Archive by Month
April 30, 2008
In his closing argument, Anthony Pellicano wanted to emphasize that his detective agency was not a "criminal enterprise," as prosecutors...
American Lawyer is out with its annual list of the nation's most profitable firms, and L.A.-based Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver...
As expected, the central bank lowered the key interest rate by one-quarter percentage point, to 2 percent. But this could...
Are Latin American immigrants transferring back less money to their families? A study by the Inter-American Development Bank finds that...
NBC has turned down pitches to have Huffington plug her new book and many in the blogosphere smell conspiracy. You...
Economy still ticking: The gross domestic product, which provides an overall scorecard on how the nation’s economy is doing, managed...
April 29, 2008
It's the lending giant’s absurd mortgage program that federal investigators have been honing in on, according to the WSJ. Under...
That was prosecutor Daniel Saunders' description of Anthony Pellicano during closing arguments today. He said the government had proven its...
I've spent the last few minutes trying to navigate EveryScape.com's new virtual search of Bev Hills (it's being launched in...
The onetime junk bond king - he'll forever wear that label - hosts his annual global conference this week in...
Big oil profits: Keep this in mind the next time you fill your tank: Royal Dutch Shell and BP both...
April 28, 2008
Construction on phase one of the $1-billion mega-project has been put off until February 2009, with completion now set for...
Several readers offering their thoughts on an earlier post about the paper's circulation decline wonder how it compares with other...
The government's weekly survey shows only a four-cent a gallon increase in the average price of regular in the L.A....
A short post on the Web site says that the paper "and its affiliated publications" will lay off between 80...
The first-quarter gross domestic product is due out Wednesday, the first chance we get to see how the overall economy...
A 5.1 percent circulation drop for the 12-month period ended March 31 is pretty bad, but pull back 10 years...
Oil nears $120: A strike at a refinery in Scotland and more violence in Nigeria are the reasons cited. The...
April 25, 2008
As long as the Tribune CEO keeps dangling Newsday, he's certain to find friends. NY Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman...
You knew it had to happen - too many businesses filing for green-related trademarks that look or sound the same....
If the subprime disaster isn't what's bringing the U.S. economy to its knees - and there's a decent argument that...
It’s another one of those sign-of-the-times indicators. New vehicle registrations in L.A. County fell 16.3 percent in the first quarter,...
No relief on gas: The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the L.A. area is now $3.858 a gallon,...
April 24, 2008
It's the old buy-low, sell-high bit - and among the smaller fashion brands there might be some bargains out there....
Good luck. If you're looking at the summary compensation table for Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo, his total compensation is a...
Venice-based Digital Domain, the special-effects powerhouse, is not exactly wowing them on Wall Street. The company's initial public offering was...
The Weekly's loooong look at how the city handles billboard regulation - either ineptly or corruptly - hones in on...
Not many LABO readers are probably aware of this, but Mariah Carey's new album, "E=MC2", has sold 463,000 copies, making...
B of A sticks with Countrywide: A number of Bank of America shareholders put up a stink at the shareholders...
April 23, 2008
Yes, I'm serious. I think. Celebrity chef Mario Batali has a problem with American H2O, which is why he's creating...
The actors guild will keep going at it with the studios and networks for an extra week, perhaps a sign...
Is it just me or does it seem as if Web headlines and decks are being written by people who...
A local Costco executive says large quantities are being snapped up, and Sam's Club has a limit on purchases.
David Beckham's commercial value may be much less. Here's why.
April 22, 2008
It's the burger chain's first opening in the state - and the first outside the mainstays of California, Arizona and Nevada.
The big question is whether they'll spread into long-established mortgages. That would be really bad.
There's still a lot of confusion over the pending resignation of the paper's managing editor.
Murdoch nears deal for Newsday, D-day for Yahoo, California lags in Fortune 500, and Digital Domain to get priced.
April 21, 2008
Product recalls and a nasty lawsuit against the maker of Bratz dolls are making for heavy-duty expenses.
It's hard to wrap your arms around the idea that prices keep going up while U.S. demand for gas keeps going down.
