May 31 -- Managers learn to use humor to get their messages across: DALLAS -- It's 8:15 in the morning, and Gavin Jerome is already sweating.

May 31 -- North Texas HMO being sold: DALLAS (AP) -- After losing $9 million in the first quarter, Kaiser Permanente announced Friday it was selling its North Texas HMO to Sierra Health Services Inc.

May 31 -- Internet warnings bringing old telephone scam back to life: DALLAS (AP) -- "Please beware. This sounds like an urban legend -- IT IS NOT!!!" screams an e-mail warning about an old and obscure telephone scam.

May 31 -- Wheat growers may soon be eligible for POP payments (J.T. Smith): Wheat prices have eroded to where producers of hard red winter wheat (HRW) may soon be eligible for loan deficiency payments (LDP) or so-called "POP" payments.

May 31 -- Asian flu or Asian comeback? (Guest Column): Headlines late last year carried the story of instability in the Asian economies. As currencies were devalued and foreign stock markets fell, business reporters began drawing the conclusion that the era of unrestrained growth in Asia had come to an end. People like Singapore's senior minister Lee Kuan Yew take a different view. Why?

May 31 -- Farm export projections fall another $1 billion for 1998: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Farm export projections for 1998 were lowered Friday by $1 billion due to the Asian economic crisis and increased foreign competition in corn and wheat, the Agriculture Department announced.

May 31 -- Abilene construction industry doing well: Abilene's construction industry is buzzing along.

May 31 -- Business Notebook: News and notes of interest to the local business community.

May 31 -- Regulators OK Amtrak freight business: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Amtrak won government approval Friday to significantly expand its delivery of express packages and time-sensitive freight shipments.

May 30 -- Conspicuous consumption: Trying to save money by staying home and watching television instead of going out?

May 30 -- Americans dip into savings to maintain spending: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans enjoyed solid advances in their incomes last month, but they increased spending at an even faster rate and cut back on saving. That can't last, economists said.

May 30 -- In Microsoft case, government asks 'What if?': WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rich Schinnell bought his first home computer in 1981 for $6,000, an IBM that by today's standards is more akin to an abacus than a powerful desktop machine.

May 30 -- Business people can build companies, help careers (Doug Williamson): Area business folks will have an opportunity to build their companies and help their own careers next week.

May 30 -- Unethical behavior in offices -- see if you're guilty: Look to your left. Now to your right. Do you see anyone sneering with a mustache and a black stovepipe hat?

May 30 -- Workplace incivility costs companies money, study shows: RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- They're everywhere, it seems: the supervisor who walks out during an employee presentation, the manager who overrides decisions without explanation, the boss who chews out employees publicly.

May 30 -- China cotton supply and local dry conditions cloud cotton picture (J.T. Smith): This farm editor has traveled extensively throughout the Rolling Plains and can report -- at this writing -- that most areas still don't have enough moisture to plant cotton.

May 29 -- AMD to introduce new chips Friday 'unlike anything Intel has': SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Advanced Micro Devices will attempt to escape Intel Corp.'s long shadow Friday when it introduces a new processor "unlike anything Intel has."

May 29 -- Rapid growth in the first quarter: WASHINGTON -- The economy sprinted at a 4.8 percent annual rate during the first three months of 1998. But declining corporate profits, a deteriorating trade balance and a record buildup of unsold goods suggest a sharp slowdown ahead.

May 29 -- Finnell taking on Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission: Like its very name -- the "Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission" -- TNRCC is big.

May 29 -- After farmer outcry, Gore slows EPA pesticide review: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Farmers should expect eventual cancellation of some widely used pesticides under a new food safety law, Clinton administration officials said Thursday. But a new review spurred by Vice President Al Gore is aimed at ensuring agriculture doesn't suffer too much.

May 29 -- United HealthCare, Humana to merge in $5.5 billion deal: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- United HealthCare Corp. is acquiring Humana Inc. in a $5.5 billion merger of managed health care giants, the companies said today.

May 29 -- Reports: Government drawing up antitrust case against Intel: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is drawing up a civil antitrust case against Intel Corp., claiming the company abused its monopoly of the computer chip market, according to published reports.

