January 2008 - Rochester Business News & Events

Mortgage brokers scramble to retain business, reassure public

Mortgage brokers who haven't fled or been forced out of the industry are in survival mode. They're coping with little or no business as the economy slows, accusations that they're to blame for the mortgage meltdown

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 4:42 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

USDA to probe slaughterhouse

WASHINGTON -- The Agriculture Department said Wednesday it would investigate whether sick dairy cows were mistreated at a California slaughterhouse in violation of state and federal laws designed to ensure food safety and prevent a

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 10:32 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Consumer spending slows abruptly

WASHINGTON -- Consumers increased their spending at the weakest pace in six months while applications for unemployment benefits soared last week, two more signs the economy is weakening. The Commerce Department reported today that c

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 10:24 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Starbucks hints at transformation

SEATTLE -- The scent of ham, eggs, cheese and bacon will soon stop competing with the aroma of coffee in Starbucks stores as hot breakfast sandwiches become the first casualty of the company's battle to win

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 10:17 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Menards files Austin plans

Menards has submitted plans to the city of Austin

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 9:50 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Who's who at the Federal Reserve

WASHINGTON -- The men and women who hold considerable sway over your money sit on the Federal Open Market Committee, whose interest-rate decisions ripple through the economy. A look at this year's voting members,

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 8:18 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Fed cuts interest rates a bold half-point

WASHINGTON -- Emphatic as it was, the Fed's interest rate cut was no quick cure-all for the economy. The fallout from the risky-mortgage debacle is still with us.

Published Thu, Jan 31 2008 8:17 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Analysis: Recession is 'inevitable'; question is, when?

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Federal Reserve slashes interest rates. Congress considers $160 billion in tax rebates and other spurs to spending. Both moves come as the latest news shows 2007 ended with the U.S. economy in a crawl

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 6:37 PM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Cass County closer to construction of critical access hospital

WASHINGTON -- The federal government has ruled that Cass County meets guidelines to apply to build a critical access hospital in Walker, Minn. A critical access hospital is a small, rural hospital that provides 24-hour emergency care

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 11:15 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Experts trying to preserve world's digital knowledge

WASHINGTON -- If you've lost family photos, can't listen to your beloved old cassette tapes or no longer can read important files stored on your previous computer, you're not alone. An international group of exp

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 10:49 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Recalled green beans show up in N. Iowa schools

MASON CITY, Iowa -- Students at some northern Iowa schools were served green beans that were part of a recall because they could have been contaminated with botulism. Students in Rockwell-Swaledale and Sheffield-Chapin/Meservey-Thorn

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 9:56 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Fed expected to cut a key interest rate Thursday

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve is likely to follow its bold action last week to battle an economic downturn with further interest rate reductions, although analysts are split on just what size the future cut

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 9:56 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Hormel plans $89 million Iowa plant

AUSTIN -- The "explosive growth" in consumer demand for microwave meals has prompted Hormel Foods Corp. to announce building plans for an $89 million plant in Dubuque,

Published Wed, Jan 30 2008 9:32 AM by Postbulletin.com Local Business

Fifth interest rate cut expected today

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve is likely to follow its bold action last week to battle an economic downturn with further interest rate reductions, although analysts are split on just what size the future cuts will be. Some believe