Archive by Month
April 30, 2009
The state of Florida has charged the former Countrywide CEO with engaging in deceptive and unfair trade practices - and he may have to go to court.
Diehards got all hot and bothered when Nielsen found a huge attrition rate after only a month. So Nielsen reran the numbers and guess what happened?
A Washington, D.C. attorney who was about to lose his job apparently shot himself in the head with a .38-caliber handgun. An email bounceback hints at his fate.
The 1.1 percent increase last year was about the same growth rate as in 2007. The worsening economy is clearly at play.
Unraveling the Chrysler mess, judge blocks part of ports program, Virgin comes to OC, and Disney joining Hulu.
Talks with a small group of creditors broke off last night. The automaker will keep operating and a restrucutring plan in the works for some weeks will move forward.
April 29, 2009
He stays on as Bank of America CEO, but shareholders narrowly voted to split the chairman and CEO posts.
As usual, the top of the list is pretty thin - only three L.A. County companies (Disney, Northrop and Occidental Petroleum) made the top 100.
I realize we're being bombarded with "First 100 Days" overviews and underviews and overlays. But there is at least one Obama piece really worth checking out.
GDP numbers good for Wall Street, cruise lines stop docking in Mexico, the demise of all-news KFWB, and Socal still leads the nation in pollution.
The 6.1 percent first-quarter decline was worse than expected (4.7 percent had been the consensus). Also, it was the third straight quarter of contraction.
April 28, 2009
Source Interlink, the publisher of Motor Trend, Hot Rod and several dozen other titles, is seeking bankruptcy protection.
Under a preliminary agreement, banks and other unsecured creditors would excuse about $7 billion in debt in exchange for $2 billion in cash.
Bratz maker in receivership, L.A. home prices keep falling, local commuting time is down, and some William Morris and Endeavor agents start to scurry.
April 27, 2009
Plenty of stories were written about the looming disaster. It's just that nobody paid attention. People believed what they wanted to believe.
William Morris and Endeavor are now one - a new entity called WME Entertainment that is certain to shake up the talent agency business.
That's for the six-month period ended March 31, a 6.5 percent decline from the like period a year earlier. It's also down from a peak of 1.2 million in 1991.
Lots of scrubbing at LAX, no more Pontiac, Countrywide or Portfolio, and next phase for Newhall Land.
April 26, 2009
A couple of news organizations are reporting that the William Morris/Endeavor deal, in the works for months, finally will be announced early this week.
April 24, 2009
A Superior Court Judge has ruled that Nicaraguan attorneys recruited fraudulent plaintiffs, allegedly coaxing them to fabricate their work histories.
A NY private equity firm apparently did not disclose that it paid fees to an indicted political adviser who helped arrange an investment from a local pensions board.
Jay Leno will be off again tonight, but NBC says that the late-night host will return on Monday. Network honchos have a lot riding on this one guy.
Freeway construction without funding, greenhouse gas regulations approved, JetBlue to stay in Long Beach, and "Soloist" gets mixed reviews.
April 23, 2009
The SF-based banking giant is accused of misleading investors by selling them $1.5 billion worth of auction-rate securities that it claimed were as safe as cash.
Still unclear is what happens to Chrysler's lenders, who hold $6.9 billion in company debt. The government's proposed deal would give them 22 cents on the dollar.
B of A's Ken Lewis was told to keep quiet, MySpace founders step down, California bond sale revives infrastructure projects, and LAX traffic nosedives.
April 22, 2009
No offense, but is there any other time of the year when people pay attention to this magazine? UCLA ties for #15, USC is all alone at #18, and Pepperdine ties for #55.
Publisher Neil Stiles cites the writers strike, the credit crunch, and fewer "For Your Consideration" ads because "Slumdog Millionaire" was such a prohibitive favorite.
Nothing has been announced, but the Web is filling up with heavy speculation that the two founders of the social networking site could be out the door - soon.
New Census data shows fewer Americans moving in 2008 than in any year since 1962. Also, immigration from overseas was the lowest in more than a decade.
A total of 27,981 mortgages default notices were filed in Los Angeles County during the first quarter, according to Dataquick, up from 20,339 a year earlier.
