Charles Crumpley
Publisher & Editor
Charles weighs in each week with his opinion - his "Comment" - about local business. While he pats the heads of those who make prescient or brave decisions, he's not afraid to kick the shins of businesses that make dunderheaded moves or governments that interfere with free markets. It can be newsy, it can be opinionated, or it can be funny, but the Comment column is always about business in Los Angeles County.
Charles Crumpley has been a reporter, writer or editor for 30 years, mostly with daily newspapers. He was born and raised in Kansas City, MO, and worked for years for the Kansas City Star, mainly as a senior financial writer. He was the editor of the business news section for two daily newspapers, including the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He has won four national journalism awards and studied Japanese banking and business practices in Tokyo as a senior Fulbright scholar. He has been editor of the Los Angeles Business Journal since January 2006.
He can be reached at (323) 549-5225, ext. 208, or by email: ccrumpley@labusinessjournal.com.
Phone: 818-316-3133 Extension: 127
Recent Stories
Give Homeless Money, Not a Unit
It’s outrageous that the average cost to build a city-subsidized apartment for the homeless has climbed to $559,000 with highest per-unit cost now at $746,000.
No More Fines for ‘Open for Business’ Signs
Los Angeles City Council member Bob Blumenfield successfully led an effort Tuesday to end one small but aggravating issue for local retailers during the pandemic: Fines for businesses that put up banners saying they were open.
Why Are We Waiting Like This?
‘I feel like we are all captive actors in the absurdist play “Waiting for Godot.” We are illogically sitting around, waiting for a vaccine to arrive. But a vaccine may be months away or even longer, and there is no assurance that it will be quickly deployable or even very effective.’
Arabian Awards Postponed; Fernando a ‘Maybe’
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, two well-known San Fernando Valley fall events – the Arabian and Fernando awards – will not be held in person this year. It is possible the Fernando Award will become a virtual ceremony.
How L.A. Can Help its Businesses
‘Suspend the gross receipts tax until the pandemic has ended.’
The City’s Shakedown Machine
The unfolding corruption scandal involving Los Angeles City Hall denizens and real estate developers is absolutely shocking. On the other hand, it’s not at all surprising. It’s almost to be expected.
Princess Cruises’ Parent to Sell 6 Ships, Delay Restart
Carnival Corp., which owns Princess Cruises of Santa Clarita, has reported that it lost $4.4 billion in the second quarter and is speeding up the sale of six ships.
Was That an Error at the Stadium?
‘We may look back on this moment as an opportunity that was lost.’
New Waste-to-Energy System to Explore Sites in L.A.
A new waste-to-energy technology, looking to set up shop at some landfill site in Los Angeles, has gotten a letter of support from Los Angeles County.
Hey, Mayor, We Bent That Curve
‘Our political leaders know about running an economy as much as those guys on “Tiger King” know about Verdi opera.’
Local Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Bribing FBI, ICE
A Calabasas lawyer has pleaded guilty to federal charges including bribing agents from the FBI and ICE to provide protection for him and to obtain sensitive information.
Newsom Outlines Broad Plan to Resume Work
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday outlined a cautious plan to reopen the virtually shuttered California economy in phases in the coming weeks as COVID-19 cases stabilize.
Mission Valley’s Earnings Up
Mission Valley Bancorp on Tuesday announced that its first quarter net income of $816,000, or 25 cents a diluted share, was up more than 16 percent from the same quarter last year.
Economists Forecast 20 Percent GDP Plunge
The economy is darkening rapidly, and on Thursday local experts said they now believe GDP will nosedive more than 20 percent in the second quarter.
Wealth Managers Advise Anxious Clients to Hang Tight
Shocking plunges in the stock markets in recent weeks have prompted frantic calls from investors to their wealth managers.
Economists: Worse than Great Recession; Maybe Depression
Because of the near seizure of the economy prompted by the coronavirus scare, the second quarter may see GDP shrink by 13 percent.
Poll: The Hurt on Small Businesses Now ‘Profound’
About 76 percent of small businesses are being hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey put out Monday by the National Federation of Independent Business.
