KPCC: Economy News

Writers Guild head warns Senate that Comcast-NBC merger would stifle independent programming

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:57:20 -0800

The Senate Commerce Committee convened a hearing today in Washington on the proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal. KPCC’s Brian Watt says the head of the Writers Guild urged caution about the pending $30 billion deal.

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa testifies before Congressional committee

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:57 -0800

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa testified before a congressional committee today. He wants federal help to build the so-called Subway to the Sea in 10 years instead of 30.

Cities Look For New Ways To Pick Your Pockets

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:50:00 -0800

Across the country, cash-strapped cities are coming up with novel ideas for raising money - imposing new charges on everything from sodas to library late fees to emergency-response services. With at least two more years of bad budgets ahead, look for cities to turn to niche taxes.

Electric Vehicles May Energize Elkhart's Future

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Elkhart, Ind., is known as the RV-making capital of the world. The mayor wants to claim a new title: The electric vehicle capital of the world. Stimulus grants and other incentives are attracting companies planning to build electric vehicles to Elkhart. It's hoped the electric vehicles will fill the void created by a serious slump in recreational vehicles sales.

Orange County’s sheriff meets with Orange officials, neighbors about jails

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:42:46 -0800

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is trying to calm fears over a plan to bring federal immigration detainees into the county’s jails. The sheriff came to the Orange City Council meeting late yesterday afternoon to answer questions.

LA County Supervisor Yaroslavsky blames term limits for LA, state govt. budget crises

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:15:43 -0800

Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky believes he knows one reason why the county is "at the top of our game" while the city of Los Angeles and state government face major financial crises

Wholesale Inventories Dip, Sales Rise In January

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:31:00 -0800

Inventories dropped 0.2 percent, while sales increased for a 10th consecutive month, up a solid 1.3 percent. Economists hope the steady rise in sales will prompt more inventory restocking, triggering increased factory production and providing support for the fledgling economic recovery.

Orange County Transportation Authority to cut bus service starting Sunday

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:33:16 -0800

Starting Sunday, you’ll have fewer bus routes to choose from in Orange County. The cuts come as the county’s transit agency grapples with a declining budget.

Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were 'almost burned'

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:27:47 -0800

Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the "stuck" accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn't move.

Covina jobs summit for potential employers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:32:08 -0800

A Los Angeles County agency hosted a jobs summit Tuesday at a hotel in Covina. The meeting wasn’t for job seekers, but for businesses and non-profits that would gladly hire new workers … if they could only afford to pay them.

California property sales draw worldwide attention

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:25:32 -0800

Twenty four office buildings in California are up for sale in an attempt to close the state's budget deficit.

States Square Off Against Amazon Over Sales Tax

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:47:00 -0800

The Supreme Court has said that retailers can't be expected to collect sales taxes in states where they don't have a physical presence. But as states struggle with huge budget deficits, they want to collect on the billions of dollars of taxes they say online shoppers owe.

Biopharmaceutical company AutoImmune's board decides to dissolve company

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:41:47 -0800

AutoImmune Inc., a Pasadena-based biopharmaceutical company, announced today that its board of directors has decided to dissolve the company.

Raytheon SAS president Jon C. Jones, 55, dies suddenly

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:37:16 -0800

Jon C. Jones, president of El Segundo-based Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, died suddenly over the weekend from an apparent heart attack, it was reported today. He was 55.

Chevron downsizing 2,000 jobs to save money

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:46:26 -0800

Chevron says it's cutting 2,000 jobs. Chevron plans to cut not only those jobs this year, but will continue to reduce its workforce through 2011.

Prius with stuck accelerator glides to safe stop

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:20:16 -0800

A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car's accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freeway, the CHP said.

Villaraigosa vetoes discretionary fund transfer

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:16:34 -0800

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today vetoed a motion that called for putting a portion of the City Council's discretionary funds into a salary account controlled by Sixth District Councilman Tony Cardenas.

Protecting Companies That Mix Profitability, Values

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Businesses can be either for-profit companies or nonprofit organizations. The law doesn't recognize a corporate form that falls in between. But some want to protect these "for-benefit corporations," so companies can balance profitability with social and environmental policies, without the threat of a lawsuit.

NASA budget is mixed bag for California's aerospace companies

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:23:46 -0800

It’s “California Space Week” in Washington, D.C. That’s the annual lobbying trip to Capitol Hill for the state’s space-related industries.

Recycled office supplies, furniture fly off shelves at LA Shares

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:08:34 -0800

A waste-reduction program nurtured by the city of Los Angeles is gaining traction with environmentalists and people in search of gently used office furniture. KPCC's Molly Peterson has the story.