Dec. 31 -- Regulators approve British Petroleum-Amoco merger: WASHINGTON -- British Petroleum Co. and Amoco Corp. said they will complete their $53 billion merger Thursday, after winning regulatory approval from the Federal Trade Commission.

Dec. 31 -- Justice Department approves telecommunications merger: WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department approved the $40 billion merger of AT&T and cable giant Tele-Communications Inc. on Wednesday on the condition that TCI sell its interest in a rival phone company.

Dec. 31 -- Intuit executive: Microsoft bullied us out of Netscape deal: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Mulling a $2 billion buyout by Microsoft's Bill Gates, Intuit Inc. software executive Scott Cook considered the price of saying no.

Dec. 31 -- 99 tips for preparing for Year 2000: This is your last chance. A little more than a year to clean up, pare down and reorganize your personal and business life before a whole new millennium.

Dec. 31 -- Dow ends year-end winning streak: NEW YORK -- The Dow stumbled Wednesday after eight winning sessions, halting a year-end run at the record books, but smaller-company stocks began hinting at their traditional "January effect" rally.

Dec. 31 -- Business Journal ... Business Briefcase ... Gas and Oil News

Dec. 30 -- Virus column inspires healthy response: (Brian Bethel) Well, if I ever doubted folks read this little column of mine, I got a quick lesson otherwise last week.

Dec. 30 -- World, workings, and wacky uses: (Doug Williamson) Toys, maps, strange ways to use common things and volcanologists highlight this week's trek through sites on the Internet.

Dec. 30 -- American Airlines parent selling ground services subsidiary: FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, announced Monday it will sell its ground services subsidiary, AMR Services.

Dec. 30 -- Conoco cutting nearly 1,000 jobs next year: HOUSTON (AP) -- Conoco Inc., the latest company hit hard by plunging oil prices, said Tuesday it will eliminate 975 jobs next year as part of an effort to slash expenses by $500 million.

Dec. 30 -- Pizza Hut settles suit after ruling on liability for hate crimes: CHICAGO -- In a precedent-setting case, Pizza Hut settled a lawsuit filed by black family members who said they were harassed, threatened with a mop handle and taunted with racial slurs at a restaurant in 1995.

Dec. 30 -- Industry grapples with plummeting pork prices: MACON, Ga. (AP) -- Pork producers, struggling with their lowest prices in 40 years, are trying to find a solution to their plight.

Dec. 30 -- Dow rises for eighth straight session: NEW YORK -- The Dow industrials rose for an eighth straight session Tuesday for its longest winning streak in two years, moving within 55 points of record-setting finish to 1998.

Dec. 30 -- Business News

Dec. 29 -- Deadline nears for converting IRAs to Roth IRAs: As the Dec. 31 deadline for converting regular Individual Retirement Accounts to Roth IRAs nears, Abilene financial advisors aren't seeing a flood of paperwork from clients wanting to get in on what is widely considered an unusually generous tax break from Congress.

Dec. 29 -- AT&T: Job cut plan accomplished in half the time: AT&T Corp. expects to reach its goal of trimming 18,000 jobs a full year ahead of schedule.

Dec. 29 -- Clinton says Social Security system ready for Year 2000 computer bug: WASHINGTON -- President Clinton assured Americans on Monday that Social Security will be paid without delay in the new millennium because government computers are free of programming bugs many expect with the arrival of the year 2000.

Dec. 29 -- Northwest, Continental in Japanese code-sharing pact: Northwest Airlines Corp. and Continental Airlines Inc. have agreed to sell each other's weekly flights between the United States and Japan as their own under a code-sharing agreement that will take effect today.

Dec. 29 -- Nasdaq sets mark, but most stocks fall in post-Christmas lull: NEW YORK -- Most stocks fell Monday in sleepy post-Christmas trading, although it was business as usual in the high-flying Internet group, which drove the Nasdaq market to another record.

Dec. 29 -- Record volume of bonds issued: The volume of bonds issued on the international capital markets broke new records in 1998 even though riskier borrowers have been all but shut out from the markets since August.

Dec. 29 -- Northrop Grumman wins $776 million Air Force radar pact: Northrop Grumman Corp. said it received a $776 million contract to develop advanced radar for the U.S. Air Force's Joint STARS airborne surveillance system.

Dec. 29 -- Raytheon expects $1.1 billion Patriot system contract: Raytheon Co. said it expects to receive a $1.1 billion order before the end of the year for work on the Patriot Air Defense System, including six batteries.

Dec. 29 -- TWA says 'sickout' by flight attendants, which cost it millions, is over: Operations returned to normal Monday at Trans World Airlines after a holiday weekend of sick calls by flight attendants caused widespread flight cancellations that the airline said cost it millions of dollars.

Dec. 29 -- Energy company to lay off 2,750 more workers: Partly as a result of lower crude oil prices, Halliburton Co. plans to lay off another 2,750 employees from its Energy Services Group.

Dec. 29 -- Cooper Industries to cut 1,000 jobs, close plants: Hardware maker Cooper Industries Inc. plans to cut 1,000 jobs and close more than a dozen plants during the next 12 to 18 months as part of a cost-cutting program to increase earnings and cash flow and become more competitive.

Dec. 29 -- Internet mania extends its reach: NEW YORK -- The Internet mania gripping the stock market has spread, touching other companies whose fortunes appear most closely linked to the on-line world, if Wall Street's current rally is anything to go by.

