AFL.com | Preview: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs AFL.com St Kilda has an interesting run home with games against Collingwood, Geelong and Carlton interspersed with the Bulldogs, Melbourne and GWS. This is one of the must-win games and a defeat would be an enormous setback in such a competitive field for ... |
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Preview: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs - AFL.com
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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Expert: Phoenix-area home sale increase may not signal recovery - Phoenix Business Journal:
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Some 11,820 previously owned homes were sold in comparedwith 9,980 in May and 7,87o0 in June 2008, according to data collectedd through ASU’s Realty Studies program. Abouyt 34 percent of last month’s sales were for properties in some stage of foreclosure. About half of the othee June sales represented previously foreclosed properties that were take n back bythe lenders. “While there is hope that the housingh troubles are beginningto ebb, the recenr rise in activity ... does not necessarily representt recovery,” Butler said. The currenty market, he said, is driven by “investors lookin for a deal, especialluy with the potential ofgreat appreciation.
It is not driven by the traditional owner-occupant looking for a place to That’s an unfortunate dynamic, given the need for individual stability ineconomic recovery. “Recovery cannoyt really take place untilthe owner-occupan t looking for space is the fundamental market force, and the other areas of activity — investment and foreclosuresd — return to their respective historical norms,” Butler • More expensive homes represent a growing segmenty of foreclosures, with 22 homes valuer at more than $1 million entering the foreclosure Seven of those are valued at more than $2 • Lender or bank-owned properties are being put back into the market with significant ranging from an averags of 51 percent in Maryvale to 30 percent in El Mirage and 12 percenyt in Tempe, perhaps the strongest submarket in the Valley.
Rapidly declining values in certai n neighborhoods because of foreclosur activity make it harder for existing residentx to take advantage of loan modification programs that would help them avoid foreclosure on theirfown homes. • The affluent Nortbh Scottsdale area saw a slight increas e in median home values inJune 2009. The median price for a foreclosedr propertywas $451,595, compared with $451,530 in May 2009. The mediaj price for a traditional salex transaction in the same areawas $460,000 in June, comparee with $435,000 in May. • The lowest median price s in June were recorded in theWest Valley’se Maryvale neighborhood.
The highest median as expected, were recorded in Paradise Valley. For more: .
Some 11,820 previously owned homes were sold in comparedwith 9,980 in May and 7,87o0 in June 2008, according to data collectedd through ASU’s Realty Studies program. Abouyt 34 percent of last month’s sales were for properties in some stage of foreclosure. About half of the othee June sales represented previously foreclosed properties that were take n back bythe lenders. “While there is hope that the housingh troubles are beginningto ebb, the recenr rise in activity ... does not necessarily representt recovery,” Butler said. The currenty market, he said, is driven by “investors lookin for a deal, especialluy with the potential ofgreat appreciation.
It is not driven by the traditional owner-occupant looking for a place to That’s an unfortunate dynamic, given the need for individual stability ineconomic recovery. “Recovery cannoyt really take place untilthe owner-occupan t looking for space is the fundamental market force, and the other areas of activity — investment and foreclosuresd — return to their respective historical norms,” Butler • More expensive homes represent a growing segmenty of foreclosures, with 22 homes valuer at more than $1 million entering the foreclosure Seven of those are valued at more than $2 • Lender or bank-owned properties are being put back into the market with significant ranging from an averags of 51 percent in Maryvale to 30 percent in El Mirage and 12 percenyt in Tempe, perhaps the strongest submarket in the Valley.
Rapidly declining values in certai n neighborhoods because of foreclosur activity make it harder for existing residentx to take advantage of loan modification programs that would help them avoid foreclosure on theirfown homes. • The affluent Nortbh Scottsdale area saw a slight increas e in median home values inJune 2009. The median price for a foreclosedr propertywas $451,595, compared with $451,530 in May 2009. The mediaj price for a traditional salex transaction in the same areawas $460,000 in June, comparee with $435,000 in May. • The lowest median price s in June were recorded in theWest Valley’se Maryvale neighborhood.
The highest median as expected, were recorded in Paradise Valley. For more: .
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Citizens customers face rate hike - San Francisco Business Times:
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While most of the insurer’s more than 1 million customer s will see ratesgo up, some will see them go down as a resultg of Wednesday’s action, Citizens spokesma n John Kuczwanski said. The vote ends a three-year rate freezed that was put into effectin 2007, when the Florida Legislaturde froze rates through the end of 2009. However, during the last legislative session, lawmakers decided to allow Citizens to raise its rates by up to 10 percentg to help bolster theundercapitalized insurer, at the same time, protect consumera from skyrocketing premiums. Without the cap, policyholders would have seen rateasnearly double.
However, lawmakers did not address the question oflowering rates. That became an issuwe of contentionat Wednesday’s meeting, and board membersa agreed to allow for a decrease in premiums of up to 10 if warranted. “There was some discussio n about how toaddress that, taking into consideratio the need for Citizens to become a more financiallyh stable entity,” Kuczwanski said. The next step is for the recommendes new rate structure to be presenter tothe , which can approve or adjust the Because it’s a state-run agency, Citizenzs would not have the right to Kuczwanski said.
While most of the insurer’s more than 1 million customer s will see ratesgo up, some will see them go down as a resultg of Wednesday’s action, Citizens spokesma n John Kuczwanski said. The vote ends a three-year rate freezed that was put into effectin 2007, when the Florida Legislaturde froze rates through the end of 2009. However, during the last legislative session, lawmakers decided to allow Citizens to raise its rates by up to 10 percentg to help bolster theundercapitalized insurer, at the same time, protect consumera from skyrocketing premiums. Without the cap, policyholders would have seen rateasnearly double.
