The U.S. aerospace export balance soared to a record $60.4 billion in 2007, good news for the about 75,000 workers employed by the industry in Los Angeles County, an industry group reported. The trade balance – the difference between imports and exports – increased nearly 11 percent over 2006 levels, according to the Aerospace Industries Association. “The sustained growth in aerospace trade is a good sign not only for our industry, but the U.S. economy as a whole,” AIA president and CEO Marion Blakey said in a statement. “Our industry’s track record as a major net export earner for the United States helps to offset the nation’s chronic trade deficit.” For the full story visit http://www.dailynews.com/ci_9018574

The Alameda County Superior court has dismissed a temporary restraining order against the Service Employees International Union and its President Andy Stern obtained April 15 by the California Nurses Association. The temporary restraining order, of which the union had no notice, was found to be unlawful under California labor code. The court made the decision after reviewing video footage submitted by SEIU of incidents that CNA purportedly characterized as “stalking.” SEIU has also taken legal action to prevent CNA from silencing its critics, the group said.

A proposed expansion of the DreamWorks Animation campus on Flower Street in Glendale sailed through the Redevelopment Agency, paving the way for the studio to fulfill the majority of its remaining square footage allowed in a 1996 development agreement. The 128,718-square-foot plan would add to the 331,783 square feet of existing area at 1000 Flower St. and extend the multilevel parking garage to provide an additional 265 spaces. An ordinance that would amend the original agreement to let DreamWorks take advantage of a 2004 zoning change and construct a higher-than-previously-allowed building was introduced as part of an approved package of environmental and design items and won’t take effect until next week, when the City Council is expected to officially adopt the amendment. For the full story visit http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2008/04/23/politics/gnp-expansion23.txt

Elected officials, business and community leaders and the public will join Kaiser Permanente to celebrate the opening of the new hospital in Panorama City. A VIP event featuring elected officials such as State Sen. Alex Padilla, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Councilman Tony Cardenas, Councilman Richard Alarcon and Councilwoman Wendy Gruel will take place on Friday, while an event called “Festival of Health,” which is open to the public, will take place April 26, 9 a.m. to noon. The festival will include healthful eating and active living demonstrations, children’s activities and entertainment such as yoga, salsa dancing, a bounce house, rock wall and a hula-hoop contest. Kaiser Permanente leadership, health educators and community members will take part. The event will take place at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center, 13651 Willard Street, Panorama City.

Teledyne Technologies Inc. restated its earnings guidance for the year due to anticipated growth in its defense-related business units. The Thousand Oaks-based manufacturer expects earnings per share in the range of approximately $2.98 to $3.06, an increase from the prior outlook of $2.86 to $2.94. The company expects growth in the defense electronics and instrumentation businesses as a result of recent acquisitions. Acquisitions in the marine and environmental instrumentation businesses contributed to Teledyne posting positive results for the first quarter. The company reported a net income of $27.9 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, on revenues of $451.8 million. That is a 36 percent increase from the net income of $20.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, on revenues of $385.6 million for the same period in 2007.

They were born shrouded in mystery in a windowless building in Burbank. They flew combat missions over Serbia and Iraq virtually invisible to enemy radar. And today, the black, bat-like F-117A Night Hawks will fly quietly into the night as stealthily as they came. The last four of the world’s first stealth fighters will make their final flights from Palmdale to a secret desert base in Nevada, where they will be locked up indefinitely in a secure concrete hangar. For the full story visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-stealth22apr22,1,5945399.story

Electronic components manufacturer Inphi Corp. looks to acquire similar companies and take itself public in 2009. Vice President of Sales Ron Torten discussed the company’s growth strategy at the Global Semiconductor Association executive conference in Israel, according to industry publication EE Times. Torten revealed that Westlake-based Inphi is looking for companies globally, but stressed that Israeli companies might be suitable targets for acquisitions, in view of the skilled workforce and the technological diversity at such companies, EE Times said. The resulting growth of the company will lead it to an initial public offering and listing on NASDAQ, probably in 2009, Torten told EE Times.

With oil and gasoline touching all-time highs again April 21, raging energy-price fever showed no sign of breaking. Before it’s over, oil could cost at least $125 a barrel and gasoline more than $4 a gallon in California. Even if oil were to stop its frenzied record-a-day pace, gasoline costs would probably keep rising for several weeks as past oil price increases trickled down to the pump and the summer driving season revved up. For he full story visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gas22apr22,1,4363222.story

Facing the largest deficit in Los Angeles history, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposed a $7 billion budget that seeks to add more police and firefighters, but cuts deep into city spending and raises dozens of fees on everything from parking to golf. In an economic downturn with the city losing sales and real estate taxes that have long funded essential services, Villaraigosa said he chose to make the significant cuts and fee hikes in order to continue boosting spending on key city services, including public safety, street maintenance and gang prevention. “In challenging budget times, we need to concentrate on our core mission as a city. This budget focuses on our basic mission of fighting traffic, gang membership and violent crime,” Villaraigosa said Monday morning in a news conference at a North Hollywood street maintenance yard. For the full story visit http://www.dailynews.com/ci_9007938

NEW YORK — Retail gas prices hit another new milestone April 21, jumping to an average $3.50 a gallon at filling stations across the country. Crude oil prices, meanwhile, set new records of their own, spiking above $117 a barrel after an attack on a Japanese oil tanker in the Middle East. Diesel prices at the pump also struck a record high of $4.20 a gallon, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, putting pressure on truckers and other shippers who rely on the fuel to transport goods to market. Gas and diesel are expected to keep climbing as they trace the path of crude, which has surged to new records for six trading sessions in a row. And the worst may be still to come: The summer driving season, when demand is at its greatest, has yet to begin. For the full story visit http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_business10apr21,1,4674181.story