November 8 - November 14, 2009

Friday, Nov. 13
Hint: L.A. didn't make the top 10. Or 20. But it could have been worse - we beat out Portland, Maine, Jacksonville, Fla., and Chicago.
Retailers are trimming their orders from Asia - and export traffic, though down quite as sharply as import, is still down.
The man behind the Marvel Comics brand talks about how he came up with the name Spider-Man and why he never made a good businessman.
Quite a scene as a truck caravan reached L.A. City Hall this morning - but not before snarling traffic on...
Madoff programmers are charged, Activision's big day, loose talk from NY governor, and more bidding for Playboy.
Thursday, Nov. 12
LAT publisher has been named non-executive chairman of SIRIUS XM Radio. No change in his position at the paper.
Warren Buffett thinks the worst of the financial crisis is over and Bill Gates says that American-bred innovation will save the day.
New survey says they'll start nudging up by next September, even as unemployment remains stubbornly high.
TV was looking better in the fourth quarter, helping the Mouse House report an 18 percent increase in earnings.
Foreclosures slow in CA, Calpers looks into loan, John King takes Dobbs' spot, and Zell pooh-poohs real estate woes.
Wednesday, Nov. 11
There's Hollywood, of course, but there's also digital media, fashion, interior design, architecture, and communication arts.
It's effective today. No word on where the controversial CNN moneyman is heading.
Would you believe that L.A.'s homeless population has fallen by 38 percent in the middle of a recession? You're not alone.
House version looks like a bust, but the Senate bill (at least the one approved by the Finance Committee) can offer legitimate reform.
I still have a few left for Ken Auletta's chat tomorrow morning with Judy Muller.
FedEx sees pickup, Wal-Mart open on Thanksgiving, CA boosts muni yields, and free Wi-Fi for Christmas.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Expect all kinds of second-guessing after two former Bear Stearns fund managers were acquitted today on securities fraud charges.
Maybe it's just a blip, but California beat expectations for tax collections in October by 7.1 percent, or $285 million.
Sen. Christopher Dodd's 1,136-page plan to reform the financial system that has DOA written all over it.
Janet Yellen, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of SF, doesn't expect the turnaround to be in the shape of a V, U or W.
Ed Roski's mixed-use complex in the City of Industry, anchored by a 75,000-seat football stadium, focuses too much on cars and parking lots.
Karatz's novel defense, holiday air travel will be down, L.A.'s big legal bill, and concert biz still strong.
Monday, Nov. 9
The October median home price was actually up! Not a whole lot, mind you - $139,000, which is $1,000 higher than the month before.
The Dow reached a 52-week high, closing up 203 points - and no, it doesn't make much sense. But here's...
The New Yorker columnist will be pitching his new book this Thursday morning. I have free tickets.
News Corp. is stuck with a 12-year lease worth about $350 million. No luck yet in subleasing the digs.
No appetite to reform CA government, home prices edge up, East West become's Socal's biggest bank, and closing in on NBC deal.
Sunday, Nov. 8
More than 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported sudden acceleration problems over the last decade, resulting in 19 deaths.
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