L.A. Business Journal

Walmart Aiming For Chinatown in a Los Angeles Hostile to This Big-Box Retailer

Walmart​Updated at the bottom with Walmart telling us work will begin on the store in summer. Opponents of Walmart vow a "major fight" over the planned market. First posted at 5:44 p.m. Friday. Los Angeles, a big labor town when it comes to grocery store workers, has been notoriously hostile ... More >>

Zev Yaroslavsky Will Replace Antonio Villaraigosa as Mayor, Experts Predict

If Zev runs, he’s the man to beat in 2013

Secrets of L.A.'s Highest Grossing PR Firm

Harvey Englander breaks out the champagne​The L.A. Business Journal is out with its annual list of L.A.'s top-grossing PR firms (which is not online for some reason). Topping the list is Edelman, a Chicago-based firm with a 120-person office in L.A. and $13.8 million in L.A. revenues last year.Num ... More >>

San Pedro to Get Its Harbor Makeover

San Pedro's rotting tourist waterfront is now poised for a $1.2 billion makeover that, according to the L.A. Business Journal, includes "construction of an eight-mile promenade to downtown San Pedro, bike paths, parks, a pier and extension of the port's popular streetcar service." The L.A. Board of ... More >>

Steve Bing Hits Vegas With Bill Clinton, Cancels on Jane Fonda

Super secretive rich guy Steve Bing seems to be really getting around these days ... and in a very public way. Probably too public for his own liking.This thought struck us when we read Jane Fonda's blog yesterday -- yes, everybody has one.Rich guy Steve Bing​"Then, we all went to dinner at Craft ... More >>

City Council OKs Cirque du Soleil Loan

The L.A. City Council today approved a $30 million loan to ensure that Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil will appear in Hollywood's Kodak Theater for a 10-year period, according to Associated ​Press. Pending approval from the mayor and federal government, the loan will be given to developers CIM, wh ... More >>

L.A. Unemployment Headed Upwards

George Segal Sculpture & LAPL Photo ​​Just when you thought the L.A. Economic Development Corp. had delivered all the bad news we needed to hear about the local economy, now the Chamber of Commerce is weighing in with yet another buzzkill. A study produced for the chamber by Beacon Economics ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

He-e-e-r-re's Eddie! Ed McMahon, the sidekick's sidekick, who for 30 years suffered and shone as Johnny Carson's foil, straight man and MC, has died of undisclosed causes at the age of 86. L.A. TimesSheriff Stops DNA Search Blaming budget woes, L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca has halted his department' ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Common Cause Different segments of L.A.'s huge Iranian community are uniting to protest their homeland's presidential election results. L.A. Times, L.A. Daily NewsSpecial Order 40 Upheld A state appeals court upheld the LAPD rule banning officers from seeking information about suspects' immigration ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

LAUSD Approves Teacher Ax Rule Changes School board members narrowly approved recommendations that would make it easier to dismiss teachers facing serious job charges. L.A. TimesNet Coach Exits USC's head basketball coach, Tim Floyd, has resigned, reportedly worn down by charges of professional impr ... More >>

Toymaker Claims Smackdown Win Over WWE

Jakks PacificThe L.A. Business Journal quotes Malibu-based toymaker Jakks Pacific Inc.'s claim that a U.S. appellate court has thrown out a lawsuit brought by World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. The wrestling-promotion outfit had accused Jakks "of bribery and other actions," according to LABJ. The ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

We Have a Budget L.A.'s City Council unanimously passed a $7.01 billion budget that compromises over the issue of freezing new police hires. L.A. Daily NewsMurdered Cop's Mom Shot A stray bullet fired during a West L.A. street altercation Friday entered a nearby home and struck the mother of Ricardo ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Landmark Realty The Los Angeles Coliseum! San Quentin Prison! Orange County Fairgrounds! These and other hot properties must liquidate and are priced to move! See Governor Schwarzenegger for details. L.A. TimesA Sequel You Can Believe In Obama for President campaigners are morphing their 2008 moveme ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Gun Suit Shot Down A Ninth Circuit Appeals panel has rejected a lawsuit, filed against gun manufacturer Glock, related to the 1999 Granada Hills shooting at a Jewish community center and the subsequent murder of a letter carrier. Two judges ruled that Glock cannot be held responsible for the illegal ... More >>

