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American Airlines isn’t the only source of layoff news
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American Airlines isn’t the only source of layoff news

Bankrupt American Airlines on Wednesday revealed a tough restructuring plan that would scrap the pension plan, reduce health care benefits and, as several of my mobile news smartphone apps trumpted, , lay off some 13,000 employees. That’s a blow to a stumbling jobs market and a hit to consumer and worker confidence, though investors probably love [...]

Finding business angles in Black History Month
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Finding business angles in Black History Month

Every February, myriad events nationwide commemorate and celebrate the country’s African American citizens.  And while many observances focus on history, heritage and culture, there are plenty of angles for business writeres, too, in the experiences of black Americans. Profiles and features of are a natural fit.  If you generally only cover incremental changes at companies run [...]

Follow the local impact as auto dealers get a boost
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Follow the local impact as auto dealers get a boost

Coming off a year with a welcome 10 percent increase in sales, the nation’s auto dealers are prepped for an even better 2012, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).  Its “Top 3 factors why U.S. auto sales will increase in 2012″ suggests that aging autos, available credit and plenty of incentives from dealers [...]

How is Dodd-Frank rippling through regional economies?
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How is Dodd-Frank rippling through regional economies?

Hard to believe it’s been 18 months since President Obama signed financial regulatory overhaul into the law that was prompted by the collapse and/or near collapse of what’s now known as America’s too-big-to-fail financial institutions. Pundits, critics and observers differ on the need for such legislation and now, whether it’s made our economy safer from [...]

A menu of ideas for covering the food-service sector
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A menu of ideas for covering the food-service sector

Nearly a month into New Year’s resolutions, I have a feeling that millions of Americans’ resolve is withering just as grocery ads are touting fattening Super Bowl snack foods and bistros are starting to advertise succulent Valentine’s Day specials.  Between now and Lent, more than a little noshing will take place – so take advantage [...]

Discover the re-commerce scene in your local economy
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Discover the re-commerce scene in your local economy

There’s a hip new name for the secondhand goods deals that long have been dear to the heart of garage-salers, estate-sale mavens and consignment-shop connoisseurs: Re-commerce. The new term for turning one’s unwanted possessions into spendable cash turned up on a Trendwatching.com list of 2012 consumer trends to watch.  “For smart consumers, trading in is [...]

The economy adds special angles on tax stories
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The economy adds special angles on tax stories

With one week to go before all W-2s must be mailed out, the IRS already has started processing 2011 income-tax returns and readers are beginning to gather news they use in preparing their own.

Debtors in prison – where to start on a complicated story?
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Debtors in prison – where to start on a complicated story?

Susie An of Chicago’s WBEZ public radio station found some people who couldn’t pay their bills were landing in jail despite laws that prohibit debtors’ prisons.

More money angles to Italy’s Costa Concordia cruise ship tragedy
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More money angles to Italy’s Costa Concordia cruise ship tragedy

Well, this has to be some kind of a record:  An Italian site is selling T-shirts emblazoned with the terse command “Vada a bordo, cazzo!” issued by the Italian Coast Guard official fast earning fame for his fire-and-brimstone rebukes to Costa Concordia Captain Francesco Schettino. By some web accounts, that command translates roughly to “Get [...]

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