News
Record $11M Fine For Illegal California Gold Mine
June 14, 2013 9:12 am | by Don Thompson, Associated Press | CommentsRegulators say the miners have continued to scrape valuable ore from a ridge about 45 miles east of the state capital even though two of the operators also face criminal charges in El Dorado County. Joseph Hardesty and Rick Churches have another court appearance set for Friday.
U.S. Wholesale Prices Rise 0.5 Percent In May
June 14, 2013 8:57 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsA rise in food and gas costs drove a measure of wholesale prices up sharply in May. But outside those volatile categories, inflation was mild.The Labor Department said Friday that the producer price index rose 0.5 percent in May from April.
Lightweight Microsoft Office Available On iPhone
June 14, 2013 8:27 am | by Anick Jesdanun, AP Technology Writer | CommentsMicrosoft's Office software package is coming to the iPhone for the first time Friday, offering people the ability to read and edit their text documents, spreadsheets and slide presentations at the doctor's office or at a soccer game.
GAO Rejects Beechcraft's Protest Of Lost Contract
June 14, 2013 8:24 am | CommentsBoth companies issued statements Thursday announcing the decision by the Government Accountability Office. It's the latest development in a high-stakes competition that has taken nearly three years with legal challenges from both sides.
First Flight Of Airbus A350 Reopens Wide-Body Race
June 14, 2013 8:00 am | by Lori Hinnant, Associated Press | CommentsFriday's flight from Toulouse is to last about four hours and marks a key step on the path to full certification. More than half of the A350 — Airbus' first all-new plane in eight years — is made up of lightweight carbon-fiber designed to save on jet fuel, which makes up half the cost of long-haul flights.
Ind. City Sues Over Failed Pharmaceutical Facility
June 14, 2013 7:57 am | CommentsGreenwood officials three years ago approved the project incentives, including a $6 million construction loan for 50,000-square-foot plant in a business park east of the city just south of Indianapolis. Elona said then it expected to employ some 70 workers and spend more than $25 million on a planned expansion.
FDA Aims To Prevent Hacking Of Medical Devices
June 14, 2013 7:53 am | CommentsThe Food and Drug Administration wants makers of medical devices to design future products to prevent hackers from targeting them and disrupting patient care. A draft of the agency's recommendations — what the FDA calls guidance — was posted on its website Thursday.
New Hostess Owner Prepares To Restart Ga. Plant
June 14, 2013 7:51 am | CommentsThe smell of snack cakes could soon return to the Dolly Madison plant in Columbus as Hostess Brands LLC prepares to relaunch production.Hostess Brands LLC spokesman Michael Cramer said workers will be resuming production by July. He said crews are now getting the facility ready to bake goods again, including testing equipment that's been idle since November.
Revlon Paying $850K Penalty To Settle SEC Charges
June 14, 2013 7:47 am | CommentsCosmetics company Revlon Inc. has agreed to pay a $850,000 fine to settle federal charges that it withheld key information from shareholders about a "going-private" transaction. Going-private transactions are typically when a company seeks to cash out shareholders so it or a private equity firm can acquire all outstanding shares.
Companion Apps, Open Worlds: 5 Trends From E3
June 14, 2013 7:40 am | by Derrik J. Lang, AP Entertainment Writer | CommentsSharing gaming clips will be as easy as hitting a button, especially in the case of the PS4. The controller for Sony's next-gen console features a "share" button, while Microsoft has partnered with the popular streaming service Twitch to allow users to quickly upload clips from the Xbox One.
Kodak Ending Production Of Acetate Film Base
June 14, 2013 7:13 am | CommentsEastman Kodak Co. says it's ending in-house production of one of the key components of camera film and cutting 61 jobs. The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester reports (http://on.rocne.ws/11cAOIs ) that Kodak plans to shut down its acetate base manufacturing operations next week. Light-sensitive chemicals are spread on the acetate base for photographic film.
Gov't: LNG Export Decisions Due By End Of Year
June 13, 2013 4:15 pm | by Matthew Daly, Associated Press | CommentsMoniz, who took office last month, told a House energy panel Thursday that he has been reviewing the issue and will soon begin evaluating applications on a case-by-case basis. Asked whether he would make decisions on export applications this year, Moniz said "yes, absolutely," but he did not give a more specific timeframe.
NC Chamber Holds Manufacturing Summit
June 13, 2013 4:10 pm | CommentsJohn Bolla is a vice president at GlaxoSmithKline and will be the keynote speaker at the summit, which is being held Thursday in Greensboro. Other speakers include Dale Folwell of the state Division of Employment Security and Preston Howard of the N.C. Manufacturers Alliance.
GM Tells Analysts It's Making Progress On Costs
June 13, 2013 3:52 pm | CommentsSenior Vice President Mary Barra told a group of financial analysts on Wednesday that GM is saving money by using the same parts on many vehicles. It also has moved parts suppliers closer to factories to cut shipping costs, and it's building more models on the same underpinnings.
Prosecutors Push For Anti-Phone Theft Measures
June 13, 2013 3:40 pm | by Meghan Barr, Associated Press | CommentsCiting statistics showing that 1 in 3 robberies nationwide involve the theft of a mobile phone, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the formation of a coalition of law enforcement agencies devoted to stamping out what he called an "epidemic" of smartphone robberies.
1 Dead, At Least 30 Hurt In La. Plant Explosion
June 13, 2013 1:44 pm | by Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press | CommentsState police say at least one person was killed and at least 30 were injured in an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana. State police Capt. Doug Cain said a hazardous material crew going through the plant in Geismar after the Thursday morning explosion found one person dead.
GE, UK To Work Together On Research
June 13, 2013 12:07 pm | CommentsThe University of Kentucky has reached an agreement with GE Appliances to collaborate on research aimed at producing innovations in the appliances business. UK President Eli Capilouto joined GE Appliances executives to announce the collaboration Thursday at GE's Appliance Park in Louisville.
U.S. Unemployment Benefit Applications Fall
June 13, 2013 11:58 am | by Christopher S. Rugaber, AP Economics Writer | CommentsThe number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 334,000, a decline that suggests steady job gains will endure. The less volatile four-week average decreased 7,250 to 345,250, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Businesses Increased Stockpiles In April
June 13, 2013 11:56 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | CommentsU.S. businesses increased their stockpiles in April but their sales fell for a second straight month, held back by a decline in orders to American factories. The Commerce Department said Thursday that business stockpiles rose 0.3 percent in April from March.
Court: Human Genes Can't Be Patented
June 13, 2013 11:54 am | by Jesse J. Holland, Associated Press | CommentsThe Supreme Court ruled Thursday that companies cannot patent parts of naturally-occurring human genes, a decision with the potential to profoundly affect the emerging and lucrative medical and biotechnology industries. The high court's unanimous judgment reverses three decades of patent awards by government officials.