California cities heavy with foreclosures, Fresh & Easy keeps losing money, Hilton alleged to have taken Starwood documents, and Hollywood comes to Washington.
April 21, 2009
High yields - at least by today's standards - explain why big investors are ready to pounce on the state's $4 billion offering.
KCRW has posted "Planet Money: The Economy, Explained," the live performance by Alex Blumberg of "This American Life" and Adam Davidson of NPR.
The Dodgers owner plans to complete the city entitlement process for a proposed $500-million makeover of Dodger Stadium that could begin at the end of the season.
As expected, California locations got hit hard - 76 stores will be closed in the state as part of the chain's latest cost-cutting effort.
Stocks still weak, Broadcom bids for Emulex, carmakers bypassing 2nd Street Tunnel, and NYT Co. reports loss.
April 20, 2009
After two price reductions, Harry Warner's 14-room Georgian Colonial-style house in Hancock Park is back on the market - priced at $3.675 million.
So where was the award for coverage of the financial collapse? Given the depths of last year's crisis, it's interesting that no one made the grade.
An industry isn't entirely made up of bad people. It's just that working on Wall Street these days is akin to being an American Muslim right after 9/11.
B of A beats forecasts, commercial real estate hits the skids, L.A. venture funding slips, and will SAG members ratify contract?
April 19, 2009
Yeah, but it was pretty close - only 53 percent voted in favor of the two-year deal, which shows how precarious a toe hold the moderate faction has on the guild's board.
April 17, 2009
The proposed two-year contract is expected to be voted on by the Screen Actors Guild's 71-member national board on Sunday.
The March number for L.A. County is up from a revised 10.8 percent in February - and it's even higher than during the peak of the recession in the 1990s.
The jobless rate last month was 11.2 percent, which is up from 10.6 percent in February. Only Michigan, Oregon and South Carolina have higher rates.
NYT columnist Paul Krugman remains convinced that the "green shoots" of recovery are less than meets the eye. He's especially suspicious about bank earnings.
Citi delivers decent news, 21st Century and Farmers to do business separately, studios deal with YouTube, and wider loss at Mattel.
April 16, 2009
The chairman of Internet mish-mash IAC doesn't believe we've reached bottom, which means that potential acquisitions are likely to keep falling in value. Why buy now?
Best Buy's reorganization means that 1,000 salaried assistant store managers will be cut and 8,000 senior associates will receive pay cuts. Ring a bell?
Compared with the bludgeoning that the LAT has taken, these trims seem pretty minimal. Still, they point up the industry's woes.
Sale nears for 21st Century, foreclosures jump in California, Glendale Galleria owner files for bankruptcy, and more questions for OC money manager Danny Pang.
April 15, 2009
The Tribune CEO tells Bloomberg Television that the company is looking at all options. Translation: Everything, including the LAT, is on the table.
He's accused of lying on his resume, running a Ponzi scheme, and stealing $3 million - and his wife was murdered after telling police that he had threatened to kill her.
It's probably too early to know, but the March median home price in L.A. County was actually up $10,000 from the previous month, to an even 300K.
Last-minute filers on tax day, state and local sales tax revenues fall sharply, banks ramp up foreclosures, and ripple effects from LAX downturn.
April 14, 2009
Looks like the weird collection of items from the Neverland estate will remain with the singer, though the explanation is predictably unclear.
The Hollywood economy is way more complicated than any other L.A. industry and an isolated number can sometimes distort the picture.
It's potentially a very big deal if more merchandise coming into San Pedro gets snapped up at Target or wherever.
L.A. location shooting takes a big hit, Guess founder running for governor, gasoline prices keep going up, and Boston station to air Leno.
April 13, 2009
Blue Cross is sending its members a check for what it deems fair payment to an out-of-network provider. That leaves the hospital having to get the patient to turn over the check or wind up with zilch.
Companies that don't cut back during a recession tend to do better once the economy improves than companies that slash costs.
The Hollywood nightclub owner has his Oriole Drive property on the market for $18.9 million. Neighbors include Leo DiCaprio and Keanu Reeves.
