Monday morning headlines

Stocks around the line: Is the market peaking or pausing? Dow is up 12 points in early trading.

Boom times in Bakersfield: More jobs and development for the Central Valley city, though the unemployment rate remains high. From the LAT:

According to state employment data, Kern County is just 5,600 jobs from matching its peak employment of 239,600 reached in September 2007, when developers were tossing up houses and condos at an unsustainable pace. And the big gainer is Bakersfield, the county seat and its largest city by far. The area, which has large petroleum deposits, is benefiting from a surge in energy prices. That has led to more drilling for oil and natural gas and boosted other energy projects, which means more hiring.

Digital Domain may seek bankruptcy protection: The L.A.-based visual effects house shut down its Florida studio and fired its chief executive. Stock is way down this morning. (Reuters)

DreamWorks Animation announces 12-picture slate: The Glendale-based animation company has established a partnership with 20th Century Fox, which will be distributing the DreamWorks' features. (THR)

Variety price cut: The Hollywood trade paper is now going for less than $30 million - and they'll even throw in seller financing, the NY Post is reporting. Original price was $40 million. Two parties remain interested.

Box office update: One of the worst-grossing weekends in a decade, with "The Possession" at the top spot with just $9.5 million. The weekend after Labor Day is typically slow, but not this slow. (AP)