Brian Watt Business and Economics Reporter
- Phone: (626) 583-5108
Brian Watt is KPCC’s lead Business and Economics Reporter. He joined the KPCC news team in 2007. Prior to that, he worked as a producer at "Marketplace," where he filed a number of his own stories and even filled in some mornings as host.
Brian holds degrees in Theater from Yale University and the Sorbonne, and has worked as an actor in France, Italy, Brazil, Hungary and Hollywood. He appeared in a few television shows, including "The West Wing," "Judging Amy," and "The District."
Stories by Brian Watt
L.A. City and County Release Proposed Budgets for Fiscal 2008-2009
It's budget time in Los Angeles. Bean counters for the City and the County made their proposals for the coming fiscal year Monday. We have two reports: KPCC's Brian Watt begins with a focus on the county, followed by Frank Stolze with a look at the city.
American Cancellations Cause Delays for Passengers at LAX
American Airlines plans to ground hundreds of flights for inspection. It's the fourth day in a row of safety inspections and passenger headaches. KPCC's Brian Watt has more on the 15 departures scratched Thursday at Los Angeles International Airport.
L.A. City Council Approves Water and Power Rate Increases
Search under the cushions of your couch for an extra seven-and-half bucks a month. If you live in Los Angeles, you're gonna need that money to pay your water and power bill in a little more than a year. The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to give final approval to proposed rate increases for water and electricity. KPCC's Brian Watt went to City Hall for the vote.
LAPD Promotes First Asian-American Deputy Chief
The Los Angeles Police Department has appointed its first Asian-American deputy chief. The honor went Monday to 28-year LAPD veteran Terry Hara. KPCC's Brian Watt went to the Police Academy for the promotion ceremony.
Mourners Remember Los Angeles Firefighter Brent Lovrien
A spectacle was in order for the first firefighter Los Angeles has lost on the job in almost four years. Flags flew at half mast in downtown this morning, and dozens of polished fire trucks lined city streets near the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Friends, relatives, and city officials joined hundreds of firefighters from across the country who paid their last respects to fallen firefighter Brent Lovrien. KPCC's Patricia Nazario and Brian Watt observed the memorial. An Honorary Color Guard stands in formation in front of L.A.'s City Hall before Brent Lovrien's funeral procession.
Mourners Remember Los Angeles Firefighter Brent Lovrien
A spectacle was in order for the first firefighter Los Angeles has lost on the job in almost four years. Flags flew at half mast in downtown this morning, and dozens of polished fire trucks lined city streets near the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Friends, relatives, and city officials joined hundreds of firefighters from across the country who paid their last respects to fallen firefighter Brent Lovrien. KPCC's Patricia Nazario and Brian Watt observed the memorial.
AFTRA Suspends Joint Bargaining Agreement With Screen Actors Guild
The two major actors' unions, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, have gone their separate ways after 27 years. KPCC's Brian Watt says AFTRA will negotiate its own contract with studios.
Labor Groups Launch Campaign to Organize Car Wash Workers
Labor and immigrants' rights groups launched a campaign Thursday to organize workers at Los Angeles-area car washes. KPCC's Brian Watt says the groups are taking aim at car wash owners they say routinely violate labor, health, and safety laws.
L.A. City Council To Vote On Proposed Rate Increases
At its scheduled meeting Tuesday, Los Angeles City Council takes up a proposal to raise water and electricity rates. It's a highly charged matter, says KPCC's Brian Watt.
UCLA, UCI Medical Students Learn Their Fates on "Match Day"
At medical schools across the country, Thursday is "Match Day." Med students in their final year find out whether the residency program of their choice has accepted them. These students are the doctors who will provide the care to all of us in the coming decades. We sent reporters to two local medical schools to witness this different version of "March Madness." KPCC's Susan Valot was at UC Irvine, but we begin at UCLA with reporter Brian Watt.
UCLA, UCI Medical Students Learn Their Fates on "Match Day"
At medical schools across the country, Thursday is "Match Day." Med students in their final year find out whether the residency program of their choice has accepted them. These students are the doctors who will provide the care to all of us in the coming decades. We sent reporters to two local medical schools to witness this different version of "March Madness." KPCC's Susan Valot was at UC Irvine, but we begin at UCLA with reporter Brian Watt.
Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo Sues Health Net
The city of Los Angeles is suing the medical insurer Health Net for unfair business practices and misleading advertising. The Woodland Hills-based company allegedly sold policies that promised coverage, but canceled them when patients need expensive treatment. KPCC's Brian Watt has the story.
Slow Growth Expected for Southland
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation issued its economic forecast Wednesday for California and the Southland. KPCC's Brian Watt has more.
Pomona Police, Feds Target Three Gangs for Drug Trafficking
Local police and federal law enforcement agents arrested 10 alleged gang members or associates Monday in the Pomona area. KPCC's Brian Watt says the arrests tie into a one-year joint investigation into gang-related drug trafficking.
Showbiz Employees Found Various Ways to Survive the Strike
Members of the Writers' Guild vote today on whether to continue or end their strike against Hollywood studios. Some writers could be back at work as early as Wednesday. KPCC's Brian Watt checked in with two people in the business to see how the strike affected them personally and professionally.
