Stocks notch record as rising oil boosts energy sector

NEW YORK (AP) - The stock market eked out another record close on Thursday as rising oil prices boosted energy stocks.

Protecting our protein

Ranchers differ on benefit of new antitrust rules

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Meatpackers, feeders and hundreds of ranchers from around the country packed a workshop Friday to voice concerns about a proposed federal rule that aims to preserve competition in an industry increasingly dominated by a handful of corporate giants.

Values plummet; taxes may not

Assessed value of Kootenai County falls by $2.1 billion from 2009

COEUR d'ALENE - Property values in Kootenai County have taken another hit.

Obama: Enough oil to squeeze Iran

Potential sanctions for countries still purchasing Iran oil

Pain pills

Soaring generic drug prices draw Senate scrutiny

WASHINGTON - Some low-cost generic drugs that have helped restrain health care costs for decades are seeing unexpected price spikes of up to 8,000 percent, prompting a backlash from patients, pharmacists and now Washington lawmakers.

OIL: Obama pulls a slick one

As one of millions of Americans struggling with sharply increasing prices I felt immense gratitude to our president for releasing the emergency stores of oil to alleviate our suffering by lowering gas prices at the pump. Then my emotions waned and my brain kicked in and I realized that the oil purchased to fill in the reserve was far cheaper than the oil we will have to buy to replace it, the cost could be double that of the initial outlay.

'A constant drip of fear'

Clooney uses star power to spotlight Sudan crisis

Shoppers snap up Cyber Monday deals

Americans growing more comfortable using tablets, computers, phones to shop

Drop in AIG shares dims odds of recouping bailout

Government sold a portion of its stake in company on Wednesday

WASHINGTON - Investors got a chance this week to weigh in on the government's odds of recouping the full $182 billion bailout of American International Group Inc.

A bubble that won't pop

Housing market has light on the horizon

As the causes of US inflation grow, so do the dangers

PepsiCo, for example, said Wednesday that while purchases by volume fell 1% in the third quarter of the year, it was able to boost prices 17% without losing customers

Dream come true stolen away

Cd'A boy works to buy bike, only to be robbed later that afternoon

COEUR d'ALENE - If you put one of those cartoon thought bubbles over the head of Kristian Parrett this summer, therein would have floated a bicycle.

Cheap money may drive housing

The recent dip in mortgage rates may provide a boost in demand for housing. As of Friday the Idaho Housing and Finance Association website (ihfa.org) showed a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4.75 percent once again. This is good news for buyers who found themselves in panic when rates ticked up over the past several weeks. With the Fed continuing its bond buying program it looks like rates may stay low for awhile.

Gear up to Think Big

Festival will be here Aug. 20-22

COEUR d'ALENE - Big names and big minds in robotics, artificial intelligence and technology will visit Coeur d'Alene next month when the Think Big Festival comes to town.

How to spot a fake online store

With more of us shopping online these days, it is important to be

Another headache

Eurozone faces dangers of deflation as prices fall

LONDON- The eurozone has a new economic headache to contend with.

When adversity is not adverse

It is a requirement of all licensed real estate agents to disclose, "Adverse Material Facts" to parties in a real estate transaction. As defined in Idaho real estate license law an Adverse material fact is one that, "would significantly affect the desirability or value of the property to a reasonable person..."

The bright spots of 2010

From the coldest summer in 50 years in California, to early fall rains, to countless stories of wine grapes rotting on the vine before they could ripen throughout the western U.S., the 2010 vintage is well-documented as a very tough one for domestic wineries. As more red wines are released, though, bright spots continue to show up - so many that the adage of "buying producers over vintage" appears to be more true than ever.

One down, one to go for Isenberg?

Lori Isenberg has dragged North Idaho through a nightmare.

How muni bond bust could do big damage

States looking to close $114B in budget shortfalls

NEW YORK - It's the other U.S. debt problem.