GM told to prepare for bankruptcy, new warnings on banks, questions about viability of downtown office tower, and Oprah gets new digs.
April 10, 2009
The parent company of the LAT has provided the Labor Department with an "extensive range of documents" in connection with its employee stock ownership plan.
Interested parties in Culver City and Santa Monica appear to be negotiating with Gannett for the purchase of the Tucson Citizen.
Differing views of market rally, outcry over LAT ad, big jump in gas prices, and celebrities who don't pay their taxes.
April 9, 2009
Inquiring minds need to know: Was CNBC making an editorial comment in the middle of its feed to the Economic Club in Washington?
LAT Publisher Eddy Hartenstein is not exactly known for public comments, but he might want to make an exception considering the firestorm he's caused.
Try the second half of next year - that's the expectation of most economists surveyed by the WSJ.
Wells expects strong quarter, banks passing "stress tests," VCs becoming more hopeful, and lawmaker pushing for C-17.
April 8, 2009
When it comes to annual sales, the winner is Gladstone's - as usual. The beachside eatery generated $14.1 million last...
More rumors about Ken Lewis resigning as CEO of Bank of America and being replaced by Brian Moynihan, now in charge of the Merrill Lynch operations.
L.A. rental prices are falling, homebuilder deal boosts KB stock, California gets jobless aid, and SF hotel rooms too much of a bargain.
April 7, 2009
Variety's longtime editor-in-chief says his new job is "not a very sexy story," which might be news to Hollywood's chattering classes.
Developer Rick Caruso has reached a settlement with the neighbors of the historic Montecito property, clearing the way for a major overhaul.
When will social networkers learn that they can't just post whatever they want and not expect some pushback?
Obama-led optimism, defense cuts could hit Long Beach, new downtown skyscraper is considered, and another California bond offering.
April 6, 2009
The flamboyant financier under investigation by all kinds of agencies also threatened to punch ABC's Brian Ross in the mouth!
The Associated Press said today it will take legal action against Web sites that use news stories without permission.
SAG could be close to a deal, Peter Bart steps down, "Sportscenter" debuts in L.A., and Ruth Madoff is still shopping.
April 4, 2009
Around 1,900 jobs are being eliminated in the theme park division, even amid cautious optimism that Americans will start taking vacations again this summer,
A leaked copy of the upcoming summer blockbuster, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has been traced to a month-old digital working print.
April 3, 2009
Four government agencies in the U.S. and Canada, including the Justice Department, are investigating the West Hollywood company's activities in reselling concert tickets.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to name the L.A City Controller as inspector general.
"I don't think anybody knew how bad or how long it would be until the fourth quarter last year," said one consultant.
Compensation numbers typically get a good going over, but this year the scrutiny is likely to be even more intense, what with the Wall Street bonuses.
More tumult on tanker deal, lenders let MediaNews forgo payment, layoffs at 21st Century, and Pasadena opens convention center.
Demolition of the Wilshire Grand, which Korean Air has owned for many years, is set for 2011. At which point the credit markets will almost certainly have loosened up.
Another 633,000 American jobs were lost last month and the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent from 8.1 percent the previous month.
April 2, 2009
The videogame company has just completed $220 million worth of cost cutting, which is one reason for the encouraging news.
Bank stocks were up strongly after the Financial Accounting Standards Board voted to allow companies more leeway in valuing mortgage-backed securities.
Dow tops 8000, New Century liquidator blames KPMG, movie stars get squeezed, and JetBlue down on Long Beach.
April 1, 2009
Perhaps it's a small sign that the bottom might be near (don't underestimate the power of the market upswing in getting folks to feel better about their financial situation).
Economist Nouriel Roubini, the guy who has been scarily prescient about the recession, says that the just-completed first quarter will be the worst of it.
The new deal contains a more than $36 million increase in wage rates and other payments, according to SAG AFTRA.
Big job drop in March, crime stats defy recession, state sales tax goes up, and more news at KTLA.
© 2003-2009 • About LA Observed • Email the editor
CBS and ABC have far bigger fish to fry - namely whether their stations can get back the auto and retail advertising that fell off a cliff in 2009.
More From Mark Lacter:
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