February 21 - February 27, 2010
Saturday, Feb. 27
Less than a year ago, it was assumed that a General Motors bankruptcy would be disastrous. So much for conventional wisdom.
The company that placed a supergraphic ad on the First National Bank building didn't have a permit. But so what?
Friday, Feb. 26
It's a little like "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," except with Jimmy Stewart playing the bad guy.
The Tiger de-coupling has unfolded pretty much as expected. Only the companies that really need him are keeping him.
Boy, network officials weren't kidding when they announced a huge downsizing.
Alas, those supporting the president don't need convincing and those opposed are beyond hope.
In round numbers, you're looking at almost 100,000 fewer registrations in 2009 than a year earlier - and 2008 wasn't such a hot year.
For anyone naïve enough to think that the carmaker's problems couldn't possibly get any worse, well, they just did.
Budget shortfalls have opened up in 41 states, and things might get even worse for FY2011.
The parent company of Carl's Jr. is in the process of being sold. Fine, but what about the commercials?
Californians can't pay their mortgages, Carl's Jr. parent to be sold, state insurers subpoenaed, and lots of travel delays today.
Thursday, Feb. 25
The arrest last week of Frederick Scott Salyer on charges of racketeering and fraud got some attention, but oh, what a backstory.
Sandra Pianalto, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, offers a pretty good summary.
A few members are wondering whether city workers could do some of the work now being handled by private contractors.
Obama's fallback on health care, businesses paying bills faster, illegal workers slipping through, and KABC goes Hollywood.
Wednesday, Feb. 24
The California Congresswoman got confused between the discount rate and the fed funds rate.
When folks don't buy cars, they don't need service. That's why service departments could see big declines between now and 2013.
Published report says David Bergstein's creditors have begun circulating a petition to force him into bankruptcy.
The aerospace company's decision to leave L.A. has set off a frenzy of interest among local governments in the Washington, D.C. area.
Always be suspicious of scare stories showing the number of businesses leaving the state or L.A. The numbers are almost always off.
What would an Olympics be without NBC socking it to West Coast viewers?
That would be Newport Beach plaintiffs attorneys Mark Robinson and Kevin Calcagnie, who appear on the oped page of the WSJ.
Pickup in jumbo loans, layoffs in Long Beach, McCourts are tax free, and setback for Karatz.
Tuesday, Feb. 23
The councilman doesn't think much of S&P's decision to lower the city's general fund credit rating from AA to AA-.
There's just too much supply, much of it the result of foreclosed homes and condos being turned into rentals.
City Attorney Carmen Trutanich goes after those responsible for monster-sized supergraphic signs.
When it's over, up to 25 percent of the news division could be slashed, or 300 to 400 staffers.
Americans really turned gloomy in February. The question is why.
The stock exchange will allow users to take long or short positions on upcoming films.
They're receiving closer scrutiny by the feds, usually because they have weak capital cushions to prevent against failure.
Shia LaBeouf, who stars with Michael Douglas in the upcoming "Wall Street 2," tells Jimmy Kimmel about his huge (supposed) payout.
Home prices edge higher, Toyota's fractured management, Anthem gets whacked, and Magic deal for Ebony collapsing.
Monday, Feb. 22
More passengers are arranging their own travel by computer, and besides, Continental charges $20 to make a reservation by phone.
Lots of changes starting today, many of the related to interest rates and fees.
New questions are being raised about OneWest Bank, the local savings and loan that was formed by several wealthy financiers.
Just another example of how we love to pump up stuff and then shoot it down.
Toyota's new problem, NBC making more than expected on Olympics, port hiring is up, and why Anthem has so many enemies.
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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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