Numero Uno Supermarkets Sold

Today's L.A. Business Journal reports that Latino-targeted Numero Uno supermarkets have been sold to Nogales Investors Management LLC (a Los Angeles private-equity firm) and "a Houston partner." "Numero Uno," says managing partner Luis Nogales in a press release, "has a strong presence in Los Angele ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Taco Slay Arrests Two men and a woman have been arrested in connection with a Wednesday night rifle-shooting at a Lennox taco truck that left one man dead and five other people wounded, including two boys. Associated PressMission Accomplished? Three brothers from Hong Kong hoped their plans to expan ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Cinco de Mayo to Flu: Bring It On! Several large Cinco de Mayo celebrations scheduled across America will not hold de Mayo, despite fears that swine flu could spread in crowds of densely packed people. Los Angeles'  festivities will take place on Olvera Street, although a Chicago celebration ha ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Tarnished Star A veteran sheriff's deputy has been relieved of duty and charged with perjury for lying about a 2007 drug-possession arrest. L.A. TimesCandidate to Cedillo: Donate Spree Money Longshot Congressional candidate Rafael Nadal has asked fellow candidate Gil Cedillo to donate to homeless ch ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Harman Heard? A 2006 National Security Agency phone tap allegedly recorded South Bay Congresswoman Jane Harman offering to lobby the Justice Department on behalf of two members of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee accused of espionage. The call was reportedly with an Israeli agent. In ex ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

ACLU Calls Jail Bedlam The American Civil Liberties Union has released a report Tuesday decrying mental health conditions at the Men's Central Jail. The group calls for the closing of the facility if swift changes cannot be made. L.A. Daily NewsHeight Law Shortened A county judge has thrown out port ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

They Vant to Be Alone! The D.A.'s office is examining "dozens" of secrecy-obsessed county agencies accused of violating transparency and open-meeting provisions of the Brown Act. L.A. TimesIt Was the Best of Times . . . After a long profit slide, Commerce-based 99 Cents Only stores are making out li ... More >>

Paul Koretz Gets Business Nod

Faced with choosing between a veteran politician who's heavily backed by labor, and a rookie candidate who's built his campaign on an anti-growth stance, the Central City Association has decided to back the veteran. The business group announced its support of liberal Democrat Paul Koretz, who has se ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

CalTrans Slammed in Flintridge Crash Laura Olhasso, the mayor of La Canada Flintridge, claimed that CalTrans has ignored her town's concerns about runaway trucks on Angeles Crest Highway. A big rig killed two people and injured 12 Wednesday when its driver lost control and struck several vehicles be ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Coroner: Leroy Barnes Shot in Back; Chief Seeks Probe A coroner's report has contradicted Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian's claim that cops did not fatally shoot black motorist Leroy Barnes in the back last February. (Barnes sustained 10-11 bullet wounds.) Melekian has now called for a federa ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

This Property Is Condemned As had been predicted following massive fourth-quarter losses, Mereulo Maddux Properties, the largest owner of downtown L.A. properties, is seeking bankruptcy protection. L.A. TimesHate Is Enough Progressive radio station KPFK 90.7 FM has temporarily suspended its "La Caus ... More >>

Where Are All the Lawyers Going?

If the recession's exploded one myth it's that lawyers will always be employed, boom or bust. Today's L.A. Business Journal reports that Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has sacked 36 "support staff workers" in its nine offices due to the downturn -- seems individuals and businesses are shying away from l ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Ah, Wilderness! The House of Representatives has passed a massive conservation bill that would declare as wilderness almost as much land as George W. Bush did during  eight years in office. Included are a new wilderness area centered on Magic Mountain and the cleanup of San Gabriel Valley groun ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Cedillo Rolls Up Another Opponent Longtime San Gabriel Valley politician Ed Chavez has removed his name from the Congressional race to replace Hilda Solis. Chavez announced his support of state Senator Gil Cedillo, who faces a tough challenge May 19 from Judy Chu, who sits on the State Board of Equa ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Gang Ban An L.A. judge has okayed a D.A.-proposed injunction preventing Glendale's Toonerville street gang members from congregating in an area totaling 5.75 square miles. City News ServiceTicketmaster Scalped West Hollywood-based Ticketmaster lost $1.07 billion in its 2008 fourth quarter. The compa ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

