All the ingredients are in place: An improving economy, a very accommodating Planning Department, state and local incentives that are hard to keep track of, and more available construction financing.

Probably not. If anything, the acquisition of 19 additional stations signals that the parent company of the LAT is moving away from print.

On the first day of a new job, we all tend to look at the bright side. Then reality comes into focus. In L.A.'s case, reality is a hacked-up government that desperately needs effective leadership. Here are some areas to keep an eye on in the opening months.