Dems seek House votes to pass health care bill

WASHINGTON -- Amid intense lobbying by the Obama administration, House Democratic leaders struggled Friday for the final votes needed to pass sweeping health care legislation, working to ease concerns among Hispanic holdouts and abortion foes."We're ... full story

Freddie Mac loses $6.3B in 3Q

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Freddie Mac's losses narrowed to $6.3 billion in the third quarter, but the government-controlled mortgage finance company didn't need a federal cash infusion.The McLean, Va.-based company has received about $51 billion since it wa ... full story

AIG posts 2nd consecutive quarterly profit

NEW YORK (AP) -- AIG said Friday it was profitable for the second straight quarter as its core insurance operations continue to stabilize after the company's bailout by the government last year.American International Group Inc. also said the amount o ... full story

Obama signs bill assisting homebuyers, jobless

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama signed a $24 billion economic stimulus bill into law Friday, giving tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and additional jobless benefits to those idled by the business slump.The bill-signing came a day af ... full story

Banks in Ga., Mich., Minn., Mo., Calif. closed

CHARLOTTE, N.C (AP) -- Regulators on Friday shut banks in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and California, bringing the number of bank failures this year to 120 amid the struggling economy and a cascade of defaults on loans.The Federal Deposit ... full story

Consumer borrowing drops $14.8B in September

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers borrowed less for a record eighth straight month in September amid rising unemployment and tight credit conditions. Economists worry the declines in borrowing will drag on the fledgling recovery.The Federal Reserve said F ... full story

Stocks post modest gains as job losses slow

NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors undaunted by a surprisingly weak jobs report found enough positive news to nudge stocks higher Friday.News that the nation's unemployment rate rose above 10 percent last month for the first time in 26 years didn't derail th ... full story

Cuba cuts back on rationed products

HAVANA (AP) -- Cuba has cut two staple foods from the monthly ration books that most islanders depend on, edging closer to a risky full elimination of the decades-old subsidies.Potatoes and peas were dropped from the list of rationed foods this week, ... full story

Delegates discuss way forward in UN climate talks

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- U.N. climate negotiators said Friday that, despite low expectations for setting legally binding emissions targets next month, it is still possible to conclude a strong, 192-nation deal to define future work in fighting global ... full story

Push for health bill intensifies

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama and House Democrats scrambled on Thursday to secure the votes to pass a historic health care overhaul initiative, working to ease disagreements with rank-and-file lawmakers over abortion and illegal immigrants.Oba ... full story

Pilots appeal license revocations

WASHINGTON -- The Northwest Airlines pilots who overshot Minneapolis by 150 miles are appealing their license revocations with the National Transportation Safety Board.The appeals were filed late Wednesday, said board spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz. He ... full story

NYC firms get flu vaccine

NEW YORK -- Some of New York City's largest employers -- including Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs and big universities -- have started receiving doses of the much-in-demand swine flu vaccine for their at-risk employees.The government-funded vac ... full story

Jobless benefits to be extended

WASHINGTON -- Congress on Thursday decisively approved an extension of unemployment benefits for almost 2 million people out of work nearly a year or more.The White House quickly announced that President Barack Obama on Friday morning would sign the ... full story

Meet the cleanup woman

Margie Powell's two daughters are proud of their mom and especially like the fact that she's environmentally friendly. But they aren't necessarily thrilled with the way she's gone about cleaning up. "I think they think I should have something easier ... full story

Fed pledges low interest rates

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve pledged Wednesday to keep a key interest rate at a record low for an "extended period," signaling that the weak economy remains dependent on government help to grow.The Fed said economic activity has "continued to p ... full story

Clunker trucks traded for new trucks

WASHINGTON -- The most common deals under the government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program, aimed at putting more fuel-efficient cars on the road, replaced old Ford or Chevrolet pickups with new ones that got only marginally better gas mileage, ... full story

Business After Hours set Thursday

The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Business After Hours on Thursday. The free program will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Chrome: A Salon Experience, 1501 University Drive, Suite 210, in College Station. Food, drinks and netw ... full story

Ministries, credit union expanding

Two agencies celebrate expansions this week. SOS Ministries, 1700 Groesbeck St., in Bryan, will host a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, 2298 Longmire Drive in College Station, held its ceremony Tuesday. ... full story

Eateries trying to open new locations

Two restaurants may soon open in Brazos County. Al Carbon Street Taco Grill submitted a development plan to College Station officials for a location at 108 Poplar St. in College Station. Wings and More submitted a plan to Bryan officials for a ... full story

Earth Art shop ringing in 18 years

Downtown Bryan business Earth Art will host an 18th birthday party for itself on Nov. 14. Georgette Stephens, who works at the gift shop that has jewelry, art and clothing, said 10 percent of the day's proceeds will go toward Scotty's House, a non ... full story

Messina Hof giving military discounts

Messina Hof Winery and Resort will offer a special veterans' discount for the month of November. All active military personnel and veterans receive a special buy-one, get-one-free tour and tasting at the Messina Hof Wine Bar, located at 4545 Old R ... full story

BOUNCE! party store shuts down

The BOUNCE! has closed its doors due to declining sales and the economic recession, officials said. Officials said any birthday deposits for future parties made at the location at 1210 Harvey Road in College Station will be returned or credited. ... full story

Big Lots grand opening on Friday

Big Lots is opening a new College Station store Friday.The Columbus, Ohio-based company's store will be located in the University Shopping Center at 1913 Texas Ave. S. The 20,400-square-foot store will be one of 45 the retailer opens by the end of 20 ... full story

New chamber chair evaluating facilities

The Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce's new board chair, Jan Lee, said she's ready to take on her new duties, including investigating whether to build a new facility or expand its current location.Lee, who recently took over the position from ... full story

Anti-suicide lights installed

TOKYO -- Alarmed by a rise in people jumping to their deaths in front of trains, some Japanese railway operators are installing special blue lights above station platforms. They hope the lights will have a soothing effect and reduce suicides.East Jap ... full story