January 23 - January 29, 2011

Friday, Jan. 28
The former CEO of Countrywide Financial was warning company executives about a possible housing market collapse.
Egypt clearly was a big factor in the Dow's decline, though given the market's extended rally it might also have been an excuse to pull back.
A lot depends on the number of people entering and leaving the job market.
RT @andylevy: I remain concerned that without Internet access, the people of Egypt may not know that Charlie Sheen is okay....
Unrest in Egypt is no doubt a factor in the market's big tumble, with the Dow down about135 points at last check
Decent growth in fourth quarter, trader makes $5 billion in 2010, L.A. developer back in action, and Doheny descendant putting estate up for sale.
Thursday, Jan. 27
Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross and PacifiCare will hold off for 60 days after State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones asked for more time.
The social network that's focused on business and career wants to raise as much as $175 million in the initial public offering.
And the Lakers coach tells ESPN's Hannah Storm that he's not interested in another basketball job either.
Asking folks at a Slauson and Vermont shopping center about how they're coping with 13 percent unemployment.
Midweek is a lot better, preferably Tuesday. Weekends are the worst.
Not only are they treated shabbily, but there are mistresses in waiting who prowl the streets in hopes of snaring their guys.
That's up from $607 million last year, according to the latest estimates by Forbes.
Poll finds support for Brown plan, mayors moaning in Sacramento, iPhone subject of class-action lawsuit, and flights canceled out of LAX.
Wednesday, Jan. 26
So far much of the action have been centered in small, environmentally sensitive areas. But support is building in larger communities.
With just a few minutes to the close of trading, the Dow slipped a few points to finish at 11,985.
The parent company of the LAT says that operating cash flow was $635 million in 2010, an increase of more than $140 million from the previous year.
An instant poll by CBS found 91 percent approval; CNN 84 percent. Among a focus group of swing voters, the president's approval rating shot up 26 points. But last night's speech generated lots of criticism among the punditocracy. Here's a sample, from NY magazine: Joshua Green, Atlantic: I thought too much of the speech came across as hucksterish and hokey, as though Obama were fresh from some all-day motivational conference by Tom Peters or some...
Wall Street insanity seems to be creeping back - as in valuing the Santa Monica-based content company at over $1 billion
The online trading service Intrade gives the film a 53.6 percent chance of winning Best Picture.
Buyer of the Spanish-language station is L.A. investor Alex Meruelo, who usually focuses on real estate, construction and financial services.
Dow tops 12,000 (for a bit), animal feed mogul donates 100K to UCLA, CA mayors defend redevelopment, and Zsa Zsa's mansion up for sale.
Tuesday, Jan. 25
With home prices still comparatively high, rentals are often a better option. Not so in Vegas.
Nothing like propping yourself on top of the whole country.
This morning's chat with KPCC's Steve Julian looks at the ways in which Hollywood has been changing and what it means for the local economy.
AEG is already lobbying state legislators for an exemption to the lengthy CEQA process of environmental impact reports and public debate.
Fourth-quarter notices of default fell 16.2 percent from the previous three months and 17.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009.
Much of what the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reports as revenue is tied to the Academy Awards.
I count more than 250 full-time employees of L.A.'s Community Redevelopment Agency, and only one person - a clerical assistant - making less than $50,000.
Another dip in L.A. home prices, jump in consumer confidence, city considers more budget cuts, and "King's Speech" leads nominations.
Monday, Jan. 24
Auditors are reviewing 18 of them, including L.A.'s Community Redevelopment Agency, to see how they're spending money.
Lots of encouraging news about the economy, but the rally has been showing signs of fatigue.
The L.A. billionaire is preparing a bid in the event that the McCourts' divorce forces a sale.
Downtown landlord Meruelo Maddux, still in bankruptcy protection, has reached a settlement with one of its creditors.
Nearly three out of four people admit to going to work when they're sick, according to a CareerBuilder survey.
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett might come to mind, but adjusting for inflation makes a big difference.
This morning's piece about the supposed irrelevancy of the LAT sure could have used another pair of eyes.
Upbeat hiring plans, Lockyer warns of more IOUs, office market struggles to stabilize, and maybe there's an Oscar race after all.
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