December 14 - December 20, 2008
Saturday, Dec. 20
Is it possible that all these fund managers and investors were in the dark about what the alleged swindler was doing? Not likely.
Sitting in front of the tube watching golf can actually tell you a thing or two about changing fates of the business world.
Friday, Dec. 19
Everybody's favorite doomsdayer, Nouriel Roubini, says the more likely scenario is a severe recession that will bottom out in about a year.
Says biographer Michael Wolff: "He doesn't believe in Web news, doesn't understand Web news, couldn't care less about Web news."
On the Friday before Christmas, airlines report a bunch of delays coming into LAX. Departures seem to be doing better.
The state and local numbers are not great, of course, but they’re not a surprise. Look for 10 percent-plus in 2009.
George Bailey might have been better off if his bucolic (and quite boring) town of Bedford Falls really turned into the very cool Pottersville.
The lawyer's rapid expansion into L.A. just a couple of years ago has gotten little attention. Too bad – it’s a pretty good yarn.
Gas prices trickle upward (for now), fewer travelers for the holidays, retailers desperate this weekend, and port expansion approved.
Thursday, Dec. 18
How smart was it of Silicon Valley's Macrovision to buy Gemstar-TV Guide International for $2.8 billion? Not very.
Donald Trump calls Madoff a "sleazebag," "total crook," and "a Svengali for rich people." He also doesn't think the guy acted alone.
The combination of slumping global demand and swelling U.S. inventories are offsetting the impact of OPEC agreeing to cut output.
A local non-profit losing $700,000 might get lost in the shuffle of a pressing news day, but to that group it will mean major retrenchment.
Daniel Laikin is one of several National Lampoon executives to be accused of stock manipulation.
Plans to raze Century Plaza, more folks leaving California, Live Nation scrambles for U2 cash, and DreamWorks deal could be in trouble.
Wednesday, Dec. 17
Anne Stausboll gets the unenviable job of turning around the nation's largest public pension fund.
The SEC apparently is finding evidence that she might have helped track payments (also, her name is on a bunch of transactions).
A state board this morning shut off $3.8 billion in financing to dozens of infrastructure projects because the available money is drying up.
A CEO taking a $300,000 pay cut sounds like a nice gesture, but the guy made more than $12 million last year. Who is he kidding?
Alexandra Penney is an artist, best-selling author, former editor of Self magazine - and now one of the many investors who got snookered.
Wall Street can't sustain a rally, more local angles on Madoff, hotel workers sue, and Fox adds spice to SAG drama.
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Practicing journalism is a little like playing the ponies: Everyone thinks they're an expert. Except that they're not.
You're looking at $11 billion worth of trouble, which isn't as bad as NY ($12 billion), but worse than Vegas ($6 billion).
How else do you describe the Federal Reserve setting its target for the overnight federal funds rate to a range of 0 to 0.25 percent?
Only a 12.7 percent increase in November from a year earlier, which is substantially slower than the big sales jumps of recent months.
SAG rancor builds, more Madoff victims revealed, Best Buy making big cuts, and feds go after National Lampoon CEO.
Monday, Dec. 15
The average price of regular in the L.A. area is $1.72, down about a dime from last week (and almost $3 from earlier in the year).
Flaunting wealth is definitely out these days - but that doesn't mean the rich have stopped spending.
Pellicano is sentenced to 15 years, Mattel agrees to pay $12 million to settle lead claims, and former KB executive pleads guilty.
Generally yes, but it really depends on the restaurant – and getting into the top spots around town can still be a challenge.
This one involves a guy named John Rogers, who persuaded some of California's richest investors to give him big money for a startup.
Commercial real estate in slump, L.A. is tough place to do business, Singleton explains himself (sort of), and SAG meets in NY tonight.
Sunday, Dec. 14
Mort Zuckerman, the foundation of Elie Wiesel, and a charity of Steven Spielberg all stand to lose some serious money.
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The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
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