Dec. 29 -- Burst of buying after Christmas may not be enough to lift the seasonal retail blues: NEW YORK -- Even with crowds jamming into stores the days after Christmas, there is still uncertainty over whether this holiday season will shape up to be as strong as many retailers had anticipated.

Dec. 27 -- Merger may affect local consumers: As Central and South West Corp. and American Electric Power Co. draw nearer their proposed merger, many electricity customers may be wondering how the merger will affect them.

Dec. 27 -- Big Country Business Notes

Dec. 27 -- After taking hit, banks may be less inclined to loan to farmers in 1999: Helping farmers file for bankruptcy is a booming business in West Texas.

Dec. 27 -- Redevelopment momentum picking up for Kelly AFB: SAN ANTONIO -- Kelly Air Force Base last summer passed the halfway mark in its six-year transition from the nation's oldest continuously operating military air base to the city's largest private industrial park.

Dec. 27 -- Hobby Lobby stores plans 30 new stores in the coming year: OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A rapidly growing Oklahoma City-based chain of stores specializing in arts and crafts supplies says it plans to open 30 new locations in 10 states during 1999.

Dec. 27 -- Florida's orange growers bask in smaller crops, higher prices: LAKELAND, Fla. -- After years of watching the price of their produce plummet, citrus growers got some welcome relief this year with a sunny forecast for a smaller crop and news that their Brazilian competitors would have a shortfall.

Dec. 27 -- European financial industry gets ready for 'le weekend': LONDON -- "No compulsion, no prohibition" is the European Commission's watchword for use of the euro over the next three years.

Dec. 26 -- Government poised to release Medicare HMO report cards: NEW YORK -- America's senior citizens are on the verge of learning how their Medicare HMOs measure up.

Dec. 26 -- Survey: Houston companies' boards lag in diversity: HOUSTON (AP) -- Females and minorities are hard to find at board meetings of Houston's top 50 public companies.

Dec. 26 -- Investors finally see the (Roth conversion) light: NEW YORK (AP) -- Investors are flooding banks, brokerages and other financial firms with last-minute requests to convert their traditional Individual Retirement Accounts into new Roth IRAs by year's end.

Dec. 25 -- Abilene sales down for year; juggling the numbers doesn't help this time: I once worked with a manager who could give you what you wanted. If you asked what the sales level was going to be this month, he'd respond, "What do you want it to be?"

Dec. 25 -- Push is on to bring about more airline competition: WASHINGTON -- Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater is expressing cautious optimism that he can reach agreement with the major airlines on new rules designed to spur competition in cities where one airline dominates.

Dec. 25 -- 1998 was a tumultuous year for the global auto industry: DETROIT -- Automakers around the world were in transition during 1998.

Dec. 25 -- First the Grinch stole Christmas: now he's hard at work selling it: If the Grinch learns anything from his failed attempt to steal Christmas, it is this: "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store." So why are so many stores associating themselves with the Grinch this Christmas?

Dec. 25 -- Ever receive slippers when you wanted black cha-cha heels?: BUFORD, Ga. (The Wall Street Journal) -- Diane Phillips's husband, Arnold, made very clear what he expects for Christmas this year: He gave her a newspaper ad showing a DeWalt power drill.

Dec. 25 -- Federal government delays release of Medicare HMO report cards: NEW YORK -- Need help telling one Medicare HMO from another? Good luck.

Dec. 25 -- Here's how to have many happy returns: I know you haven't even gotten your presents yet, but it's time to talk about returns.

Dec. 25 -- 'Too cold for too long' -- California crops frozen, millions in losses: SANTA PAULA, Calif. -- Bob Pinkerton labored through the night trying to keep his citrus grove warm, hoping to protect the fragile lemon trees that bear his livelihood on their branches.

Dec. 25 -- Business Briefcase

Dec. 25 -- Wall Street/Dow edges 16 points higher, extending win streak to six sessions: NEW YORK -- The Dow edged closer to new highs, but many stocks sagged Thursday as investors opted to take some of their big gains home for the holiday.

Dec. 24 -- Do decorations sell Christmas?: With a few exceptions, shops are adorned with their mood-altering Christmas decorations every November. But are they seasonal sentimentalism or a way to lure customers?

Dec. 24 -- Online shoppers a small but growing force: Darlene Hazelwood shrugs at the suggestion that online shopping may be for the computer-savvy only. The Dallas retiree has been browsing Internet catalog shops for years and doesn’t consider herself a “tech-head.” Related story: Tips for shopping online

Dec. 24 -- Bond prices drop for third straight day: NEW YORK (AP) — Bond prices fell for the third straight session Wednesday as investors continued to ride a yearend stock rally.

Dec. 24 -- High-tech stocks defy gloom: NEW YORK — Amid the spate of profit warnings that precedes the end of a quarter, one sector has been noticeable this month by its absence: technology.

Dec. 24 -- Lockheed lowers earnings outlook: BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — Lockheed Martin Corp. expects fourth-quarter earnings to fall below analyst expectations due to a drop in sales and expenses associated with its CalComp Technology subsidiary.

Dec. 24 -- FTC spells out tough standards for ’Made in USA’: WASHINGTON (AP) — Before slapping on a “Made in USA” label, businesses should do some legwork to make sure they are meeting the stringent standards that go with the claim, says the Federal Trade Commission in new guidelines on the matter.

Dec. 24 -- President-elect vows to shake up oil monopoly: CARACAS, Venezuela — It’s one of the world’s largest oil companies and an island of efficiency in a country wracked by bureaucratic anarchy.

