Tuesday morning headlines

Gas, oil back up: Crude is trading at over $50 a barrel because of concerns about the Middle East, as well as a possible supply disruption in Russia. Already, the average price of regular in the L.A. area is $1.84 a gallon, which is up more than a nickel from last week, according to the government's latest survey.

Madoff trustee finds $830 million: The banks, hedge funds, charities, universities and wealthy individuals who had invested with the alleged scamster will now be jockeying for a piece of that $830 million. All told, investors had about $37 billion with Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, according to a Bloomberg News tally. This thing is going to take years to unravel.

No more IndyMac: The new owners figure that having the name of a failed thrift isn't the best way to draw new customers. No word yet on the new name.(LAT)

Behind Bill Richardson withdrawal: Turns out the Bev Hills financial advisory firm that's part of a pay-to-play investigation in New Mexico has had other run-ins with federal and state agencies. The SEC, IRS and Justice Department are all looking into CDR Financial Products Inc. and its owner, David Rubin. From the LAT:

Rubin developed a niche helping state and local governments earn money on the cash raised through bond issues. Governments typically receive a lot of money from investors upfront, which can't be spent all at once. Rubin's firm advises governments on how to invest that money before it is spent on projects. But about 20 different cities, counties and school districts are now suing Rubin's firm, alleging it steered them to banks that paid CDR kickbacks.

Televisa-Univision trial begins: The years-long squabble finally gets aired in court, starting today. Televisa wants to end a 25-year programming contract that has helped Univision become the dominant Spanish-language television company in the U.S. From the LAT:

A group of private investors, including Los Angeles billionaire Haim Saban, acquired Univision two years ago in a $12.3-billion leveraged buyout that left the company under a mountain of debt. The new owners have been banking on continued profits from Televisa's shows. Advertising from Televisa programming generates about 35% of Univision's $1.6 billion in television revenue, according to media consultant Julio Rumbaut. "Univision needs Televisa more than Televisa needs Univision," Rumbaut said. Finding alternative programming "would only add to the company's financial pressures."

Home video biz takes hit: Despite a jump in Blu-ray sales, overall disc revenues are expected to be down 3 percent to 4 percent from 2007. Variety quotes one spin-savvy executive thusly: "As far as I'm concerned, down is the new flat and flat is the new up."

Pricing front-page NYT ads: The NY Post says they're going for $75,000 on weekdays and $100,000 on Sundays. The Times has just opened up its front page to advertising.

Lacter on radio: This week's business chat with KPCC's Kari Moran (Steve Julian is on vacation) covers the outlook for Hollywood and the concert business. Also on kpcc.org and on podcast.