Economy, Business
If you lost home to foreclosure ask for a review
If you lost your house to foreclosure, the last thing you may want to do is relive the pain.But if you suspect that something was wrong during the foreclosure process, you need to take advantage of an independent review mandated by federal banking regulators.
Date: 05/31/2012 | Business
Home Plan
The appeal of this home, Plan HMAFAPW00766 from Homeplans.com, comes from the porch that wraps all the way around providing great outdoor living space. Inside, 1,673 square feet of living space awaits.
Date: 05/31/2012 | Home and Garden
Everett family puzzled by decision to boot toddler off plane
EVERETT -- It was already past the 3-year-old boy's bedtime as he boarded the plane Saturday night for a six-hour red-eye from Seattle to Miami.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Local News
SpaceX capsule to return to Earth on Thursday
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space station astronauts readied the world's first commercial supply ship Wednesday for its early morning return to Earth just like NASA's old-time capsules.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Nation & World
Seattle hearing on impact of proposed Alaska mine
SEATTLE -- The Environmental Protection Agency is holding one of its hearings on a proposed Alaska mine in Seattle to give fishermen a chance to comment in person.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Cell phones monitoring radiation to sell in Japan
TOKYO -- Worries over radiation are so rampant in Japan after last year's nuclear meltdowns that the world's first cell phones with built-in radiation monitors are going on sale.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Contracts for home sales dropped in April
WASHINGTON -- A gauge of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell in April from nearly a two-year high in the previous month.The decline was the biggest in a year. Still, sales are well ahead of last year's level for the same month, suggesting the housing market is improving slowly.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Fresh air, fresh food
2012 farmers markets list: Find out what's open and when
Date: 05/30/2012 | Life
Chaos clouds Boeing's delivery of Air India 787s
Air India is expected to seek $1 billion from the Boeing Co. as compensation for the three-year delay of 787 production, and that might be delaying delivery of some of the first Dreamliners to the troubled carrier even...
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Council gives Terrace farmers market its support
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- The City Council is backing the local farmers market, saying it offers a place for residents to meet their neighbors and that it supports local businesses.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Local News
When and how to address salary in a cover letter
If you read my column last week, you know how I feel about discussing salary too early in the job-search process. Since many employers use financial information to rule out job candidates, I recommend putting off the conversation until you understand the challenges of the position and have a chance...
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Dairy farmers coaxing more milk from contented cows
CHILTON, Wis. -- Lucky, a 7-year-old dairy cow, had been walking with a limp for several weeks when veterinarian Sara Gilbertson was called. Instead of prescribing painkillers, Gilbertson tried an unusual new therapy -- a chiropractic adjustment that included a full-length spinal...
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Deals with banks stacking fees on students
WASHINGTON -- It took Mario Parker-Milligan less than a semester to decide that he was paying too many fees to Higher One, the company hired by his college to pay out students' financial aid on debit cards.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Business
Workforce Development names 5 board members
Workforce Development names 5 new board members
Date: 05/29/2012 | Bizblog
Facebook's stock falls below $30 for first time
NEW YORK -- Facebook's stock has fallen below $30 for the first time since its much-awaited public debut this month.The stock fell $3.07, or 9.6 percent, to close at $28.84 on Tuesday. That's down 24 percent since its public stock debut. It went as low as $28.65 earlier in the day.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Business
Seattle City Council opposes coal-export ports
SEATTLE -- The Seattle City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday opposing the development of coal-export terminals in Washington state after raising concerns about increased train traffic and potential harm to health and the environment.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Northwest
Today on radio: 'Getting Your Dough to Rise'
Host Chuck Noel has three interesting guests lined up for tonight's "Getting Your Dough to Rise" program at 6 on KSER-FM (90.7):
Date: 05/29/2012 | Bizblog
Consumer confidence slide confounds expectations
NEW YORK -- Here we go again.Americans confidence in the economy suffered the biggest drop in eight months as worries about the weak jobs, housing and stock markets rattled them again. The decline comes after a few months of optimism amid some positive economic news.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Business
Home prices rise in most major U.S. cities
WASHINGTON -- Home prices rose in March from February in most major U.S. cities for the first time in seven months. The increase is the latest evidence of a slow recovery taking shape in the troubled housing market.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Business
Date set for governor's aerospace summit
The date has been announced for Gov. Chris Gregoire's last aerospace summit.The governor's seventh annual state aerospace summit will be held Sept. 12 and 13 in Spokane.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Aerospace Blog
2 years, no verdict on Paine Field passenger flights
EVERETT -- Allegiant Air and Horizon Air wrote letters to Snohomish County in 2008, asking to fly passenger jets from Paine Field.