Dec. 24 -- Some lenders see opportunity in Oil Patch woes: MIDLAND (AP) — While some lenders are pulling out of the Oil Patch, others say they see the plunge in oil prices as a business opportunity.

Dec. 24 -- State program helps increase soybean yields: STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — A program aimed at improving soybean yields in Mississippi helped farmers produce a 1998 crop that, despite a drought, averaged 20 bushels per acre more than the state average.

Dec. 24 -- Farmland establishes hog price floor for pork producers: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — With hog prices at their lowest level in four decades, Farmland Industries, a leading pork processor, moved to guarantee a minimum price to farmers who do business with the giant cooperative.

Dec. 24 -- Aid available for livestock producers: Livestock producers may be eligible for a part of $200 million in aid.

Dec. 24 -- Business Briefcase ... San Angelo Sheep ... Business News

Dec. 23 -- Viruses can steal into your data: (Brian Bethel) I try to give practical information in this column, mixed in on occasion with some personal commentary and such.

Dec. 23 -- Chocolate, Christmas, chuckles, clownlessness: (Doug Williamson) From inner space in the brain to outer space in the heavens, today's trek through the World Wide Web touches it all.

Dec. 23 -- Apple's iMac becomes best-selling personal computer in November: SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Apple Computer Inc. climbed further out of the barrel last month as its iMac became the top-selling personal computer.

Dec. 23 -- S&P 500 sets another high, but most stocks fall: NEW YORK -- The S&P 500 edged farther into record terrain, but most stocks fell Tuesday amid profit-taking in the technology group and another dismal showing by smaller-company shares.

Dec. 23 -- Honda to sell hybrid gasoline-electric car with 70 mpg in 1999: DETROIT -- Honda plans to start selling a two-seat "hybrid" car powered by both gasoline and electricity next fall.

Dec. 23 -- Court upholds long-distance restrictions on Baby Bells: WASHINGTON -- In a victory for government regulators, an appeals court on Tuesday upheld a law forcing the nation's biggest local phone companies to meet special requirements before they can offer long-distance service to their customers.

Dec. 23 -- As Christmas nears, holiday season results look gloomy for nation's retailers: NEW YORK -- Choosy and value-conscious consumers are turning many retailers' hopes for a strong holiday season into gloom.

Dec. 23 -- Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged: WASHINGTON -- With the U.S. economy demonstrating continued strong growth despite a world slump, Federal Reserve policy-makers opted today to leave short-term interest rates unchanged.

Dec. 23 -- Graham Auction ... Business Digest ... Wildcats ... New Tests

Dec. 22 -- Treasury to correct glitch that is benefiting Social Security: WASHINGTON (AP) — A computer glitch has resulted in Social Security’s reserve account earning higher interest than it should be, an error that is gaining the retirement program billions of extra dollars from the federal Treasury.

Dec. 22 -- Big spenders scale back this Christmas amid worries over what will come in 1999: Fearing that their wallets won’t be as thick in 1999, the nation’s biggest spenders aren’t loading up on $1,000 gifts this year as they have in Christmases past.

Dec. 22 -- Scared into silence about Year 2000: Y2K is not only the biggest technological hurdle corporate America has ever faced, it is also the largest potential legal threat it has ever confronted.

Dec. 22 -- SBA to conduct orientation Jan. 14: The U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an orientation session Jan. 14 in Abilene.

Dec. 22 -- Colorado City Auction ... Haskell Livestock Auction ... Comanche Livestock Auction ... Mineral Wells/Weatherford Stock Sale

Dec. 22 -- Gas Completions ... New Test

Dec. 20 -- President Clinton may be responsible for spikes in oil prices: Strange it may be, but oil producers could get a boost from an unlikely quarter: Bill Clinton.

Dec. 20 -- GM reaches full production on new line of full-size pickups ahead of schedule: DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. reached full production on its new full-size pickup this week, nearly a month ahead of schedule, with three plants cranking out a combined total of 3,000 a day, GM President G. Richard Wagoner Jr. said Friday.

Dec. 20 -- Searchers for a stock market play based on Iraq or impeachment come up empty: NEW YORK -- As investment adviser Charles Pradilla met with his clients Wednesday, Congress debated impeachment and U.S. troops prepared to bomb Iraq. What did the group want to ask him about? The hot Internet stocks.

Dec. 20 -- Scientists push for shade-grown coffee: NEW YORK (AP) -- Bird lovers and scientists have brewed up a new strategy to save the habitat of flocks that fly south for the winter: they're selling coffee.

Dec. 20 -- Creativity masters corporate power game: In "Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool's Guide to Surviving with Grace," Gordon MacKenzie writes of "a common corporate personality disorder. It occurs when an authority solicits ideas and then turns them down."

Dec. 19 -- Oil-service companies suffering from low oil prices, mergers: DALLAS -- Oil services companies, which build and maintain drilling rigs, have been among the hardest hit in an industry hammered by this year's downturn in crude oil prices.

Dec. 19 -- Texas employers report lowest injury rate in seven years: AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas employers in 1997 reported the lowest rate of worker injuries and illnesses in seven years, the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission said Friday.

Dec. 19 -- Stocks make interesting gifts: ATLANTA -- Talk about the gift that keeps on giving.

Dec. 19 -- Companies, states discuss $5.15 million bailout for tobacco growers: RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (AP) -- With tobacco growers' income expected to decline amid a shrinking market, cigarette executives and tobacco state leaders began work on a $5.15 billion bailout fund for the farmers.

