No big surprise: Gas prices rise
Gasoline prices predictably are on the rise a week before the travel-heavy Labor Day weekend. On Friday, the average price of self-serve fuel in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett area was back at $2 a gallon for the first time in a month, according to AAA. Ten days ago, that average was $1.94. During last year’s Labor Day weekend, gas prices set record highs of about $2 in the Puget Sound region. Those records were broken this year around Memorial Day weekend.
California cities sue Microsoft
Several California cities and counties, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, sued Microsoft Corp. on Friday, accusing the software giant of illegally charging inflated prices for its products because of monopoly control of the personal computer operating system market. The local governments are asking a judge to make the case a class action. If a judge approves the lawsuit as a class action and Microsoft is found liable, the Redmond-based company could be liable for perhaps billions. Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake said the company’s lawyers hadn’t fully reviewed the lawsuit.
Bankruptcy rate begins to decline
Personal bankruptcy filings have broken the upward trend of recent years, slipping 0.8 percent in the 12 months ending June 30, figures released Friday show. An expert said the decline means that consumers finally are benefiting from the improving economy. New personal bankruptcy filings declined to 1.59 million from 1.61 million in the 12 months ending June 30, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
Growth sluggish, but not for long
Weighed down by high energy prices, the economy was even more sluggish than initially believed during the second quarter. But Federal Reserve policy-makers believe the pace will pick up in coming months, something President Bush is counting on as the election approaches. The Commerce Department reported Friday that gross domestic product grew at a 2.8 percent annual rate in the April-to-June quarter, down from an earlier estimate of a 3 percent pace.
Correction
Government procurement expert John Tamble will help counsel small business owners at the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce on doing business with the government. For an appointment, call the Chamber at 425-257-2222. The phone number was incorrect in a Friday story on Page E1.
From Herald staff and wire services
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
