Hiltzik: Of course the government should regulate AI, but not the way the AI industry prefers

The big AI firms have proposed a system of government regulation that is tantamount to self-regulation. That would be a big mistake

Warner Bros. could face loss of at least $150 million on ‘Digger’ after tepid box office

Tom Cruise's "Digger" fell 60% in its second weekend to $3.2 million, leaving Warner Bros. facing a loss that could top $150 million.

Port of Los Angeles sets record for busiest month ever

The Port of Los Angeles announced it moved more cargo in September than in any other single month in its history.

Netflix plans substantial layoffs, sources say

Netflix plans to lay off employees, according to sources familiar with the streaming company's plans. The cuts come after investors have expressed concerns over user engagement. The stock has declined 43% compared to a year ago.

Mattel’s latest play to counter slowing Barbie sales: Water parks

Mattel is betting on an indoor water park with Barbie slides and Hot Wheels towers as tariffs squeeze toy profits.

Skydance’s David Ellison conquered Hollywood, but now the work begins

Ellison and his team must braid together two huge film studios (housing nine film labels), four streaming services, three TV production studios, three animation units and more than 50 television networks, including two prominent news organizations.

This $20-billion Culver City company turned shopping into a spectator sport

A California e-commerce platform is fueling the rise of live shopping in the United States, taking on giants such as TikTok and tackling concerns that the app is draining people's bank accounts.

White House targets Stanford, Caltech and tech giants in visa crackdown

The White House is expanding its campaign against international workers, targeting elite study and work visa holders with restrictions and a new investigation.

L.A. County investigates FAIR Plan’s claims practices after widespread complaints

Los Angeles County has opened a probe into the claims practices of the California FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, following widespread complaints by victims of the January 2025 wildfires.

Joe Rogan renews multimillion-dollar podcast deal with Spotify

Spotify announced that it has renewed its deal with Joe Rogan, who heads the audio company's most popular podcast.

At the epicenter of AI, San Francisco Bay residents take on the technology

In the epicenter of the technology industry, people have conflicting views about whether AI is going to do more harm than good.

Popular Santa Monica party mansion set to shut down

The Main Street restaurant and nightclub will close at the end of the month. The city has approved plans for a private members club to take over.

Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen files for bankruptcy, closes 3 California restaurants

The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based health food chain True Food Kitchen announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday and has closed 12 locations.

A new Pixar film and the sequel to ‘Michael’ will receive tax credits from California

Thirty-five film projects, including a new Pixar movie and the sequel to "Michael," were awarded production incentives for work done in California.

Pool supply chain Leslie’s shutters dozens of California stores in bankruptcy restructuring

Leslie's Pool Supplies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed 76 stores nationwide as part of its restructuring plan.

Los Angeles truckers agonize over $8 diesel prices

Joby Aviation hit with $116.9-million verdict in trade secrets lawsuit

The aviation technology supplier Aerosonic accused air taxi maker Joby Aviation of breaking a confidentiality agreement and misusing trade secrets related to air pressure sensor probes.

The Bloc, downtown L.A.’s landmark complex, is up for sale again

The Bloc, a massive mixed-use complex in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, is on the block for sale as the commercial property market shows signs it is bottoming out with buildings changing hands at big discounts.

ChatGPT’s teen safeguards failed to alert parents during suicide conversations, report finds

Common Sense Media says ChatGPT for Teens fails on parental alerts, crisis referrals and age checks, urging OpenAI to keep minors off the platform. OpenAI disputes the findings.

New Gehry concert hall takes shape in downtown Los Angeles

A pet project of architect Frank Gehry, a smaller concert hall to complement his legendary Walt Disney Concert Hall, is taking shape in downtown Los Angeles for an opening next September.

Paramount-Warner Bros. transaction closes

Shares of the merged company, now called Skydance, began trading on the stock market Tuesday morning.

And the Emmy Awards go to Amazon Prime Video

Amazon will stream the annual awards fest for at least six years, beginning in 2027

Hiltzik: Trump's deal for Venezuela's oil is secretive, exaggerated and suspicious

Trump is concealing the details of his deal for Venezuelan oil, but what's known is that it won't do anything to lower U.S. gas prices.