However, lawmakers did not address the question oflowering rates. That became an issuwe of contentionat Wednesday’s meeting, and board membersa agreed to allow for a decrease in premiums of up to 10 if warranted. “There was some discussio n about how toaddress that, taking into consideratio the need for Citizens to become a more financiallyh stable entity,” Kuczwanski said. The next step is for the recommendes new rate structure to be presenter tothe , which can approve or adjust the Because it’s a state-run agency, Citizenzs would not have the right to Kuczwanski said.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
MGIC to invest $1B in new subsidiary - Sacramento Business Journal:
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The Milwaukee-based mortgage insurer (NYSE: MTG) also announcex Thursday morning its eighth consecutive quarterlynet loss. MGIC said its net loss for the quarted ending June 30was $339.8i million, or $2.74 per compared with a net loss of $99.9 million, or 81 centxs in the same quarter a year ago. Chairmahn and CEO Curt Culve r saidthe company’s financial resultsz continue to be adversely impacted by increaserd mortgage delinquencies and the “severe housing correction.” MGIC executives continue to believs that MGIC has more than adequate resources to pay all of its insurex claim obligations on the existing insurancr in force.
The subsidiary, known as , will writee new business starting Jan. 1, 2010, the company said. to the U.S. Securitiex and Exchange Commission that they were formulating a plan for writing new business viathe subsidiary. The subsidiaryg previously wrote mortgage guaranty insuranc but has not written new businesssince 1985, when MGIC emergedd from what, until recently, had been the most traumatic period in its 52-yea history. The Wisconsin insurance commissioner placed MGIC in conservatorship in 1985 afterthe company’xs then-owner, Baldwin-United Corp. of Cincinnati, filed for Chapter 11 MGIC emerged from those troubles when managemengt led a buyout financedby Milwaukee-basecd .
MGIC has received approval from itsprimaryt regulator, the Wisconsin Office of Commissioner of to proceed with reactivating the subsidiary. The compangy needs to secure further regulator approvals before it can write new The company is tapping the subsidiary to address concernsx thatits risk-to-capital ratio mightt eclipse regulatory requirements and prevent MGIC from writingb new business. “In order to provided certainty that we would be able to continue writinfg new business on anuninterrupted basis, we needed to write new busineses in a company which has a lowe r risk-to-capital ratio,” Culver said.
MGIC will provide capital for the subsidiar y intwo $500 million installments, the first of which is to be made by July 31, and the seconxd within five business days after Jan. 1, 2011. When the subsidiary becomew fully operational, MGIC will stop writing new business. MGIC will continure to collect premiums on its insurance business and will pay claims on that businesw but will no longer writenew insurance, the company The subsidiary will be run by executivews of Total revenue for MGIC’ second quarter was $454.5 million, compared with $424.5 million in the second quarter of 2008. Net premiums writtemn for the quarterwere $330.4 million, compared with $371.
8i million for the year-ago Net premiums written for the first six months of 2009 were $677.9 compared with $740.3 million a year earlier. Included in other revenue for the second quarter was a gainof $8 milliohn that resulted from the company’s repurchase of $40.3e million of long-term debt due in September 2011. New insurancer written in the second quarterwas $5.9 compared with $14 billion in the second quartedr of 2008. New insurance written for the firsg six months of 2009was $12.3 billion comparesd with $33.1 billion in the first half of 2008. MGIC stoclk opened lower Thursday, but rose by mid-morning before closing up 76 cents at $4.70, or more than 19 percent for the day.
The Milwaukee-based mortgage insurer (NYSE: MTG) also announcex Thursday morning its eighth consecutive quarterlynet loss. MGIC said its net loss for the quarted ending June 30was $339.8i million, or $2.74 per compared with a net loss of $99.9 million, or 81 centxs in the same quarter a year ago. Chairmahn and CEO Curt Culve r saidthe company’s financial resultsz continue to be adversely impacted by increaserd mortgage delinquencies and the “severe housing correction.” MGIC executives continue to believs that MGIC has more than adequate resources to pay all of its insurex claim obligations on the existing insurancr in force.
The subsidiary, known as , will writee new business starting Jan. 1, 2010, the company said. to the U.S. Securitiex and Exchange Commission that they were formulating a plan for writing new business viathe subsidiary. The subsidiaryg previously wrote mortgage guaranty insuranc but has not written new businesssince 1985, when MGIC emergedd from what, until recently, had been the most traumatic period in its 52-yea history. The Wisconsin insurance commissioner placed MGIC in conservatorship in 1985 afterthe company’xs then-owner, Baldwin-United Corp. of Cincinnati, filed for Chapter 11 MGIC emerged from those troubles when managemengt led a buyout financedby Milwaukee-basecd .
MGIC has received approval from itsprimaryt regulator, the Wisconsin Office of Commissioner of to proceed with reactivating the subsidiary. The compangy needs to secure further regulator approvals before it can write new The company is tapping the subsidiary to address concernsx thatits risk-to-capital ratio mightt eclipse regulatory requirements and prevent MGIC from writingb new business. “In order to provided certainty that we would be able to continue writinfg new business on anuninterrupted basis, we needed to write new busineses in a company which has a lowe r risk-to-capital ratio,” Culver said.
MGIC will provide capital for the subsidiar y intwo $500 million installments, the first of which is to be made by July 31, and the seconxd within five business days after Jan. 1, 2011. When the subsidiary becomew fully operational, MGIC will stop writing new business. MGIC will continure to collect premiums on its insurance business and will pay claims on that businesw but will no longer writenew insurance, the company The subsidiary will be run by executivews of Total revenue for MGIC’ second quarter was $454.5 million, compared with $424.5 million in the second quarter of 2008. Net premiums writtemn for the quarterwere $330.4 million, compared with $371.
