Daddy-O

Hip-hop historian, music technologist, founder of Stetsasonic

There is no political correctness in my rant. Just facts. Without diversity, there is no hip-hop, even if you choose to call it that. Hip-hop is not a reality TV show. Hip-hop is not a pair of pants sagging. Hip-hop has founders, innovation, and purpose.

John Lopez

Writing/filmmaker living in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Film Fest is in full-swing this week, turning the little corner of L.A. Live around the Regal Cinemas into a mini-Sundance -- albeit without the snow.

Joe Satran

Staff Writer

Los Angeles's restaurants excite me more than those in New York -- or any other city in this country, for that matter.

Randi Weingarten

President, American Federation of Teachers

Skyrocketing costs have put postsecondary education out of reach for many people, which threatens to exacerbate America's already vast economic divide. Congress must act to ensure that runaway costs don't rob them of their dreams.

Matthew Cooke

Writer-director, How To Make Money Selling Drugs

Drug war supporters think Americans might tear apart the fabric of society if we were legally allowed to consume whatever plants or chemicals we chose. This is not based in fact.

Judy Farah

KFBK News Director

What was it like to cover serial killers? I was very young. It was my job. My career. I just went from one story to the next.

The Pet Collective

Your daily source for cute, funny, informative, and heartwarming original videos

Who says only cats have nine lives? Molly, a yellow Labrador Retriever who has lived through the worst, will tell you otherwise.

Sam Slovick

Journalist living in Los Angeles

Tourists who spend 250 bucks a pop for a pair of Prada sunglasses in the high-end retail sector of State Street, find themselves stepping over indigent elderly on their way to Starbucks.

Pat Gallagher

Freelance Writer

You know I don't think there was ever a thing that I said to [George] that ever worked perfectly. I asked him once that same question. I said, "Did I ever give you any advice that was worthwhile?" He thought about it for a minute or two and he said, "You told me never to mix grape with grain."

Annie Stein

Author

That is what the shooting at my school has done to me. It brought the random surge of violence that we as a country, as a world, and we as human beings are experiencing at this point in time, straight to my door and laid it at my feet.

Steven Raichlen

Grilling Authority, www.barbecuebible.com

Salt. It may be the only food we eat that starts as a rock. Reason enough to check out this book and to try this recipe.

Tom Hayden

Former State Senator and leader of sixties peace, justice and environmental movement. Director of the Peace and Justice Resource Center.

California, under Governor Jerry Brown's leadership, is playing a pivotal role in the struggle to transform the global economy toward energy conservation and renewables.

Brie Dyas

The rebrand brought in stylish goods at low prices. So, why did so many complain? And why did J.C. Penney actually raise prices after apologizing for the changes?

Robert L. Cavnar

Founder, this-small-planet.com, dailyhurricane.com, and Gun Owners for Reform on Facebook

In this day of Internet commerce and fast long distance travel, state by state gun laws make no sense. We need a nation wide, consistent set of laws that deny terrorists, criminals, and the mentally unstable easy access to guns.

Pedro Almodóvar

Film director and producer

I'm sitting at the keyboard in my briefs and t-shirt. I can see Fifth Avenue through my windows. I take advantage of this seclusion to interview myself.

James Scarborough

Man of Letters/Minor Critic

In "If You're Watching This, I'm Dead," written and performed by Lisa Cole, directed by Marcella Hawk, and staged at the Elephant Stage's Studio Theatre in conjunction with the Hollywood Fringe Festival, Cole makes a video testament for the people she's leaving behind.

Robert Julian

Writer and actor; star, 'Golden Gays'; author, 'Postcards From Palm Springs: A Memoir' and 'Hollywood or Lust'

When I wrote my memoir, I included a reference to the exhibitionist who would stalk me as I walked my dogs. At first it was funny; then it became creepy. But his appearances are now less frequent. At first I was puzzled about the change. Then it dawned on me: Grindr had saved my neighborhood.