DOUCHE OF THE DAY: Radio DJs Pretend to Be Queen, Prank Call Kate's Hospital

Kate Middleton leaves the hospital with Prince William by her side (December 6, 2012)

Two Australian radio DJs made a prank call to the hospital where Prince William's pregnant wife, Catherine, is staying with acute morning sickness, claiming to be Queen Elizabeth II and her son, Prince Charles. The DJs, from Sydney's 2Day FM station, succeeded in getting through to Kate's private nurse at King Edward VII Hospital and had a brief conversation that included some details of her condition, according to audio of the call posted online. The hospital issued a statement Wednesday confirming that the hoax call had been transferred to a ward in the early hours of Tuesday morning and a short conversation was held with one of the nursing staff. The hospital "deeply regrets" the incident, it said. John Lofthouse, chief executive at the hospital, is quoted as saying: "This was a foolish prank call that we all deplore. We take patient confidentiality extremely seriously and we are now reviewing our telephone protocols." The radio show posted an apology for the call on its official Twitter feed Wednesday. "2Day FM sincerely apologises for any inconvenience cause(d) by the enquiry to Kate's hospital. The radio segment was done with the best intentions and we wish Kate and her family all the best." An earlier tweet by 2Day FM described it as a "hilarious prank." As douchey as it was, it was kind of really funny. Amp up your security hospital! [KTLA]

The Hollywood Sign's Extensive Makeover Completed

Tinseltown's biggest star – The Hollywood Sign – has been restored to its full beauty once again thanks to a historic "face-lift" from Sherwin-Williams and The Hollywood Sign Trust. Over the nine-week refurbishment, the Sign's nine letters had all existing coatings removed before being primed and painted with two fresh coats of Emerald Exterior Paint. Nice to see you all pretty again! A time-lapse video has been released showing the full refurbishment. [LAist]

Deal Brings End to L.A., Long Beach Ports Strike

(KTLA-TV / December 4, 2012)

The eight-day strike that crippled the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and prevented shippers from delivering billions of dollars in cargo is over. Striking clerical workers and the longshore workers who refused to cross their picket lines were back on the job on Wednesday. The strike had pitted the 800-member International Longshore Workers Union Local 63 Office Clerical Unit against some of the world's biggest shipping lines and terminal operators. Until it launched the strike last Tuesday, the union had been working without a contract since June 30, 2010. The deal will not become final until it is ratified by the full union membership. [KTLA]

'Tis the season: McRib to return Dec. 17

Prepare yourselves: the McRib is coming back! The barbecue sandwich, which has developed a cult, is making its way back to McDonald’s restaurants all over the country in a mere two weeks, the company announced on Monday. The sandwich was originally scheduled to burst back onto the fast food scene on Oct. 22, but the McPowers that be decided to hold the McRib’s temporary comeback until December to help four-quarter sales. And Mickey D’s could certainly use the boost. McDonald’s revealed last month that sales fell for the first time since 2003.  The elusive McRib is only available a few weeks a year, which contributes to its popularity.  [Fox News]

Riverside marijuana dispensary ban upheld

A California appeals court has upheld Riverside's ban on medical marijuana dispensaries and the city is now moving to shut down the pot shops. Forty-five dispensaries have closed since the ban went into effect last year. City Attorney Greg Priamos tells the Riverside Press-Enterprise that he's now sending cease-and-desist notices to the remaining 10 to 12 dispensaries. Those notices come after the 4th District Court of Appeal last week overturned a judge's August ruling saying local government cannot ban medical marijuana stores if they are operating legally under state laws. A year ago, the same appellate court ruled that cities can ban medical marijuana dispensaries. That ruling has been challenged and other appellate courts have reached differing opinions. The California Supreme Court is now considering several of those cases. [AP]