Dec. 18 -- Wall Street appears unfazed by Iraq, impeachment: NEW YORK (AP) -- Bombs are flying in the Middle East, the leader of the free world is on the verge of being impeached, and the stock market is ... going up?

Dec. 18 -- Stocks move higher as Chase Manhattan leads blue chips: NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks shifted higher Thursday, as investors shrugged off the bombs bursting over Baghdad and found encouragement in Chase Manhattan's rosy profit preview.

Dec. 18 -- First Financial buys Cleburne State Bank: First Financial Bankshares Inc., an Abilene-based bank holding company, has completed its acquisition of Cleburne State Bank in Cleburne.

Dec. 18 -- New credit union rules adopted: WASHINGTON (AP) -- New federal rules allowing more people to join credit unions drew praise from the credit union industry and a consumer group and condemnation from the nation's banks.

Dec. 18 -- Businesses find little work and few workers during holidays: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Getting mighty quiet around your workplace today, isn't it?

Dec. 18 -- Pork prices plummet -- the 'New White Meat' fails: Pork prices have fallen to historic lows in North America and Europe as overproduction and lower demand from Russia and Asia have hit the market.

Dec. 18 -- Farmers say trade sanctions only hurt farmers: BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Wheat farmers are tired of competing in the global economy with one hand tied behind their back.

Dec. 18 -- Vietnam Women's Memorial artist depicts Sacagawea for coin: WASHINGTON (AP) -- A rendering of Sacagawea by the New Mexico sculptor who created the Vietnam Women's Memorial will appear in millions of Americans' pockets starting in 2000.

Dec. 18 -- Silicon Valley bypasses those outside of high-tech world: SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Connie Tort, a 25-year-old single mother of four, spends $400 a month for an unheated room in a sour-smelling house with cracked walls and blankets on the windows.

Dec. 18 -- What to buy when price isn't important: Gustavo Espinoza, who can be found at Saks' exclusive Creme de la Mer counter, wants to rejuvenate your cells. Christopher Tomasik, of F.A.O. Schwarz, wants to bring out your inner child.

Dec. 18 -- Business Briefcase

Dec. 17 -- Business books found on many holiday shopping lists: Book shoppers are gravitating toward the business section this Chistmas, searching for information on change in the workplace, said Deborah McClure of the Abilene Bookstore.

Dec. 17 -- Iraq, delayed impeachment, 3M push down stocks: NEW YORK -- Stocks lost momentum Wednesday as tensions mounted between the United States and Iraq and yet another company warned of weak fourth-quarter earnings.

Dec. 17 -- Lawmakers want U.S. to permit Iranian purchase of U.S. crops: WASHINGTON -- Farm-state lawmakers urged the Clinton administration Wednesday to let Iran buy $500 million worth of American wheat, corn, sugar and other agricultural products.

Dec. 17 -- Price scanners sometimes wrong, FTC report says: Consumers shopping for Christmas dinner can probably be assured they won't be overcharged for a ham at the supermarket, but they might want to double-check the price of the power-tool gift set they bought at the hardware store.

Dec. 17 -- Brownwood Auction ... Sweetwater Auction ... Coleman Auction ... Gas Completion

Dec. 16 -- City tests computers for Y2K problems: City officials aren't just crossing their fingers, hoping everything will be all right when the ball drops ushering in the new century.

Dec. 16 -- Retailers hope cold weather will warm up sales: Abilene retailers are waiting for cold weather to jumpstart holiday sales. They say this year's record-breaking warm weather is hampering Christmas shopping and remember that even though last winter may have been tempered by El Nino, Christmas shopping records were broken nonetheless.

Dec. 16 -- Wall Street worry: Could impeachment uncertainty roil markets?: WASHINGTON -- As if the worst global economic crisis in a half-century weren't enough, Wall Street now is beginning to worry about the impeachment of a president.

Dec. 16 -- Extension service forum to feature Stenholm: SWEETWATER -- The Texas Agriculture Extension Service agencies will host an agricultural information forum with U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm on Monday.

Dec. 16 -- Internet visits to Chemistry class, sea otters, stupid laws: (Doug Williamson) This week's trip along the Information Superhighway makes stops in chemistry class, at a group of sea otters and at the funniest real site I've found.

Dec. 16 -- How to buy peripherals--add-ons for your computer: (Brian Bethel) Welcome to the second part of my little lesson on computers for those of you looking to purchase a new bundle of technological joy this Christmas.

Dec. 16 -- Stocks move higher as GE helps Dow end skid: NEW YORK -- Stocks rebounded Tuesday as General Electric pushed the Dow to higher ground for the first time in a week.

Dec. 16 -- Business Briefs: American Airlines ... Caterpillar ... Envirocare ... Scott's ... Service Merchandise ... Crown Center Petroleum

Dec. 16 -- Graham Auction ... Eastland Livestock ... Abilene Auction ... Sheep Summary ... New Petro Tests

Dec. 15 -- Court's expert: Microsoft's Windows design unjustified: WASHINGTON (AP) -- A computer scientist testified Monday that there is no justification for the way Microsoft bundled its Internet software within its dominant Windows operating system.

Dec. 15 -- Oracle and Sun promote computer that tries to cut out Microsoft's software: NEW YORK (AP) -- Oracle Corp. and Sun Microsystems Inc. launched a fresh assault on Microsoft Corp. Monday by promoting a new simplified business computer that doesn't require full operating systems such as those sold by Microsoft Corp.