May 29 -- TV commercials giving viewers an earful: WASHINGTON (AP) -- TV watchers are getting an earful from Madison Avenue.

May 28 -- Drought in Mexico is affecting cattle ranchers (J.T. Smith): Problems in Mexico go beyond the haze from the many fires that have been burning there.

May 28 -- Companies need positive environment to retain workers: A "rotten" atmosphere. It's something companies have to clean up if they want to retain qualified workers, according to Steve Hunt, senior consultant of SHL USA, a human resource consulting firm headquartered in London and with offices worldwide.

May 28 -- Need a browser? You have good choices beyond the big two: If you're sick of the browser war, and the two main combatants -- Netscape's Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer -- there's hope. Without much publicity, some alternative Web browsers have begun to appear.

May 28 -- Software makers don't deserve protection for junk programs: "NOTICE: Reading this column confirms your acceptance of the following terms:

May 28 -- Internet sites where you can research, get quotes on cars: Here's a sample of some Internet-based services that specialize in putting car buyers and dealers together, and sites that specialize in providing information about new and used cars.

May 28 -- Appreciating gifts for the graduate: NEW YORK (AP) -- Looking for that special gift to give a high school or college graduate? Think three letters, for starters.

May 28 -- The truth investors don't want to hear on index funds and market soothsayers: The numbers don't lie. But investors, it seems, don't want to hear the truth.

May 28 -- Ethics gap provides big dilemma for businesses: "Good ethics is good for business," according to Frank Bucaro, an Elgin, Ill.-based speaker and trainer on business ethics and values.

May 28 -- Applying old Indian principles to a small business: Deepak Chopra has become one of the most well known people in the field of alternative medicine. Chopra is an M.D. who practiced traditional Western medicine for the first 10 years of his career and then discovered the ancient Indian approach to health care called Ayurveda. His books include "Perfect Health," "Quantum Healing" and "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success."

May 28 -- How to get promoted at work: Some tips

May 28 -- Families and communities can benefit from rise in home-based work: The trend toward working at home has grown to the point where it could begin to transform home and neighborhood life. Whether it actually does so, though, is an open question.

May 27 -- Notable new software: A few more software releases of note fill today's space while I digest the Department of Justice's complaint against Microsoft Corp.

May 27 -- Convention centers compete to prove who's largest: After 13 years, the nation's second-largest trade show, the Super Show, is threatening to leave Atlanta for larger digs.

May 27 -- Glickman to fight entry of subsidized grain exports from Europe (J.T. Smith): U.S. Ag Secretary Dan Glickman wants the European Commission to back off sending subsidized barley into the United States.

May 27 -- Choosing a legal form for a small business: For 15 years Mary Kiepe ran her catering business as a sole proprietorship: she owned it, she was responsible for everything.

May 27 -- Flame on: How to avoid being charred online (Brian Bethel): One of the great things about writing columns is that you can freely express your own opinion.

May 27 -- Dow 10,000 bug -- smoke or fire?: NEW YORK -- While the world struggles to avoid a year 2000 computer crash, a prominent technology consultant warns some Wall Street computers could go berserk once the Dow Jones industrial average crosses 10,000.

May 24 -- Hay crops show signs of drought: COLLEGE STATION (AP) -- Without a good rain in the next few days, Texas hay producers will end up cutting profits instead of their hay fields, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.

May 24 -- Homeowners finding obtaining equity loans a frustrating experience: DALLAS -- Carl Wolff wanted to get some cash out of the six-figure investment he'd already made into his home, so he applied for a home equity loan when the state opened the door to such lending.

May 24 -- New York stock exchange ponders trading places: FOR SALE OR LEASE: One Exchange Floor, Lower Manhattan, 36,000 sq. ft, Corner of Wall & Broad Sts., Marble walls, Gilded ceiling. Lifetime supply of ticker tape included, Views of New York Federal Reserve bldg.

May 24 -- ARN hires new advertising director: David L. Mercier has been named advertising director of the Abilene Reporter-News.

May 24 -- Government has strong, classic antitrust case, experts say: Legal experts say the Justice Department, in what is shaping up as its most significant antitrust suit in decades, appears to have a strong case against Microsoft Corp.

