Lawmakers Push for $2 Increase in California Cigarette Tax
California lawmakers and health organizations are pushing legislation that would increase the state tax on cigarettes by $2 per pack.
Daniel Nussbaum
Latest News
Drought: Santa Barbara to Re-Open Idle Desalination Plant
The city of Santa Barbara is planning to re-open and modernize a mothballed desalination plant in an effort to combat California’s crippling drought, now entering its fourth year.
Sony’s Amy Pascal Waits While Seth Rogen’s Pot Smell Is Cleaned from New Office
Former Sony co-chair Amy Pascal will have to wait a little while longer to move into her posh new production office; according to sources at the company, the office’s previous occupants, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, smoked so much weed in there that the smell has become pervasive, and Pascal reportedly wants it cleaned up before she moves in.
2 Chainz Smokes 24k Gold-Covered ‘Most Expensivest’ Joint in the World
GQ magazine dropped the Season 2 premiere of its online series “Most Expensivest Shit” on Tuesday, in which rapper 2 Chainz smokes a 24-karat gold covered joint filled with $800 per ounce weed.
Paris Hilton Vacations in Cuba, Takes Selfie with Fidel Castro’s Son
Hilton Hotels heiress Paris Hilton became the latest celebrity to visit Cuba over the weekend, taking in the sights of old Havana, attending a cigar festival, and meeting with former leader Fidel Castro’s son, Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart, while documenting most of her trip on Instagram.
Agencies Increases CA Water Allocation to 20% After Storms
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) raised the annual water allocation it provides to the State Water Project (SWP) to 20 percent on Monday following several large storms that have brought much-needed rain to northern California’s reservoirs.
Canadian Trekkies Alter Currency to Honor Spock
Star Trek icon Leonard Nimoy’s passing last week prompted Canadians to pay tribute to the late actor by marking up the image of the country’s former Prime Minister, Wilfrid Laurier, on the Canadian $5 bill with the “Vulcan” features of Nimoy’s TV character, Dr. Spock.
California Ranks 50th in Oversight of Child Care Services
California ranks among the worst states in the nation at providing oversight of child care services, a recent study by the nonprofit Child Care Aware of America (CCAA) revealed.
Stephen Colbert on Lent, Favorite Bible Verses, and What He’d Ask Pope Francis
Former Colbert Report host and soon-to-be Late Show captain Stephen Colbert sat down — or rather, stood up — with Father James Martin of American Media for an interview about his “Catholic smarts.” The interview posted online Monday.
High School Students Find Teacher Hanging in Classroom
Students at a California high school found their teacher hanging inside her classroom early Monday morning.
Kanye West Guest Lectures at Oxford University on… Himself
Kanye West delivered a guest lecture to 350 students at Oxford University on Monday afternoon, speaking candidly about his music, his close relationship with President Obama, and his ego.
Marijuana Quality Control Testing Underway in Bay Area
A group of laboratories in the Bay Area are testing marijuana for something that most food, medicine, and product providers have done for decades: quality assurance.
50 Percent of CA Voters Want Fish Regulations Lifted During Drought
California voters are evenly divided over whether the state should bypass fish and wildlife regulations to allow for more access to water during a punishing fourth year of drought, according to the results of a Field Poll released this week.
EVACUATION: Woman Loses Control of ‘All Bodily Fluids’ at ’50 Shades’ Screening
Theatergoers enjoying the Valentine’s Day premiere of 50 Shades of Grey at a screening in Milton Keynes, England, were forced to evacuate the theater after a woman reportedly lost control of “all bodily fluids” while the film was playing.
CA Gas Tax Cut 6 Cents–But Don’t Expect to Notice Savings
The California State Board of Equalization voted unanimously Tuesday to reduce the state’s excise tax on gasoline by six cents, although consumers are unlikely to see the tax reduction reflected in prices at the pumps.
Marisa Tomei to Star in Gloria Steinem HBO Miniseries
Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei is set to play journalist and women’s activist Gloria Steinem in a new HBO miniseries.
High-Speed Rail Model Assembled on Steps of CA Capitol
German engineering company Siemens is assembling a 50-foot, life-size model of California’s as-yet-unbuilt high-speed train on the steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento.
U.S. Appoints First Special Envoy for LGBT Rights
The United States appointed its first special envoy for international LGBT rights on Monday. Randy Berry, currently the consul general of the Netherlands, will be tasked with promoting the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals at home and abroad,
Neil Patrick Harris Gets Mixed Reviews on Oscar Hosting Gig
The 87th annual Academy Awards were a bit of a letdown; there were no real surprises in any of the major categories, winners’s acceptance speeches got too political, and there was a shortage of good performances (apart from an outstanding turn from Lady Gaga channeling Julie Andrews).
Man Robs Girl Scout Troop of Cookie Money
A troop of Girl Scouts was selling cookies outside of a San Jose grocery store when a man approached and allegedly stole the cash box.
Ashton Kutcher: ‘If You Want to Know If You’re Not Gay, Kiss a Dude’
Appearing on Conan last week to discuss the final season of Two and a Half Men, Ashton Kutcher offered up a tip to host Conan O’Brien on how to confirm one’s sexual preferences.
Watch: Lady Gaga Performs ‘Sound of Music,’ Gets Hug from Julie Andrews
Lady Gaga paid tribute to Julie Andrews during Sunday night’s broadcast of the 87th annual Academy Awards, performing a medley of music from The Sound of Music, including the song “My Favorite Things.” After Gaga’s performance Julie Andrews walked onstage
Watch: Eddie Redmayne Acceptance Speech
Sunday night’s Best Actor Academy Award went to Eddie Redmayne for his portrayal of physicist Stephen Hawking in the film The Theory of Everything. Redmayne called himself a “lucky, lucky man” before getting overwhelmed. “This belongs to all of those
Edward Snowden Movie ‘Citizenfour’ Wins Best Documentary Oscar
Citizenfour, the HBO documentary about notorious NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, picked up the Oscar for Best Documentary during Sunday night’s broadcast of the 87th annual Academy Awards.
