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Pipeline problems: The shutdown of BP's Prudhoe Bay oil field because of pipeline corrosion could signal local gasoline price hikes. Southern California refineries rely on that North Slope crude and looking for another supply chain might get complicated because of California's special requirements for producing gasoline. As expected, the pipeline damage is creating riples in the oil markets.
Building & Safety questions: Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety Commissioner Efren Abratique was recently removed from that post, but not before he voted three times to approve permits for an engineering firm that was paying at least $10,000 annually to a company he headed.
Google/MTV deal: MTV Networks will use online giant Google to distribute ad-supported TV clips to bloggers and website publishers. Revenue will be split between MTV, Google and the website or blog publisher.
SEC studies sale: The purchase of Santa Monica licensing company Mossimo Inc. by Iconix Brand Group has been delayed two months while the Securities and Exchange Commission examines proxy documents. The deal is unlikely to close before September.
More buyers?: Calvin Naito proposes in the LAT oped page that the 10 million residents of L.A. County cough up $300 each to buy the Los Angeles Times. "What I am proposing is genuine local ownership," he writes. "Why let the Broads, Geffens and Burkles have all the fun? Wouldn't it be great to have your own newspaper — really your own newspaper — delivered to your doorstep every morning." Yeah, but would we have to buy a subscription, too?
Enough Mel already: Both the Star and Us Weekly take a low-profile approach to the Mel Gibson saga (if that's possible), but People provides a six-page package, including a detailed account of his partying at a Malibu bar.
"Talladega" cruises: To no one's surprise, the Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" took over the weekend's box office, with an estimated $47 million. Paramount's "Barnyard" placed second at $16 million.
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.