Bill Carter | LA Today

Global Tech & AI Briefing: Amazon’s $233M India Boost, Starship Setback, Spotify Leak, Midjourney AI Video Debut & Key Deals (June 20, 2025)

Bill CarterJune 20, 202504 mins

June 20, 2025 – The global technology sector witnessed a series of pivotal developments today, spanning e-commerce, space exploration, artificial intelligence, digital media, and financial technology. From strategic investments by e-commerce giants to challenging milestones in rocketry and significant shifts in AI partnerships and fintech ownership, the day underscored the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature…

US Businesses Grapple with Uncertainty as ICE Worksite Enforcement Intensifies

Bill CarterJune 20, 2025June 20, 202505 mins

Washington, D.C. – Just days after President Donald Trump ordered a temporary pause to immigration enforcement actions disrupting key sectors of the American economy, the administration signaled a swift and dramatic shift back towards aggressive worksite operations, leaving businesses in farming, ranching, hospitality, and other industries reeling from confusion and uncertainty. Last week, managers across…

Los Angeles Grapples with Soaring Legal Payouts Amid Deepening Budget Crisis

Bill CarterJune 20, 202504 mins

Los Angeles is facing a significant fiscal challenge as legal settlements and jury verdicts paid out by the city have escalated dramatically, becoming a major contributor to a projected budget shortfall. In the current fiscal year, 2024, the city disbursed $289 million in legal payouts. This represents a substantial increase compared to just $91.3 million…

Los Angeles Lifts Downtown Curfew Following Immigration Protests, Businesses Grapple with Losses

Bill CarterJune 18, 202503 mins

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, announced the lifting of a curfew that had been in effect for downtown areas since the previous week. The measure, initially imposed on June 10, was enacted to mitigate potential vandalism and break-ins during nighttime protests prompted by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. These demonstrations…

Sound & Screen

Hollywood Digital Production Standard Delayed to 2026 by AMPTP Amid Tech & Union Talks

Bill CarterJune 17, 202504 mins

Los Angeles, CA – The implementation of a key initiative aimed at modernizing digital workflows and enhancing cybersecurity across major Hollywood studios has been officially postponed. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) announced the delay today for the ‘California Digital Production Workflow Standard (CDPWS)’, pushing its initial target date from the fourth…

Los Angeles City Council Advances Sweeping Restaurant Worker Protection Bill

Bill CarterJune 17, 202504 mins

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles City Council took a significant initial step on June 17, 2025, toward potentially enacting new regulations designed to enhance protections and ensure fairer compensation for restaurant employees across the city. The proposed measure, formally titled the “Los Angeles Dining Employee Protection Act,” was advanced after robust discussion during…

Majestic Pictures Commits $200 Million to AI Production Future with ‘Project Aurora’

Bill CarterJune 17, 202505 mins

Majestic Pictures, a global leader in entertainment production, today announced a significant strategic initiative aimed at fundamentally transforming its film and television production processes through the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. The ambitious program, formally named ‘Project Aurora’, represents a substantial commitment from the studio, backed by an initial investment of $200 million over the…

Anya Sharma Announces ‘Future Echoes’ World Tour 2025: Dates, Tickets, and Key Venues Revealed

Bill CarterJune 17, 202504 mins

Global pop phenomenon Anya Sharma has officially announced the initial details for her highly anticipated ‘Future Echoes’ world tour, marking her most extensive concert series undertaking to date. The tour, in support of her latest chart-topping album \”Starlight Catalyst,\” is set to commence on Friday, October 3, 2025, in Philadelphia, United States. First Leg: North…

Santa Monica College’s ‘LA Mode 2025’ Showcases Emerging Talent with Focus on Sustainability

Bill CarterJune 12, 202504 mins

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica College (SMC) Fashion Program is set to host its highly anticipated annual student fashion show, titled “LA Mode 2025,” an event poised to highlight the innovative vision and technical skill of its emerging design students. The show, themed “Style, Substance & Sustainability,” promises a comprehensive look at the…

EU Unleashes Strict AI Rules: High-Risk Systems Face Tough Standards, Tech Giants Brace for 2025 Enforcement

Bill CarterJune 10, 202504 mins

Brussels, Belgium – The European Union has taken a significant step toward implementing its landmark Artificial Intelligence Act, with the European Commission today releasing detailed Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) specifically targeting high-risk AI systems. These comprehensive guidelines are set to redefine the operational and compliance landscapes for developers and deployers of AI technology across the…