Traffic

Commuter traffic might be a nightmare, but it's not getting worse -- yet. According to the just-released 2012 Urban Mobility Report out of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, automobile commuters in urban areas are delayed an average of about 38 hours a year in the U.S. in trying to get to work and other destinations because of traffic congestion. That average delay, according to the institute, has remained about the same for the last couple of years. Of course, this is not much solace to commuters.

A report prepared for Los Angeles County's top administrator claims the operators of LAX have virtually ignored legal requirements to reduce effects on the environment by dispersing growth in commercial flights to other airports in the region. A 2006 court settlement in a series of lawsuits over expansion plans at Los Angeles International Airport ordered Los Angeles World Airports to begin regionalizing airline traffic. But William T Fujioka, the chief executive for Los Angeles County, and a consultant's report prepared for his office asserts that the city airport department has made only "token efforts" to comply with provisions of the settlement that seek a wider distribution of flights.

KABUL, Afghanistan - At least two police officers were killed Monday when five gunmen armed with suicide vests and rocket-propelled grenades stormed the headquarters of the Kabul traffic police department, setting off a firefight that lasted more than eight hours, Afghan officials said. It was the second brazen assault in less than a week in the Afghan capital, which has enjoyed a measure of safety compared with other parts of the country in recent years. The national intelligence agency was attacked Wednesday.

Los Angeles County transportation officials have released the final version of their analysis of alternatives for closing the so-called 710 gap between Alhambra and Pasadena, setting the stage for more vigorous environmental review. The analysis by the county Metropolitan Transportation Authority focuses on five options - down from an initial 39 - for reducing traffic and providing better transportation access in the area between the end of the 710 Freeway in Alhambra and the 210 Freeway in Pasadena.

The first question my well-meaning acquaintances ask is, "Do you take that thing on the freeway?" Since that thing is a 1.2-liter engine on two wheels and a 600-pound body, that's actually a rather silly question. But I know it's only a warm-up for what's really on their minds: "Are you one of those who cut in between cars?" Yes, I am. And I'm aware - even without the disapproving tone of the question - of the emotions I raise when you see me in the rear view mirror, or worse, become aware of my presence as I cross the plane of your windshield: momentary panic, then relief, and last, outrage.

Mark Wahlberg, weatherman? For anyone wishing Wahlberg could step into their shoes for a day, a few Philadelphia morning newscasters got the chance. Along with "Broken City" director Allen Hughes, the "Ted" star did the traffic and weather report for WTXF's "Good Day Philadelphia" Wednesday while revealing a few newscast secrets during the stunt -- such as, how do they know where to point on the green screen? (Answer: There are monitors on the side of the screen that help them direct their gesticulations.)

What were you doing when you were 18? Looks as if Justin Bieber has been getting his party on. Bieber was photographed last Wednesday at a hotel-room party in Newport Beach holding what appears to be a marijuana cigarette while sitting with fellow partyers and a couple of empty beer bottles. The photos , taken in the presence of security and obtained by TMZ over the weekend, show the Biebs laughing and chatting with the lighted blunt between his fingers. Sources at the party told the website that rapper Lil Twist and his brother were rolling the blunts.

After receiving a completely bogus moving violation for making a rolling stop in Chinatown, I decided to go to traffic school to keep my insurance costs in check. To my surprise, I learned that they still held traffic school in actual classrooms and not just online. The online courses' advertised rates were cheaper - in some cases by half - than the brick-and-mortar variety. Who would pay more to watch gory traffic films with strangers when you could stay home in your pajamas?

Race car driver Ken Block speeds down a narrow band of asphalt in his souped-up Ford Fiesta, careening through the "Back to the Future" set on Universal Studios' back lot. The speedometer flies toward 80. Block's eyes are fixed on the road as he accelerates toward an invitation-only crowd of gear heads in town for the Los Angeles Auto Show. When he whips around the corner toward Courthouse Square in Marty McFly's hometown, Block sees a sea of undistinguishable faces. He plants his foot on the accelerator, then pulls back on a massive hand brake on his right side.

The sound of chanting echoed through the makeshift temple, to the slow steady pulse of a drum. Forty-nine days had passed since Jonathan Van's uncle had died in Vietnam, and he and his family gathered at Tinh Xa Giac Ly in Westminster, chanting so that his spirit might find its path. The puffs of incense dancing in the air would serve as the vehicle to carry his spirit to the next life, according to Buddhist tradition. The relatives knelt on the floor of the two-car garage, high heels and sandals scattered outside on the driveway, as other loved ones spilled out to the patio, reciting from yellow songbooks.