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The article discusses events staged by motion picture studios to generate publicity for their films. Twentieth Century Fox paid a high school valedictorian to utter lines at her graduation ceremony that recalled the movie "I Love You, Beth Cooper." Universal Pictures staged a prank involving rap singer Eminem and actor Sacha Baron Cohen to promote its film "Bruno."

The article reports that the city of Malibu in California will be having its own city hall since it became a city 17 years ago. According to Mayor Andy Stern, the city has been renting office space because it does not have funds to build one. The city hall will be constructed on the site of the Malibu Performing Arts Center which was owned by the Vineyard Christian Fellowship.

The article discusses the impact of the water-saving efforts of the Water Conservation Team or water cops in Los Angeles, California, to address drought. The water cops prohibit restaurants to automatically offer water to patrons. Results of these efforts showed that city water use fell by 12.7% in June 2009, compared with the same month in 2008. It notes that the city aims to reduce water use by 15% and achieve a reduction target of 20% by 2020.

The article focuses on California's reliance on firefighters under state mutual-aid agreements to combat wildfires. These agreements enable a local fire agency to call for help from neighboring regions and would be sent teams of 22 firefighters from across the state. Federal fire fighting teams can also be sent if further assistance is needed. California has also provided training to 4,000 prison inmates to serve as fire fighters at a wage of 1 U.S. dollar per hour.

The article reports on the flow of deals to the estate of U.S. pop singer Michael Jackson since administrators of his estate began managing his affairs. It is estimated that the administrators generated 80 million U.S. dollars in marketing, merchandising, and film deals. The administrators appointed by a judge to manage Jackson's estate were attorney John Braca and music executive John McClain.

The article deals with the plan of California Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff to appoint a special guardian to represent the business interests of deceased pop star Michael Jackson's three children. It is noted that Jackson's children are entitled to 40 percent of the estate and his mother will get 40 percent and the remaining 20 percent will go to unspecified children's charities. The completion of an investigation into the death of Jackson is also cited.

The article reports that music and entertainment companies are exerting efforts to secure a deal for pop singer Michael Jackson's merchandising and music, as well as a movie. The estate of Jackson was able to cut a deal with Bravado International Group to handle the sales of Michael Jackson-themed merchandise. Sony Pictures Entertainment also agreed to pay 60 million U.S. dollars for the rights to use video footage from the "This is It" concert rehearsals of Jackson.

The article focuses on a ruling by Los Angeles, California Supreme Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff which granted permanent custody of pop singer Michael Jackson's three children to his mother, Katherine. The ruling also extended the authority of administrators of Jackson's estates valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. Debbie Rowe, the mother of the two oldest children of Jackson, was granted visitation rights and spousal support.

This article focuses on the efforts of many states in the U.S. to find ways to cut their budgets for the fiscal year 2010 as they are hit by declining tax revenues. It explains that states have patched up about 139.2 billion U.S. dollars in budget shortfalls. Pennsylvania may miss paying employees on time and Arizona is planning to sell its House and Senate buildings to address their budget problems. All states, except Vermont, are required to balance their budget.

The article focuses on the 2009 Comic-Con convention in San Diego, California. The convention reportedly grown from a small gathering of science-fiction fans to film and video game producers, whose industries are increasingly marketing superhero characters and their stories. Storyboard artist Bobby Rubio of Walt Disney's Pixar animation unit has developed his own lines of independent comic books, and at the convention, he will encourage producers to turn these books into movies. Some of the stories to be released at Comic-Con are cited.

The article reports on an appeal for more than 2,000 vendors in California to cut their contracted rates by as much as 15 percent as the government seeks to close a $26.3 billion budget deficit. Letters are being sent to vendors to fulfill an executive order from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 8, 2009 aimed at reducing state spending. The recipients of the letters included food companies and information-technology contractors.

The article reports on the development of a desalination plant in Carlsbad, Southern California, in early 2010. The 320 million U.S. dollars plant would the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Local authorities approved the project to resolve water shortage in the area. A description of the plant's desalination process is presented. The objection of government agencies and environmental groups to the project is related.

The article reports on the choreographed and star-studded funeral service for U.S. pop star Michael Jackson held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California in 2009. The funeral service was attended by speakers and performance including Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. and choreographer Kenny Ortega. The event began with a private memorial service in Forest Lawn cemetery and culminated in the arena.

The article reports on the crackdown of a growing and unregulated marijuana industry by the Los Angeles City Council in California. City leaders were alarmed by the unchecked growth of the more than 600 dispensaries that have taken advantage of a loophole in city regulations. Legal protections were established by the state in 2003 for medical marijuana users who were issued a doctor's prescription.

The article reports on the decision of the state of California to issue IOU (I owe you), a document acknowledging debt, to hundreds of thousands of creditors. John Chiang, the California controller, relates that he would sent out $3.4 billion of IOUs in July 2009 to state contractors, local governments and residents who are expecting income-tax refunds, welfare grants or college scholarships. The article discusses the impact of the issuance of IOUs on the finances of California. Chiang claims that the state may default without the issuance of IOUs.

The article reports on the crackdown launched by the U.S. administration against companies which are suspected of employing illegal immigrants. The crackdown is being conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The unit is currently auditing 652 U.S. companies to determine whether they have hired illegal immigrants or not. It discusses the impact of the policy on immigrant workers.

The article reports the death of pop icon, Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, California. He was pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center, suffering from cardiac arrest at his home. According to the article, his death fell on the eve of the plan for his world tour after several years of controversy which prevented him from performing. Jackson had an agreement with AEG Live, owned by billionaire Phil Anschutz, to extend the planned concert series over three years or more. However, his untimely death put a stop to rehearsals and preparations.

The article reports on the arrest of Alex Sanchez, executive director of the antigang organization, Homies Unidos, in a federal racketeering indictment led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Sanchez was pressed with several charges, including conspiracy to commit murder. According to Attorney Alan Diamante, who represented Sanchez in a previous case and a volunteer attorney with Homies Unidos, he was not aware of Sanchez's involvement in any kind of gang activity.

This article reports on the decision of Los Angles, California Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa not to run for governor of the state in 2010. Villaraigosa announced his decision not to run for governor after an interview on CNN explaining that he cannot leave the city at a time of recession. Villaraigosa is considered as one of the Democratic front-runners for governor in California. The decision is described as a setback in Villaraigosa's efforts to become a force on the national political scene.

The article discusses signs that U.S. consumers continue to spend conservatively amid an economic recession. Target Corp. reported that quarterly, same-store sales declined over 6% from the year-ago period. Chief executive Frank Blake of Home Depot noted his firm didn't expect any growth in same-store sales until the second half of 2010. In response, retailers have been paring inventory and cutting expenses.