May 24 -- Business Notebook: News and notes of interest to the local business community

May 24 -- Greater Hill Country Hereford tour to feature some top cattle (J.T. Smith): An excellent ranch tour is just around the corner.

May 24 -- Local wrecker service owner receives national recognition: It takes a real man to drive a wrecker custom-painted pink and summer sky blue.

May 23 -- Wheat harvest much better than expected so far ( J.T. Smith ): Surprise. Throughout the Abilene region, test weights as well as wheat yields are coming in far better than anticipated as harvest moves into high gear.

May 23 -- Judge to Bill Gates: Get ready for an early trial: WASHINGTON (AP) - Get ready to go to court, a federal judge told Microsoft on Friday. Asked to wait at least seven months before making his first ruling in the dramatic antitrust case filed against the world's most powerful software company, a federal judge instead put things on the fast track.

May 22 -- Beef research figured into new computer model (J.T. Smith): Ranchers can now tap into up-to-date research via a new computer model that helps farmers and ranchers match their feed and genetic resources to best meet the demands of the marketplace.

May 22 -- As this house might say, 'buy me': No, this isn't a hallucination and the house isn't possessed. This Abilene house really does talk.

May 22 -- Adjusted unemployment rate dips again: Figures released by the Texas Workforce Commission Thursday show April's seasonably adjusted unemployment rate down to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent in March.

May 22 -- April tax surge puts government on track for first surplus since 1969: WASHINGTON - The government reported a record $124.6 billion budget surplus in April, virtually ensuring the year will finish in the black for the first time since Richard Nixon's first year in the White House.

May 22 -- Microsoft asks for 7-month delay in preliminary injunction: WASHINGTON - On the eve of its initial court appearance in a historic antitrust case, Microsoft Corp. asked a federal judge today to delay for at least seven months the government's demand to make changes to Windows 98.

May 22 -- Netscape avoids role of 'victim': Netscape Communications, the Internet browser pioneer at the center of federal and state antitrust charges against Microsoft, doesn't want to go down in history as "the victim."

May 22 -- Greenspan cautions Asian crisis could still widen: WASHINGTON - While noting some encouraging developments, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said today the Asian financial crisis remains highly volatile with the threat it could spread to other parts of the world.

May 21 -- Asian woes swell U.S. trade deficit: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Asian currency crisis hit America full force in March, pushing the month's trade deficit to a record $13 billion. Trade gaps with Japan and China soared as imports of cars and food climbed to the highest levels ever.

May 21 -- FLBA of Texas elects directors at stockholders meeting: The Federal Land Bank Association of Texas held area stockholder meetings in Coleman, Brownwood, Haskell and San Angelo and chose directors.

May 21 -- House makes it tougher to impose mandates on private sector: WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House voted Tuesday to give lawmakers another tool to block legislation that imposes new costs on private businesses. The administration strongly opposed the measure, saying it could stop legislation that is in the public interest.

May 21 -- Slow-cranking justice system could make Microsoft lawsuit obsolete: NEW YORK (AP) -- A couple of years is a lifetime in the technology business -- look how the Internet exploded from nowhere. And that, some say, is precisely the problem with the government's legal action against Microsoft Corp.

May 21 -- Crude oil futures continue sharp losses: Crude oil futures prices Wednesday plunged a second day on the New York Mercantile Exchange after an industry group reported inventories rose more sharply last week than had been expected.

May 21 -- Plains Cotton Cooperative completes acquisition of Mission Valley: Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) of Lubbock said Wednesday that it had completed its acquisition of Mission Valley Textiles, Inc. (MVT).

May 21 -- Don't let less visibility of fire ant mounds fool you this season (J.T. Smith): Some friends told me that they haven't seen as many fire ant "mounds" this year.

May 20 -- About time someone tried to rein in Microsoft (Brian Bethel): Monday morning, my e-mail box was flooded with press releases and links to commentary about Microsoft being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice.

May 20 -- Fed makes no change in interest rates: WASHINGTON -- The Federal Reserve today opted to hold short-term interest rates unchanged, choosing the safest course in the face of continued political and economic turmoil in Asia.

