaders are coming together to rally for that funding restoration.

West Hollywood has one of the highest rates of smoking in Los Angeles County. Maybe that's part of the city's rock and roll culture, or maybe it's due to the lack of a public smoking ordinance, something found in many surrounding cities. A task force that met Friday began to shape a proposed smoking ordinance, according to the WeHo News. Under one idea, smoking would be banned at restaurants with outdoor dining areas that serve minors younger than 18.

A brush fire, estimated to be about a half-acre, is burning in the Sepulveda Pass, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze, which was called in at 2:49 p.m., is located east of the freeway near Skirball Center Drive. Update: The blaze has burned about 2 acres of grass and brush. About 60 personel are one scene with the aid of two water dropping helicopters, according to FD Spokesperson Brian Humphrey. Update...

GarySe7en A 40-year-old man was charged today in connection with freeway shootings -- using BBs or pellets -- that left windows shattered and driver rattled over the last couple months, reports the LA Times. William Matthew Frye of Apple Valley could be the man responsible for over 50 incidents on Inland Empire freeways in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. He was arrested Thursday when witnesses said he was allegedly shooting at vehicles on the...

The sunset seen from Venice Beach | Photo by thundercat99 via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr A small brush fire broke out today in the Santa Clarita Valley, slowing traffic on the 5 Freeway over the Newhall Pass. The controversial moment has arrived: Sarah Palin will speak at an event in Northern California tonight at CSU Stanislaus. The "Geezer Bandit" isn't the only elderly person robbing banks, now there's another "old man" robber. Major...

Across California beaches tomorrow, groups of people are expected to gather in a peaceful demonstration against oil drilling. "This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry," explains the Hands Across Sand website, which lists some 650 worldwide locations where events will be found. In California, around one hundred events, mostly coastal, will take place. The Los Angeles area will be home to...

Whether you knew it or not (or even cared), California has an official state rock. It's called serpentine and it contains a mineral -- chrysotile asbestos -- that's not so good for your health. Now State Senator Gloria Romero of Los Angeles wants the title to be stripped, according to the Sacramento Bee. "California should not designate a rock known to be toxic to the health of its residents as the state's official rock,"...