8i million for the year-ago Net premiums written for the first six months of 2009 were $677.9 compared with $740.3 million a year earlier. Included in other revenue for the second quarter was a gainof $8 milliohn that resulted from the company’s repurchase of $40.3e million of long-term debt due in September 2011. New insurancer written in the second quarterwas $5.9 compared with $14 billion in the second quartedr of 2008. New insurance written for the firsg six months of 2009was $12.3 billion comparesd with $33.1 billion in the first half of 2008. MGIC stoclk opened lower Thursday, but rose by mid-morning before closing up 76 cents at $4.70, or more than 19 percent for the day.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wachovia report: Florida hit harder by recession - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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Florida went into the recession nine monthe ahead of the rest of theUnitexd States, and excesses in housing and commerciap real estate are considerably worse than the natio n as a whole, the report Statewide, the median salesx price of existing homes is down aboutg 45 percent from the peak of the housing boom in Novembe 2005, but the drop in the Tamps Bay area is even steeper at about 60 Employment conditions continue to the report says.
The state’s unemploymenf rate is expected to top out arounfd11 percent, Wachovia projects, with a loss of 720,000 including 430,000 jobs lost this reported 137 layoff events during the firsf quarter, more than double the previous Job losses are heaviest in industries with directr ties to the building boom, including construction and Wachovia said. Wachovia estimates Floridians saw a net lossof $1.2 trillionj in household wealth during 2008 with about two-thirds of that drop occurring in financia assets.
Florida went into the recession nine monthe ahead of the rest of theUnitexd States, and excesses in housing and commerciap real estate are considerably worse than the natio n as a whole, the report Statewide, the median salesx price of existing homes is down aboutg 45 percent from the peak of the housing boom in Novembe 2005, but the drop in the Tamps Bay area is even steeper at about 60 Employment conditions continue to the report says.
The state’s unemploymenf rate is expected to top out arounfd11 percent, Wachovia projects, with a loss of 720,000 including 430,000 jobs lost this reported 137 layoff events during the firsf quarter, more than double the previous Job losses are heaviest in industries with directr ties to the building boom, including construction and Wachovia said. Wachovia estimates Floridians saw a net lossof $1.2 trillionj in household wealth during 2008 with about two-thirds of that drop occurring in financia assets.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
LandMar files for bankruptcy - Triangle Business Journal:
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The Jacksonville-based residential development company was amontg 125 affiliates that filed along with itsparent Charlotte-based , in the Western District of Crescent’s estimated liabilities are more than $1 billion, according to the and its largest debt, at $13.6t million, is to Bank of America. The filing was according to a statementon Crescent’s Web site, for the companyh to reorganize its finances, reduce its debt leveo and improve its capital Crescent intends to operate its continuing businessesz without any significant interruption during the restructuring process because of a recently obtained debtor-in-possession financing facility of $110 millionb from a group of its existingy lenders, according to the statement.
Andrew Hede, Crescent’d chief restructuring officer, has been nameed CEO while its formerchief executive, Arthur Fields, has retired and will work with Crescent in an advisory “We have been in active discussionsz with our lenders and other stakeholders as we work towardxs an agreement that will bring our capital structure in line with the currenf economic environment,” Hede said in a statementt on the company’s Web site.
Charlotte-based Crescent has been pursuing alternatives to shores up its balance sheetfor months, including selling some of its The company is jointly owned by (NYSE: DUK) and Morganb Stanley and has 38 residentiap communities under development in the Georgia, Texas, Arizona and Crescent acquired a controlling interesty in LandMar in 1999, but left LandMar’s Ed Burr, in controkl of the company until he resignesd after a failed attempt to buy back the compant in 2007. The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission authorized city lawyers in May to start the foreclosure process onthe 41-acrr parcel that was to be the Shipyards.
Plans for the Shipyardxs included 1 million square feet ofoffice 100,000 square feet of commerciak space, 662 residential 350 hotel rooms and 150 marina LandMar has developed or had plans to develol dozens more properties in Florid a and throughout the
The Jacksonville-based residential development company was amontg 125 affiliates that filed along with itsparent Charlotte-based , in the Western District of Crescent’s estimated liabilities are more than $1 billion, according to the and its largest debt, at $13.6t million, is to Bank of America. The filing was according to a statementon Crescent’s Web site, for the companyh to reorganize its finances, reduce its debt leveo and improve its capital Crescent intends to operate its continuing businessesz without any significant interruption during the restructuring process because of a recently obtained debtor-in-possession financing facility of $110 millionb from a group of its existingy lenders, according to the statement.
Andrew Hede, Crescent’d chief restructuring officer, has been nameed CEO while its formerchief executive, Arthur Fields, has retired and will work with Crescent in an advisory “We have been in active discussionsz with our lenders and other stakeholders as we work towardxs an agreement that will bring our capital structure in line with the currenf economic environment,” Hede said in a statementt on the company’s Web site.
Charlotte-based Crescent has been pursuing alternatives to shores up its balance sheetfor months, including selling some of its The company is jointly owned by (NYSE: DUK) and Morganb Stanley and has 38 residentiap communities under development in the Georgia, Texas, Arizona and Crescent acquired a controlling interesty in LandMar in 1999, but left LandMar’s Ed Burr, in controkl of the company until he resignesd after a failed attempt to buy back the compant in 2007. The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission authorized city lawyers in May to start the foreclosure process onthe 41-acrr parcel that was to be the Shipyards.
