Wednesday morning headlines

Stocks start falling: Dow was up briefly and then down almost 70 points. Now it's starting to settle down.

Honda recall expanded: That adds up to almost one million cars with potential airbag problems. So far, one death and 11 injuries in the U.S. Auto recalls of that size are not unusual, but the timing ain't great. (Reuters)

About Toyota: More coverage about the automaker's resistance to design changes - and the government's reluctance to get tough. From the NYT:

Internal agency documents and interviews with auto safety experts demonstrate that the safety agency and the auto giant it regulated engaged in a Kabuki dance of sorts in the months and years before tensions coalesced. Drivers would file complaints by the dozens about mysterious accelerations and other hazards, federal regulators would open official reviews, Toyota would promise answers, the regulators would complain about not receiving the information they needed, and in the end, almost nothing would come of any of it.

Disney holding on: Cable channels and movie studios helped cushion the troubles in broadcast and theme parks. First-quarter earnings were flat from a year earlier. (LAT)

UCLA index show sluggishness: Actually, it's a formerly private indicator that tracks shipments by truck and which is now being handled by the Anderson School. The index slowed to a 3.3 percent growth rate for the three months ended in January, much slower than the October-December period. (DJ)

Apartment rents cut: They were down 4.4 percent in L.A. County during the fourth quarter and 4.3 percent in OC, according to Reis. (OC Register).

Better HMO scores: Patient approval ratings were up for most of the big HMOs, with Kaiser Permanente's Southern California region receiving the highest grade. (LAT)

Anthem being probed: Rep. Henry Waxman has scheduled a hearing later this month on the health insurer's huge rate boost for individual policyholders. State officials are expected to be involved, too. From the SF Chronicle:

Anthem, a Woodland Hills insurer owned by Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc., has refused to disclose how many people are affected or how high rates will rise, but the company has about 800,000 individual policyholders in California, and members have reported increases in the range of 30 to 39 percent. Under the backdrop of stalled national health reform, the Obama administration has pointed to Anthem Blue Cross' actions as a reason comprehensive overhaul is needed. At a White House briefing Tuesday, President Obama said the increases are a sign of what will happen to many Americans without reform.

Game makers change strategy: More than a dozen major titles are due out in the coming months as companies try to push sales beyond the crowded holiday season. From the WSJ:

The sheer number of big titles so early this year reflects the changes that are occurring in the game business. Most games were historically launched in the last four months of the year so consumers could purchase them as gifts for the kids. But now that many of these players have grown up, publishers are realizing they have an audience who will buy games year round.

Southwest strategy: Rather than having to deal with the heavy winter weather, flight by flight, the airline flies its planes to warmer, drier climes until the storms pass. (NPR)

Hooters on the block: The Atlanta-based restaurant chain, known for... well, you know, is shopping itself to a number of private-equity firms. Sales are down. (NY Post)

Target yanks "Message Bears": CA Attorney General's office is concerned about the toys having lead levels that violate federal law. The bears were made in China. (AP)