May 20 -- Columbia/HCA selling 22 hospitals: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. on Tuesday announced plans to sell 22 hospitals to a o consortium for $1.2 billion as part of efforts to get smaller and concentrate on improving patient care.

May 20 -- Drought and foreign markets have attention of peanut growers: Mary Webb had both good and bad news at the Texas Peanut Producers Board meeting at the Embassy Suites in Abilene Tuesday.

May 20 -- TDA is accepting applications for export matching funds (J.T. Smith): Companies that seek export assistance for high-value agricultural products sold under a brand name can apply to the Texas Department of Agriculture for funding in the 1998 Market Access Program (MAP) by June 8.

May 20 -- Texas outpaces other states in high-tech job growth: AUSTIN (AP) -- Texas' high-tech industry added 69,000 jobs between 1990 and 1996, more than any other state, according to the American Electronics Association.

May 20 -- Workers deluged by daily e-mails, voicemails, faxes: NEW YORK (AP) -- Do you feel flooded by faxes and memos, overwhelmed by e-mails and voicemails? You have good reason.

May 19 -- Rule co-op is ready for wheat harvest when grain ripens (J.T. Smith): RULE - Directors were elected at the 89th annual Rule Co-op Gin and Elevator meeting here Saturday night. The 140 attending the dinner and meeting also heard a report on the co-op's expanded handling capacity for grain.

May 19 -- An apple eaten away from the inside: LONDON - Steve Jobs, charismatic founder and interim CEO of Apple Computer, took the stage at a conference recently to announce a new software operating system, the final piece to the struggling company's rescue strategy. As he did so, Jobs performed a typically outrageous piece of legerdemain.

May 19 -- Federal Reserve once again expected to hold interest rates steady: WASHINGTON (AP) - Despite signs they're nervous, policy-makers at the Federal Reserve meeting on Tuesday probably will decide to keep interest rates unchanged a while longer.

May 19 -- Stocks fall for third straight session: NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks fell for a third straight session Monday amid continued unease about the government's legal assault on Microsoft and Tuesday's Federal Reserve meeting.

May 19 -- Dillard's to pay $2.9 billion for Mercantile Stores: Dillard's department stores will swallow its rival Gayfers under a buyout announced Monday, creating a retail chain with stores in every major Central Florida shopping mall. Dillard's Inc. will pay $2.9 billion in cash for Mercantile Stores Company Inc., which owns the 23-store Gayfers group and 96 other stores that operate under 12 different names.

May 19 -- Summer Computer Camp starting in June at McMurry: WEBVANA '98, a week-long computer summer camp for teens, is booting up June 15. Campers will learn how to execute Windows 95's mind-boggling number of tasks on top of basics such as file copying, opening, closing and moving windows about the desk top.

May 19 -- Gates vows he won't repeat the IBM mistakes that led to Microsoft's empire: A combative Bill Gates on Monday vowed at a session with reporters not to repeat the mistakes International Business Machines Corp. made two decades ago when Big Blue stood where Microsoft Corp. stands today.

May 17 -- Volkswagen recalls all its New Beetles: Volkswagen's New Beetle already has a bug.

May 17 -- Business Notebook: News and notes of interest to the local business community

May 17 -- Vending machine operators are excited about the new $1 coin: The battles of summer are many, but perhaps none are more frustrating than the fight to feed a $1 bill into a vending machine.

May 17 -- Workers "privatize" their retirement funds: NEW YORK (AP) -- Concerned about their financial future, America's households have made a decision that Washington has repeatedly shrunk from facing. They are mentally discounting Social Security and investing for retirement.

May 17 -- Making guitars a labor of love for Martin CEO: NAZARETH, Pa. -- Learning to play the guitar was too much work for Christian F. Martin IV. But running one of the world's oldest and most respected guitar companies is a labor of love.

May 17 -- Workers form co-op to save closed plant: DAWSON, Ga. (AP) -- The workers bring their own soap, paper towels and toilet paper. They take turns cleaning the bathrooms.

May 17 -- Abilene's housing market has recovered: Once a for-sale sign went up on the run-down house across the street, Earle McMillan knew he just had to buy it.

May 17 -- Two months of drought has left pastures parched and planting behind (J.T. Smith): Lots of lightning. Little rain. But the few drops in the storm passing through parts of the Abilene region early Friday were still appreciated since they helped settle some of that dust/smoke out of the air.

