December 7 - December 13, 2008

Friday, Dec. 12
Print editions of the Detroit News and Free Press will be available only on newsstands four days a week.
That would be Bernie Madoff, who has been charged in connection with a decades-long Ponzi scheme.
The L.A. billionaire/philanthropist (and Michigan native) says the answer is not a bailout but a restructuring.
November saw 2,145 consumer and business filings, which is a 79 percent increase from a year earlier.
TARP may come to the car companies' rescue, Mervyns' space being filled, gas keeps falling, and Bratz maker appeals.
Thursday, Dec. 11
The 86-year-old toy retailer has filed for bankruptcy and plans to close its stores in the next few weeks.
The next question is whether the White House will consider some sort of emergency measure to prevent a bankruptcy filing.
On average, economists surveyed by the WSJ expect the recession to be over in June 2009.
One in every 296 L.A. County households was in foreclosure last month, a 69 percent increase from a year earlier.
Wall Street watching car bailout bill, November foreclosures up 6%, SAG vote set for January, and Arena football in trouble.
The Anderson Forecast sees the beginnings of a recovery in the fourth quarter of 2009 - except you might not feel much relief.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
The Tribune CEO tells CNBC that the Chapter 11 filing gives the company time "to really focus on what I call broader issues."
A Delaware bankruptcy court approved interim bankruptcy financing so the company can pay its employees and vendors.
For lenders, whether it’s a bank or the federal government, the process is like doubling down on a shaky bet.
November shipments at the Port of L.A. were off 10.4 percent, yet another monthly decline in what's turned out to be an awful year.
Retirement benefits are largely unaffected by Tribune's Chapter 11 filing, though it's not known how much is left in the pension plans.
Forecaster sees some hope in 2009, DirecTV holding up, cost-cutting at Port of L.A., and no more "perfect storm" excuses.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Almost 40 percent of California mergers and acquisition crowd expect the buyout climate to be worse in six months than it is now.
Would you believe gas at $1 a gallon? We're not there yet, but some forecasters consider it a possibility.
Monday, Dec. 8
The Tribune CEO told the WSJ that he expects to keep the company intact, but would consider selling assets at the right price.
Looks like NBC has figured out a way of holding onto Jay while still bringing in Conan O'Brien at 11:30.
Michael Kinsley, former editorial page editor of the LAT and regular contributor to Time magazine, will be in conversation with...
The former Times Mirror CEO is among the 30 largest unsecured creditors in the Tribune bankruptcy filing.
The employee stock-ownership plan holds 100 percent of the company's common equity. So happens to folks in that plan?
In a memo to company employees, the Tribune CEO spins the bankruptcy filing as a positive move.
The parent company of the LAT and KTLA has nearly $13 billion in debt and $7.6 billion in assets, according to a court filing.
The LAT reports that Tribune wants to restructure payments to banks and other creditors. Directors approved the filing this morning....
Grim ad forecasts for 2009, big layoffs at Yahoo, Christie Hefner steps down, and SAG Town Hall meeting tonight.
Sunday, Dec. 7
WSJ reports that a filing could come as soon as this week. No word on what might be behind the move.
© 2003-2015   •  About LA Observed  •  Email the editor
LA Observed blogs
News & Chatter
LA Biz Observed
The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
More From Mark Lacter:
Native Intelligence
Business Guides for Companies – Effective business articles that will improve your business.
SoCal Sports Observed
After 22 years of loyalty, Baylor is unceremoniously shown the door.
Bill Boyarsky
Echo Park blog
Jenny Burman
Before I lived in Echo Park, there was a tiny 1920s bungalow-cottage-standalone house on N. Occidental in Silver Lake. I...
Malibu blog
Here in Malibu
I don't know why it's taking me so long to choose the new platform for this blog. Well, that's not...
We get email