Business Features | May 18, 2013
Tech, labor spar on immigration
WASHINGTON — To the U.S. technology industry, there’s a dramatic shortfall in the number of Americans skilled in computer programming and engineering that is hampering business.

Business Features | May 18, 2013
GM stock climbs to above $33
DETROIT — Shares of General Motors reached an important milestone on Friday, closing above their initial public offering price of $33 for the first time in more than two years.

Business Features | May 18, 2013
J.C. Penney posts bigger 1Q loss than expected
The plan included getting rid of coupons and most sales in favor of everyday low prices, bringing in hip brands like Joe Fresh and remaking outdated stores. But the changes that were meant to attract younger, wealthier shoppers, wound up turning off its loyal middle-income, middle-age customers who favor sales and basic merchandise like loose-fitting khakis.

Business Features | May 18, 2013
Tourism bureau OKs budget for 2013-14
ZELIENOPLE — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau on Thursday approved a spending plan for 2013-14 that includes a 5 percent increase in revenues and the addition of two staff members.

Business Features | May 17, 2013
American will favor passengers without roller bags
FORT WORTH, Texas — If you’re traveling light, you can board earlier on American Airlines.

Business Features | May 17, 2013
Drilling impact in Ark. studied
PITTSBURGH — Hydraulic fracturing for natural gas hasn’t contaminated drinking water wells in Arkansas, according to a new study, but researchers said the geology there may be more of a natural barrier to pollution than in other areas where shale gas drilling takes place.

Business Features | May 17, 2013
House committee to grill ousted IRS chief
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are ready to question the ousted head of the Internal Revenue Service as Congress holds its first hearing on the tougher scrutiny the IRS gave tea party and other conservative groups that applied for tax-exempt status.

Business Features | May 16, 2013
House panel approves farm bill
WASHINGTON — The House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved a sweeping farm bill that would trim the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program.

Business Features | May 15, 2013
Airline fees hit record
NEW YORK — U.S. airlines collected more than $6 billion in baggage and reservation change fees from passengers last year — the highest amount since the fees became common five years ago.

Business Features | May 14, 2013
IN BRIEF
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department secretly obtained two months of telephone records of reporters and editors for The Associated Press in what the news cooperative's top executive called a “massive and unprecedented intrusion” into how news organizations gather the news.

Business Features | May 14, 2013
Wind farms gets pass on eagle deaths
CONVERSE COUNTY, Wyo. — The Obama administration has never fined or prosecuted a wind farm for killing eagles and other protected bird species, an Associated Press investigation has found.

Business Features | May 14, 2013
Corbett aide speaks
HARRISBURG — A top aide to Gov. Tom Corbett said expanding Medicaid eligibility in Pennsylvania under a sweeping federal health care law probably would not take effect before January 2015, even if the governor embraces the idea that would provide taxpayer-paid health care insurance to hundreds of thousands of residents.

Business Features | May 13, 2013
Feds chide Pa. on late paying of benefits
PHILADELPHIA — A newspaper says federal officials have accused Pennsylvania of “continued failure” in paying first-time unemployment benefits in a timely fashion.