Supreme Court sounds wary of state-based climate change suits against oil producers

Oil and gas producers hope the Supreme Court will shut down scores of lawsuits over the effects of climate change.

David Ellison names Skydance team that includes prominent Warner executives

Several prominent Warner Bros. Discovery executives will move to the merged company, Skydance

Berkeley luxury fashion brand founders found dead outside upscale Oakland Hills home

The founders of Bryn Walker, a fashion brand for women, died at their home near the UC Berkeley campus. The co-founders were married. A gun was found at the scene.

Tom Cruise-led ‘Digger’ tanks at the box office

Warner Bros.' climate change satire "Digger" collapsed at the box office with a domestic haul of $8 million, despite the star power of Tom Cruise.

L.A. considers the rare closure of an active oil site in Jefferson Park

In a city that was built on oil and remains home to over 2,000 active wells, zoning officials are considering a first: shutting down an active oil production site.

Should California hotels be sued for using fragrances in their lobbies?

Hotels increasingly use signature scents to shape their brands, but guests with asthma or chemical sensitivities say those fragrances can trigger headaches and other problems.

Amazon delivery contractors among companies to close in Los Angeles

A wave of layoffs and closures are rolling through L.A. County, affecting companies that deliver Amazon packages.

Lyft will pay more than $270 million in California wage-theft settlement

The California Labor Commissioner's Office announced Thursday that Lyft will pay $272.5 million to settle a wage and worker misclassification lawsuit.

Paramount, Warner Bros. will be named Skydance after merger

David Ellison picked the name that launched his Hollywood ambitions.

Hiltzik: Sure, use Meta's Muse bot to help with your chores — if you want Mark Zuckerberg to know all your secrets

Meta says it made privacy a priority when it designed Muse, but its record on privacy protection is horrific.

California’s economic growth expected to continue, but slowly and with few jobs gains

The UCLA Anderson Forecast predicts California's economic growth will continue but with only meager jobs gains.

California moves to limit utility profits and tap more power from homes

One of several bills signed this week is a law to advance the use of virtual power plants to make greater use of clean energy at home.

Warner Bros. has had a tough year at the box office. Now, it’s bracing for ‘Digger’

Last year, Warner Bros. movies couldn't miss at the box office. This year, the studio has had a tougher time, and the upcoming "Digger" may be no exception.

CNN chief Mark Thompson in talks to remain in role after Paramount takes over network

Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison has approached Thompson about staying in charge following the merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

Federal judge allows Paramount-Warner merger to move forward

The judge's approval allows tech scion David Ellison to finalize his company's $111-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Sen. Tim Scott touts federal film tax credit as a blue-collar jobs bill

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said a federal film tax credit would boost blue-collar jobs and help shape America's perception aboard by including different voices and locations.

Mattel taps new CEO as El Segundo toy maker faces headwinds

Mattel Chief Executive Ynon Kreiz will leave the toy maker to become co-CEO of Paramount-Warner Bros. with David Ellison.

Anthropic warns of AI’s ‘existential risk’ to humans in its IPO filing

Nearly a third of Anthropic's IPO prospectus spotlighted AI 'risk factors.' Less than 50 pages were dedicated to business metrics, while 80 of 261 pages were about potential risks of AI.

A $450-million Hollywood studio stacks soundstages, parking and bungalows in the sky

Construction is far along on Echelon Studios Hollywood: an old-school movie studio with all the standard features, but stacked in a single building rather than spread out on a sprawling lot.

Hiltzik: No, AI bots won't extinguish humanity on their own — but you should worry about the humans behind them

Apocalyptic fears about AI in the future distract us from its present-day harms — just as its promoters hope

Paramount streaming chief Cindy Holland exits studio, making way for HBO’s Casey Bloys

The announcement comes as Paramount waits for a judge's approval of its $111-billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.

Can California stop Trump from drilling off its coast? A new law tries

Kaiser lays off 147 employees in California

Kaiser Permanente will layoff 147 business and administrative employees across California in November, the health giant said

Hiltzik: Think an 'independent' editorial board will protect CNN from political meddling? Think again

The 'independent' oversight board Paramount says will protect CNN from its owner's political interference will be utterly toothless.

