Business

Ex-Venture executive tapped

DuPONT - Patricia Graves, 48, has been named area executive for First Citizens Bank, charged with overseeing its commercial, business, retail banking and other operations in the state. She also gains the title of elected area vice president for the bank.

COMPUTERS: Buzz, discounts kick up sales of Windows 7

It wasn’t a high bar, but Windows 7 made it.

WALL STREET: Major indexes increase 3 percent for week

Investors undaunted by a surprisingly weak jobs report found enough positive news to nudge stocks higher.

FAST FOOD: Eatery to expand dollar breakfast menu

McDonald’s Corp. appears to be planning to mate its popular dollar menu with its equally popular breakfast menu in a nationwide promotion – not just in Chicago and a few other markets where it currently exists, according to documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune.

ECONOMY: Homebuyer, jobless benefits extended

President Barack Obama signed a $24 billion economic stimulus bill into law Friday, giving tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and additional jobless benefits to those idled by the business slump.

FINANCING: Borrowing continues to decline

Consumers borrowed less for a record eighth straight month in September amid rising unemployment and tight credit conditions. Economists worry the declines in borrowing will drag on the fledgling recovery.

Employers link up with vets, other job-seekers

OLYMPIA - About 265 people attended a job fair Thursday at the Olympia National Guard Armory that featured employers with job openings.

Home sales, median prices decline

Thurston County's median home price fell more than 11 percent from October 2008 to October 2009, the second time this year that prices in the county have dropped by more than 10 percent, according to Northwest Multiple Listing Service data released Thursday.

Monthly sales continue to rise

October's retail sales results, the best performance since April 2008, show that Americans are spending a little more. But will they be willing to pay full price this holiday season?

EMPLOYMENT: Productivity report may be bad for jobless

Companies across the economy are finding ways to do more with fewer workers, dimming hopes that hiring will take off anytime soon.