Dennis Romero

John Trav-olta! Er

Oprah Out (But How Will We Know What Books To Read?)

Dennis Romero
Nikki Finke nailed it. Oprah Winfrey is signing off of her network show in 2011 to focus on her cable channel, the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which is scheduled to debut in January of that year, it was announced Thursday. The speculation is that Winfrey will have a show similar......
Let me see that bong ba-bong bong bong.; Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

All Your Bong Are Belong To U.S.

Dennis Romero
The man cannot be fooled: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced Thursday they seized a bong-load of paraphernalia that was shipped to the U.S. from China disguised as holiday ornaments. The goods were described as "glass figures and Christmas ornaments,"......
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Hollywood Sign Not So Accessible … To Hollywood Film Crews

Dennis Romero
In one of those only-in-L.A. factoids, we're amused to report that one of the places the Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Teamsters say is difficult to access for location shoots is the iconic, industry-marking Hollywood sign. Yes folks, only in L.A. could Hollywood have a hard time filming "Hollywood." Other......
This guy.

UC Tuition Hits The Roof: 10k A Year Would Buy A Lot Of Beer

Dennis Romero
The University of California Board of Regents on Thursday bit the bullet and approved a 32 percent increase in tuition that will see a two-phase, $2,500 price hike that will put the public system's undergraduate education costs at more than 10,000 a year and triple tuition and fees for UCLA......
Devin Petelski

Friends Of Crash Victim Allege LAPD Cover-Up

Dennis Romero
Friends of a Brentwood woman who was killed in a collision with a Los Angeles Police Department cruiser last month held a vigil this week and called for an investigation into whether the patrol car was speeding to an emergency call without its lights and sirens on -- a practice......
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Pro-Pot Group Says L.A. City Council In Its Pocket

Dennis Romero
Pro-medical-marijuana group Americans For Safe Access this week claimed victory in its campaign to get the Los Angeles City Council to see things its way when it comes to regulating L.A.'s 800 or so registered pot shops.After campaigning on-air at KPCC (89.3 FM), ASA claims it has beaten back the......
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This place.

South L.A.'s Hospital Of Horrors To Reopen

Dennis Romero
The UC Board of Regents on Thursday agreed to help reopen one of the most troubled medical institutions in state history, Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. The move followed an offer by billionaire doctor Patrick Soon-Shiong, who put $100 million in loan guarantees on the table in an effort to......
Campbell Hall.; Credit: UCLA

Students Stage Sit-In At UCLA

Dennis Romero
A group of students at UCLA Thursday morning took over Campbell Hall to protest UC Board of Regents' likely approval of a 32 percent tuition hike that would put undergraduate costs to attend classes at the public campus above $10,000 annually. A UCLA spokesman said "no action is being taken"......

Grow Operation Near Police Station Was Kind Of A Big Deal

Dennis Romero
That indoor greenhouse (and we emphasize the green) next door to the Los Angeles Police Department's Topanga Division in Canoga Park was a pretty good-sized operation. Police found 1,000 plants along with a sophisticated irrigation and lighting system that appeared to be highly organized and perhaps even high-tech. But the......