L.A. Gets Water Boarded The DWP's board of directors has voted to impose penalties on consumers who don't cut their water use by 15 percent this summer. Associated PressStroke Fells Keach/Nixon A mild stroke has knocked actor Stacy Keach out of the Richard Nixon role he'd been playing in Frost/Nixon ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Hope Doesn't Float "Don't bury me in Venice" might be the lesson to come away with after the state's Climate Action Team issued the results of computer modeling showing much of California's present coastline underwater by the end of the century. L.A. TimesPrint Bad, Twitter Good Ex-L.A. Times biz ed ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Off and Running? Detailed plans are moving forward to replace Inglewood's storied Hollywood Park racetrack with a mixed-use retail district and residential complex. L.A. TimesMercury Insurance Job Cancellations L.A.-based Mercury Insurance Company announced it will lay off 360 employees in order to ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Brave New Archive UCLA will get the correspondence, speeches, papers and audio recordings of 20th-century author, seeker and drug experimenter Aldous Huxley. L.A. TimesSlay Case Man Still Missing Nearly nine months after the gruesome killings of four people in a Quartz Hill house, a fifth presumed v ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Bloody Sunday Two people were shot dead in Echo Park, and third was wounded by a suspect police describe as driving a black pickup truck. City News ServiceSink or Swim Southern California's faltering economy has led to an increase of people applying for lifeguard jobs. L.A. TimesNo Leap of Faith A n ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Slumdance Film Festival It was all Slumdog, all the time at the 81st Academy Awards, or so it seemed. DHD, VarietyNo L.A. Rustbelt Yet Manufacturing is still the king of L.A. County's economy -- even if people see less of it around -- according to an ombudsman from the L.A. Economic Development Corp ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Helmet Rule Ignored? A police officers' union is suing the LAPD and its chief, Bill Bratton, accusing both of violating the department's own safety policies. The case is part of the spreading controversy over orders that kept cops from donning riot helmets before a January 10 protest in Westwood. L. ... More >>

Recession Ending? Don't Order That Sub-Zero Wine Cooler Yet

Although predicting a thaw in the current recession by 2010, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation's Jack Kyser isn't laying out a bed of roses for Californians. The normally upbeat Kyser -- it seems only yesterday he predicted a post-9/11 boom for L.A. -- told the L.A. Business Journal t ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Prison Mom & Baby Escape, Are Captured State prisoner Daphne Delorah Miner is back behind bars after escaping from a prison parenting class in Pomona. Miner was apprehended in Downtown L.A. and her newborn son taken from her. L.A. Daily NewsGone in 600 Seconds A team of five armed thieves drove ... More >>

SoCal Edison Googles "Profits" Gets "Tortoise"

The L.A. Business Journal reports that Southern California Edison has inked a 20-year deal with Google-backed BrightSource Energy that could see Edison provide 1,300 megawatts of solar power to seven projects supervised by the Oakland-based startup company. The LABJ quotes both companies as claiming ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Charter School Teachers Talk Union The L.A. Times reports that nearly 80 percent of teachers from a respected Los Angeles charter school have signed cards requesting union membership. Teachers at the Accelerated School say in the story that the school's administrative decisions have become "opaque a ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Wag the Gang Dog Lancaster officials hope to chase gangs out of town by imposing steep fines and penalties for owning dangerous dogs.Too Poor to Give Up The Daily News reports that many Valley day laborers are too broke to even return to Mexico or Central America. Mine Your Own Business Duarte resid ... More >>

Morning Sixpack: A News Roundup

Arrest in Homeless Slay Case Benjamin Mathew Martin, 30, was apprehended in Rancho Mirage for the gruesome death of John Robert McGraham, a homeless man who was set on fire last fall in an alley off of Third Street near Berendo Street. Meet the Bark Beetles The news about climate change's effects on ... More >>

Donald T. Sterling's Skid Row Mirage

The billionaire Clippers owner claims he's creating a major homeless center. He's not, but image is what counts.

Rocky's Toughest Comeback

How L.A.’s city attorney became so grossly misunderstood

Tough Enough

The genius behind the stumbling Dick Riordan

Letters

Dialogue of Slurs

Ethnic insults have no place in school district’s power struggle

Blundering Times

Publisher and editor still have some answerin’ to do about the dumb Staples Center sellout

The Accidental Populist

Magic Johnson gives some back

No Justice, No Growth

A new labor-left alliance scrambles L.A.'s growth politics - and creates middle-income jobs in a city where they're vanishing