Friday morning headlines

Stocks falling: The weaker-than-expected jobs report pushed down the market in early trading, but at last check it's trying to claw back.

Handicapping Lewis successor: Still early, but early contenders to be Bank of America's new CEO are led by Brian Moynihan, head of the bank's consumer unit. There are a bunch of other candidates both inside and outside the company. (NYT)

Letterman's ratings boost: Who knows how the latest news about his sexual exploits with staffers - and the alleged extortion attempt - will impact his numbers, but up to now he has been on a roll. Ratings for the first week of the season are up 30 percent from a year earlier - and he's trouncing Conan. (NYT)

Another dip in gas prices: But still on the high side - an average gallon in the L.A. area fell about 3 cents, to $3.087 per gallon, according to the Auto Club.

Pollution plunges at ports: A year after the clean trucks program was launched, diesel truck emissions at the Port of L.A. fell by 70 percent from 2007 levels (slower business at the ports may have also played a role). The American Trucking Association is still challenging parts of the plan. (LAT)

Food fight: Storing freshly made pasta at room temperature is a no-no according to state regulations, but a group of Asian restaurant owners say that refrigeration ruins the product. So they're putting up a fight. From the LAT:

Jacklyn Sher, manager of H.C. Foods, a food importer based in the city of Commerce, said that the controversy stems from a misunderstanding of how noodles are used and consumed. "If we refrigerate the rice noodle, it becomes hard and brittle," she said. "It's like bread. You sell bread on the shelf. It's not refrigerated. If it is refrigerated, you know it's not fresh."

Universal's traffic makeover: The studio says it will spend $100 million in transportation improvements as part of its massive $3 billion redevelopment. The plan includes more roads and increased use of mass transit. From the Daily News:

Bus shuttles will connect Universal workers, visitors and residents to every major transportation hub, with new buses linked from West Hollywood to Woodland Hills. A $10 million freeway redesign plan aims to draw up to $300 million in federal funds to speed traffic on the 134 and 101 freeways.

New operator for Queen Mary: Delaware North Companies, which handles Yosemite National Park and the Kennedy Space Center, will have its hand with the storied but financially struggling cruise ship. No specifics on what the new operator has in mind. (Press-Telegram)

Crazy Gideon followup: Seems that Gideon Kotzer has all kinds of plans up his sleeve. Two weeks ago he told Blogdowntown of plans for rental units on his property. He also might have a small electronics store.