Date: 05/29/2012 | Local News
Lowell art gallery closing its doors after six years
EVERETT -- The historic Lowell neighborhood is losing some of its funk.Lowell Art Works gallery is closing its doors after being the Everett neighborhood's only art gallery for six years.
Date: 05/28/2012 | Local News
Private stores to start selling liquor on Friday
OLYMPIA -- Easy access to booze nearly all hours every day is what many Washington lawmakers wanted to avoid when Prohibition ended in 1933.
Date: 05/28/2012 | Local News
Biz Bits: People and businesses in the news
Here's a look at what's going on this week in the Snohomish County business community.
Date: 05/28/2012 | Business
New look for Old Milltown
Edmonds businesses make the move to downtown center
Date: 05/28/2012 | Business
Yes, I can hear you now, and that's the problem
Enough.I've had it with people and their smartphones, iPads, Kindles or whatever who are interrupting my experiences at the movies, during a play or while dining at restaurants. I'm fed up with the loud conversations over cellphones on buses and trains.
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
Free credit report websites deliver worthless results
Question: I recently went to one of those free credit report websites and paid for a copy of my FICO credit scores. The report said my FICO score is 722 and my husband's is 720, which are both considered to be "excellent" credit.
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
Help for planning retirement
Are you expecting too much, or too little, out of whatever retirement you'll have? There's no guarantee, of course, but everyone should do some planning, and these sites can guide the way.Retire in style
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
Here's what you need to know about home security systems
An electronic home security system can be the source of great peace of mind or great financial headache. But buying a system can be a thorny purchase, fraught with such perils as wildly differing prices, high-pressure sales tactics and unfriendly contracts.
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
Eating well, exercising saves retirement nest egg
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Ruth H. Clark of Pompano Beach, Fla., is a 95-year-old aerobic wonder, working out seven days a week.But Clark is not just flexing her muscles, she's protecting her retirement nest egg by staying healthy.
Date: 05/27/2012 | Business
Work to begin on Everett schools admin building
Construction is expected to begin next month on the Everett School District's new two-story, $16.96 million administration building.
Date: 05/26/2012 | Local News
Canadian rail strike stalls shipping in B.C.
A Teamsters strike that idled Canadian Pacific Railway's freight network in Canada is hindering shipments at the country's two biggest ports as the labor action stretched into its third day.
Date: 05/26/2012 | Bizblog
Spain's Bankia asks for $24B in state aid
MADRID -- Spain's troubled bank, Bankia, asked the Spanish government for $23.8 billion in financial support on Friday, the day that a leading credit rating agency downgraded it to junk status.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Nation & World
Texter not liable for driver's car crash, N.J. judge says
MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- A woman who texted her boyfriend while he was driving cannot be held liable for a car crash he caused while responding, seriously injuring a motorcycling couple, a judge ruled Friday in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the country.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Nation & World
Airbus to offer wider seats for overweight U.S. travelers
In case you missed it this week: In talks with U.S. carriers, Airbus is offering to equip its popular A320 aircraft with wider seat.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Aerospace Blog
New 787 order on the way for Boeing?
The Boeing Co. could log a fresh order for the 787 Dreamliner by mid-June.Lion Air is likely to sign an order for 10 787s on June 8, reports Reuters.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Times-Picayune to cut paper to 3 days a week
NEW ORLEANS -- The Times-Picayune, one of the nation's oldest newspapers, will no longer offer print editions seven days a week and instead plans to offer three printed issues a week starting in the fall. The change means New Orleans would become the largest metro area in the nation without a daily...
Date: 05/25/2012 | Business
Buffett says his firm likely to buy more papers
OMAHA, Neb. -- Warren Buffett says his company is likely to buy more newspapers in the next few years, and Berkshire Hathaway will not try to influence the editorial policies of any of them.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Business
Amazon says it will improve warehouse conditions
SEATTLE -- Amazon.com Inc., addressing issues that have drawn heavy criticism of the company, told shareholders Thursday that it planned to improve warehouse conditions and drop its membership in a conservative public-policy organization.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Business
Consumer Reports rates sunscreens; drugstore brand a best buy
LOS ANGELES -- With the unofficial start of summer just days away, it's time to stock up on sunscreen. Does it matter which one you buy? Consumer Reports tested some popular brands, and found that it does, but the best choices are not necessarily the most expensive.
