Wednesday morning headlines

Stocks slide: Wall Street is catching up with the new concerns out of Europe. Dow, paring some of its earlier losses, is down about 30 points.

Tame inflation: L.A.-area prices were unchanged from September to October, although they're up 2.8 percent from a year earlier. Energy and food prices have moderated a bit. (OC Register)

Oil back over $100 a barrel: Don't be surprised if gas prices go back up in the coming weeks. Traders are becoming more hopeful about the economy, which means higher demand. (AP)

Big jump in exports: The Port of Los Angeles reported a 28.1 percent jump in outbound traffic last month, while imports, which represent a far larger portion of port activity, rose just 5.5 percent. October numbers for the Port of Long Beach aren't out yet. (LAT)

Student protest expected: Well, let's say students mixed in with folks from the Occupy movement. They're planning to march in Long Beach later today if, as expected, the Cal State Board of Trustees approve a 9 percent tuition increase. Extra security is planned for the meeting. (ABC 7)

Uncertain outlook for Occupy L.A.: The latest word is that protesters may move from the City Hall lawn, but no immediate shutdown is planned. (Daily News)

NBA players file suit: Now that the union has been decertified, players are accusing the league in separate filings of an illegal boycott that will do harm to their careers. From the NYT:

More lawsuits are expected now that the collective bargaining process has collapsed, and the players are no longer protected by a union. A separate faction of players, who had been pushing for decertification of the union before it disbanded, may pursue its own lawsuit. Another suit could be filed on behalf of rookies, who could be considered a separate class since they have never had a contract or paid union dues. Eventually, all the lawsuits will have to be combined, with the players and the owners each arguing to have the case heard in the jurisdiction it favors. That could create a further delay, although [players attorney David] Boies said he hoped it would not slow down the process. He said he hoped for a summary judgment on the damages before the season is canceled.

Dodger payroll to be reduced: The bankruptcy and impending sale are being cited, a source told the LAT. That pretty much knocks out the prospect of signing big-name free agents.

Galaxy leaves Fox Sports West: L.A.'s pro soccer team will be seen on the new Time Warner Cable sports channels beginning in 2012. The 10-year deal is valued at $55 million. From the LAT:

Of greater consequence is that the Galaxy is the second pro team to jump to Time Warner Cable, following the Lakers, who in February signed a 20-year broadcast deal valued at $3 billion. The Lakers, who have been on FSW, will move to Time Warner Cable's stations beginning with the 2012-13 season. Time Warner Cable is also expected to pursue the Dodgers. The team's current contract with Fox forbids them from talking to any other broadcast outlet until Nov. 30, 2012, but outgoing owner Frank McCourt has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to let the Dodgers solicit bids now from Time Warner Cable and any other interested parties.

Changes to Apple's board: Long-time director Art Levinson becomes non-executive chairman, and Disney CEO Bob Iger becomes a director. From Bloomberg:

Adding Iger may cement ties to Disney, on whose board Jobs had a seat, and may ensure that Apple retains access to the entertainment company's TV shows and movies, said Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray Cos. Levinson's appointment lets Tim Cook concentrate on being CEO without the added responsibility of being chairman, he said. "They're trying to shore up the Disney relationship or strengthen that relationship because it's an important part of where Apple is going," Munster said.

LAX runway plan put on hold: The FAA doesn't have funding to install stoplights for 10 high-speed taxiways and one runway. Construction was supposed to begin two months ago. (Daily Breeze)