At Least 38 Virus Cases in Valley
At least 38 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the San Fernando Valley area.
Gary Thomas, Valley Leader, Dies
Longtime San Fernando Valley civic leader Gary M. Thomas died Friday morning during a hospital stay for a respiratory ailment.
Award Earned by SCV Economic Development Corp.
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corp. announced Wednesday that it has received a significant honor from the California Association for Local Economic Development.
Mission Valley Has Record Full-Year Results
Mission Valley Bancorp on Wednesday reported a down fourth quarter but positive full-year results that set an earnings record.
Give Moms a Break or Suffer Costs
I’ve asked a dozen or so business operators in recent months if they’ve created lactation rooms yet.
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
The Lists 2020
Editor and Publisher Charles Crumpley talks about San Fernando Valley Business Journal's The Lists 2020
Discovery Cube Gets Backing from Businesses
Valley area businesses and civic-minded people pledged more than $164,000 Tuesday morning to support Discovery Cube Los Angeles.
Post-Midterm Magic for Investors
You’ve heard that if a National Football Conference team wins the Super Bowl in January, it’ll be a bull market that year? Or that when hemlines rise, so do stock prices? Superstitions like those are pretty stupid.
Is Traffic Helping Our Economy?
Can traffic be helping the Valley economy?
Prodigious Volunteer Given Fernando Award
EVENT: Nearly 250 attend gala for Mike Quiroga.
EVENT: Nearly 250 attend gala for Mike Quiroga.
Don’t Bank on This Dreadful Idea
ONE MORE THING
Starting a public bank is a combination of contempt and chutzpah.
Housing Costs Make More Problems
High cost of housing drives homelessness.
High cost of housing drives homelessness.
Ventura County = Economic Slug
Lack of real estate development has hurt Ventura County.
Lack of real estate development has hurt Ventura County.
Here’s A New Retirement Decision
State program for firms to provide retirement plans has merit.
State program for firms to provide retirement plans has merit.
Predicting a Scheduling Nightmare
Proposed predictive scheduling could be bad for business.
Yay for Modern ‘Telephone Booth’
Modern phone booths make sense.
Businesses Still Won’t Get Respect
Maybe now the local business community will get more respect, you think?
Techie Tries Authorship
Entrepreneur pens a humor book.
But if We Build It, They May Come
Impact of a sports stadium in Warner Center.
Inland Empire Forming Up North
Tejon Ranch is a new Inland Empire.
Attorney Blows Off Steam Playing Trombone
Valley Bar’s trombone playing president elect.
Now This Is Just Too Frightful
Boy, I have been wrong about you millennials. All this time, I thought you must be the happiest, most carefree generation in our history.
‘Can’t Be Too Bullish’ on Economy
In case you didn’t see our last issue, the one dated March 4, you missed a true day brightener. If you live or work in the San Fernando Valley, that is.
A Business Group That May Thrive
If you follow the business community, you’ve probably seen a number of single-issue groups form to fight a law or advocate for something.
Valley Still an ‘Economic Hot Spot’
The San Fernando Valley’s economy is expected to grow 4.1 percent this year – once again outpacing the rest of Los Angeles County, Ventura County and the state.
A Business Isn’t a Babysitter
Are two of our Los Angeles city councilmembers trying to chase businesses out of the city?
Earnings Roundup: ASGN, NetSol, Cinedigm Report
ASGN gains, NetSol improves and Cinedigm meets Wall Street expectations.
Is Amgen a Different Company?
Amgen Inc. hit a rough patch last week.
Business People Protest California’s PAGA Law
A group of business owners, saying they’re fed up with a particular California law, on Thursday morning took a page from labor organizations’ playbook and staged a public protest.
Don’t Kill the Growing Gig Economy
With a sigh, I vote for the state Supreme Court’s decision in April that basically outlawed the gig economy in California.
Amazon’s Bad Impact? Overblown
Valley lost out with Amazon decision.
Prev Next