The state’s biomedical industry has grown to become the second largest contributor to its high tech economy, behind only computer consulting, according to a report released by the California Healthcare Institute and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. California has 2,700 biomedical companies with 260,000 jobs far ahead of the motion picture, telecommunication and aerospace industries, the report found. Biomedical companies created $62 billion in revenue last year, the report said. The 101 Corridor has grown into one of the state’s largest biomedical centers in recent years and is home to drug maker Amgen

This summer, skyrocketing gas prices had motorists fuming. Now, as gas prices plummet, some are bracing for another type of fallout. Read about in the Washington Post .

Northridge Fashion Center will launch a teen holiday-job hotline to help tenants meet hiring needs for the fourth-quarter selling season. Job listings at the mall’s retailers will be available at (877) MALL-JOB.

A longtime city employee has been named the new city manager of Palmdale. The city council Wednesday unanimously approved Steve Williams for the post, which oversees a department of 339 full- and 300 part-time employees. Williams, 52, has been assistant manager for community development since April 2003. In 1987, he became the city’s first director of public works. Previously, Williams served as acting deputy director of the department of transportation and flood control for the county of Pima in Arizona. He replaces longtime Palmdale City Manager Bob Toone, who will retire in January.

NBC Universal will consolidate its news operations in Burbank and 10 other stations as part of an overall corporate strategy to streamline and strengthen operations, assure future growth and exploit opportunities in the digital and global marketplace, the company said Wednesday. The NBC studios in Burbank will support a number of news and information operations, including the NBC and Telemundo network affiliates KNBC, KVEA, and KWHY. The new configuration increases productivity and improve communication, coordination and resource sharing among newsgathering units. The initiative, called “NBCU 2.0,” will result in the layoffs of 700 employees throughout the company over the next two years. The move will also cut annual administrative and operating expenses by $750 million by the end of 2008. “NBC Universal 2.0 will prepare us for future growth from a position of strength,” said Television Group CEO Jeff Zucker said. “With new momentum in prime time at NBC, continued leadership from NBC News, real growth at Telemundo, and solid performances in virtually every other division in our Television Group, there is no better time to re-engineer the company for the revolutionary changes to come.” NBC Universal 2.0 maximizes the potential of the entire NBC Universal portfolio, including broadcast, cable, film, and theme parks, by creating efficiencies and reallocating resources to invest in new growth areas, the company said. NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric and 20 percent owned by Vivendi.

The North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce holds its home improvement networking cluster No. 1. 7 a.m. Marie Callender’s 19310 Business Center Dr., Northridge (818) 349-5676 nvrcc.com

Bruce English has stepped down as executive vice president and director of Encino-based California United Bank. English has been at the Encino-based bank for 18 months and will remain one of its largest individual shareholders. In a statement released Thursday, English said he “will continue to support the bank in every way possible.” “I am confident that the members of the bank’s management team are well suited to the upcoming phase of the bank’s growth,” he said. English officially resigned Oct. 18.

Ixia opened a new headquarters in England in response to a rapidly expanding customer base in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. With the opening of the new facility in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Ixia offers its European, Middle East, and Asian customers fully equipped labs to support both pre- and post-sales activities, including professional training. Calabasas-basd Ixia is a global provider of performance test systems for IP-based infrastructure and services. Over the past two years, Ixia has expanded its Europe, Middle East, and Asia organization by more than 500 percent to provide direct and regional support with regional partners. “As service providers within EMEA increasingly build out their networks to deliver new, revenue generating IP services, Ixia is helping them and their suppliers ensure quality of experience by offering converged IP test systems, IP expertise and access to our sophisticated lab facilities in Marlow,” said Chief Executive Officer Errol Ginsberg.

Six Flags Inc. on Wednesday introduced a new code of conduct for guests at its 39 theme parks, including Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. The rules solidify some simple rules such as prohibiting holding places in line, offensive behavior and abusive language. The most significant change affects what guests can wear bathing suits may be worn only in waterpark areas and shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. The new regulations, the first time the theme park chain has set overarching rules for its theme parks, will be posted outside ticket sales areas at parks starting in 2007. The changes come as New York-based Six Flags re-brands itself as a family-friendly chain. Six Flags Magic Mountain has come under fire in recent years for allowing unruly guests into the park. In 2006, the company banned smoking at its facilities.

The Studio City Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly mixer. 5:30 p.m. Fitwize 4 Kids 11239 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 655-5916 studiocitychamber.com