<body><div>Drag star Alaska plays Mary Todd Lincoln <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2bfzMC_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2bfzMC_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1414" height="932" ></figure><blockquote>One of Broadway’s most popular shows in years, Oh, Mary! is now at the Ahmanson Theatre through Dec. 6. It stars drag performer extraordinaire Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000, known mononymously as Alaska, who rose to fame as a competitor and fan favorite on RuPaul's Drag Race. Alaska talked to LAist host Julia Paskin to talk about taking the Tony Award-winning dark comedy on the road, how competing on Drag Race has changed over the years and where to see a great drag show in Los Angeles.</blockquote>On playing Mary Todd Lincoln: “It's going on my tombstone,” Alaska said. “Like, it's the biggest deal ever.” How big a deal? Others who have worn the large, heavy hoopskirt the costume requires include the show's creator, Cole Escola as well as comedians Jane Krakowski and Bowen Yang, who is currently playing Mary in the Broadway show.Why she's glad she was on Drag Race early: A lot has changed over the years with the competition becoming more expensive and queens investing in pricey, commissioned costume pieces and drag accessories. “I got in under the wire,” Alaska said. “I got onto that show back when you could show up with a bag of dirty laundry and you could do pretty well."Where to catch great drag in LA: Alaska recommends Meatball's Phat Slut show at Precinct in downtown L.A. and “The Golden Girls Live” from drag queens Jackie Beat and Sherry Vine.I must see Alaska in that hoopskirt: Oh, Mary! is currently running at the Ahmanson Theatre but you can also catch her when her Revolution Tour stops in at Pacific Electric May 8, 2027.The Pantry reopensThe century-old diner readies for its second act <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2meOgQ_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2meOgQ_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1414" height="932" ><figcaption>The Original Pantry Cafe at 9th and Figueroa reopens Nov. 19 under nonprofit Hope the Mission.</figcaption></figure>Topline:<blockquote>After more than a century in business, the Original Pantry Cafe closed in March 2025. Now under new ownership, the downtown diner reopens Nov. 19 with a revamped menu. </blockquote>Why now? The Pantry reopens to the public next week. Leo Pustilnikov, a developer, bought the building in 2025 and brought on Hope the Mission, a San Fernando Valley nonprofit serving unhoused Angelenos, to run it, with 100% of profits going to the group’s shelters and programs.Why it matters: As downtown legacy restaurants like Cole’s close and reopen, Angelenos clearly have a soft spot for the old days. The Pantry’s return tests whether a beloved institution can modernize its menu and survive downtown’s current economy without losing the regulars who made it famous.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2RSux8_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2RSux8_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1344" height="1008" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3EPXte_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3EPXte_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1344" height="2016" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2SKOBy_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2SKOBy_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1344" height="898" ></figure>Wetter, cooler weatherWintry conditions from Thu through mid-next week <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1pqBWh_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1pqBWh_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1414" height="932" ><figcaption>Rain in Marina Del Rey pictured in February 2022.</figcaption></figure>Topline:<blockquote>It’s going to be wetter and noticeably cooler starting Thursday evening. The National Weather Service projects all of SoCal will see at least a drizzle at some point. </blockquote>How much rain: The rain is expected to be minor. Expect spotty showers and less than a quarter inch of rain per hour Friday, though it could be up to half an inch per hour in some areas. Rain is in the forecast again on Monday, and even more rain is possible in the middle of next week. There’s also a low chance of showers Saturday and Sunday.A “we needed this” moment: “We're not expecting any issues for burn areas or anything like that — mostly what we would consider beneficial rain, some rain that gives us some water but doesn't really cause too much of an issue,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford.The cooling trend: It’ll get a few degrees cooler each day on Friday and Saturday, with high temperatures expected in the mid-60s to low 70s starting this weekend. Even drier days aren’t expected to get much warmer. “It's definitely gonna feel a little bit closer to winter than we've had in the last week or so,” Wofford said.Why this rain event is so long: It’s not one event — it’s a series of low-pressure systems that will arrive starting Thursday night into Friday, with more systems expected Monday and mid-next week.Mountains could see a dusting: Snow levels will be at about 7,000 feet for most of the next week, but they could go lower — especially if there’s precipitation Monday night, when snow levels are forecast between 5,000 and 6,000 feet.Fire survivors share their experiences and photos <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40TmdP_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40TmdP_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1414" height="932" ><figcaption>A collage of two photos shows the process of home remediation after a fire.</figcaption></figure>Topline:<blockquote>LAist spoke with three Eaton Fire survivors whose homes survived but have had to deal with remediating smoke damage. </blockquote>Why it matters: For people who lived in some of the thousands of structures that remained standing after the Eaton Fire, the journey to return home has been arduous.How to share your story: Earlier this year, LAist asked fire survivors what it looks and feels like to rebuild your life after 2025 L.A. Fires. We want to hear from homeowners, current or former renters, business owners and more.to hear from survivors and share your story with LAist.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tM2G7_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tM2G7_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1344" height="1800" ></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Bezqr_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Bezqr_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1344" height="1008" ></figure>Countertop materialLargest US doctors' group supports material ban By Farida Jhabvala Romero | KQED Published November 11, 2026 1:00 PM <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2PyWQ2_1Gzjg4Yb00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2PyWQ2_1Gzjg4Yb00" width="1414" height="932" ><figcaption>A stone countertop fabricator wears a mask to help protect against airborne particles which can contribute to silicosis at a shop on Oct. 31, 2023, in Sun Valley.</figcaption></figure>Topline:<blockquote>The nation’s largest physician group has backed a near complete ban on the most popular countertop material, which is linked to an aggressive lung disease disabling and killing stoneworkers in California and other states. </blockquote>Why now: The American Medical Association has adopted a new policy opposing the manufacturing, importation, distribution, sale, fabrication and installation of high-silica engineered stone products across the U.S. Doctors in California hope that the declaration by the AMA, which counts more than 250,000 physicians and medical students as members, will spur greater regulation of the factory-made material and promote the use of safer alternatives.Why it matters: The move could boost a push by California regulators to phase out the use of engineered stone with more than 1% crystalline silica to make countertops and other construction surfaces. A state workplace standards board is poised to vote on a first-in-the-nation emergency regulation next month. Australia was the first country to ban engineered stone slabs in 2024.for more on new policy.</div></body>

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One of Broadway’s most popular shows in years, Oh, Mary! is now at the Ahmanson Theatre through Dec. 6. It stars drag performer extraordinaire Alaska Thunderf*ck 5000, known mononymously as Alaska, who rose to fame as a competitor and fan favorite on RuPaul's Drag Race. Alaska talked to LAist host Julia Paskin to talk about taking the Tony Award-winning dark comedy on the road, how competing on Drag Race has changed over the years and where to see a great drag show in Los Angeles.

'Oh, Mary!' opens in LA

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One of Broadway’s most popular shows in years, Oh, Mary! is now at the Ahmanson Theatre through Dec. 6. It stars drag performer extraordinaire Alaska Thund

'Oh, Mary!' opens in LA

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