LA Times — Business

Mark Zuckerberg has purchased an Irish castle. Furthermore, tech moguls are reportedly purchasing property outside of California.

Hiltzik views baseball labor talks as a fundamental conflict between billionaires and peons. During these negotiations, baseball owners seek increased wealth, while players are focused on maintaining their existing gains.

The article highlights a shaky future concerning Spectrum's Lakers channel, which adds drama to the team’s sale. Furthermore, Spectrum recently closed its deal to buy Cox but plans to exit the regional sports channel business.

California continues to dominate venture funding despite discussions regarding billionaire taxes. The state saw a record investment of $366 billion in its startups, a surge largely attributed to the AI mania.

New evidence from government investigators and court filings has raised questions regarding Southern California Edison’s operational safety. The findings question the utility company's claim that it operated its electrical system safely before last year's deadly Eaton fire.

A new report from CBRE shows that the size of New York's tech talent workforce has surpassed that of the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time. This change in market leadership occurred amid layoffs reported by tech companies.

Mahender Makhijani, an Orange County real estate investor accused of criminal bank fraud, was denied bail by a judge. This decision came after the judge cited that Makhijani allegedly made death threats against a witness.

CAA's chief executive warned state leaders about a threat to California's film and TV jobs program. This warning concerns how a corporate tax credit cap jeopardizes the jobs program.

The article discusses the financial challenge of saving $2,000 a month while living in L.A. Furthermore, it highlights that purchasing a home actually costs more than $2,000 a month compared to simply renting within the L.A. area.

A political farewell involving Hiltzik highlights someone who was a friend to Social Security in Congress. Rep. John Larson previously fought hard in Congress to protect Social Security, raising questions about whether his much younger successor will fulfill this same role.

A $2-billion high-rise affordable housing complex is scheduled for Warner Center. This project aims to change the skyline of Los Angeles and establish a new precedent for assisted senior living.

Green hydrogen has reportedly gone bust in California. The state's large financial investment into this energy source is now fading amid project cancellations, ongoing fuel disruptions, and station build-outs at a standstill. This failure follows issues associated with hydrogen as car fuel.

To keep fans engaged, Disney is increasingly utilizing video game technology across its operations. The company plans to incorporate this technology in its theme parks and film and TV production. Furthermore, the makers of 'Fortnite' are reportedly bringing their influence to Magic Kingdom.

California previously planned a nuclear energy exit but is now reconsidering this decision. The article questions this narrative, stating that Diablo Canyon does not resemble a power plant that is preparing to retire.

The Dodgers' owner, Mark Walter, faces scrutiny over his businesses due to investigations involving several authorities. These probing bodies include the Department of Justice, the SEC, and various state insurance regulators. As a result, the ownership stakes for Walter are highly significant.

The Palisades Village shopping center has reopened, representing a significant milestone for its community following the devastating 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfires. Its reopening occurred 19 months after the fires.

The California Gig Workers Union is close to being certified as the collective bargaining representative for Uber and Lyft drivers in the state. This potential certification could occur in less than 30 days.

A new rule proposed by the Department of Transportation would require airlines to display taxes, fees, and base fares for flights. These individual costs must be shown with prominence that is equal to or greater than the total price.

G3 Enterprises, a company that produces wine corks and bottles, announced plans to lay off 66 workers. This event contributes another difficulty to California's struggling wine industry.

Hiltzik reports that ordinary Americans struggle to fund their 401(k) plans while plutocrats accumulate millions tax-free. The article notes that tax-advantaged retirement accounts, initially devised for the middle class, have been exploited by the rich. Consequently, plans are now being considered to close these financial loopholes.