Yeah, I know - impossibly hokey (even by Christmas movie standards), and Margaret O'Brien's scene-chewing could be used to teach suicide-prevention counselors. But for pure, unadulterated schmaltz, it's hard to top Judy Garland's two-and-a-half goose-pimply minutes. As an unusually tough year comes to a close - and with 2012 not looking like any great shakes - the lyrics seem especially apt. All the best......

That money, while not breaking the bank, will have to come from sonewhere.

Santa has arrived!

Inquiring minds are still asking: What did Angelo know and when did he know it?

The L.A.-based retailer will be opening its first store next month.

The last fatal crash involving a commercial airliner in the U.S. was two years ago.

CalBuzz calls it "misleading at best, dishonest at worst and fatally flawed in any case."

Congress clears payroll tax cut, consumer spending is weaker than expected, LAX is jammed, and Wilshire Grand on its final day.

He's holding off on the NFL for another year. Says he's ready for the pros, but wants to get his degree and lead what should be a strong team next year....

That's according to a series of tweets by Chad Pergram of Fox News.

Still be below the pre-recession peak, but much improved from 2009.

I honestly haven't a clue.

Friedman is still in France and his victims are not happy.

Possible break in payroll tax impasse, good news on jobs, worrisome news about 2012, and Long Beach rejects high-end development.

I can't help but believe that more than a few people should be going to jail.

Paper suggests that the Republicans cut their losses and try to make a deal.

She was 43 - a painful time for many actresses.

The chain will keep open 14 of its stores (none in California) until Saturday at 6 p.m. An additional 27 locations will stay open until 2 a.m. each day (see local list below). This is an expansion of the extra-hours schedule that Macy's first introduced several years ago (Toys "R" Us also has non-stop shopping until Christmas Eve). The WSJ's Justin Lahart wonders about the strategy: With some of the biggest names in retail headed...

There are 14 million stories in those monthly unemployment numbers.

He comes off as a very smart guy and he tends to make his own decisions.

Standoff on payroll tax cut, California leads in job growth, housing bust worse than first thought, and Wendy's climbs to number two.

I'm not sure how this litigation helps resolve the mortgage crisis.

In the old days, a 337-point gain on the Dow usually meant something. Not in 2011.

You have to wonder if even their supporters are having a little buyer's remorse.

What are the chances that voters will approve a ballot measure that raises state revenues.

Vigilance at least gives you a fighting chance of not getting sick.

They're tossing back weeks of assaults by Occupy protesters.

Republicans balk at tax cut extension, holiday shopping picks up, calculating Dodger debt, and Amgen to develop generics.

The first time spending topped the $100 million mark.

This rarely happens with highly anticipated offerings.

Actually, all the bank stocks got clobbered today.

Homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits are eligible.

There's little enthusiasm to orchestrate real change.

At last count, more than four million Americans aged 55 to 64 can't find full-time work.

Investors bracing for 2012, holiday travel up slightly from 2010, Gingrich fading in Iowa, and Ontario officials oppose closing airport terminal.