KBAK - News - Business http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business RSS Feed for KBAK - News - Business en-us Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:01:13 GMT Auto aid effort collapses - December reprieve? http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34840309.html The demise of the rescue - at least for now - left uncertain the fate of General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, and sent Wall Street spiraling to its lowest level in years. Stocks tumble for 2nd day as hopes fade for quick bailout http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34828319.html Stocks plunged for a second straight day Thursday, falling to a range not seen in more than five years as financial and energy stocks tumbled while demand for the safety of government debt spiked to historic levels. Perino: Bush would sign jobless benefits extension http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34812859.html With weekly jobless claims benefits at a 16-year high, the White House said Thursday that President George W. Bush would quickly sign legislation pending in Congress to provide further unemployment benefits. Harrah's CEO: Economy is changing casinos http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34812664.html Executives at top casino companies said Wednesday that the gambling business won't be the same for years to come as game makers and casino owners shift focus to properties that already exist from casinos still being planned. Fed sees economic woes persisting into next year http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34812399.html The grim news on layoffs follows a gloomy outlook from the Federal Reserve and diminishing hope that Congress can secure a fresh $25 billion rescue package for the tottering U.S. auto industry before lawmakers quit for the year. Jobless claims jump unexpectedly to 16-year high http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34812054.html New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to a 16-year high, the Labor Department said Thursday, providing more evidence of a rapidly weakening job market expected to get even worse next year. eHarmony agrees to provide same-sex matches http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34786319.html Online dating service eHarmony is adding another personality trait to its 29 dimensions of computability. The California-based company will begin providing same-sex matches as part of a settlement with New Jersey's Civil Rights Division. Lawmakers chide auto execs on corporate jets http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34786049.html The CEOs of the Big Three U.S. auto companies are being told they'd make a better case for a government bailout if they'd stop flying around in private jets. Big Three rescue stalls in Senate http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34784389.html The automakers are burning through money at an alarming and accelerating rate. General Motors Corp. has said it could collapse within weeks, and there are indications that Chrysler LLC might not be far behind. Ford Motor Co. has said it could get through the end of 2008, but it's unclear how much longer. A rare ray of sunshine for shoppers: lower prices http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/business/34746014.html American consumers hit by a seemingly endless stream of bad news, from vanishing jobs to shrinking retirement accounts, got a small dose of relief: lower prices at stores.