National Business News

Farm bill OKs hemp cultivation Hemp is about to get the nod from the federal government that marijuana, its cannabis plant cousin, craves. by GILLIAN FLACCUS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - December 14, 2018

Mortgage rates fall to 3-month low; still far above last year's U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell this week to their lowest level in three months, an inducement to prospective homebuyers in a haltingly recovering market. by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports - December 14, 2018

Jumpy stocks settle, find rhythm U.S. stocks wobbled Thursday as the markets turned fairly quiet after a very turbulent start to the week. Small companies dropped and high-dividend stocks, whic... by MARLEY JAY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - December 14, 2018

Business news in brief Rate increases finally benefiting savers December 14, 2018

NY sues Walmart, 2 other companies over lead levels in kids' jewelry kits ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York state is suing two of the nation's largest retailers and a third company for importing and selling children's toys with lead levels up ... by The Associated Press - December 13, 2018

With OK from Congress, US hemp market set to boom PORTLAND, Ore. -- Hemp is about to get the nod from the federal government that marijuana, its cannabis plant cousin, craves. by GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press - December 13, 2018

Report: Arkansas plant would close under $25M deal with Kimberly-Clark MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker planned Thursday to announce a $25 million deal with paper-products giant Kimberly-Clark Corp. using a power that h... by SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press - December 13, 2018

Markets Right Now: Stocks turn mixed on Wall Street NEW YORK -- The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local): by The Associated Press - December 13, 2018

US mortgage rates fall to 3-month low; 30-year at 4.63 pct. WASHINGTON -- U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell this week to their lowest level in three months, an inducement to prospective homebuyers in a haltingly recover... by The Associated Press - December 13, 2018

Lawmakers approve $400B farm bill After months of debate and negotiation, Congress voted final approval Wednesday to a farm bill that will provide more than $400 billion for agriculture subsidie... by DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS - December 13, 2018

China shifts on tech dominance Chinese officials are revising a government program aimed at securing global technology dominance in a bid to address one of President Donald Trump's chief comp... by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports - December 13, 2018

Tax breaks stand to aid Kushners At an Oval Office gathering earlier this year, President Donald Trump began touting his administration's new real estate investment program, which offers large ... by STEPHEN BRAUN, JEFF HORWITZ AND BERNARD CONDON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - December 13, 2018

Consumer costs flat last month as energy drops U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in November, the best performance since prices fell eight months ago. The docile inflation reading reflected a big drop in t... by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports - December 13, 2018

Losing its bet on digital ads, Verizon takes $4.6 billion hit Verizon's big bet on digital advertising isn't panning out. by Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports - December 13, 2018

Tech, health care lead stocks up U.S. stocks couldn't hang on to a big gain Wednesday, but they still finished broadly higher as technology and health care companies rose. That helped reverse s... by MARLEY JAY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - December 13, 2018