Date: 05/25/2012 | Business
EU running out of time as Greece nears the exit
ATHENS, Greece -- European leaders insist they want to keep Greece in the eurozone, but are putting off any agreement on how they hope to accomplish that. Greece says it, too, wants to stay in the eurozone, but until after elections it's uncertain whether it can implement the austerity that Europe...
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
Ex-Red Sox pitcher's R.I. gaming firm lays off staff
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling’s faltering video game company, which received a $75 million loan guarantee to move to Rhode Island in 2010, laid off its entire staff on Thursday.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Nation & World
Feds: Sex-trafficking ring used Backpage.com ads
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A nationwide sex-trafficking ring run by a violent pimp and his associates used Backpage.com to solicit customers for prostitutes as young as age 17, advertising the women as "smokin' hot babes," according to a federal indictment recently unsealed in Iowa.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Nation & World
Doctors report rise in kids eating detergent packs
DALLAS -- Miniature laundry detergent packets arrived on store shelves in recent months, touted as a solution to bulky bottles and messy spills. But doctors across the country say children are confusing the tiny, brightly colored packets with candy and swallowing them.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Nation & World
Weekly jobless aid applications dip to 370,000
WASHINGTON -- The number of people seeking unemployment benefits changed little last week, signaling modest job growth.The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for benefits dipped by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 370,000.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
RealNetworks to pay $2.4 million to settle with state
OLYMPIA -- Digital media provider RealNetworks will pay a $2.4 million settlement because of free trial subscriptions that resulted in unwanted monthly charges to customers, Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna announced.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
30-year mortgage rate falls to record 3.78 pct.
WASHINGTON -- The average U.S. rate for the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record low for a fourth straight week. Cheap mortgages have helped boost home sales modestly this year.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
Inbox: digital groceries, pay for news, tag your bag
Miscellany from our inbox ...Electronic coupons at Safeway
Date: 05/24/2012 | Bizblog
Asia stocks mixed as Europe holds another summit
BANGKOK -- Asian stock markets struggled to make headway Thursday as the lack of a breakthrough in Europe's attempts to shake off its debt crisis kept sentiment gloomy.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
N.Y. black radio-pioneer Hal Jackson dies
NEW YORK -- Radio pioneer Harold "Hal" Jackson, a staple of New York radio, has died. He was in his late 90s.Jackson died Wednesday in a hospital, said Deon Levingston, vice president and general manager at WBLS, a station owned by Inner City Broadcasting, which Jackson co-founded.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Nation & World
What to consider before taking on student loan debt
During a recent online discussion, lots of people had questions about student loan debt. Here are my answers to a couple I didn't get a chance to address.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
Who's playing in space race?
WASHINGTON -- A privately built space capsule that's zipping its way to the International Space Station has also launched something else: A new for-profit space race.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
NBC to boost online Olympics coverage
BOSTON -- Recognizing that many viewers want to watch key events live, in prime time, rather than tape-delayed, NBCUniversal plans to bolster its coverage of the Summer Olympics in London in August by putting 3,000 hours of programming online.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Business
Home plan
There's a lot to like in this one-story design, plan HMAFAPW00689 from Homeplans.com. With 2,916 square feet of living space on one level, there's plenty of room to spread out.