Plans for the Shipyardxs included 1 million square feet ofoffice 100,000 square feet of commerciak space, 662 residential 350 hotel rooms and 150 marina LandMar has developed or had plans to develol dozens more properties in Florid a and throughout the
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Society's dilemma with lone-wolf killers - Minneapolis Star Tribune
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Minneapolis Star Tribune | Society's dilemma with lone-wolf killers Minneapolis Star Tribune Tom Sullivan, center, embraces family members outside Gateway High School where he has been searching franticly for his son Alex Sullivan who celebrated his 27th birthday by going to see "The Dark Knight Rises," movie where a gunman opened fire ... OCCUPIER IN CHIEF Batman is proving a flashpoint for anxieties about the mob versus the individual |
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Not every Waikiki business is feeling the tourism boom - Bizjournals.com (blog)
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Not every Waikiki business is feeling the tourism boom Bizjournals.com (blog) Waikiki hotels are enjoying higher occupancy this summer despite big increases in average room rates. But that doesn't mean everybody in Waikiki is feeling positive effects from the tourism boom. In my blog a week ago, I noted that Oahu hotels are ... Hawaii hotel rates rise 9% on higher occupancy < /p> |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Survey: Employee morale improving - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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Twenty-four percent of respondents thought moralw hadgone down. “These results prove that employees are happierd and more likely to stay with their companies due to the qualitu oftheir management,” Burton president and chief executive officer of TriNet, said in a news “Companies that develop the skills of theirt leaders boost their employment branxd which then positively contributes to employee Company culture and reputation was the biggest factoer that held morale according to 36 percent of Other factors included flexibility, a good balance between work and and job security.
The survey also foune that while the intentf to hire had all but disappeared fromlate 2008, hiringt was on a slight upswingt over the past three months with more than 60 percenrt of respondents saying they were currently hirinvg or trying to attract talent, compared with 55 perceng in the first quarter of 2009. More than 250 small-businessd leaders responded tothe survey. San Calif.-based TriNet provides human resources outsourcing and consultingg services tosmall businesses. In June, TriNet acquiredf Bradenton professional employer organizationThe all-cash transaction was valuedf around $98 million.
Twenty-four percent of respondents thought moralw hadgone down. “These results prove that employees are happierd and more likely to stay with their companies due to the qualitu oftheir management,” Burton president and chief executive officer of TriNet, said in a news “Companies that develop the skills of theirt leaders boost their employment branxd which then positively contributes to employee Company culture and reputation was the biggest factoer that held morale according to 36 percent of Other factors included flexibility, a good balance between work and and job security.
The survey also foune that while the intentf to hire had all but disappeared fromlate 2008, hiringt was on a slight upswingt over the past three months with more than 60 percenrt of respondents saying they were currently hirinvg or trying to attract talent, compared with 55 perceng in the first quarter of 2009. More than 250 small-businessd leaders responded tothe survey. San Calif.-based TriNet provides human resources outsourcing and consultingg services tosmall businesses. In June, TriNet acquiredf Bradenton professional employer organizationThe all-cash transaction was valuedf around $98 million.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Catskills restaurant files for bankruptcy - The Business Review (Albany):
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The Shamrock House is markinyg its 71st year in East Greene County, according to the company web It’s unclear if the business intendx to remain open as it restructures its debts in bankruptcu court. A woman who answered the phoned today said thecompany president, John J. is referring questions to his attorney. The Richard Croak in Albany, was out of the offic e and unavailablefor comment. Greene County Tourismk Director Daniela Marino saidshe didn’gt know what the business plans to do. She said the Shamrocko House is an example of the traditional resorts in the Catskills that have anethnic theme. “It’x been a very tough year,” Marino said.
“Thee economy being what it is, unfortunately thesew things may happen.” Another resort in Greene County, the much-largere , filed for bankrupty protectionin June. It will continue operating while its owners search for a Despitethe setbacks, Marino said there are successfu resorts in the county. “We’re pretty optimistic becauswe most of the hotels and restaurants have been able to she said. The Shamrock House has $500,0000 to $1 million in liabilities and lessthan $50,00o0 in assets, according to a petition filed June 29 in in Albany. The largest secured claim is a $514,095 mortgage. The lender isn’t identifiedr in the petition.
The largest unsecured $49,000, is held by Kellegher. The second largesgt is held by , $39,112, for creditt card charges.
The Shamrock House is markinyg its 71st year in East Greene County, according to the company web It’s unclear if the business intendx to remain open as it restructures its debts in bankruptcu court. A woman who answered the phoned today said thecompany president, John J. is referring questions to his attorney. The Richard Croak in Albany, was out of the offic e and unavailablefor comment. Greene County Tourismk Director Daniela Marino saidshe didn’gt know what the business plans to do. She said the Shamrocko House is an example of the traditional resorts in the Catskills that have anethnic theme. “It’x been a very tough year,” Marino said.
“Thee economy being what it is, unfortunately thesew things may happen.” Another resort in Greene County, the much-largere , filed for bankrupty protectionin June. It will continue operating while its owners search for a Despitethe setbacks, Marino said there are successfu resorts in the county. “We’re pretty optimistic becauswe most of the hotels and restaurants have been able to she said. The Shamrock House has $500,0000 to $1 million in liabilities and lessthan $50,00o0 in assets, according to a petition filed June 29 in in Albany. The largest secured claim is a $514,095 mortgage. The lender isn’t identifiedr in the petition.
The largest unsecured $49,000, is held by Kellegher. The second largesgt is held by , $39,112, for creditt card charges.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Ky. video-gaming bill dies in Senate committee - Dallas Business Journal:
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The Senate Appropriations Revenue onMonday evening, voted 10-5 againsft the measure, with two members according to the Lexingtonm Herald-Leader. The House had previously passed the The legislation would havepermitted video-lotteruy terminals at Kentucky horse including Turfway Park in Florence. "The limitedd gaming proposal was designed to help save a signature industrh inperil – an industry that meansa 100,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment for our said Gov. Steve Beshear in a Monday evening "It is unfortunate that every voice on this criticallyt important issue was not heard and everu votenot counted.
" At a Frankfort press conference, Turfwaty Park President Bob Ellistonn said Turfway could close by 2010 if Ohio passes gamingh legislation and Kentucky does not. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland recently reversedr his stance against gamblingat racetracks.
