Friday morning headlines

Stocks mixed: Beware, it's Friday the 13th. Market appears wary in early trading.

Retail sales barely budge: July's 0.4 percent increase was at least better than declines in May and June - but not by much. Credit car sales for the gain. (AP)

Deflation fears eased: The cost of living rose for the first time in four months, which is good news if you were worried about falling prices. L.A. prices were up 0.9 percent over the past year. Very tame. (Bloomberg)

Consumer sentiment a bit brighter: The slight pickup in early August follows a huge drop in July. Folks are still skittish. (Reuters)

Waters defends herself: L.,A. Democrat says in a presser this morning that she did not violate House rules. "We are here today because I believe my actions and the allegations against me are not easily understood," she tells reporters. (Fox News)

No state furloughs - for now: A California appellate court refused to lift a judge's order blocking imposition of unpaid leave. The governor, who is pushing for furloughs, will appeal the decision to the California Supreme Court. (Sacramento Bee)

Goldman challenges Joel Silver lawsuit: The investment bank says that the Hollywood producer's claims are "implausible" and "absurd." The man behind "Die Hard" and "The Matrix" says he was duped over an oral agreement that would have Goldman finance several of his films. (THR)

Biz group opposes pot initiative: The California Chamber of Commerce has come out against Proposition 19, which would legalize marijuana. Group says that lighting up on the job would be dangerous when operating heavy machinery. No joke. (LAT)

Jobs rally planned: Labor leaders and the mayor will be at City Hall around noon calling for more good jobs that can't be outsourced.

Gas prices edging higher: A jump in crude prices last month might be at play. An average gallon in the L.A. area is $3.153 per gallon, the highest level this year, says the Auto Club.

OWN's costs take off: Discovery Communications has upped its funding commitment to the L.A.-based Oprah Winfrey Network by 89 percent, to $189 million, the company said in a regulatory filing. (Bloomberg)