There's been a 23 percent increase in existing OC homes and condos placed into escrow over the past 30 days.
There remain plenty of vacancies, which could mean some sort of "lease-to-sell" arrangement.
City budget takes hit, oil prices dip below $117, Burbank flights may move to Van Nuys, and new cable channel in works.
April 19, 2008
L.A.-area venture funding is way down from a year earlier - and much of the action is going to ongoing relationships.
April 18, 2008
Every day brings a new reason for the price runup. Today it was an encouraging earnings report from Caterpillar.
The house was bought a little over a year ago for $510,000. It's now going for $279,900.
Looking to reinvent Tribune Co.'s newspaper, he says "there are opportunities to come up with new angles."
But the state's separate payroll survey for March shows that county employment was up 25,000 from February.
The stock price is down this morning on less-than-wonderful earnings results. But it's not a disaster.
Citigroup loses $5.1 billion (and stocks are up), no more auto production in Socal, and "Gossip Girl" pulled from Web.
April 17, 2008
State officials will reopen every medical insurance policy dropped over the last four years.
But Tribune CEO says the company will be able to meet debt payments this year.
The NY-based owner of West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center wants everyone to know who owns the place.
New rumbles about NBC sale, pushback on immigrant crackdown, SAG signs interim pact, and lonelygirl collects.
April 16, 2008
They're estimated by Forbes to be worth just under $700 million, with the Angels at $500 million.
Energy prices keep breaking one record after the other. These numbers were clocked this afternoon.
L.A.'s city attorney is accusing the health insurer of canceling policies and mishandling processing claims.
The Delta-Northwest combination will have little impact locally because only a few routes are shared by the two carriers.
Stocks are up on bad but not horrible news, SAG talks enter second day, Northrop takes charge, and Magic scores again.
April 15, 2008
The bill would have only authorized a study on possible impacts, but Silicon Valley companies were taking no chances.
What sales there were in March tended to come from foreclosures in lower-priced inland regions.
Oil prices still higher, AFTRA turns down SAG offer, Fresh & Easy gets vote of confidence, and American pilots to picket.
April 14, 2008
The sale is a way to resolve lawsuits filed by the university and the hospital operator.
Expect to soon pay $4 a gallon, if you're not already. And with oil near $112 a barrel, there's no relief in sight.
MGM trims staff. It's far from disastrous, but room rates are down and so is convention traffic.
The delegation will push for transportation, education and public safety funding.
The offer comes as both actors unions prepare for contract talks with the studios and networks.
Blockbuster bids for Circuit City, SAG board rejects actors proposal, Fremont sells assets, and American back in business.
April 13, 2008
If there is an agreement, the combined airline would be called Delta. Limited impact at LAX.
CBS CEO Les Moonves received a 28 percent pay raise in the same year CBS earnings fell 25 percent. But that's not all.
Amid all his girl chasing, the CEO of American Apparel was running out of money. So he went public (sort of).
April 11, 2008
He claims being duped into buying shares of Bear Stearns just days before the bank's near collapse.
GE couldn't make loans because of the credit crunch, and its NBC Universal unit earned less then expected.
The Hollywood private eye called an FBI forensics expert as his only witness.
David Geffen could be in talks with Sam Zell to buy the paper that's he been going after since last year.
Market falls on GE numbers, more cancellations at American, L.A. gas prices jump, and Bev Hills approves condo project.
April 10, 2008
Selling fruits and vegetables, deli meats and fresh baked goods is sure to raise concern among the supermarket chains.
Yields were lower than in March, though 4.96% tax free looks pretty good. Proceeds will go towards infrastructure work.
Barring some last-minute legal action, LAX-area hotels will be required to abide by the new ordinance.
Now we get to know what goes into a dish of the frozen concoction, but it's one of those be-careful-what-you-wish-for deals.
WSJ survey of economists finds more pessimism about home prices and unemployment.
American cancels more flights, prosecutors in Pellicano trial wrapping up, and Microsoft battle for Yahoo gets goofier.
April 09, 2008
A Chicago restaurant owner agrees to change a too-familiar name.
It's the airport's biggest carrier, but today's cancelled flights only affect a small portion of operations.