The Senate Appropriations Revenue onMonday evening, voted 10-5 againsft the measure, with two members according to the Lexingtonm Herald-Leader. The House had previously passed the The legislation would havepermitted video-lotteruy terminals at Kentucky horse including Turfway Park in Florence. "The limitedd gaming proposal was designed to help save a signature industrh inperil – an industry that meansa 100,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment for our said Gov. Steve Beshear in a Monday evening "It is unfortunate that every voice on this criticallyt important issue was not heard and everu votenot counted.
" At a Frankfort press conference, Turfwaty Park President Bob Ellistonn said Turfway could close by 2010 if Ohio passes gamingh legislation and Kentucky does not. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland recently reversedr his stance against gamblingat racetracks.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Uncannily Accurate Depiction of the Meth Trade in “Breaking Bad†- New Yorker (blog)
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New Yorker (blog) | The Uncannily Accurate Depiction of the Meth Trade in “Breaking Bad†New Yorker (blog) One chief delight, for me anyway, of the high-end cable drama is the opportunity to become enveloped in a lushly conjured world with its own history, geography, and social codesâ€"a world which, over years of watching, can begin to... |
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Los Rios improves its bond rating - Sacramento Business Journal:
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Standard and Poor’s has upgradede Los Rios’ bond ratings to AA- from A+, the four-college district said in a newsrelease S&P’s highest rating is AAA. A ratin of AA means the bond issuerhas “as very strong capacity to meet its financia commitments.” In its ratings report, Standard and Poor’sa said it raised Los Rios’ grad e because the district had good financial moderate debt levels, adequate reserve funds and ther is continued demand for the district’d services. “This is tremendous news and a real vote of confidencde inthis district’s fiscal management and health,” Los Rios chancellod Brice Harris said in the release.
“Morer importantly, it will save our taxpayers milliond of dollars in debt repayment over the life of ourbuildin program.” Los Rios received the upgrad e as it prepares to issue bonds. The districyt will soon issue the last rounsd of a local bond measures passed in 2002for $265 million. In fiscal 2011 it will released the first round of the local bond measure passed last yearfor $457 million. Los Rios estimatex that the rating upgrade will save taxpayersnearly $36 milliobn in debt service over the remaininb years of the district’s construction program.
The bond measuresw are allowing Los Rios to update existingv space and construct new facilities at its four The district also has acquired land and begun building educational centers in West Sacramento, Davis, Rancho Cordovw and Elk Grove. “Thanks to the generosit y of our voters, we have truly changer the face of our district and made huge improvements in our educationalp facilities forour students,” Los Rios board president Pamela Haynes said in the release.
“We have done this while keeping taxez quite low and this new rating will alloaw us to save our taxpayers even The Los Rios District enrollsnearly 90,000 students at its four American River, Cosumnes River, Folson Lake and Sacramento City.
Standard and Poor’s has upgradede Los Rios’ bond ratings to AA- from A+, the four-college district said in a newsrelease S&P’s highest rating is AAA. A ratin of AA means the bond issuerhas “as very strong capacity to meet its financia commitments.” In its ratings report, Standard and Poor’sa said it raised Los Rios’ grad e because the district had good financial moderate debt levels, adequate reserve funds and ther is continued demand for the district’d services. “This is tremendous news and a real vote of confidencde inthis district’s fiscal management and health,” Los Rios chancellod Brice Harris said in the release.
“Morer importantly, it will save our taxpayers milliond of dollars in debt repayment over the life of ourbuildin program.” Los Rios received the upgrad e as it prepares to issue bonds. The districyt will soon issue the last rounsd of a local bond measures passed in 2002for $265 million. In fiscal 2011 it will released the first round of the local bond measure passed last yearfor $457 million. Los Rios estimatex that the rating upgrade will save taxpayersnearly $36 milliobn in debt service over the remaininb years of the district’s construction program.
The bond measuresw are allowing Los Rios to update existingv space and construct new facilities at its four The district also has acquired land and begun building educational centers in West Sacramento, Davis, Rancho Cordovw and Elk Grove. “Thanks to the generosit y of our voters, we have truly changer the face of our district and made huge improvements in our educationalp facilities forour students,” Los Rios board president Pamela Haynes said in the release.
“We have done this while keeping taxez quite low and this new rating will alloaw us to save our taxpayers even The Los Rios District enrollsnearly 90,000 students at its four American River, Cosumnes River, Folson Lake and Sacramento City.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Mass. health coverage architects in demand in other states - Boston Globe
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Mass. health coverage architects in demand in other states Boston Globe For many who worked to implement universal medical coverage in Massachusetts, the advent of the federal law has spurred something of a gold rush. More than a dozen former Massachusetts health officials are cashing in on their expertise as other states ... |
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Homewood Suites opens in Port Richey - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
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The 4-story, 104-suite extended-stay hotel, at 11115 U.S.1 9 N. in Pasco County, is owned by LLC and managed by MenCorp. Inc. Major nearby companiexs include , , and . Despitee the recession and drop inhotel business, General Manager Robert Knauff said in a statemeny that demand is strong in the extended stay hotelo segment. “In times where both business and leisure travelers arepinching pennies, we offer a greatf value with standard amenities such as fullgy equipped kitchens, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and separatd living and sleeping areas,” Knauff said.
The hote offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom suitea and 11 handicapaccessible suites, plus an executive businesws center and on-site food pantry. Nearby attractions includwe TarponSponge Docks, Weeki Wachee Fox Hollow Golf Course and waterf sport amenities. Launched in 1989, the brancd has 265 hotels with approximately 130 in thedevelopmenr pipeline, a release said. has 3,3090 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and morethan 130,000p team members worldwide. The company’s othe brands include Hilton, , , , , , , , Homewoox Suites by Hilton, the and the , as well as the recentlu launchedby Hilton.
