February 13 - February 19, 2011

Friday, Feb. 18
The governor hopes to reach a budget deal with the legislature by March 10, most likely enough time to arrange...
And it wasn't even a greeting in the early years. That didn't come until decades later, with the arrival of the telephone.
A crazy, convoluted case seems to be over.
This time of year the state's number crunchers go through a revision process that delays the usual schedule.
That's quite a bunch running things back there - and they're about to cause some real problems in the next couple of weeks.
On receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Always a class act.
Average gas prices hit $3.50 a gallon, local small biz owners a bit more hopeful, CA cities use redevelopment money as ATMs, and Disney tests premium VOD.
Thursday, Feb. 17
states cannot require that retailers without a physical presence in a state to charge sales taxes,. And as we all know, many of them don't.
"Countrywide was one of the greatest companies in the history of this country," the former CEO told Congressional investigators.
The president will break bread with a small group of Silicon Valley hot shots that include (via NYT): •John Doerr,...
The film cost about $15 million to make and so far has earned $201 million, a stunning return on investment for The Weinstein Co.
The losses comes after Abu Dhabi Media shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars on film projects.
L.A. inflation moving on up, feds looking for illegal workers, stadium developer may offer to pay rent, and cruise ship back in action.
Wednesday, Feb. 16
January traffic at the port was up almost 11 percent from a year earlier, despite the departure of a major operator.
Get used to it - chances are we'll keep reading those "yeah, but..." stories about decent economic growth and high unemployment.
The council voted unanimously to consider other alternatives at using the parking lots to generate revenues.
This week's chat looks at the city's parking lot fiasco and whether this is the right time for L.A. to pursue a downtown stadium.
People say that deficits are a big problem, but how do you bring down the numbers when all the big spending is off the table?
It's a stunning list, with many of the stores located in urban centers where you would think a bookstore could survive.
L.A. expected to add jobs, Borders to close stores as part of Chapter 11, Madoff says banks must have known what he was up to, and higher air fares for premium seats.
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Looking at the big picture - that is, going back the last decade or so - the rise and fall of the state housing market is nothing short of dizzying.
The freeze applies to vacant, seasonal and full and part-time positions.
Always struck me as kind of weird that the city of L.A. had both an Office of Finance and a City Treasurer.
"Two and a Half Men" producer Chuck Lorre sums up his concerns in a vanity card at the end of last night's final fresh episode of the sitcom.
Just not much enthusiasm out there to buy or sell - and it's reflected in the January numbers.
So far, lawmakers at all levels are responding in the same cowardly way - that is, doing nothing.
January numbers are higher than what's generally expected for 2011.
Big cuts considered for LAUSD, 11th straight week of higher gas prices, CA foreclosures taking off, and UCLA gets Kerkorian foundation.
Monday, Feb. 14
This is what happens when local government tries to jerry-rig short-term revenue gains that do nothing to address the longer-term financial problems.
No more Fox Sports or KCAL - the Lakers and Time Warner Cable will form two regional networks that will carry all locally available Lakers games,
From Marketplace's Kai Ryssdal: "So of course I say on @MktplaceRadio this afternoon that I haven't bought a Valentines Day...
All those flowers, candies, gift cards, and restaurant meals add up to almost $16 billion. Would you have spent that money if there were no such thing as Valentine's Day?
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office provides a grim picture.
President Obama's budget includes a 28 percent funding increase, exempting the agency from a five-year spending freeze.
Frankly, it's hard to top Chris Lee's shirtless come-on, but Craigslist has no shortage of weird personal ads.
More upbeat about recovery, China tops Japan as No. 2 economy, home prices dip in unexpected places, and Tom Gores closing in on Pistons.
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