April 24 - April 30, 2011

Friday, Apr. 29
The Hawaiian legislature is close to passing a measure that would increase tax credits for shooting films and television shows.
State officials have downsized their estimate to 37.5 million (as of Jan 1, 2011) after being at odds with the U.S. Census numbers.
Looks like the gloves are coming off as the mall's owner, General Growth Properties, must keep pace with Rick Caruso's Americana at Brand.
This may seem pretty obvious, but the truth is different recessions will treat income groups in different ways.
Gas prices inch higher, McCourt warns of cash crisis, Assembly votes to dissolve Vernon, and Aetna scales back rate hikes.
Thursday, Apr. 28
A total of 1.5 million U.S. businesses were owned by people of Asian origin in 2007, up 40 percent from 2002.
Music video helps explain why Washington is in near-gridlock these days.
The historic theater is being purchased by Don Kushner and Elie Samaha.
Seems hard to believe. Check that, seems impossible to believe.
The Bev Hills billionaire met with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson in L.A. earlier this week.
The team's new vice chairman is pushing his efforts to make the stadium more fan friendly.
That's almost a fifth of the investment losses for the nation's state retirement systems in fiscal year 2009, according to the Census Bureau, another reminder of the state's massive - and unfunded - pension obligations. All of the state public employee retirement systems lost money in 2009, but California lost the most. From press release: The nation's state retirement systems totaled $2.0 trillion in holdings and assets in 2009, a loss of $641.3 billion (24.0...
The professionals are basically saying, don't worry, the recovery is still happening. Others aren't so sure.
In the world of Antonio, there are no checkbooks, at least the ones with his name at the top.
Growth is sluggish, jobless claims take off, baseball officials deny McCourt claims, and Californians oppose extending taxes.
Wednesday, Apr. 27
Here's another fine mess that Villaraigosa has gotten us into.
This is the long-term TV agreement that Dodger owner Frank McCourt had been counting on to bail him out of his huge debt loads.
That's the pathetic part of this morning's release of the Obama birth certificate.
The deal would have union members forking over 4 percent of their salaries.
The central bank believes that the recent run-up in oil prices will subside and inflation was not an immediate concern.
Well, what do you expect? Beef prices have jumped 11 percent from last year, and fruits and vegetables are up 4.3 percent.
L.A. is most polluted area, McCourt visits MLB executives, county supervisors approve Marina developments, and LAX names concession winners.
Tuesday, Apr. 26
We're talking about $100 million in buildings, land, cars, and cash.
Parent company News Corp. is seeking bids of at least $100 million - far below the $580 million that the media giant paid for the social network site
This week's biz chat looks at California's weird recovery and the continued stalemate in the state and local housing markets.
Wall Street is sticking with the glass half full position, despite worrisome signals that the recovery might be slowing down.
The deal would include a daytime talk show plus exposure across all the network news platforms.
With a shortfall of more than $400 million, I just wonder whether Wendy Greuel might want to chase bigger game.
L.A. home prices take a dip, Brown still floundering over budget, city sues low-income housing developer, and Kings could move to Anaheim after all.
Monday, Apr. 25
Stock in the L.A.-based retailer (and home to the irrepressible Dov Charney) jumped 27 percent today... to $1.58 a share.
John and Marion Anderson have given almost $42 million to the school, named in their honor.
Frankly, there's no way of knowing whether this is a pause or a peak - the experts are split.
The former president of the Texas Rangers will monitor the club's business and finance operations.
The gap between existing home sales and new home sales points to the continued abundance of distressed properties.
Not a great business to be in, even with a slight recovery at hand.
Dan Wuebben was celebrating his 32nd birthday with his investment banker pal John Belitsky when they hatched this crazy idea.
Paying a bit for health care coverage might seem a reasonable alternative to losing work time. But many city workers don't even have to worry about furloughs.
Support for cutting public pensions, Hancock settles on death benefit claims, big jump in venture funding, and plane rupture tied to Boeing assembly.
© 2003-2015   •  About LA Observed  •  Email the editor
LA Observed blogs
News & Chatter
LA Biz Observed
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.
More From Mark Lacter:
Native Intelligence
ASIABETKING - PLATFORM GAME DARING CASINO, PARTNER RESMI SBOBET 2025 togelslottembak-ikansportscasinoothersregisterpromoguidemobilehome
SoCal Sports Observed
After 22 years of loyalty, Baylor is unceremoniously shown the door.
Bill Boyarsky
Echo Park blog
Jenny Burman
Before I lived in Echo Park, there was a tiny 1920s bungalow-cottage-standalone house on N. Occidental in Silver Lake. I...
Malibu blog
We get email