October 28 - November 3, 2012
Friday, Nov. 2
The Dow dropped 139 points - roughly what it gained on Thursday and another sign that investors remain conflicted on the short-term direction of the economy.
Indra Nooyi will receive this year's John Wooden Global Leadership Award from the Anderson School of Management.
What's needed are shorter-term strategies for incrementally improving rush-hour flows. Of course who wants to cut commuter times by a measly three or four minutes?
L.A. gas prices plunge 60 cents a gallon from all-time high, San Onofre shutdown costs utility more than $300 million, nearly six of 10 California homes for sale are receiving multiple offers, and fading support for Prop 32.
Beyond all the predictable rhetoric, not much has changed: The economy continues to grow at a relatively modest pace - and for reasons that go way beyond presidential politics.
Thursday, Nov. 1
This one involved the Play Fair at Farmers Field Coalition, which wanted to invalidate a state law that limits legal challenges against the facility.
You don't want to count on natural disasters to provide an economic stimulus. Yes, there will be some upside as victims are forced to purchase furniture, clothes, and cars. But there's a downside as well.
Intrade gives the president a 67 percent probability of being reelected, up several points from last week, while British-based Betfair is running just under 75 percent.
The Elon Musk company has been leasing any and all available property close to its headquarters, formerly the building where Northrop made fuselages for the Boeing 747
Retailers report strong sales in October, consumer confidence at highest level since early 2008, airline schedules to NY returning to normal, and Prop 30 is "tantalizingly close" to passage.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Quick, what are the arguments for and against Proposition 33, the auto insurance initiative? Yeah, me too.
You can blame Countrywide, Goldman Sachs, and all the others - and you'd have a strong case. But the financial mess was also the result of misdeeds at the lower end.
Seems pretty benign to me, but a whole bunch of online yentas are up in arms over the supposed insensitivity of the L.A.-based retailer.
The liberal commentator and former Labor Secretary is a tad selective when he rags on the unfair marketplace.
Print is still suffering mightily, but the online editions push daily circulation to 641,369, behind the WSJ, USA Today, and NYT.
Flying to NY is still tough (but possible), California not ready for a disaster, City Council considering ballot measure for sales tax hike, and city's digital billboard deal may be thrown out.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
It's a stock and cash deal for the privately held film company best known for the "Star Wars" series. Kind of makes sense considering that George Lucas has announced that he would step down from day-to-day operations.
During a week like this, the candidate's previous comments about FEMA are creating problems.
More than 300 flights in and out of LAX have been cancelled, with more expected today. Once flights resume, it will be many days before all the passengers on those flights can be re-booked.
Markets expected to reopen on Wednesday, air travel to the east remains a mess, L.A. housing prices edge higher, and big shakeup at Apple.
Monday, Oct. 29
Attorneys for the organization that spent $11 million this month to oppose Proposition 30 and support Proposition 32 say that the donors do not have to be identified.
With so many East Coast stations going to continuous local news and with so many homes likely to be without power tonight, don't be surprised to see a bunch of reruns in the lineup.
Sandy-related storm damage will cost the U.S. government a pretty penny, but the real trouble could come early next year if a federal deficit-reduction plan cannot be reached.
Certainly, there will be a loss in productivity over the next few days - quite possibly longer - and that will likely affect retail sales, jobless claims, car sales and housing starts. But there also might be a pickup in activity after the storm.
Markets closed today and most likely tomorrow, consumer spending increases, L.A. area gas prices down 50 cents a gallon from all-time high earlier this month, and movies could be losing their relevance.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Or most anywhere on the East Coast north of Virginia. Looking at the LAX schedule, dozens of flights are already cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy.
The company's Dragon capsule completed a mission to the International Space Station, part of a $1.6-billion NASA contract.
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The funeral for Mark Lacter will be held Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12 noon at Hillside Memorial Park, 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. Reception to follow.
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