Combining the Internet operations of both companies could help thwart Microsoft's efforts at buying Yahoo.
She could be out by next January - and there's talk about her replacing Larry King.
Hope to be back later today....
April 08, 2008
American's fleet of 300 MD-80s was pulled from service this afternoon for maintenance inspections.
More CEOs, including at least two locals, are passing up their bonuses in the face of bad economic times.
There's not much evidence to suggest that the rich are taking it on the chin. So what gives?
Unlike its upset win over Boeing for the aerial tanker contract, The L.A. company is favored for the spy plane business.
Greenspan says he's not to blame, Tribune might resort to credit lines, NBC sues "Runway" producers, and airlines score poorly.
April 07, 2008
Union officials have a long list of demands, but media companies might want to hear about them.
Not a big surprise given the slipping economy. Accounting, law, architecture and engineering firms expanded the most.
Despite lower demand in the U.S., oil prices remain well over $100 a barrel.
Somehow it doesn't seem like a fair fight, but it does provide some insight into stuff that no doubt happens all the time.
Yahoo turns down bid, Circuit City might be up for sale, big agent defection at UTA, and still sluggish at the ports.
April 04, 2008
The former president and first lady released their taxes, but good luck figuring out his take from the billionaire's investments.
This is entertainment? Seldom has a one-night stand and subsequent paternity suit sounded so dull.
Stores are said to be missing sales targets by up to 70 percent, which is not hard to believe if you walk into one.
The owner of the LAT has huge amounts of debt to service in the next 18 months. So where does it get the money?
There’s no way to sugarcoat an 80,000-job decline in payrolls and a jump in the unemployment rate,
Terrible jobs report, Chris Rock testifies in Pellicano trial, MySpace parent misses revenue target, and another Barista suit.
April 03, 2008
If the economy is so rotten, why are 70 percent of Americans satisfied with their economic lot?
Jurors were told to disregard a hedge fund manager's tantalizing testimony, which is easy for the judge to say.
All the carriers must put up with higher fuel prices, but the smaller carriers are more vulnerable.
Passengers stuck as ATA shuts down, FAA whistleblowers target Southwest, and NY judge dismisses "Borat" lawsuit.
April 02, 2008
The other actors union will start contract talks on April 28, less than two weeks after SAG begins its bargaining.
OC billionaire Igor Olenicoff faced up to three years in the slammer. Then it was six months. Then...
A federal judge says there is a "a common thread of potential wrongdoing" in several bankruptcy filings.
Congress will likely pass legislation to bail out borrowers, but perhaps there's another way to ease the housing crisis.
The Western Avenue landmark will still offer signature dishes like Green Corn Tamales. Plus make-your-own guacamole.
Only five venture capital-backed companies managed to go public in the first quarter, including one from North Hollywood.
Bernanke offers semi-gloomy outlook, SAG to start negotiating, United expects delays, and Amgen CEO takes pay cut.
April 01, 2008
It's the wiretap trial of Hollywood gumshoe Anthony Pellicano, which is starting to get interesting - and really strange.
In all, fewer than 20 have lost their jobs at KCBS (Channel 2) and sister station KCAL (Channel 9).
CBS says the 12 percent increase in online viewing had no impact on TV viewership.
The LAT remains the biggest revenue-generator of the company's newspapers, about 28 percent of total publishing revenue.
Did you hear that Sam Zell has renamed Tribune Co.? Or that the company plans to go paperless?
Another big bank loss (and the market is way up), thumbs down to Paulson's financial reforms, and layoffs expected at KCBS.
© 2003-2008 • About LA Observed • Contact the editor
Gas prices are way down, DVD sales are sliding, Kaiser gets four-star rating, and no progress in SAG talks.
More From Mark Lacter:
Without referencing its recent layoff, the Ventura County Star's editor says the suburban LA paper is now "more streamlined and, in many ways, much more efficient."
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Lee Abrams, Tribune Company's chief innovation officer, doesn’t seem too impressed with the Los Angeles Times. That’s the feeling I got when he appeared at the Los Angeles Press Club.
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