May 10 - May 16, 2009
Friday, May. 15
April container traffic at the Port of L.A. fell 12.1 percent from a year earlier, while the Port of Long Beach saw a 21.7 percent decline. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Still a fair amount to sort out, but federal prosecutors are looking into whether two SEC enforcement lawyers violated insider-trading laws. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Lloyd Grove doesn't pretend to know whether the media-made billionaire really plans to go after the NYT Co. But he does know how Geffen manipulate journalists. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Gannett is shutting down the Citizen, Arizona's oldest continuously published daily newspaper, though the online version will keep operating (without news coverage). $MTEntryExcerpt$>
GM dealers getting the word, C-17 lives on (probably), Alameda Corridor traffic tumbles, and not as many Mexican migrants come to the U.S. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Thursday, May. 14
It's understandable considering that $3.7 billion worth of debt is due in July 2012 (and interest payments are running $250 million a year). There's lots of restructuring talk. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
And then crashing. In the world of finance, those who can, do. Those who can't become business writers. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Too bad the Daily Journal is still so hard to access without a subscription because the newsroom will often come up with strong pieces that get very little attention.
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Look for an end to the recession by August, according to the latest WSJ survey of economists, but it could be several more years before we see a full-bore recovery. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Weren't they supposed to be dead? Weren't the networks going to rachet down the number of pilots they produce? Guess strategies change pretty fast in TV land $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Several local Chrysler dealers to be dropped, court hours might be cut, SEC staff wants to charge Countrywide's Sambol, and Fox ends fewer commercials program. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Wednesday, May. 13
His interest in buying a stake in the NYT Co. is described by BW as "the hottest topic on two coasts." Huh? The one-time media mogul is a master at manipulation the media.
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Dressing down, even in big city locales, is the way to go these days. Anything NOT to look like a banker. Of course, it does require a new wardrobe.
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The planned Selma and Vine location is being shelved until the market takes a turn for the better. It's not a huge surprise considering the company's weak financials.
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Staff at the Securities and Exchange Commission will recommend filing civil fraud charges against the former Countrywide CEO.
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California foreclosures fall from previous month, port traffic taking a big dip, L.A. investor pleads guilty, and Vegas going back to "What happens here, stays here." $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Tuesday, May. 12
Singapore has become the location of choice for one of the largest fleets of ships ever gathered. They are stuck there because the shipping business is just so slow. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Drastic budget cuts at the two Hollywood trades will result in drastically reduced coverage of the film festival. It's emblematic of how far Variety and THR have fallen. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
At last check it was trading at $1.10 a share, the lowest it's been in 70 years. Several insiders have finally decided to bail, which explains why the stock is down 23 percent.
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The city of Santa Monica cannot prohibit certain kinds of private jets from using its airport. A federal appeals court left in place a preliminary injunction sought by the FAA. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Nissan reports first loss in a decade, L.A. gas prices shoot up, Bruckheimer tries videogames, and trouble looming for Live Nation/Ticketmaster deal. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
Monday, May. 11
April home sales for L.A. County are way up from a year earlier, while median prices are way down from a year earlier. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
The one-time Hollywood mogul offered to buy a 19 percent stake in the NYT Co. held by hedge fund Harbinger Capital Partners, but no deal was struck.
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Postage rates go up, L.A. is eighth-priciest place to rent, "Idol" keeps raking in the cash, and DirecTV may be on the block. $MTEntryExcerpt$>
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