May 16 -- Stephens County shines at District III 4-H contests: PALO PINTO -- Stephens County 4-H'ers from Breckenridge came through with big wins in the 1998 District III Range, Grass Identification and Soils Contests here.

May 16 -- Appeals court upholds restrictions on regional Bells: WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal appeals court upheld the government's restrictions on how regional Bell telephone companies provide sports scores, stock quotes and other electronic publishing services.

May 16 -- Forth Worth couple to open campground in Baird: BAIRD -- Gene and Donna Thompson may be becoming the motel moguls of small-town West Texas.

May 16 -- Low wheat prices renew interest in government loan program: The local wheat price in Abilene throughout this past work week ranged from about $2.75 to $2.80 per bushel.

May 16 -- Union Texas investors fear impact of Indonesian trouble: NEW YORK (Dow Jones News) -- The stock of Union Texas Petroleum Holdings Inc. slipped nearly 5 percent Friday on speculation that escalating political turmoil in Indonesia could affect the company's pending merger with Atlantic Richfield Co.

May 15 -- Youngsters hear electrifying stories at safety camp: If your hair suddenly sticks straight up in the air -- you may be having a "bad hair day" -- but if thunderclouds are overhead, it could be worse.

May 15 -- Insurance industry facing uncertainty about future: Consolidation and diversification trends in the financial services industries have left many estate planners and life insurance salesmen scratching their heads over what the future will bring.

May 15 -- Lawrence-managed food stores cut employee turnover: A group of area food stores has cut their employee turnover in half.

May 15 -- Microsoft delays shipping Windows upgrade to avert antitrust suit: WASHINGTON -- In a last-ditch attempt to avert federal antitrust lawsuits, Microsoft agreed today to delay shipping the upgrade to its popular Windows software to computer makers until Monday so that negotiations with the government can continue.

May 15 -- Wheat leaders say $500 million in grain sales lost to Cuba alone: U.S. economic trade sanctions, including the sanction with Cuba, are keeping American wheat out of key world markets while not achieving desired sanction results.

May 15 -- Scripps to make public offering of common stock: CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Edward W. Scripps Trust, controlling shareholder of The E.W. Scripps Co., plans to sell 3.5 million of the media company's Class A common stock to the public.

May 14 -- American Express plan to market customer information draws fire: NEW YORK (AP) -- American Express Co. drew fire from privacy groups Wednesday after announcing it is in a venture to sell extensive information on its cardholders to merchants.

May 14 -- Security State names new president: Gary R. Galbraith has been named president of Security State Bank.

May 14 -- Traditional malls enjoying resurgence: AUSTIN -- Virtual malls on the Internet, home shopping on TV and browsing through catalogs have pulled shoppers from traditional malls for years.

May 14 -- Texas Peanut Producers elect directors: GORMAN -- The Texas Peanut Producers Board has chosen directors through its 1998 biennial election and referendum.

May 14 -- South Korea beefing up purchases of U.S. meat (J.T. Smith): Some good news for cattle raisers. South Korea used all of its latest $60 million received in export credits to buy U.S. beef. In fact, South Korea exhausted the USDA GSM-102 allocation in a single day for red meat.

May 14 -- Texas wheat production up 1 percent: AUSTIN (AP) -- The state's 1998 winter wheat crop is forecast at 120 million bushels, a 1 percent increase over last year and a 59 percent jump from 1996.

May 14 -- Higher tax refunds expected in 1999, IRS says: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Many taxpayers can expect higher tax refunds in 1999 due to a variety of new tax credits for education and parents with young children, the Internal Revenue Service said Wednesday.

May 13 -- Doctors accuse insurers of gender bias: NEW YORK (AP) -- A doctors' group is accusing insurance companies of sex discrimination for covering the impotence pill Viagra but not birth control for women.

May 13 -- Appraisal district's Web site provides housing values: As the June 9 deadline nears for property owners to contest the latest valuations of their property, a visit to the Taylor County Central Appraisal District's Web site may be in order.

