Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

July 25, 2012

American Airlines CEO bashes US Airways; calls it desperate

American CEO Tom Horton wants to set the record straight: It was he who approached US Airways CEO Doug Parker about the possibility of combining the two airlines, not the other way around.

July 25, 2012

USDA names more stores that sold recalled beef

Brackett's Market in Bath and Shop N' Save stores in Gray and Dover-Foxcroft, as well as grocers in six other states, may have sold contaminated meat.

July 25, 2012

Geithner warns Congress of risks to US economy

The U.S. Treasury secretary tells a House panel that regulators must pursue stricter oversight of the financial system to help stabilize the economy.

July 25, 2012

US new-home sales fall to 5-month low

The steep decline suggests a weaker job market could make the housing recovery slow and uneven.

July 25, 2012

Los Angeles officials vote to ban marijuana shops

After Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs the ordinance as expected, hundreds of pot shops will have 30 days to shut down their lucrative operations.

July 25, 2012

UPS cutting back in face of negative forecasts

The world's largest package delivery company says its customers are skittish about the global economy.

July 25, 2012

Microlenders gaining in popularity
in United States

Long associated with developing countries, they lend money in small amounts that traditional banks shun.

July 25, 2012

Most employers say they'll keep health coverage

The average cost for health-care benefits increased 9 percent last year, while average wages grew 2.1 percent, according to one study.

July 25, 2012

Briefcase, July 25, 2012

July 25, 2012

Nation's home values see first yearly increase since 2007

Despite continued economic woes, 'the housing market has finally turned a corner,' one economist says.

July 25, 2012

Western land tracts approved for solar projects

The Obama administration moves to streamline the process by directing development to land already identified as having fewer wildlife and natural resource obstacles.

July 25, 2012

Cattle being sold off as drought dries up grazing land

The price of beef will be driven down temporarily, but is expected to rise sharply by January in the wake of smaller livestock herds.