Blog-LA-Sphere

When it comes to sequels, rarely do they come out as compelling as the original.

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A report out yesterday from the Downtown Long Beach Associates says that average yearly household income in downtown Long Beach has jumped from $30,048 in 2000 to $50,472 now, with more than 37 percent of residents making more than $50,000,...

Johnny Wujek and Katy Perry. Photo via Getty Images. You know how Tyra Banks let go of her America's Next Top Model colleagues Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J Alexander last month to make way for fresh meat? Well,...

Two of the candidates for District Attorney on June 5 began their television campaigns this week, with Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson both emphasizing their tough on gang crime approach. Trutanich, using...

Three people, including two parolees, in a stolen car were caught after a pursuit where they allegedly shot at deputies, authorities said.No deputies were hit in the shooting and chase, which kicked off about 9:30 p.m. in the area of...

Sometimes you just need to roll up your sleeves, raise your elbows -- in anticipation of the chin drip of course, and dig into a monster burger. That need seems to be even greater during National Hamburger month in May. To celebrate, Fuku Burger LA has launched the Sumo burger.

Four people have been arrested in connection with a May 9 break-in at the Santa Monica Apple Store on the 3rd Street Promenade, police said Thursday.

By Robert Niles: Universal Studios Singapore is launching a "teaser" campaign for a new attraction in the theme park. Here's the video:

Insider scoop says it's Sesame Street. The clues? Oscar the Grouch trash can, "sunny days" is from the theme song, and the video shows the New York land in the park. Plus, Universal already has a Sesame Street-themed kids' area in Japan, so they have the international rights.

Rumor is an Elmo-themed dark ride, plus street-side

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Linda BurumDragon's whiskers salad at Cafe FusionIt's a great time to eat at Café Fusion. May officially kicks off dragons' whiskers salad season at the eight-year-old Taiwanese restaurant, and it al

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The Met, London's police force, is buying "mobile device data extraction" devices that can suck all the data out of your phone "in minutes" -- that's where you've been, who you know, what you've said to them, what websites you visit, and, depending on your apps, what groceries you buy, when you've called for a cab, what your menstrual cycle is, what you eat, your passwords, and so on.

This is the police force that routinely DNA-swabbed suspects and refused to destroy the samples even after they

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With gay marriage more common and LGBT people more accepted than even just 4-years ago, homophobic politics simply doesn't fly as high as it used to, which means that traditionally anti-gay Republicans now have to shift more toward the center...

From National Geographic’s News Watch, this commentary by Jennifer Pitt:

“There’s much talk these days about water in the Colorado River Basin. Mostly the dialog is focused on growing demands (population growth in cities, new energy plays) and declining supply (climate change).

Lively debates include whether or not there’s more water to be developed from the basin (answer: perhaps, in the Upper Basin, but development will reliably increase shortages in the

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The original punk master is back at it again.

Actor Ashton Kutcher will make his return to Punk’D as part of the 2012 MTV Movie Awards pre-show on June 3 at 8 p.m. The show returned this season

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Here’s a reminder of just how embedded Twitter has become in the whole reality TV media mash.

We’re still two months away from the debut of K-Town, a YouTube reality show centered around some colorful denizens of LA’s Koreatown district. But already, in a press release

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The past year has seen the emergence of producers from varied backgrounds who are working on high-profile projects with major talent. This year in Cannes, a constantly heard refrain is that there is an abundance of quality product. Below are some of the key producers responsible: ...

Cannes has a mix of newcomers and veterans this year. While no first-time directors are in the main competition, some relatively young veterans are returning after a long absence and notable debut helmers can be found in other sections. Below is a selection of directors to keep an eye on: ...

PIC: Program of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at @EWPlayers, originally uploaded by @jozjozjoz. East West Players Los Angeles, CA 5/16/2012 Pecked out on my iPhone. Sorry for typos!

The Crystal Cathedral ministry, home of the "Hour of Power" broadcast, could be relocating to a Catholic church down the street sooner than originally expected. In at meeting Wednesday night, Crystal Cathedral President John Charles announced that St. Callistus in...

Coachella 2013 Weekend 1 – April 12-14, 2013 Weekend 2 – April 19-21, 2013 Coachella 2012 Photo Sets by Sung Weekend 1 Radiohead Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg Arctic Monkeys The Hives Bon Iver Florence + The Machine At The Drive-In tUnE-yArDs Santigold The Horrors Lissie First Aid Kit Metronomy Oberhofer Andrew Bird Neon Indian [...]

The LA Times has details on the plans to convert creepy, possibly haunted Boyle Heights filming location Linda Vista Community Hospital into affordable senior residences--the developer says "It's going to look like an upscale hotel." But they also have details...