Dec. 15 -- GM chooses woman to drive Saturn: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Cynthia M. Trudell, president of a General Motors Corp. subsidiary in England, will take over the automaker's Saturn Corp. division. She is believed to be the first woman picked to run a U.S. car company.

Dec. 15 -- Mattel warns of lower earnings, buys software giant The Learning Co.: NEW YORK (AP) -- Mattel Inc. took its biggest step yet toward expanding beyond Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars into the fast-growing world of high-tech toys, announcing its purchase of The Learning Company Inc., maker of software games Riven, Myst and Carmen Sandiego.

Dec. 15 -- Local Business: Volunteers are needed ... BBB warns of international fraud ... Roth IRA seminar Tuesday

Dec. 15 -- WeCTOGA approves draft of unitization bill: The board of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association approved the 13th draft of a statewide compulsory unitization proposal, which is expected to be introduced into the Texas Legislature for consideration during the 1999 session, said Bill Stevens, executive vice president of the organization.

Dec. 15 -- Wall Street continues drop of nearly 400 points: NEW YORK (AP) -- Earnings disappointments and weakening technology shares pushed stocks sharply lower Monday, extending the market's week-long drop to nearly 400 points.

Dec. 15 -- Business Briefcase: Stocker futures contract up and going ... Ag Commissioner-elect tabs staff ... Focus on best management practices ... Hereford registration statistics ... West Texas Regional Pecan Show results

Dec. 15 -- Local Market Report: Colorado City Auction ... Commanche Auction ... Mineral Wells Stockyards

Dec. 15 -- Rehab Jackpot Show

Dec. 13 -- Sweetwater business is a family affair: SWEETWATER -- The Ludlums have a business you can count on.

Dec. 13 -- Slump in oil prices may lead to economic turmoil: Oil prices keep sinking to new lows.

Dec. 13 -- Big Country Business Notes: News from around the area

Dec. 13 -- The economy: built-in growth: NEW YORK -- When a stock market seer forecasts a Dow Jones average of 30,000 points, more than three times what it is now, our immediate reaction is to scoff, and maybe comment on the irresponsibility of it all.

Dec. 13 -- Another threat to mom-and-pop shops with big retailers testing small stores: NEW YORK -- They've barely survived the shopping malls and the giant discounters, but now America's small neighborhood merchants are facing a new threat -- and it's right down the block.

Dec. 13 -- Web overthrowing real-estate order, say seers: WAUKESHA, Wis. -- As America embraces the Information Age, consumers and on-line competitors are prying loose the powerful grip real-estate agents long have held on the nation's housing market, two industry experts said Thursday.

Dec. 13 -- Don't overlook small-cap funds: When investors think about investing in dividend-paying stock funds, they typically think large caps are the only way to go. But small companies pay dividends too.

Dec. 12 -- Area oil producers losing money due to low oil prices: With oil selling for $8 per barrel, producers say they're losing $5 on each barrel they pump.

Dec. 12 -- Board names Realtor of the Year: Scott Senter was named Realtor of the Year Thursday night by the Abilene Board of Realtors.

Dec. 12 -- American shoppers: Have money, will spend: WASHINGTON -- American consumers have money and are spending it this holiday shopping season, taking home billions of dollars in new cars, furniture and clothing.

Dec. 12 -- New technology could change music industry, consumer habits: SAN FRANCISCO -- The future of the music industry can now be heard through your own home computer, where a new technology called MP3 could reshape the way we buy and hear music.

Dec. 12 -- Online shopping sites trying to get going this season: When National Record Mart Inc. officially announced plans to open an online retail site during the 1998 Christmas season, there were 23 shopping days left before Santa's expected arrival.

Dec. 12 -- Coke buys Cadbury Schweppes' brands outside U.S., reduces profit forecast: ATLANTA (AP) -- The Coca-Cola Co. is buying overseas rights to the Dr Pepper, Crush and other brands from Cadbury Schweppes for about $1.85 billion but expects to disappoint Wall Street with its fourth-quarter earnings.

Dec. 12 -- A year after breakdown, Union Pacific back on line, reclaiming lost business: LOS ANGELES -- A year after a disastrous meltdown that cost about $1 billion in lost business, Union Pacific Railroad appears to be back on track.

Dec. 11 -- U.S. statehood would mean windfall for Puerto Rico, supporters say: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The television ads show a river of dollar signs cascading from the United States down to Puerto Rico, promising lower taxes and annual federal aid checks of up to $3,500 a family.

Dec. 11 -- Struggling Mitsubishi Motors pins hopes on new ads, Galant to spark U.S. rebound: DETROIT -- Like most second-string Japanese automakers in the United States, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has struggled in recent years -- a victim of its own failure to come up with an image and vehicles that would make it stand out from the competition.

Dec. 11 -- New anti-money laundering rules spark big protest on bank privacy: WASHINGTON -- The FDIC is being deluged with thousands of e-mails and letters from citizens furious about new anti-money laundering rules proposed for banks which they view as an invasion of privacy.

Dec. 11 -- Holiday e-mail clogs net servers: NEW YORK (AP) -- Thousands of Internet users sending online holiday greetings laden with graphics and audio clogged AT&T WorldNet's computer servers, creating a slowdown in e-mail delivery over the past two days.

Dec. 11 -- Prudential sells health business to Aetna for $1 billion: Prudential Insurance, the largest U.S. life insurer, announced Thursday it had sold its health care business to Aetna for $1 billion.

