Break in the port talks?*

Union spokesman Craig Merrilees tells KNX that "We're making real progress" and that an agreement could come soon. Mayor Villaraigosa, who entered the talks late last night, has played an important role, according to Merrilees. No word yet from the shipping operators. You never really know what's going on in these things until a deal is actually done, but it's hard to see how a few hundred clerical workers could be holding up much of the nation's shipping activity for much longer.

*Update: Villaraigosa tells reporters that both sides have agreed to a federal mediator. The mayor said some progress was made this morning, but "we're some bit apart."