February 25, 1942

A few weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a mysterious billowy object appears in the dark Santa Monica skies. Convinced of an impending attack, military officials sound air raid sirens and order a total blackout in Los Angeles. Brigades turn on high-powered spotlights and fire hundreds of anti-aircraft bullets skyward. They damage a handful of buildings and kill three civilians in their attempts to halt the unidentified object’s ominous advance toward the city.

Officials announced an “all clear” around 7 a.m. There was no attack. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox later apologized for the incident, saying brigades were likely shooting at a stray weather balloon. 

Photograph courtesy Flickr/ boxofpictures

@susmayo
If I had known I was going to have three hours to shop in Brentwood I would'a brought more money. #Cancellations 

@Niko4631
Really? Only in freckin North Hollywood someone brings a WHOLE BUNCH of cotton candy on a stick.... on the bus to sell?! Really? 

@Carm3nO
Just realized the Hollywood sign is the view from my history class. 

@chadmathews
Could we have more road construction in south Santa Monica? Sheesh. It's a dust bowl around here.

Everything you need to know from today's front pages 

Dow Hits Post 2008 Crash High
Oh hello, 13,000, it’s good to see you again!
[LA Times] 

Sources: Porn Production Heading to Arizona
The L.A.-based industry is pulling out after all.
[LA Weekly] 

Miramonte Elementary Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to 23 Charges
He’ll be back in court March 28.
[Daily News] 

Family Turns Buena Park Home Into Billboard for Money
They’re brining in $2,000 and one block of neighbors who hate them per month.
[NBC LA]

Jonathan Gold Leaving LA Weekly For the Times
He’d been with the Village Voice Media paper since 1982.
[LA Weekly]

Everything you need to know from today's front pages 

Six Members of the House Ethics Committee Recuse Themselves From Hearing Case Against CA Rep. Maxine Waters
This is highly unusual.
[LA Times] 

Water Main Breaks in Bel Air
The community was flooded with gushing water Friday morning.
[NBC LA] 

ICE Shooting Agents Identified, Details Released
Supervisory special agent Ezequiel Garcia opened fire on Kevin Kozak, according to the FBI.
[Daily News]

Congress Extends Air to Jobless and Payroll Tax Cut
Members of both parties will have you know it was not their pleasure to do so.
[NY Times]

Everything you need to know from today's front pages

Privacy Breach: 21,000 Patient Records From Orange County Hospitals Posted Online
Like Wikileaks, but with lab results, medications, allergies, and no one ever reading the materials.
[LA Times] 

Whitney Houston Funeral Plan Underway
Aretha, Stevie, and Kevin Costner will speak at the ceremony, which will be streamed live Saturday.
[NBC LA]

Jack Klunder Named President of Los Angeles Newspaper Group
The former Los Angeles Times exec. will oversee local MediaNews Group papers.
[LA Observed] 

Lil’ Kim Calls Nicki Minaj a ‘Hoe’
Yes, the same Lil’ Kim who made pasties a thing.
[People]

Just two days after Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich attended a meet-and-greet in El Monte, California, President Barack Obama stopped in Los Angeles for two campaign events, an outdoor reception and a $35,800-a-plate dinner at the Holmby Hills estate of TV producer Bradley Bell. 

After a performance by the Foo Fighters, Obama opened his remarks at the reception by teasing the crowd for looking like they were cold. “This is balmy, people,” he said, getting laughs. To be fair, the temperature was in the 50s, so yeah, it wasn’t warm.

From there the President went on to talk about what he feels are the best accomplishments of his first term: the economy’s steady recovery, the passing of his health care plan, the ending of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act, and the end of the war in Iraq. 

He also laid out the issues he’d like ...

@ChrisRRegan
Man has heart attack at Heart Attack Grille. I once attempted to enslave an entire race while dining at Souplantation.

@franklinavenue
Now that Kodak can remove its name, we're one step closer to the IN N OUT BURGER THEATRE. Make it so, @ericgarcetti bit.ly/yX2Arc

Everything you need to know from today's front pages

Lance Armstrong to Donate $1.5 mil to California Tobacco Tax Measure Prop 29.
It's his new "personal priority."
[LA Times] 

Houston Doctors Likely to Be Subpoenaed in Death Investigation
Anyone else experiencing deja vu?
[LA Times]

1-Year-Old Drowns in South L.A. Residence
A second child is in critical condition and the mother is being questioned by police.
[NBC LA] 

Six Players Quit Camarillo High School Soccer Team, Allege Verbal Abuse
Head coach Christine Lawler is accused of pulling a Sue Sylvester.
[NBC LA] 

LAUSD Avoids ‘Valentine’s Day Massacre’ Budget Cuts
It was more like a stay of execution.
[Daily News] 

We’re Still At War
So says this photo.
[Mother Jones]

Photograph courtesy facebook.com

@glim83
I stayed home today. Need some rest to get ready for my date tonight... I'll see you my Los Angeles Lakers!

@tamiyka
Just gettin' in from attending an anti-Valentine's Day party in Sherman Oaks where the dog was dressed as cupid. Wow!

@CatLadyFashion
As a special Valentine's treat, the city of Los Angeles towed my car!

@chavagomez
I’d like to celebrate Valentine's Day by hot-air ballooning around Los Angeles pointing out all the different apartments I've slept in.

@AriSingtheBlues
I think I left my heart in Los Angeles. Can someone ship that to me?

@CynthiaMeows
There was this guy in Beverly Hills with a sign that said "I'm not homeless, just looking a date for Valentine's day."

Photograph courtesy Pawsh Pal

Everything you need to know from today's front pages

Mike Feuer Running for LA City Attorney
The mustachioed Assemblyman would again like to represent the city.
[LA Times] 

Shakira Suffers Minor Scratches While Fleeing “Aggressive” Sea Lion
Maybe it was just shaking its hips?
[People] 

Santorum, Romney Tied in New Poll
This Gingrich supporter doesn’t want to talk about it.
[NY Times] 

Obama is Headed to L.A. Wednesday
Obamajam alert!
[Total Traffic Los Angeles] 

Irwindale Raceway Cancels Season
Gentlemen, do not start your engines.
[LA Observed via ESPN LA]

Photograph courtesy Total Traffic Los Angeles