Dec. 11 -- Hasbro agrees to pay $6 million in antitrust settlement: Toymaker Hasbro Inc. has agreed to pay about $6 million in cash and toy donations to settle an antitrust lawsuit brought by 44 states.

Dec. 11 -- Mitchell Energy, citing oil downturn, to cut jobs: Mitchell Energy & Development Corp., citing a down-cycle in the energy business, said Thursday it will reduce its work force through a voluntary retirement program and staff cuts.

Dec. 11 -- Oracle profits jump 46 percent: Oracle, the world's largest maker of database software, reported a 46 percent increase in second-quarter profits Thursday, beating Wall Street expectations.

Dec. 11 -- Internet America sells 2.3 million shares in IPO:
Internet America Inc., a provider of Internet service in the Southwest, said Thursday it completed an initial public offering of 2.3 million shares at $13 each.

Dec. 11 -- Amoco shareholders support merger with British Petroleum: Amoco Corp. shareholders on Thursday overwhelmingly voted to approve a proposed merger with The British Petroleum Co.

Dec. 11 -- Correction

Dec. 10 -- Credit-card financing is no longer a sin: Finally! You can come out of the financial closet. You can admit, without shame, that you've been using your credit cards to finance your small business. A business sinner no more, you can flash those cards, sign those slips, draw those cash advances.

Dec. 10 -- AEP CEO says merger with Central and Southwest crucial to strategic plan: (Houston, Dec. 9)--Merging with Central and Southwest, the parent company of West Texas Utilities, is crucial to Ohio-based American Electric Power Co.'s ambitions to be a worldwide player in the 21st Century's competitive global energy markets, said E. Linn Draper Jr., AEP's president and CEO.

Dec. 10 -- Nasdaq sets record, but Dow falls 18 points: NEW YORK -- Stocks meandered to a mixed finish Wednesday, with technology shares driving the Nasdaq market to another record and the Dow edging lower amid profit worries for Merck, Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola.

Dec. 10 -- U.S. trade deficit hits record high: WASHINGTON -- The overall U.S. trade deficit surged to $61.3 billion from July through September, a fourth consecutive record, as the Asian financial crisis crashed even harder against America's shores. U.S. exports of everything from soybeans to computers are down for the year.

Dec. 10 -- Asian crisis slowing exports: AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas export growth is slowing as the state feels the impacts of the Asian economic crisis, the Texas Department of Economic Development reported Tuesday.

Dec. 10 -- Report: Largest job growth markets don't pay living wage: AUSTIN -- Most of Texas' 20 largest job growth markets don't pay enough for a family of four to cover the necessities of food, housing and transportation, according to a study released Tuesday.

Dec. 10 -- Expert says browser unnecessary in Windows: WASHINGTON -- Microsoft continued to squabble with a computer expert Wednesday at its antitrust trial over the technical need to integrate its Internet navigation program into its popular Windows operating system.

Dec. 10 -- U.S. retailer Wal-Mart acquiring 74 more stores in Germany: BERLIN -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the giant U.S. retailer, will buy 74 stores from the Spar supermarket chain, increasing its presence in Germany.

Dec. 10 -- Foreign investors flock to U.S. office buildings: Foreign investors are turning cautious on U.S. real estate, but they have a growing appetite for U.S. office buildings, according to a survey of buying intentions in 1999.

Dec. 10 -- Despite the potential pitfalls, people are going to swap gifts at the office: Like it or not, your co-workers and your boss are a big part of your life. You probably spend as much time with them as you do with your family and friends -- maybe even more.

Dec. 10 - Business Briefs: J.P. Morgan to buy back stock ... TWA boost for Airbus, Boeing ... Internet company Xoom.com shares up 143% on IPO ... UT Medical Branch in Galveston to cut 590 jobs ... Delta to create three regional units in decentralization ... Dataquest says holiday online retailing to reach $2.35 billion ... Low-fare airline introducing service on Long Island ... Nissan announces recall for '95-'96 model trucks

Dec. 10 -- San Angelo Sheep Auction; Agri-Business News; Local Business Notes

Dec. 9 -- Get the computer you need for now: (Brian Bethel) Tis the season to buy computers, although doing so can be more than a bit confusing.

Dec. 9 -- Microsoft: Y2K bugs found in Windows 98: REDMOND, Wash. -- Several Year 2000 bugs have been found in Windows 98, one of the most heavily tested software products ever.

Dec. 9 -- Energy symposium examines changes that one year makes: (Scott Scholten) (Houston, Dec. 8)-- Low oil prices cast a pall over the opening of the 19th annual Arthur Anderson Energy Symposium in Houston, Tuesday, as industry executives marveled at how radically different the energy industry diverged from last year's predictions.

Dec. 9 -- Gulf countries not cutting oil production: ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates -- Gulf Arab oil ministers today decided not to cut oil production to shore up depressed world prices, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council was quoted as saying.

Dec. 9 -- AT&T buys IBM data network: NEW YORK -- Michael Armstrong extended the rapid-fire series of acquisitions and joint ventures made since he took charge of AT&T a year ago, this time agreeing to pay $5 billion for a worldwide data network run by IBM.

Dec. 9 -- Nasdaq almost hits new record:NEW YORK (AP) The Nasdaq stock market missed out on another record Tuesday as the technology rally faltered, while financial stocks led the broader market lower amid nagging worries about the global economy.

Dec. 9 -- Computer device turns 30 years old, continues to evolve: FREMONT, Calif. -- It's been hailed as the bridge between our physical world and the virtual life inside our computers, and criticized as a cause of very sore wrists. The inventor says it's just a nifty device.