The 4-story, 104-suite extended-stay hotel, at 11115 U.S.1 9 N. in Pasco County, is owned by LLC and managed by MenCorp. Inc. Major nearby companiexs include , , and . Despitee the recession and drop inhotel business, General Manager Robert Knauff said in a statemeny that demand is strong in the extended stay hotelo segment. “In times where both business and leisure travelers arepinching pennies, we offer a greatf value with standard amenities such as fullgy equipped kitchens, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and separatd living and sleeping areas,” Knauff said.
The hote offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom suitea and 11 handicapaccessible suites, plus an executive businesws center and on-site food pantry. Nearby attractions includwe TarponSponge Docks, Weeki Wachee Fox Hollow Golf Course and waterf sport amenities. Launched in 1989, the brancd has 265 hotels with approximately 130 in thedevelopmenr pipeline, a release said. has 3,3090 hotels and 550,000 rooms in 77 countries and morethan 130,000p team members worldwide. The company’s othe brands include Hilton, , , , , , , , Homewoox Suites by Hilton, the and the , as well as the recentlu launchedby Hilton.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson's - WOWT
haga-aa8xuq.blogspot.com
Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson's WOWT Deep brain stimulation may be able to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Former Preds' coach Brent Peterson says surgery saved his life |
Sunday, July 8, 2012
'Our last assignment gave Cassandra Jardine such pleasure' - Telegraph.co.uk
ivyhofy.wordpress.com
Telegraph.co.uk | 'Our last assignment gave Cassandra Jardine such pleasure' Telegraph.co.uk As many Telegraph readers will be aware, Cassandra Jardine, one of this paper's best-loved writers, who had entertained, informed and advised readers for more than 20 years, lost her battle against lung cancer at the end of May. A mother of five, she ... |
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Palm stock down on concerns about Pre supplies, apps - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
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The stock opened at down 6 percent, but traded as low as down about12 percent, in morning trading. Palm closed the day at Concerns about tight supplies and a lack of softwar applications tempered what were generally positivs reports onthe device's debut weekend. "We believe the ’softf launch’ is probably proceeding to plan," J.P. Morgan analysr Paul Coster wrote. "To be reassured, we need to see Sprinf channel inventory replenishedthis week." is Palm'sd (NASDAQ:PALM) exclusive wireless carrier through the end of this year and bega n putting customers on wait liste for the Pre at its stores after suppliez ran out.
Coster estimateds that there were morethan 50,000 Pre phonesa sold after they went on sale at Spriny stores on Saturday, well beloww the 146,000 sold at the launch of the firstg generation of 's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. Other analystsw said pegged Palmsales higher, with Michael Walkley at Piper Jaffray Co. saying there were almost 200,000 The Pre has many features similar to those found on the iPhondand 's (NASDAQ:RIMM) Blackberry Storm, except that Palm'zs device adds a slide-outr keyboard. A key to its success will be whethe it can attract enough software applications to compete withits rivals. The Pre is selling for $199 with a mail-ibn rebate and two-year service contract.
The stock opened at down 6 percent, but traded as low as down about12 percent, in morning trading. Palm closed the day at Concerns about tight supplies and a lack of softwar applications tempered what were generally positivs reports onthe device's debut weekend. "We believe the ’softf launch’ is probably proceeding to plan," J.P. Morgan analysr Paul Coster wrote. "To be reassured, we need to see Sprinf channel inventory replenishedthis week." is Palm'sd (NASDAQ:PALM) exclusive wireless carrier through the end of this year and bega n putting customers on wait liste for the Pre at its stores after suppliez ran out.
Coster estimateds that there were morethan 50,000 Pre phonesa sold after they went on sale at Spriny stores on Saturday, well beloww the 146,000 sold at the launch of the firstg generation of 's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. Other analystsw said pegged Palmsales higher, with Michael Walkley at Piper Jaffray Co. saying there were almost 200,000 The Pre has many features similar to those found on the iPhondand 's (NASDAQ:RIMM) Blackberry Storm, except that Palm'zs device adds a slide-outr keyboard. A key to its success will be whethe it can attract enough software applications to compete withits rivals. The Pre is selling for $199 with a mail-ibn rebate and two-year service contract.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Landmark health care bill passes out of committee - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
The expanded coverage would be funded by new or higher taxez onhealth insurers, hospitals and Medicaid managed care under House Bill 2116, which passed out of the Housde Revenue Committee by a 6-4 vote on By raising more than $150 millioh per year, the state would be eligible for $500 million in unclaimed federal funds. Under the compromise measure, far fewer adults will be insured thanthe 100,00 0 that proponents of expanded health care originallg targeted. Hospitals, which now pay a tax of .
63 can expect a fourfold tax hike in the coming The hospital tax will be indexed to increasefd reimbursements that they can expect to receive whenthe state’ss Medicaid population grows, with the aim of creating a revenud neutral impact on hospitals. Healtg plans and insurers will also pay a 1 percenyt tax on commercialinsurance premiums. Opponents to the largely negotiated in closed meetings between Legislators and health careindustry groups, callef it a back room “The real losers from the Democrats’ predatory premiumj tax of 1 percent of grossx premiums are the employees of small to mediu m sized businesses, who are the very people most likely to lose their coverage because of the rapidly rising costd of health insurance,” said Rep.
Ron R-Grants Pass in a news release. But hospital which had loudly criticized earlier versions of the applauded the measure that left committeson Thursday. “This is a great day for the uninsurerdin Oregon,” said Andy Van Pelt, spokesma for the and Health Systems. “Hospitals came togethe r with legislative leaders to forgs a solution that gets us startes on covering more Oregoniansz than wedo today.
