Trade deficit narrows unexpectedly to $30.7B
The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in August as exports posted a small gain, while imports fell on a big drop in
demand for foreign oil.
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House OKs defense bill that funds Rolls Royce engine
Despite a vaguely worded veto threat by President Barack Obama, the House on Thursday easily adopted a major defense
policy bill that calls for continued development of a costly alternative engine for the Pentagon’s next-generation fighter
jet.
New jobless claims fall to lowest level since January
The number of newly laid-off workers filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since early
January, as layoffs eased a bit amid a fledgling economic recovery.
Senate bill doesn’t fund Rolls-Royce jet engine
The measure holds potential bad news for Indianapolis engine maker Rolls-Royce because it does not contain funding for a key
jet engine the company produces, but lawmakers are expected to restore funding when the Senate and House combine bills into
a final version.
Local technology firm gets federal praise
Data management firm Perpetual Technologies was one of 15 firms nationwide to get Secretary of Defense award.
Economy dipped less than expected in 2nd quarter
The recession faded in the spring with economic activity shrinking at a pace of just 0.7 percent, a better-than-expected showing
that buttressed beliefs the economy is now growing.
Conditions placed on Indiana’s welfare rollout
A federal food stamp administrator has told Indiana’s human services chief that his staff must be consulted before the
state rolls out its troubled welfare-automation program to additional regions.
$4.9M approved to buy houses in Franklin flood zone
Another central Indiana city is receiving a multimillion federal grant to buy houses damaged by the widespread flooding that
hit the state last year.
HICKS: Stimulus job creation has been surprisingly small
Earlier this month, the Obama administration released its estimate of the impact of the fiscal stimulus on job creation.
Jobless claims, home sales drop unexpectedly
The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits fell for the third straight week, evidence that layoffs
are continuing to ease in the earliest stages of an economic recovery.
Bill extends jobless benefits in Indiana, 26 other states
With no end in sight to the country’s job market woes, the U.S. House has agreed to give the jobless in a majority of states,
including Indiana, another 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits.
FedEx trying to fend off reclassification of its workforce
FedEx brass have been trying to counter legislation pending in Congress being pushed by arch rival United Parcel Service
and the Teamsters union.
HICKS: Chinese tariff is misstep toward trade war
Just a short year ago, economists of all stripes voiced fears of a rise in economic protectionism like that which contributed
mightily to the Great Depression.
House bill puts state student-loan jobs in danger
The U.S. House of Representatives is nearing a vote to push private lenders out of the federal college loan business—a
move that could cost Indiana hundreds of jobs.
Indiana set to announce $164M in stimulus awards for housing
Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman plans to announce the first awards of $164 million in federal stimulus money to build low-
and moderate-income housing across the state.
HHGregg, other retailers await stimulus jolt
Appliance retailers are poised to take a page from the car dealership playbook in promoting a new government program offering
rebates on energy-efficient washers, refrigerators and air conditioners.
Vote against ‘cap and trade’
I urge Sen. Evan Bayh to vote against the “cap and trade” legislation pending in the Senate.
HICKS: Recessions end, with or without government help
The worst is likely behind us, but difficult times lie ahead, especially for the unemployed.
EnerDel poised to get jolt of stimulus juice
Within weeks, EnerDel expects to receive notification that it’s getting as much as $480 million in financing under a U.S.
Department of Energy program aimed at fostering advanced vehicle manufacturing.
General Assembly heeds public mayhem, not public policy
Which group should make the spending decisions? Consumers or elected officials?