Business

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Disney inside trader sentenced to prison

A San Francisco man out to make a quick profit is now facing a prison sentence for insider trading involving the Disney deal to buy Marvel Entertainment. Disney scooped up Marvel back in 2009 for $4 billion. Last April, Toby G. Scammell pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud stemming from his purchase pf more than 600 call options of Marvel […]
Thursday, July 31, 2014

Film production up in the Media City

Film production is up in the Media City. It’s been very busy over at the Burbank Police film permit office. Norma Brolsma has been running the operation for years. “Drowning in work,” Brolsma said last Thursday in an email. She wasn’t complaining, just describing how robust the permit business is in Burbank . So far this year, 500 Burbank permits […]
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Twitter shares soar on news of a surge in growth and profits

There’s a lot of tweeting going on these days. Twitter’s stock reportedly jumped  at least 30 percent today after it revealed better than expected second-quarter earnings. The chatty social network reported $312 million in revenue beating a forecast of $283 million in revenue. Also, Twitter delivered more good news about a surge in users. In the second-quarter, the micro-blogging site […]
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Judge rules against Donald Sterling, Clippers deal to move forward

The NBA is high-fiving a ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas clearing the way for that $2 billion dollar Clippers deal to move forward. Judge Levanas decision yesterday gives a huge victory to Shelly Sterling. In the probate trial, Donald Sterling claimed his estranged wife had defrauded him by taking control of the Sterling Trust and negotiating that multi-billion […]
Monday, July 28, 2014

Car crashes in front of Porto’s in Burbank

Some scary moments in front of Porto’s Bakery and Cafe in Burbank this morning. A light tan sedan slammed into a traffic signal light pole a few feet from the entrance of the very busy establishment. The investigating Burbank Police officer says the driver was “coming from some medical appointment” and “apparently passed out .” It happened just as the […]
Sunday, July 27, 2014

Demonstrators continue the protest against Hobby Lobby

Demonstrators returned to Hobby Lobby in Burbank yesterday in small but determined numbers.They are protesting the  recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which allows the giant crafts and home decor retailer to refuse to cover certain forms of  female birth control in its employee health insurance plan because of the religious beliefs of the owners. The controversial high court decision allows […]
Thursday, July 24, 2014

Facebook delivers a smackdown on its critics

Naysayers heaped a lot of criticism on the social media giant Facebook when it went public in May of 2012 with an initial public offering of $38 a share. The stock fluctuated and that open the door for critics to slam the decision to go public and doubt the value of the number one social network. Now Facebook has smackdown […]
Wednesday, July 23, 2014

NAACP makes a deal for more African American franchise owners

NAACP is partnering with the parent company of Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts to increase the number of franchises owned by African Americans. Today the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced an agreement with Dunkin’ Brands Inc. to create the Diversity Franchising Initiative, according to a posting on Dunkin’ Brands website. “Franchising can be a powerful economic tool that […]
Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The Burbank Leader and those missing news racks

Back in February news racks for the Burbank Leader could still be seen on the streets, but no more. They have been removed. Despite the controversy and complaints from many residents, the news racks don’t appear to be coming back anytime soon or at all. The Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press and several other community newspapers are owned by the Los […]