” Now the full Housde takes up the The Legislature hopes to adjourn by the end of
The expanded coverage would be funded by new or higher taxez onhealth insurers, hospitals and Medicaid managed care under House Bill 2116, which passed out of the Housde Revenue Committee by a 6-4 vote on By raising more than $150 millioh per year, the state would be eligible for $500 million in unclaimed federal funds. Under the compromise measure, far fewer adults will be insured thanthe 100,00 0 that proponents of expanded health care originallg targeted. Hospitals, which now pay a tax of .
63 can expect a fourfold tax hike in the coming The hospital tax will be indexed to increasefd reimbursements that they can expect to receive whenthe state’ss Medicaid population grows, with the aim of creating a revenud neutral impact on hospitals. Healtg plans and insurers will also pay a 1 percenyt tax on commercialinsurance premiums. Opponents to the largely negotiated in closed meetings between Legislators and health careindustry groups, callef it a back room “The real losers from the Democrats’ predatory premiumj tax of 1 percent of grossx premiums are the employees of small to mediu m sized businesses, who are the very people most likely to lose their coverage because of the rapidly rising costd of health insurance,” said Rep.
Ron R-Grants Pass in a news release. But hospital which had loudly criticized earlier versions of the applauded the measure that left committeson Thursday. “This is a great day for the uninsurerdin Oregon,” said Andy Van Pelt, spokesma for the and Health Systems. “Hospitals came togethe r with legislative leaders to forgs a solution that gets us startes on covering more Oregoniansz than wedo today.
” Now the full Housde takes up the The Legislature hopes to adjourn by the end of
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Obama: Doing 'nothing' about health care not an option - New Mexico Business Weekly:
yqyqynesara.blogspot.com
“Health care reform is not something I just cooked up when I took Obama told a crowd ofabout 1,50p people Thursday at in the Green Bay suburgb of Ashwaubenon. “It is central to our economicf future. In past years and decades, there may have been some disagreemenr onthis point. But not anymore.” Earlier this Obama said he wants Congress to pass a comprehensive healthh care bill by the end of the summeer and ready for his signatureby fall. Many Democrats, including the favor a government-sponsored healtb insurance plan that would competwe with private insurers and be availablew for people not eligible for othert government health care programs such as Medicareor Medicaid.
Most Republicanx and many business groups, however, say a competinv plan that isn’t profit-driven would drive private insurers out of On Thursday, the , a physician’s grou p Obama is scheduled to meet with Monday in Chicago, said it is opposedc to a government-sponsored insurance plan. Obamaw said his administration is working on a Health Insurance Exchangew that would allow people to comparee insurance benefitsand prices. None of the plans includesd in the exchange would be allowed to deny coverage baseddon pre-existing conditions and all must include an basic benefit option.
“I also strongly believe that one of the optionsx in the Exchange should be a public insurancweoption – because if the private insuranc companies have to compete with a publicx option, it will keep them honest and help keep prices Obama said. Supporters of health care reform say it would provide health insurance coverage to millions of Americans and make coverager more affordable for those who arealreadyg covered.
Because health insurance premiumsz have doubled over the lastnine years, and have grownb at a rate three times faster than even those with coverage have reache d a breaking point, Obama Employers are not faring any Small business owners have been forced to cut healtgh care benefits or drop coveragse entirely because of rising costs, Obama said. “We have the most expensive health care systen inthe world,” Obama said. “Wre spend almost 50 percent more per person on health care than the next mostcostlhy nation. But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthiere for it.
” Obama vowed to let Americanes who are content with their coverage and their physicians keep what they but said the country has reached a pointf where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longerfan option. “If we do nothing, withij a decade we will be spendingb one out of every five dollarsa we earn onhealth care,” Obama said. “Inn 30 years, it will be one out of everuy three.” Obama acknowledged covering all American wouldbe expensive, but promisef health care reform would not add to the country’sd deficit over the next 10 years.
“Tko make that happen, we have already identified hundreds of billionse worth of savings in ourbudget – savingw that will come from steps like reducingf Medicare overpayments to insurancs companies and rooting out waste, fraufd and abuse in both Medicare and Medicaid,” Obama In addition, Obama is proposing that Congreszs scale back the amount the highest-income Americansz can deduct on their taxes and use that money to help financr health care.
Obama spoke for about 20 minutes and then took questions from six people in the audiencd who expressed fearover “socialized medicine,” asked questions aboutr wellness and even questioned the country’s education Regarding the idea of socialized medicine, Obama said that isn’f what he, or anyone in Congress,
“Health care reform is not something I just cooked up when I took Obama told a crowd ofabout 1,50p people Thursday at in the Green Bay suburgb of Ashwaubenon. “It is central to our economicf future. In past years and decades, there may have been some disagreemenr onthis point. But not anymore.” Earlier this Obama said he wants Congress to pass a comprehensive healthh care bill by the end of the summeer and ready for his signatureby fall. Many Democrats, including the favor a government-sponsored healtb insurance plan that would competwe with private insurers and be availablew for people not eligible for othert government health care programs such as Medicareor Medicaid.
Most Republicanx and many business groups, however, say a competinv plan that isn’t profit-driven would drive private insurers out of On Thursday, the , a physician’s grou p Obama is scheduled to meet with Monday in Chicago, said it is opposedc to a government-sponsored insurance plan. Obamaw said his administration is working on a Health Insurance Exchangew that would allow people to comparee insurance benefitsand prices. None of the plans includesd in the exchange would be allowed to deny coverage baseddon pre-existing conditions and all must include an basic benefit option.
“I also strongly believe that one of the optionsx in the Exchange should be a public insurancweoption – because if the private insuranc companies have to compete with a publicx option, it will keep them honest and help keep prices Obama said. Supporters of health care reform say it would provide health insurance coverage to millions of Americans and make coverager more affordable for those who arealreadyg covered.
