July 13 - July 19, 2008

Friday, Jul. 18
The sister of the former Countrywide CEO says her brother has been vilified by publicity seeking politicians and uninformed reporters.
Small business owners swear by trade exchange organizations, which is why the operator of Joe Barter has such hopes.
Not nearly as much as in recent days, but a 47-cents-a-barrel drop brought crude prices below $129.
What’s striking about the new report is the pace of the increase. A year ago unemployment was 5 percent.
Another drop in gas prices, Mattel shares jump, Countrywide accused of misleading borrowers, and SAG leader blasts offer.
Thursday, Jul. 17
California is taking a big hit - 88 stores. Many of the Socal closures are in more outlying areas (three in Ontario alone).
Those are the two locally-based banks that an analyst described as vulnerable, based on non-performing assets.
The next phase of the closely watched case will determine damages - and it could be a costly proposition for MGA.
Crude prices fell $5.31, to $129.18 a barrel, bringing the three-day skid to nearly $18.
Hollywood keeps humming, more support for offshore drilling, cabbies get a break, and Delgadillo sues Blue Shield.
Wednesday, Jul. 16
An bureau spokesman said that the probe of corporate fraud in the subprime lending industry had risen to 21, from 19.
The founder of PaidContent is the envy of thousands of bloggers for selling to Guardian Media Group for a cool $30 million.
What exactly is IndyMac? A mortgage company? A thrift? A bank? Well, yeah.
The median price in L.A. County was $415,000, down almost 24 percent from a year earlier.
Inflation shoots up, Countrywide settles lending suit, legislators approve port tax, and Sportman's Lodge to close.
New report says that the California economy is "on the brink of a recession," and that some parts of the state already are in recession.
Tuesday, Jul. 15
The meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon, the first time the two sides have gotten together since last week.
The first 50 stores to be shuttered have been posted on the company's Web site. Eight are in California,
Customers at an IndyMac branch in Encino got into a huff this morning after several people apparently tried to cut in line.
Stocks keep dropping, inflation keeps jumping, regulators halt IndyMac foreclosures, and SAG members might vote on offer.
Monday, Jul. 14
Customers were lining up as early as 4 a.m. to get their money out of the Pasadena mortgage company.
For the LAT publisher, it was one of those “heads you win, tails I lose” dilemmas.
The L.A. average for a gallon of self-serve regular is $4.541, which is about 13 cents lower than what it was on June 16.
Another sad day for newspapers, with most of the bad news centered on Tribune Co. and the LAT.
Where do you want to start? The stock is plummeting and its non-performing assets have reached dangerous levels.
Markets edge higher on news of mortgage rescue plan, IndyMac's home equity lines are frozen, and port workers slowing down.
Sunday, Jul. 13
Congress will be asked to give the government the authority to buy billions of dollars in stock in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The NY senator has been blamed to stoking panic among IndyMac depositors - and leading, at least in part, to...
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