May 13 -- Multimillion-dollar purchase plan for Chief Auto Parts surprises analysts: The Memphis-based retailer is acquiring Chief Auto Parts of Dallas in a $280 million deal that comes just a month after Chief executives said they were preparing to take the company public. The timing has surprised many industry observers.

May 13 -- Take time to 'shut up and go away' to gain appreciation, perspective: There are some days I wonder if I'm not a bit too fond of the Internet.

May 13 -- Winter wheat crop down 9 percent from last year: WASHINGTON -- With wheat prices in the doldrums, American farmers will harvest a winter wheat crop down 9 percent from last year at 1.71 billion bushels, the Agriculture Department predicted today.

May 13 -- Two companies sue Pride Refining over royalties: Two Oklahoma corporations have filed suit against Pride Refining Inc. and Pride Companies alleging the company has failed to pay more than $280,000 in oil royalties.

May 13 -- Region 14 Farm Safety Camp is Thursday at Expo Center: More than 140 students from nine school districts will be in Abilene Thursday for the Region 14 Education Service Center "Farm Safety Camp."

May 13 -- Companies in a pinch for skilled workers: WASHINGTON -- Chevron Corp. has given up trying to hire computer programmers. When the giant oil company needs help now, it contracts out.

May 13 -- Little things add up when you're tight on water (J.T. Smith): The ongoing dry spell is a reminder to Texans of how precious the water supply really is.

May 13 -- Eaton: Chrysler employees will notice little change after merger: AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Chrysler Corp. workers will notice little change after the company is taken over by Daimler-Benz -- except plants will be busier, Chairman Robert J. Eaton said Saturday.

May 11 -- Small Business Salute goes to Security Title (Doug Williamson): Security Title Co. will be honored today with the Small Business Salute from the Abilene Business Council.

May 11 -- Emergency farm loan applications being taken at Anson (J.T. Smith): Many haven't had measurable rain in two months. You could lose your cat in some of the cracks in the ground.

May 11 -- Apple backs off from radical change in Macintosh operating system: SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Apple Computer Inc. has abandoned a plan to radically alter its Macintosh operating system, responding to demands from Mac users and developers for a less wrenching update of the core program.

May 11 -- Bosses discussed at professional enrichment seminar: Working for more than one boss puts an employee between a rock and a hard place. However, a local counselor said workers don't have to feel the squeeze.

May 11 -- SBC agrees to buy Ameritech for $57 billion in largest phone merger: CHICAGO (AP) - SBC Communications Inc., pushing to become a global telecommunications titan, is snapping up Baby Bell rival Ameritech Corp. in a $57 billion deal that aims to build the first local phone company with customers across the country.

May 11 -- Bug Doctor becomes part of Terminix International: The Bug Doctor has been sold after a decade in operation in Abilene. Owner Vic Valentine excitedly took up Terminix International on its offer after five months of consideration.

May 10 -- Business Notebook: News and notes of interest to the local business community

May 10 -- Nextel developing high-tech solutions in wireless communication: Four floors of an office building in South Abilene are the nerve center for much of the high-tech operations of a national communications corporation.

May 10 -- Why some penny stocks are not worth a penny: NEW YORK (Dow Jones News) -- Sometimes, stocks that trade for just pennies are trading for pennies too much.

May 10 -- Local vendors invited to Dyess: The Abilene Chamber of Commerce will host a vendor fair at Dyess Air Force Base July 9 form 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

May 10 -- Snyder ginner elected president of Texas Independent Ginners: A Scurry County ginner will lead the Texas Independent Ginners Association.

May 10 -- Yakking it up: For wireless services, talk gets far cheaper as competition rages: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A giant black balloon shaped like a cell phone bobs in the wind in front of the PrimeCo store in an Orange Park strip mall.

May 10 -- Eaton: Chrysler employees will notice little change after merger: AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Chrysler Corp. workers will notice little change after the company is taken over by Daimler-Benz -- except plants will be busier, Chairman Robert J. Eaton said Saturday.

May 9 -- Anson FFA second in nation in Oklahoma judging contests: OKLAHOMA CITY -- Anson High School FFA was Reserve Champions of the National Land and Range Judging Contest here Thursday.