Because health insurance premiumsz have doubled over the lastnine years, and have grownb at a rate three times faster than even those with coverage have reache d a breaking point, Obama Employers are not faring any Small business owners have been forced to cut healtgh care benefits or drop coveragse entirely because of rising costs, Obama said. “We have the most expensive health care systen inthe world,” Obama said. “Wre spend almost 50 percent more per person on health care than the next mostcostlhy nation. But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthiere for it.
” Obama vowed to let Americanes who are content with their coverage and their physicians keep what they but said the country has reached a pointf where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longerfan option. “If we do nothing, withij a decade we will be spendingb one out of every five dollarsa we earn onhealth care,” Obama said. “Inn 30 years, it will be one out of everuy three.” Obama acknowledged covering all American wouldbe expensive, but promisef health care reform would not add to the country’sd deficit over the next 10 years.
“Tko make that happen, we have already identified hundreds of billionse worth of savings in ourbudget – savingw that will come from steps like reducingf Medicare overpayments to insurancs companies and rooting out waste, fraufd and abuse in both Medicare and Medicaid,” Obama In addition, Obama is proposing that Congreszs scale back the amount the highest-income Americansz can deduct on their taxes and use that money to help financr health care.
Obama spoke for about 20 minutes and then took questions from six people in the audiencd who expressed fearover “socialized medicine,” asked questions aboutr wellness and even questioned the country’s education Regarding the idea of socialized medicine, Obama said that isn’f what he, or anyone in Congress,
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Pennsylvania plans energy trade mission to South Africa - Pittsburgh Business Times:
xosawewaqa.wordpress.com
The trip, from June 23 to 27, could createe opportunities for Pennsylvania suppliers of power transmission anddistribution equipment. "The current energy situation in Southn Africa provides Pennsylvania firms with a timeluy opportunity to build market share in oneof Africa's largestf and fastest-growing economies," said DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonskgy in a statement. South Africa's expansio n has increased demand for power and causeda long-term energy shortage and rolling according to the DCED.
Pennsylvania's trade representativr in Johannesburg has identified specific interestzs infossil fuel, nuclear and specialty-coal power-generation electrical transmission and distribution alternative energies, energy conservation equipment, natural gas generation and supplgy technologies. Companies participating in the missionb will receive a customizeed itinerary withprospective buyers, representatives and government officials in Johannesburgh and other cities. Participation is limitedr to 10 companies andcosts $500, excludint travel and lodging. Interested parties shoulxd contactPeter O'Neill at DCED's Center for Trade Development at 214-5453 or peoneill@state.pa.us.
The trip, from June 23 to 27, could createe opportunities for Pennsylvania suppliers of power transmission anddistribution equipment. "The current energy situation in Southn Africa provides Pennsylvania firms with a timeluy opportunity to build market share in oneof Africa's largestf and fastest-growing economies," said DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonskgy in a statement. South Africa's expansio n has increased demand for power and causeda long-term energy shortage and rolling according to the DCED.
Pennsylvania's trade representativr in Johannesburg has identified specific interestzs infossil fuel, nuclear and specialty-coal power-generation electrical transmission and distribution alternative energies, energy conservation equipment, natural gas generation and supplgy technologies. Companies participating in the missionb will receive a customizeed itinerary withprospective buyers, representatives and government officials in Johannesburgh and other cities. Participation is limitedr to 10 companies andcosts $500, excludint travel and lodging. Interested parties shoulxd contactPeter O'Neill at DCED's Center for Trade Development at 214-5453 or peoneill@state.pa.us.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
UPS acquires Turkish shipping contractor, expands Middle East operations - Austin Business Journal:
mastering-input.blogspot.com
Atlanta-based UPS (NYSE: UPS) said it wouldf acquire , and would hold the majority stake in the new jointventure partnership. Terms of the deal were not The new operation will be basedin Dubai. The deal is expectec to close within the next 30 Unsped Paket CEOHaluok Undeger, who has grown the company to be UPS’s largesrt shipping contractor in Turkey, will lead the new venturd and also hold a minorityg ownership stake, the company said announcing the “This emerging area covers trade to and from 21 countries* wherew UPS is experiencing increased demand,” Dan Brutto, president of UPS said in a statement.
“We’re tappiny the business acumen Haluk Undeger has shown over the past 20 years in his relationshipwith UPS. This jointf venture will spearhead growty among our other service agents and operationsa inthese countries. This part of the world has become a transportation bridge and ideal near-sourcing location for Europe, Russia and The deal with Unsped Paketg follows UPS’s decision to expand service in Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. UPS and Unspede Paket have been partnerssinc 1988. UPS said the new venture will increasdthe company’s opportunities in regard to the region’s oil and natura l gas industries.
Atlanta-based UPS (NYSE: UPS) said it wouldf acquire , and would hold the majority stake in the new jointventure partnership. Terms of the deal were not The new operation will be basedin Dubai. The deal is expectec to close within the next 30 Unsped Paket CEOHaluok Undeger, who has grown the company to be UPS’s largesrt shipping contractor in Turkey, will lead the new venturd and also hold a minorityg ownership stake, the company said announcing the “This emerging area covers trade to and from 21 countries* wherew UPS is experiencing increased demand,” Dan Brutto, president of UPS said in a statement.
“We’re tappiny the business acumen Haluk Undeger has shown over the past 20 years in his relationshipwith UPS. This jointf venture will spearhead growty among our other service agents and operationsa inthese countries. This part of the world has become a transportation bridge and ideal near-sourcing location for Europe, Russia and The deal with Unsped Paketg follows UPS’s decision to expand service in Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. UPS and Unspede Paket have been partnerssinc 1988. UPS said the new venture will increasdthe company’s opportunities in regard to the region’s oil and natura l gas industries.
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