FINANCIAL SERVICES
Strong Financial announces it's for sale
Strong Financial Corp. confirmed Wednesday that it is for sale, a day after founder and Chief Executive Richard Strong resigned amid federal and state investigations into his trading activities.
( 12/04/2003 03:01 AM EST)

ECONOMY
Productivity hits a 20-year high
The productivity of America's workers soared by the largest amount in 20 years last quarter, raising hopes that the economic recovery was taking hold and businesses would soon be stepping up hiring.
( BY JEANNINE AVERSA, Associated Press, 12/04/2003 03:01 AM EST)

RETAIL
Wal-Mart signs off on MasterCard
Wal-Mart Stores plans to stop accepting signature debit cards issued by MasterCard in February, thus becoming the first major retailer to take such action since a lawsuit's settlement freed merchants to pick which credit and debit-card services to use.
( BY CHUCK BARTELS, Associated Press, 12/04/2003 03:01 AM EST)

WALL STREET
Nasdaq toys with 2,000
The Nasdaq composite index flirted with 2,000 for the first time in nearly two years Wednesday and the Dow Jones industrials approached the 10,000 level as investors eagerly picked up stocks after a strong productivity report but then grew cautious.
( BY HOPE YEN, Associated Press, 12/04/2003 03:01 AM EST)

York, S.C., Junior High Students Do Mock Interviews with Local Business People
Lindsey Scoggins of Sharon came dressed for her interview in a crisp black suit and a blue shirt. Sitting across from her interviewer, Debbie Holman-Gregory, she explained why she wanted to be a psychologist.
( By Caroline Brustad, The Herald, Rock Hill, S.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 05:04 PM EST)

American Airlines Learns of $4.8 Million Building-Lease Deal in Oklahoma
American Airlines and its Tulsa Maintenance Center received more good news Wednesday when the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority agreed to a deal worth nearly $4.8 million.
( By Adam Wilmoth, The Daily Oklahoman Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 05:03 PM EST)

New Buen Apetito Restaurant to Open in Danville, Ill.
The long-awaited opening of Buen Apetito's new north location is just around the corner, and owners hope to bring a new dimension to their already popular menu in a much larger space than the current location at 3 E. Woodbury St.
( By Pat Phillips, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 05:02 PM EST)

American State Bank to Close Oklahoma City Branch
American State Bank's northeast Oklahoma City branch will close Dec. 15, and the building -- lock, stock and vault -- will be auctioned to the highest bidder Dec. 30.
( By Don Mecoy, The Daily Oklahoman Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 05:00 PM EST)

Plans for Japanese Restaurant in Lowell, Mass., Get Derailed
Unable to agree on lease terms with the landlord, a Lexington woman's plan to open an upscale Japanese restaurant on Merrimack Street has been derailed.
( By Christopher Scott, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 05:00 PM EST)

Ross Valve Manufacturing Co. Purchases Troy, N.Y., Site
Ross Valve Manufacturing Co. has paid $1.12 million for the former home of Garden Way Inc. in Lansingburgh and will move its valve-making operations there.
( By Kevin Harlin, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 04:59 PM EST)

Spa Bellisimo Opens in Dracut, Mass.
A day spa boasting a menu of therapeutic treatments rather than haircuts opened its doors yesterday in Dracut. Diane DiRocco and James Dowling opened Spa Bellisimo at 155 Broadway in a strip mall of businesses that cater to women, including a women's gym, dance studio and tanning salon.
( By Rebecca Lipchitz, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 04:59 PM EST)

Tewksbury, Mass., Teachers Stage Demonstration, Demand Settled Contract
Sign-toting teachers from every school in the district surrounded the School Committee on Wednesday night and demanded a settled contract, the second mass teacher demonstration in recent weeks.
( By Vanessa Hughes, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 04:58 PM EST)

West Virginia Governor to Decide on Mid-Year Budget Cuts
Gov. Bob Wise said Wednesday he will meet with senior staffers this week to determine if and when to order mid-year spending cuts for state agencies. The administration has been looking at whether to impose budget cuts of 2 percent or more for the 2003-04 budget year, to deal with a projected $10 million to $20 million shortfall for the budget year.
( By Phil Kabler, The Charleston Gazette, W.Va. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News, 12/04/2003 04:57 PM EST)