Dec. 9 -- Nation's purchasing managers predict continued growth in 1999: NEW YORK (AP) -- Corporate purchasing executives who have charted a six-month slide in the manufacturing sector are cautiously optimistic that business at U.S. factories will rebound and continue to improve as 1999 unfolds.

Dec. 9 -- Truman, dinosaurs, and bad calls in the NFL: The tour of the World Wide Web this week takes us from Harry Truman and dinosaurs to bad calls in the National Football League and liposuction.

Dec. 9 -- Business Briefs; Mineral Wells Livestock; Livestock Auctions

Dec. 8 -- Prospects for continued strong local home sales are good: (Doug Williamson) The local real estate market is no longer red hot. It's even hotter. It's white hot.

Dec. 8 -- Stocks rise, Nasdaq at new high: NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks advanced strongly Monday as Microsoft, Intel and hot Internet companies sent the Nasdaq rocketing to another record high.

Dec. 8 -- Garza wants Rail Commission to help oil and gas industry: (Doug Williamson) Just like most special interest groups, the Texas Railroad Commission will be lobbying the Texas Legislature in January.

Dec. 8 -- Drought takes toll on future Christmas tree crop: GILMER -- This year's heat and drought have played havoc with the Christmas tree industry in Texas. Consumers likely will not notice this holiday season, although the impact could be felt a few years from now.

Dec. 8 -- Energy commission seeks federal policy: SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- With a worldwide oil glut driving down prices, the U.S. oil and gas industry is seeking federal help to develop a national energy policy.

Dec. 8 -- Gates says Microsoft victim of overzealous lawyers: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates portrayed himself Monday as the victim of overzealous government lawyers who don't understand the "incredibly fierce" competition of the nation's high-tech industry.

Dec. 8 -- Pecan Show results: Here are the results of the Abilene Area Pecan Show, held Dec. 1st-2nd at the Mall of Abilene. All winners are from Abilene, except when noted otherwise.

Dec. 8 -- Colorado City Livestock: COLORADO CITY -- Colorado City Livestock Auction had receipts of 1,015 Saturday, compared to 937 a year ago. Feeder and stocker cattle were $3-5 higher than the Nov. 21 sale.

Dec. 8 -- Gas Completions; Oil Completion

Dec. 6 -- Deadline approaching for gas tank improvements: Dec. 22, the jig is up.

Dec. 6 -- Area Business Notes: News from around the Big Country

Dec. 6 -- Texas businesses bracing for future of unknowns: DALLAS -- Winds of economic uncertainty blow through Texas businesses these days.

Dec. 6 -- Drought takes long-term toll on Christmas tree crop: GILMER -- Consumers shouldn't expect to pay more for their evergreens this holiday season despite a drought that has wounded the Christmas tree industry.

Dec. 6 -- Honor society says Compaq dishonored its name: Compaq Computer Corp. thought it had found a pretty smart way to market to college students. But Phi Beta Kappa, the academic honor society, wants to take its key away.

Dec. 6 -- Concern over future tax laws slows conversion to Roth IRAs: Michael B. Rubin could end up with significantly more money in retirement if he converted his traditional individual retirement account to a Roth IRA.

Dec. 6 -- Leedham concedes Teamsters race to Hoffa: WASHINGTON -- The Teamsters have picked another Hoffa to lead their union.

Dec. 5 -- IRS aiming for 80 percent electronic filing by 2007: WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service, tired of shuffling mounds of paper, hopes to triple the number of taxpayers who file income taxes electronically by 2007.

Dec. 5 -- Boeing layoffs begin, risk of recession grows in Puget Sound area: SEATTLE -- Massive job cuts at Boeing Co., the biggest employer in the Puget Sound area, have raised the specter of boom turning to bust within the region over the next two years.

Dec. 5 -- Koch Industries plans sale of four feedlots: WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Koch Industries, one of the nation's largest producers of slaughter cattle, has decided sell its four large feedlots in Kansas and Texas, the company said.

Dec. 5 -- Giant mergers may startle, but big isn't necessarily bad: NEW YORK -- A few years ago, a merger of Exxon and Mobil might have seemed as unlikely as, say, a professional wrestler being elected governor.

Dec. 4 -- Oil merger wave darkens outlook for oil-services companies: NEW YORK -- If there is one clear loser in the planned merger of Exxon Corp. and Mobil Corp., it may be oil-services companies.

Dec. 4 -- Winter wheat crop rebounds after slow start: COLLEGE STATION (AP) -- Wheat, one of the few winter crops in Texas, got off to a late start this season due to the lack of rain at planting, but now seems to be recovering, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.

Dec. 4 -- Discounters, clothing stores strong in November; department stores sag: NEW YORK -- Americans might like the springlike weather across the country, but the nation’s retailers are hoping cooler temperatures will arrive soon and save their holiday season from disaster.

Dec. 4 -- Scrabble tile factory is about to C-L-O-S-E: FAIRFAX, Vt. -- Friday spells the end for the only U.S. factory making those little wooden Scrabble tiles.

Dec. 3 -- Conservation Reserve Program deadline nears: (Scott Scholten) The Dec. 11 bidding deadline is nearing for farmers to get in on the Conservation Reserve Program, said Tim Hall, county executive director of Taylor County Farm Service Agency.

Dec. 3 -- Come and get ‘em: Lower prices for electronic gizmos draw shoppers: NEW YORK -- Holiday shoppers are getting hit by a different sort of sticker shock this year -- rock-bottom prices for consumer electronics gear.

