January 25 - January 31, 2009
Saturday, Jan. 31
As with so many things involving Wall Street, the subject is a lot more nuanced than many folks might think.
Friday, Jan. 30
Layoffs are obviously a rare occurrence at NPR, which is why there was such surprise at the show's cancellation - and resulting layoffs.
The plan to take toxic assets out of regular banks and put them into a government-operated "bad bank" might not happen.
Economy contracts less than expected, gas prices leveling off, no new drilling off Santa Barbara, and Queen Mary taken over.
Thursday, Jan. 29
NYT Co. had a terrible December - and a terrible 2008, for that matter - and entertainment advertising was especially weak.
Disney plans to cut 200 people from the network and freeze 200 vacant positions. That amounts to a 5 percent reduction.
Within the past week or so the mention of bank nationalization no longer provokes a look of disbelief. It’s in the air.
Sure, it doesn't look great right now, but the Socal economy still has lots going for it. Really.
State would benefit from stimulus, SAG president sings the blues, JetBlue to start LAX service, and big bonuses on Wall Street.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Not that we're anywhere close to a turnaround, but at some point it will happen. The question is what then?
No specifics on where the layoffs are coming from; the company still has a large Southern California workforce.
The problem with blaming Sam Zell for practically everything that's wrong with the newspaper industry is that, well, it's not true.
Obama nearing plan to buy bad assets, layoffs at Avery Dennison, movie incentives pay off in NY, and Dreamworks gets more financing.
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Economic despair is fast becoming the catch-all explanation for murder-suicide. But there's often a lot more to the story.
Hooray - California does not have the highest unemployment rate in the nation. That dubious honor goes to Michigan.
NY AG Andrew Cuomo wants to know more about the bonuses that Merrill Lynch handed out on the eve of its merger with B of A.
L.A. County had a modest 5.9 percent increase in fourth-quarter mortgage default notices compared with a year earlier, but ...
And no, FDR did not turn the economy around, certainly not to the extent that many of us had been taught.
L.A. home prices keep falling, local bank ordered to stop lending, SAG could be ready to deal, and Cal Worthington sings the blues.
Monday, Jan. 26
The average gallon of regular in the L.A. area is $2.07, up three-and-half cents from last week.
One day after the glittery awards ceremony a majority of the guild's board members moved to oust executive director Doug Allen.
As in, why business reporters didn't recognize that a financial meltdown was fast approaching? Actually, there were lots of reasons.
Don't let those new restaurants popping up fool you - downtown's recent growth surge has hit a wall.
Around 61,000 layoffs so far today, Thain will pay office costs, Expo stores to close, and Obama gets tough on emissions.
Sunday, Jan. 25
Everything else has gotten to be such a mess that showbiz is considered relatively safe - or at least safer.
Much of the decline is due to folks eating fewer meals at home. Also, contractors are tossing away less drywall and lumber.
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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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