California's system of 11 ports generate some $40 billion annually in economic activity but pressures loom, including the uncertain impact on California of the remodeling of the Panama Canal.
From Capitol Weekly's Greg Lucas: "About 7 million cargo containers move through the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports annually. Every four containers create $1,000 in state and local revenue, $8,500 in personal income and one job. Oakland says every three containers it handles generate one job, $5,100 in personal income and $540 in state and local taxes."
"Although still a major economic engine, California ports face increasing competitive pressures."
"Ports in Canada, Mexico and the Gulf states are boosting capacity as the Panama Canal nears completion of a $5.25 billion widening that allows the world’s largest cargo ships to bypass the West Coast."
Sen. Bill Emmerson didn't appear to leave much of a legacy after his resignation announcement, but he did leave one thing -- a big bill.
From the Bee's Jim Miller:"Election officials in Riverside and San Bernardino counties estimated Monday that it will cost at least $1.1 million to hold a stand-alone special election next year to fill the vacancy created by the surprise resignation of state Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands."
"The state hasn't covered counties' special election costs since 2007. Earlier this year, Emmerson carried a bill to require the state to reimburse counties but it stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee."
"Fiscal uncertainty is a reality for government agencies and these unplanned and unfunded elections are an immense burden on the budgeting process," Emmerson said in a committee analysis of the measure."
Meanwhile, down in the Inland Empire, the owner of the Riverside Press-Entperprise is talking about a court fight if the paper's sale doesn't go through.
From the LAT's Ken Bensinger: "The owner of the Riverside Press-Enterprise is threatening legal action against publishing entrepreneur Aaron Kushner if he fails to make good on his offer to purchase the newspaper."
"The $27.25-million deal had been set to close Friday. But the Press-Enterprise's owner, A.H. Belo Corp., said Monday that the transaction was still pending and that it will consider taking the matter to court to ensure that the deal is completed."
"A.H. Belo and the Press-Enterprise Company are pursuing multiple options to promptly consummate the disposition," the company said in a statement. Kushner owns Freedom Communications, parent company of the Orange County Register. A company spokesman did not respond to requests for comment."
Speaking of news and money, the Bay Area News Group -- which owns the Mercury-News and Contra Costa Times, among others -- is going to set up a new way of charging readers.
From the Mercury-News' Pete Carey: "Under an "All Access" plan that begins in a few weeks, print subscribers will be given access not only to their own newspaper's digital content and e-editions, but also for the first time to the news group's other publications -- 11 dailies and 27 weekly papers across the Bay Area."
"These include the San Jose Mercury News, the Contra Costa Times, Marin Independent Journal and the Oakland Tribune and their archives, four major websites and multiple mobile products for tablets and smartphones."
"Nonsubscribers who now read these papers online for free will be given limited access and will need a digital or print subscription for continuous access to the same online package of Bay Area dailies and weeklies. The All Access model will start Dec. 2."
Good work if you can get it: A ranking former official in Bell, now on trial on corruption charges, took 18 months off to handle family issues and received her pay and benefits the thole time, according to court testimony.
From the LAT's Jeff Gottlieb and Ruben Vives: "Despite not working for about 18 months to take care of her ailing grandfather and son, Bell's former assistant city manager was never docked a single vacation or sick day and continu+ed to draw her full salary and benefits."
"At the same time, Angela Spaccia testified that she continued to build up vacation and sick leave, which she then cashed out to repay loans she had taken from the city. In all, Spaccia received about $350,000 in loans that prosecutors contend were illegal."
"Spaccia, second-in-command in Bell when the city exploded in scandal in summer 2010, is fighting 13 corruption-related charges. After seven days on the witness stand, she completed her testimony Monday, and the case is expected to go to the jury this week."
And from our "Tales from the Superstore" file comes the story of a man whose soul was cleansed in a Wal-Mart parking lot after three women approached him and said they saw a demon following him.
"Police said the women took the man to a white van, where they told him he needed to hand over his gold jewelry and cash because that was the root of his problems. At one point, police said they had the man go back in Walmart and cash a check for $500. Officials said the women took that money, ripped it in half and kept it."
"Most common sense people would not fall for that line right there. It just doesn't make sense," shared John Charles as he walked into Walmart."
"A few days later, the man went to the police to report what he thought was a theft. Police found the women at a Motel 6. They denied having the cash but did admit to having the man's jewelry. They said he voluntarily gave it to them. Police took the jewelry back and returned it to the owner, but said they can't charge them because they technically didn't commit a crime."