May 9 -- Jobless rate plummets; for workers, 'as good as it gets': WASHINGTON (AP) -- The unemployment rate fell dramatically last month to 4.3 percent, the lowest since 1970. "This is as good as it gets for American workers," one economist said.

May 9 -- Japan's recovery top concern of finance ministers: LONDON (AP) -- The world's top finance ministers are counting on Japan to restart its fizzling economy and ease the Asian crisis, and several hinted Friday they are growing impatient with Tokyo after seeing few results.

May 9 -- Tri-County Wheat Tour shares many kernels of knowledge (J.T. Smith Column): Some of the nation's top minds in grain production made the 1998 Tri-County Wheat Tour Friday.

May 8 -- Cattle supply manageable but pork and poultry remain beef options: BROWNWOOD -- The numbers of U.S. cattle have not rebuilt to depressing levels as of yet -- but pork and poultry will give beef plenty of competition this year.

May 8 -- Chrysler-Daimler Benz link is only the beginning for auto mergers: DETROIT (AP) -- The stunning merger between Chrysler Corp. and Daimler-Benz is likely the first of many, as the merger mania that has hit brokerages, banking and pharmaceuticals visits the auto industry.

May 8 -- Administration threatens veto on bill: WASHINGTON -- The Clinton administration Thursday made a new threat to veto legislation, now edging toward a House vote, that would revamp the nation's financial services laws.

May 8 -- Celebrate freedom from working to pay taxes (Doug Williamson Column): Sunday is a day to celebrate.

May 8 -- May 15 deadline approaching for June farm safety camp (J.T. Smith Column): Registration deadline for the Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp is May 15.

May 8 -- For job-hunting grads, 'a very fine year to be graduating': CHICAGO (AP) -- At a recent recruiting conference, Northwestern University placement director William Banis casually mentioned a college freshman he had hired to maintain his office computer network. He was astonished when dozens of companies asked for the student's name.

May 8 -- 'Big Three' heading toward extinction, but auto industry alive and well: DETROIT (AP) -- The Big Three is a phrase, and a concept, nearing extinction.

May 8 -- Vickers PLC agrees to sell Rolls Royce to VW: LONDON -- German automaker Volkswagen roared ahead Thursday in the race to buy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, outbidding rival BMW's offer for the British luxury car company.

May 7 -- Family finds diversification key to survival: Carl and Mark Reeder had to diversify their business.

May 7 -- Big Country FFA District selects 1998-99 officers: The Big Country FFA District has chosen officers for the 1998-99 school year.

May 7 -- Kiwanis clubs honor three youths with ag scholarships: A Jim Ned High youth and two students from Merkel were recognized by Kiwanis clubs with three $500 scholarships Wednesday at Briarstone Manor.

May 7 -- Chrysler, Daimler in merger talks that could reshape auto industry: DETROIT (AP) -- Chrysler Corp., a flag-waving champion of the Buy American movement that once staved off bankruptcy with a government bailout, is discussing a merger with Germany's biggest industrial company, the maker of the Mercedes-Benz.

May 7 -- Brazil lifts ban on imports of U.S. wheat (J.T. Smith Column): Wheat prices are at their lowest level in five years -- nevertheless, there is a bit of bright news.

May 7 -- USDA set to announce package to boost farm exports, prices: WASHINGTON (AP) -- With farm prices at lows not seen in years, the Clinton administration has put together a package aimed at boosting agricultural exports and farm income, two senior officials said Wednesday.

May 6 -- Kleberg to leave day-to-day operation of huge ranch: KINGSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- Stephen J. "Tio" Kleberg, great-grandson of King Ranch founder Capt. Richard King, will leave the day-to-day operation of the famed ranch on June 1.

May 6 -- Time for women to make mark on the 'Net (Brian Bethel Column): Women and the Web now go hand-in-hand, and I say it's about time.

May 6 -- Mother's Day lucrative holiday for area businesses: "Not everybody's got a sweetheart, but they do have a mother," says Rita Webb, manager of Brownwood's Davis Floral Co.

May 6 -- Critics of action aiding oil industry to offer rival measure: WASHINGTON -- The oil industry, aided by some maneuvering from Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, has managed to stave off a proposal to change the way the government assesses royalties for oil pumped from federal lands.