Lower mileage standards, higher pump costs: What Trump’s auto move means for California

Experts say Trump's new fuel standards could complicate California's efforts to address climate change at a time when drivers face some of the nation's highest gas prices.

Three more In-N-Out Burger locations coming to Southern California

Southern California residents can soon get their Double-Double fix at more locations.

Newsom signs fire insurance reforms but vetoes two bills addressing complaints by wildfire victims

Gov. Gavin Newsom approved wildfire insurance reforms, but vetoed bills cracking down on claims-handling practices that drew complaints from January 2025 fire victims.

Paramount, states reject calls for deeper review of merger deal

Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and attorneys general from 12 states are pushing back against Sen. Cory Booker's questions about how their antitrust settlement came about and whether its terms go far enough.

State attorney general to oversee Kaiser’s medical arbitration system under new law

The California attorney general will help oversee healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente's medical arbitration system to ensure it operates fairly under legislation Gov. Gavin Newsom signed. Patients have complained the system favors Kaiser.

Trump administration lowers fuel economy standards, critics say at a significant environmental cost

Texas is making changes while the federal government is rolling back fuel economy standards.

These 36 Starbucks locations in Southern California appear headed for closure

Starbucks said it would close 250 locations in North America as the chain battles increased competition. Thirty-six of those locations appear to be in Southern California.

Former Palisades resident misled smart ring investors in $2-million Ponzi scheme

A former Pacific Palisades resident was found guilty by a federal jury in Orange County Thursday of running a Ponzi scheme that stole nearly $2 million from investors.

Across California’s IVF insurance divide, many are priced out of parenthood

Landmark legislation requiring large employers to cover infertility treatments went into effect at the beginning of the year. It’s changed lives and boosted clinic caseloads – and left those who don’t qualify scrambling to afford care.

Funko nearly went under. This former Netflix executive has a plan to revive the popular doll maker

Funko, the company behind the big-headed Pop! figurines, warned last year it might not survive, squeezed by tariffs, canceled retail orders and its own overproduction. A new CEO based in Los Feliz is trying to turn it around.

Iconic SoCal bookstores Vroman’s and Book Soup have found a new owner

The beloved bookstores have been searching for a buyer for two years, ever since owner Joel Sheldon, whose family has helmed Vroman's for more than a century, announced his retirement in 2024.

Cooper Flagg trading card with game-worn debut patch sparks auction frenzy, sells for $8.04 million

Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg's card is now the third-most expensive NBA card and fifth-highest sports card, surpassing Flagg's previous record by 20 times.

Trump’s trade war with Canada adds a challenge in Senate races

The dispute stands to heighten voters' economic worries and add to the GOP's political challenge in dead-heat races, analysts say.

Hollywood would get 20% federal film tax credit under proposed new bill

A bipartisan group of Congressional leaders is pushing for a 20% federal tax credit for film and TV production, a move they say will help bring filming back to the U.S.

Haphazard pesticide enforcement puts farmworkers in California at risk

An analysis of 40,000 state records shows that health and safety violations are penalized inconsistently, and regulatory action rarely results in fines.

Waymo offers new incentives for commuters on public transit

Waymo introduced its transit rewards program in the Bay Area this week, which gives riders credit for future rides when they connect their Waymo trip to public buses and trains.

Meta’s new smart glasses bring an AI agent, and fresh privacy fears

The social media giant hosted a conference in Menlo Park on Wednesday, unveiling its latest lineup of wearables, which included VR glasses and a pair without cameras.

California and Washington to join forces on carbon markets, aiming to cut pollution and raise billions

Linking California and Washington state’s carbon markets will cut more pollution and increase revenue for key state programs, officials said.

Meta’s viral AI agent can now book travel and shop for you. Amazon says it crossed a line

The e-commerce giant says Meta's newly released AI agent violated its terms amid competition over who will dominate the agentic shopping experience.

Canada’s boycott forces the sale of a California winery

As California's wine industry struggles, a family-owned vineyard spanning 3,500 acres is for sale after its exports to Canada dropped 35% in a year.