Dec. 3 -- Dow averts steep selloff again despite bad profit news: NEW YORK -- Blue-chip stocks suffered only modest losses Wednesday, weathering a third straight day of profit-taking despite bad news from Boeing and Sears.

Dec. 3 -- Business Capsule: Texaco CEO Bijur says he feels no 'urge to merge'; Sears sales fall; Columbia/HCA sells off home health; Russian prime minister lobbies IMF chief for more loans; Japan Tobacco joins U.S. health payments deal; Air France reports drop in profits; Silver futures fall sharply on stock increases.

Dec. 3 -- Dress to impress on the job interview: (Scott Scholten) For college students, whose wardrobes usually become vast collections of T-shirts and sweat pants over their campus years, dressing up means different things, said Jack Stewart, director of career services at ACU.

Dec. 3 -- Holiday season brings bad news to some workers: This holiday season has brought bad news to workers who stand to lose their jobs as a result of corporate cutbacks.

Dec. 3 -- Local Business Journal: Stamford Memorial hires George; Callahan County water nominated; Wilde and Ocker elected; Bennett receives award; Steakhouse opens in Baird; Dyess appointed VP Lending at Graham; Snyder promoted, Williams recognized at First American Bank; Health Center moves; Clark named manager; Christmas tree farm open; Carson's chapter earns award; Thrift store opens new wing; Becker named to interim board.

Dec. 3 -- Taking control on the InternetQ & A article.

Dec. 3 -- San Angelo Sheep Auction

Dec. 2 -- E-Commerce battles ‘grinchery’: (Brian Bethel) When it comes to the holidays, one thing is clear -- that old Yuletide spirit is sorely lacking.

Dec. 2 -- Crude oil futures continue to drop; soybeans give back Monday’s gains: Crude oil futures continued to drop through 12-year lows on the New York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday as analysts remained pessimistic about world oil producers’ ability reach an agreement to cut supplies that are glutting the market.

Dec. 2 -- Oil patch suffering, consumers gleeful over rock-bottom oil prices: NEW YORK - Oil prices are scraping the bottom of the barrel, leaving U.S. consumers chortling but drillers and refiners glum.

Dec. 2 -- Graham Auction: GRAHAM -- Monday’s run at Graham Livestock Auction included 305 packer cows, cows and calves and bred cows, including about 275 yearlings and 775 calves.

Dec. 2 -- Undeliverable IRS returns miss 31 Abilene residents: (Scott Scholten) Last year, the Internal Revenue Service received $68 million in checks. And we’re not talking about owed income tax. The $68 million in undeliverable returns was because the people had moved or gotten their addresses wrong, said Lucille Dunn, communications specialist with the IRS’ Dallas office.

Dec. 2 -- Most who seek bankruptcy protection can't pay their debts: WASHINGTON -- Only 3 percent of people who shed their debts when seeking bankruptcy protection have the financial wherewithal to repay their creditors, according to an independent study of congressional plans to "needs-test" bankruptcy filers.

Dec. 2 -- Netscape employees wooed by AOL with offer of a month’s pay to stay: CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) -- America Online is offering all 2,300 Netscape employees an extra month’s pay as an incentive to stay on at least until AOL completes its takeover.

Dec. 1 -- Deutsche Bank’s purchase of Bankers Trust faces regulatory hurdles: NEW YORK (AP) -- Deutsche Bank has a lot of hurdles to overcome before it can complete its purchase of Bankers Trust Corp. and become the world’s largest financial institution.

Dec. 1 -- Bandag hiring method treads 22 steps: Ethical hiring means the absence of caprice, according to Julie Super, administrative manager at Abilene’s Bandag Inc., a tire retread maker.
Super discussed Bandag’s screening process at a 30-person gathering at the Business Innovation Center on Monday.

Dec. 1 -- Crude, heating oil futures drop; soybean, corn futures up: Crude and heating oil futures continued their downward plunge Monday on the New York Mercantile Exchange, setting new 12-year lows as both continued to be hurt by warm weather and the worldwide oil glut.

Dec. 1 -- Closing arguments held in Espy corruption case: WASHINGTON (AP) -- A prosecutor asked the jury in Mike Espy’s corruption trial Monday to look past any sympathy for President Clinton’s former agriculture secretary and convict him of taking illegal favors on the job.

Dec. 1 -- Gas stations and refineries may have to be sold if Exxon and Mobil merge: NEW YORK (AP) -- A merger between Exxon and Mobil could prompt government antitrust watchdogs to force the sale of numerous gas stations and refineries, putting thousands of jobs in jeopardy.

Dec. 1 -- Farm Bureau committee calls for creation of a legal defense fund: LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Farmers must plant the seeds for survival by planning ahead, according to a committee report discussed Monday at the Texas Farm Bureau’s 65th Annual Convention.

Dec. 1 -- State Senator Fraser to address WeCTOGA luncheon: State Sen. Troy Fraser will present a legislative outlook at an 11:45 a.m. WeCTOGA Wednesday luncheon at the Abilene Country Club.

Dec. 1 -- Microsoft trial turns to Java pollution: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Microsoft antitrust trial turns this week to an increasingly important charge and one where the company has already proved vulnerable: its efforts to alter a rival computer language that potentially threatens Windows.

Dec. 1 -- Dow falls 216 points in biggest selloff in two months:
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Dow industrials slid 216 points on Monday, a week after returning to record levels, in the first real wave of profit-taking since the stock market rebound began almost two months ago.