May 6 -- Mother's Day related sites (Doug Williamson Column): Mother's Day fast approaches.

May 6 -- Runnels County Wheat Tour: WINTERS -- Most farmers in an area just south of Abilene and extending on south and west through the Concho Valley haven't seen rain in more than six weeks.

May 5 -- TxDOT to hold regional meeting here May 28 (Doug Williamson): The Texas Department of Transportation wants to do business with small businesses in the Abilene area.

May 5 -- Alternative energy project revealed by WTU and ACU: Representatives from West Texas Utilities and Abilene Christian University unveiled an alternative energy sources project in the Lee Elementary School parking lot Monday.

May 5 -- Houston's Offshore Technology Conference booming with industry: HOUSTON (AP) - Sluggish oil prices failed to dim industry outlook at the 30th annual Offshore Technology Conference Monday, where all signs indicate that business is slowly on the upswing.

May 5 -- NCC objects loudly to China's cotton and textile policies (J.T. Smith ): The National Cotton Council is deeply concerned over China's dumping of cotton.

May 5 -- Former Cowboys physician buys trailerload of cows: HAMLIN - Despite the vast amount of wide open space here, the toughest thing at the Pied Piper Farms Cow Herd Dispersal Sale on Monday was still finding a place to park.

May 5 -- Cable companies wary of Microsoft: ATLANTA (AP) - As Bill Gates told the cable industry it should use his company's software, cable executives were viewing the Microsoft Corp. chairman with a mix of awe and wariness.

May 5 -- Cancer drug stock soars while doctors urge caution: BOSTON (AP) - The stock of a company developing a new cancer treatment leaped from $12 to $85 at one point Monday, even while doctors cautioned against getting too excited over something that has been tested only on mice.

May 5 -- NationsBank paying $6.75 million to settle charges it misled investors: WASHINGTON (AP) - Financial titan NationsBank Corp. is paying $6.75 million to settle federal regulators' charges that it misled investors about the risks of government bond funds, telling some that the securities are as safe as insured certificates of deposit.

May 3 -- Access to capital still a challenge for minority women: Carmen Ramos, a former banker, had been the boss of her own successful business for six years when she applied for a $50,000 business loan last year. Two banks turned her down.

May 3 -- Tri-County Wheat Tour is Friday north of Abilene: The annual Taylor, Callahan and Shackelford "Tri-County Wheat Tour" gets underway at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

May 3 -- First-time teen job seekers must overcome obstacles to find work: When Rachel Welch went job hunting, persistence paid off.

May 2 -- Reports suggest economic growth has peaked for 1998: WASHINGTON -- Asia's economic troubles are lapping at American shores: Incomes stagnated in U.S. goods-producing industries, manufacturing activity slowed and construction decreased.

May 2 -- European leaders take giant step in the quest for unity: BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Union began the process of breathing life into the long-awaited single currency Friday when finance ministers designated 11 countries to join in a new monetary union.

May 2 -- GAO: Government at risk with new farmer insurance program: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional auditors say a new insurance program designed to protect farmers from drops in their income will probably cost the government more than traditional crop insurance.

May 2 -- Some folks were high and dry throughout April (J.T. Smith Column): Last Sunday, this farm writer mowed grass in south Taylor County while looking enviously at the isolated rain cloud to the north over Abilene, itself.

May 1 -- Credit union bill sent to Senate; could face tough going: WASHINGTON -- Surviving its second close call in the legislative process, a popular House-passed measure to help credit unions was approved by the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday but could face a rocky time before the full chamber.

May 1 -- Good economic news pleases Clinton: From Wall Street to the White House, the nation rallied around Thursday's good news that the economy grew at a robust 4.2 percent the first three months of 1998 while workers' pay rose and inflation fell to its lowest level since 1963.

May 1 -- Runnels County Wheat Tour is May 5 (J.T. Smith Column): The 1998 Runnels County Wheat Tour is Tuesday just outside of Winters.

May 1 -- Attorney tells employers to warn workers about lack of privacy: Employers should let employees know that there's not much privacy in the workplace.

May 1 -- Vacation timing left to Japanese bosses: TOKYO -- Japanese workers must take vacations when it suits their employers, a Tokyo court ruled Thursday.