January 24 - January 30, 2010
Saturday, Jan. 30
That would be L.A.'s top budget analyst, who is talking about more layoffs and consolidation. Here's betting it won't happen.
Friday, Jan. 29
All of a sudden, the mayor and several council members are questioning whether the city really needs to let anybody go.
A different economic indicator, one you might not have heard of, has production doing well, but not employment, housing and consumer spending.
The total number of vehicles affected by potential problems with floor mats or gas pedals. That's nearly as many vehicles sold last year in the U.S.
LAT critic Christopher Hawthorne calls the $600-million complex "equal parts Chateau Marmont, L.A. Live and Pershing Square."
Bankers are saying all the right things in public, but the behind-the-scenes chit-chat is a whole lot different.
L.A. details budget cuts, Burkle goes after Barneys, trouble for CA teachers fund, and questioning "January Barometer."
The 5.7 percent annual rate of growth is the highest quarterly showing in six years.
Thursday, Jan. 28
"It's kind of like an iPhone and Kindle had a baby, and pumped it full of steroids," says one observer.
The Senate just voted 77-23 to end debate on the nomination of Ben Bernanke for a second four-year term as Fed chairman.
The case that started off with sensational allegations of drug use and illicit sex ends with no convictions.
Their decision to sit on their hands as Obama was proposing bank taxes may turn out to be a questionable strategy.
If the feds sign off on the fix, production could begin next week and dealers could be getting the new part within the next two weeks.
Tracing Toyota's pedal defect, Bernanke vote could come today, CA gets choo-choo bucks, and Juicy girls are gone.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Believe it or not, the iPhone has only been around three years.
Auction is scheduled for Saturday. After that, the downtown electronics store will shut down for good. We think.
Toyota advises drivers to step on the brake pedal with both feet and shift into neutral if they need to come to an immediate stop.
The most obvious question is why would I need this, but we were saying the same thing when the iPhone came out.
This could be more evidence that the worst of the housing slump is over, but it could also be the calm before another wave of foreclosures.
CEO Steve Jobs introduces the tablet-like device in SF this morning.
Apple's big day, growing foreclosure backlog, LAX loses passengers, and Martha changing channels.
Tuesday, Jan. 26
It generates more revenue than any other Apple product - including desktop and portable computers - combined.
We are talking about jobs and leased space - not to mention a cash crop that's responsible for revenues of $14 billion a year statewide.
L.A., with its large immigrant community, doesn't come out so well in its numbers of high school dropouts. It's even worse than Vegas and Miami.
Honda becomes the title sponsor of the L.A. Marathon.
An online category has been added to business journalism's version of the Pulitzers: Online Commentary and Blogging.
The Swedish car company will be acquired by Spyker Cars, a tiny Dutch maker of sports cars.
Home prices are rising, consumer confidence improves, truckers banned from texting, and the latest on the Oscar race.
Monday, Jan. 25
Complete with nerds, babes, limos and champagne. Whoever said economists were dull?
The Denver Post may not be the best place to get the complete story on the recent bankruptcy filing by the parent of MediaNews Group.
So is it about to become the best-selling movie in the history of the world or what?
This is going to be a very complicated, very drawn-out process, if for no other reason than all the players involved.
The concert promoter's giant merger with Ticketmaster has passed antitrust scrutiny, save for a few minor conditions.
Financial columnist Jane Bryant Quinn and Republican candidate Meg Whitman will headline the Drucker Business Forum this week and next.
Hard to believe that you could get 94 percent of California voters agreeing on anything, but then again the state's budget woes are pretty extraordinary.
Bernanke gains support, L.A. billionaire to leave company, what Leno cost KNBC, and iPhone expected to get Verizon service.
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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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