Thursday morning headlines

Stocks stay positive: A mixed jobs report is tempering strong earnings results from Apple and others. Dow is up 35 points.

Jobless claims stay above 400,000: Filings for unemployment benefits did fall 13,000, but not enough to stem concerns that the hiring momentum has slowed. The more reliable four-week moving average stands at 399,000. (Reuters)

Californians rate the recovery: Only 38 percent of L.A. residents see the economy improving, but a Citi California Pulse Survey finds that 60 percent would still recommend the state as a place to live. And 70 percent said they would choose to stay here rather than move out of state. (OC Register)

Oil back up: Crude was trading at over $112 a barrel and has since retreated a bit. Not good news for gas prices. (AP)

Steve Soboroff challenges Dodger takeover: The team's new vice chairman said that the decision by Commissioner Bud Selig was "irresponsible" and insisted that McCourt "can pay the piper." From the LAT:

Soboroff acknowledged that McCourt has made mistakes during his seven years running the Dodgers, in particular the more than $100 million that McCourt and his ex-wife, Jamie, redirected from team revenues toward an extravagant personal lifestyle. However, Soboroff said McCourt should be given the chance to learn from his mistakes and follow through on his promise to redouble the Dodgers' involvement in the community. Selig's words and actions on Wednesday do not mean that McCourt cannot solve his financial problems, Soboroff said. "That is not the issue. They have made a decision they want somebody else," Soboroff said. "There's a predetermined campaign to blow him out of town. I think it's irresponsible and it's hurting the city.

Report: IRS investigating McCourts: At issue, sources tell TMZ, is that the McCourts took more than $100 million from the team and paid no taxes. The feds are also looking at how the McCourt children have drawn a salary from the team but performed no apparent services.

State workers don't repay state loans: Those are interest-free salary and travel advances, according to audits from the controller's office. Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order Wednesday halting the practice. From the LAT:

Brown's statement said a 2009 state audit found $13.3 million in outstanding loans at 11 agencies. "In most cases, employees were granted advances, and agencies were either slow to collect funds or failed to collect at all," the statement said. The administration expects to find millions more in unpaid loans at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where auditors from the controller's office are reviewing the books.

New high-rise for Century City?: JMB Realty is seeking approval for a 37-story tower on Avenue of the Stars at Constellation Boulevard. Homeowners, however, are likely to raise questions about extra traffic in an already congested area. (LAT)

Lawsuits challenge marijuana lottery: The owners of 21 medical marijuana dispensaries in L.A. say that the city's plan to select which 100 businesses stay open is arbitrary and unfair. Scores of other suits have been filed in connection with the enforcement of medical marijuana operations. (LAT)

Feds target illegal labor: The owners of Chuy's Mesquite Broiler were charged with hiding the employment records of hundreds of undocumented immigrants. Also, a criminal probe has been launched into the hiring practices of Chipotle Mexican Grill. From the WSJ:

The Obama administration in 2009 shifted the focus of workplace enforcement from arresting illegal workers to pressuring employers not to hire illegal workers. The approach includes expanded use of civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, and company audits. Employers face criminal charges if authorities can prove they knowingly employed unauthorized workers.

Bernard Parks questions revenue assumptions: The mayor's proposed budget has $4.4 billion in revenue coming from various taxes, permits, fees, and fines. But the councilman isn't sure that number is realistic. From City Maven:

"Last year, we were $60-plus million under the projection," Parks said. "It's kind of an art. You can raise fees and permits but it doesn't mean you gather more revenue. It's not necessarily that people are going to pay those fees or make a decision to use that service."