Date: 05/24/2012 | Home and Garden
Flying in Charleston
Boeing’s first South Carolina-built 787 takes to the sky
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Man breaks into Kan. TV station, stabs 2 workers
TOPEKA, Kan. -- A man wielding a knife broke into a Kansas television station Wednesday morning and stabbed two sales employees.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Nation & World
Facebook may make an about face, leave Nasdaq
The Facebook fallout continues.Congressional panels are examining concerns about last Friday's initial public offering of the social network company. And Facebook reportedly is in talks to switch from Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Late rally erases steep losses on Wall Street
NEW YORK -- A big final-hour comeback pulled the Dow Jones industrial average nearly back to where it started Wednesday.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Burpee auctioning famous Kingston garden
KINGSTON -- The famous Heronswood Gardens at Kingston in Kitsap County is being sold at auction.The 15 acres of gardens contain 10,000 plants collected from around the world.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Northwest
Port of Everett shipping schedule
As of May 22, 2012. This Port of Everett schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Bizblog
Sales of new homes rose 3.3 percent in April
WASHINGTON -- Americans bought more new homes last month, the latest evidence that the U.S. housing market could be starting to recover.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Apple mum on its next big thing
LOS ANGELES -- Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice president of industrial design, said that despite the iMac, iPhone, iPod or iPad, Apple's current project is its best.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Oil drops below $90 for first time since October
NEW YORK -- The price of oil tumbled below $90 on Wednesday for the first time in nearly seven months as U.S. supplies continue to grow.Benchmark U.S. crude fell $2.14, or 2.3 percent, to $89.71 per barrel. The price hadn't been below $90 per barrel since Nov. 1.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Air India to receive first 787 by end of May
Boeing will deliver Air India's first 787 by the end of the month, India's minister of civil aviation said Wednesday.That's contrary to reports from the Indian press yesterday.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Aerospace Blog
First Boeing 787 built in South Carolina takes flight
The first Dreamliner built in South Carolina took to the skies above North Charleston shortly after 9 a.m. Pacific time Wednesday.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Historic inn revived
With spirited history, restored Stanwood Hotel reopens
Date: 05/23/2012 | Local News
United to fly 787 from Denver to Tokyo
CHICAGO -- United Airlines started selling tickets for its first 787 flights on Tuesday, saying it plans to start service between Denver and Tokyo on March 31.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Don’t name your price too early in job hunt
In last week's column, I stated that job hunting is often easier when employers tell you exactly what they want. This is true when the hiring manager requests your curriculum vitae or mentions that the job opportunity demands a specific set of skills. All you have to do is highlight the most...
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Senate panel OKs $2.50 hike of airline security fee
WASHINGTON -- A Democratic-controlled Senate panel has approved a $2.50 increase in airline security fees that would double the per-passenger fee for those taking nonstop flights.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Ford to get blue oval back after second upgrade
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is getting its blue oval logo back.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Delta to take Southwest's 717s
MINNEAPOLIS -- Delta Air Lines plans to add 88 Boeing 717s to its fleet, picking up planes that Southwest Airlines didn't want anymore.
Date: 05/23/2012 | Business
Snohomish County jobless rate plummets to 7.1%
Snohomish County's unemployment rate declined sharply in April to 7.1 percent -- from 9.1 percent a year ago and 8.5 percent last month, according to a report released...
Date: 05/22/2012 | Business
Sales of homes continue to build
WASHINGTON -- Americans are buying more homes in every region of the country, the latest indication that the housing market could be on the mend.An increasing portion of those sales are from first-time buyers, who are critical to a housing recovery.
Date: 05/22/2012 | Business
State to stagger closure of liquor stores next week
The Washington State Liquor Control Board has announced a phased closure schedule for state liquor stores as we near the June 1 start of private liquor sales. With...
Date: 05/22/2012 | Bizblog
Charleston ready to fly
Boeing to fly first South Carolina-built 787 on Wednesday
Date: 05/22/2012 | Aerospace Blog
UPS takes delivery of 50th Boeing 767 freighter
The Boeing Co. delivered UPS' 50th 767-300 freighter, the companies said Tuesday. UPS operates more 767 freighters than any other carrier. The Kentucky-based cargo company has nine more 767 freighters on order.
Date: 05/22/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Air India, Boeing 787 and Charleston
Air India won't get its 787 Dreamliner next week as expected, according to this report out of India.
Date: 05/22/2012 | Aerospace Blog
New Mukilteo ferry terminal site selected
MUKILTEO -- After years of delays and uncertainty, a major step has been taken toward building a new ferry terminal in Mukilteo.State ferry officials have picked a site: the west end of the former Air Force tank farm, just east of the waterfront business district.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Local News
Protesters stage 'die-in,' blow bubbles at Boeing headquarters
NATO protesters in Chicago staged a "die-in" at Boeing headquarters in Chicago today to show opposition to the company's role supporting the U.S. military.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Lynnwood facility offers a home away for home businesses
Jon Brunsdon and David Summers own Custom Solutions Carpet Care in Lynnwood. They've been in business since August 2006 and started out as a home-based business.