How iPhone users can file to get up to $95 from a $250-million settlement

People who purchased certain iPhones can now start submitting claims to get money as part of a settlement.

Costa Mesa approves Fairview Development Center project

A large-scale housing development has been approved on the former site of a state hospital campus in Costa Mesa.

Paramount, attorneys general settle lawsuit, clearing a path for Warner Bros. merger

With the agreement, California Atty. General Rob Bonta and his coalition plan to withdraw historic lawsuit that aimed to derail the $111-billion deal.

CNN, MS NOW and Politico file court challenge to Trump’s press ban

CNN, MS NOW and Politico will challenge the constitutionality of President Trump's order to ban the news organizations from the White House.

Why some musicians aren’t happy about labels signing AI deals with platforms

Record labels that sued AI music companies are now licensing them. But payouts are undisclosed, lawsuits continue and musicians ask who benefits.

Opposition grows to Paramount-Warner Bros. merger settlement as deal enters critical week

Critics of the $111-billion Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. urged California Atty. Gen. Bonta and other state attorneys general to disregard pressure to reach a settlement.

From Watts to L.A. wildfires: The rise of California’s troubled FAIR Plan

As leading insurers have retreated from California, one carrier has stepped in to fill the gap.

How California tech turned thrifted clothes into a booming fashion trend

Thrifted clothes have become a Hollywood fashion flex, as California-born platforms like the RealReal, Poshmark, ThredUp and eBay turn secondhand shopping into a $240-billion, fast-growing global industry.

Lakers ticket prices could rise substantially as Kushner, Iger look to cut out brokers

The company run by incoming Lakers owner Joshua Kushner is pitching investors on dumping brokers in a move that could raise the price of tickets.

Paramount, California settlement talks accelerate, potentially moving Warner Bros. merger closer

A resolution would allow David Ellison’s $111-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery to finalize

Disney names first-ever chief technology officer

Disney named former Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand its first-ever chief technology officer, a day after putting former YouTube executive Adam Smith in charge of streaming.

Meta glasses captured and shared intimate images without users’ consent, lawsuit claims

People who use Meta's smart glasses or were recorded with the gadget are worried about how the social media giant is using their photos and videos.

FCC approves foreign owners for a merged Paramount-Warner Bros

Royal families of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi will own nearly 50% of the equity of a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery

Disney doubles down on tech, naming former YouTube executive as head of entertainment streaming business

Former YouTube executive Adam Smith has been named the head of Disney's entertainment streaming business, highlighting the company's focus on tech under Chief Executive Josh D'Amaro.

Hiltzik: Why are workers feeling so stressed? Maybe because labor's share of the economy is at a record low

While corporate profits are soaring, labor's share of the gains is shrinking.

‘Convenient scapegoats’: Boyle Heights warehouse company fights fire backlash

The company that operates the vast cold storage warehouse scorched in a June blaze that plagued neighbors in Boyle Heights with smoke and stink said it doesn’t deserve the pummeling it got for how it contained the catastrophe.

In reversal, California regulator says unmarried drivers should not pay more for auto insurance

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, in a reversal, will no longer allow auto insurers to consider marital status in setting premiums, a policy that has resulted in unmarried drivers paying more.

Paramount, Atty. Gen. Bonta ordered to meet for merger settlement talks

Beginning Oct. 14, the two sides will try to hash-out a deal that will allow the massive merger to advance.

Gates Foundation commits $1 billion to improving global AI access

Amid calls for slowing down AI development, new funding from Bill Gates' philanthropic organization will support education, healthcare, agriculture and language gaps.

Hiltzik: An 'independent' study takes Paramount's side in its merger battle. But Paramount paid for it

A 'leaked' study paints a grim picture for L.A. if Paramount fails to merge with Warner Bros. Here's why you shouldn't trust it.

Mideast escalation risks an oil shock ahead of the midterms

The strikes put the Trump administration in a newly precarious position less than two months before the November midterms.

Newsom signs mortgage relief bills for L.A. County and California wildfire victims

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills extending mortgage relief to victims of the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County and other state disasters.