Date: 05/21/2012 | Business
Herald writers, photographers win SPJ awards
SEATTLE -- Winners of the 2011 Society of Professional Journalists Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest were announced Saturday night at banquets in Seattle and Portland, Ore. The annual contest is held by Region 10 of SPJ to honor journalism in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and...
Date: 05/21/2012 | SCBJ Business News
National business events this week
All times are Eastern.Monday, May 21Campbell Soup Co. reports quarterly financial results.Lowe's Cos. Inc. reports quarterly financial results.Tuesday, May 22WASHINGTON — National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for April, 10 a.m.
Date: 05/20/2012 | Bizblog
Lufthansa hypes Boeing 747-8I
Germany's Lufthansa will become the first airline to put a Boeing Co. 747-8 passenger plane into service on June 1.
Date: 05/20/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Herald writers, photographers win SPJ awards
SEATTLE -- Winners of the 2011 Society of Professional Journalists Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest were announced Saturday night at banquets in Seattle and Portland, Ore. The annual contest is held by Region 10 of SPJ to honor journalism in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and...
Date: 05/20/2012 | Northwest
Guide to the Port of Everett
No entity has controlled and shaped Everett's waterfront more than the Port of Everett. The port's mission is to grow businesses and jobs, and it does that by creating opportunities for others to make money. For example, a business could lease a space at...
Date: 05/20/2012 | Need to Know
Tech Q&A: Video chat delays, drops common in some countries
Question: My son lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand, so a video connection between us is important. When we use Skype video, it disconnects after a few minutes and never resumes. Both of our Internet connections and speed are OK. What can I do?
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
How to fight off aggravating cellphone spam
Ding. Ding.It's 3 a.m., and your cellphone starts making its instantly recognizable, impossible-to-ignore you-just-got-a-text sound.Your heart starts pounding. Is a loved one hurt? Is there some crisis at work?
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
Keyboard Express offers macro program that saves time
Your life is probably more complicated than mine. You meet with captains of industry, while I wait for the letter carrier to drop junk mail into my letter receptacle. You probably have more than 700 things you wish you didn't have to do in the course of a day's work, while I fret about taking out...
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
You can find a reliable car and not go into debt
You can buy a car with cash.I have to say this because there are a lot of people who have just accepted that borrowing for a vehicle is the only way to get one.
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
Look at outgoing models for best prices on new car
LOS ANGELES -- If you want to save money on a new car, look for an older model that is about to be replaced.
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
Screen tenant's credit, criminal history before renting
Question: I have read your articles in The Herald and like your practical advice. My husband and I independently rent a home in our neighborhood. Our question is how does an independent landlord run a credit report on prospective tenants?
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
Track health, oversight of banks
Last week's financial news included reports of a monster investment loss at JPMorgan and new rules for salvaging failed banks. Here are some sites for tracking banks' health and oversight.Who's in charge?
Date: 05/20/2012 | Business
App scans bar-goers to track age, gender
SAN FRANCISCO — A watchful eye has arrived on San Francisco's bar scene, but not to keep you in check. It just wants to check you out.
Date: 05/19/2012 | Business
Aerospace ambitions
Where will the next aerospace super-hub be?A few stories published this week offer glimpses at the aerospace ambitions of different areas:
Date: 05/19/2012 | Aerospace Blog
Front Porch: Lots of Masons, Sophias around
Top baby namesMason, Liam, Alexander, Jacob and Ethan for boys.Sophia, Olivia, Emma, Isabella and Emily for girls.
Date: 05/19/2012 | Local News
Are the airlines listening to consumers? Depends on the situation
When it comes to customer service, travel companies constantly push the limits with fees, surcharges and onerous policies. No industry does it more than the airlines, and no domestic airline does it more than Spirit Airlines, the small Florida-based carrier known for its risque ads and creative...
Date: 05/19/2012 | Life
China protests U.S. ruling on cheap solar gear
China's government Friday rejected a U.S. antidumping ruling against its makers of solar power equipment and Chinese manufacturers warned possible higher tariffs might hurt efforts to promote clean energy. "The U.S. ruling is unfair, and the Chinese side expresses its extreme dissatisfaction," said...
Date: 05/19/2012 | Business
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