Sept. 30 -- Donnell Cattle and Wehrmann Angus bring bull sale to Expo Center Nov. 11 (J.T. Smith): Angus breeders Tommy Donnell of Graham and Nick Wehrmann and Richard McClung, Jr., of New Market, Va., will hold their second joint bull sale at 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Sept. 30 -- New AOL version a big improvement (Doug Williamson): The newest version of America Online software is a breeze.

Sept. 30 -- Use caution when dealing with strangers on the Web (Brian Bethel): Most of us wouldn't go up to a stranger on the street and start telling them personal details, including how to get in touch with us whenever they want.

Sept. 30 -- Today is last day to insure winter wheat: With all the political noise and hoopla going on in Washington, some farmers may get too focused on following farm relief proposals and forget that today is the final day to insure wheat.

Sept. 30 -- Banks hold off cutting prime rates following Fed move: Once upon a time, banks hopped on the bandwagon of a Federal Reserve interest rate change with quick adjustments to their prime rates. No longer.

Sept. 29 -- Izzard talks of 'uphill battle' for oil and gas industry: Congressional candidate Rudy Izzard said procuring government aid to insure survival of the domestic oil and gas industry will be "an uphill battle."

Sept. 29 -- It is still ostrich month for another day ( J.T. Smith): I guess I should have gotten around to noting this earlier. But I've been more than just a little busy in September - especially with the annual West Texas Fair, when my wife says "J.T. Who?"

Sept. 29 -- Chamber banquet a sellout (Doug Williamson): The annual banquet of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce is a sellout. Even after officials moved it from the conference wing to the exhibit hall at the Abilene Civic Center, people still gobbled up the tickets for the Thursday event.

Sept. 29 -- Potential interest rate cut could spur spending: The Federal Reserve is expected today to lower the interest rate it charges banks for short-term funds. Such action could spell lower rates for consumers.

Sept. 29 -- Last-minute arrivals expected to put today's Round-Up near last year: As of late Monday, 44 head of cattle had arrived at Abilene Auction pens on the eve of the 39th Annual Cattlemen's Round-Up for Rehab slated for 1 p.m. today at the auction.

Sept. 29 -- Companies offering executive-style perks the rank and file: CHICAGO (AP) - We've all at least heard about profit sharing, matching 401(k) contributions and, of course, the pay raise as ways to boost employee loyalty and morale.

Sept. 29 -- Island's economic woes demonstrate fallout from Japan's bank crisis: SAPPORO, Japan - Torao Kano thought he had enough money put aside for a comfortable retirement, without having to depend on his children for support.

Sept. 27 -- October is packed with big events throughout the Big Country (J.T. Smith): Fall is here, and hopefully, cooler temperatures. Certainly by October the weather should become nice.

Sept. 27 -- Texas oilmen consider unitization: When Albany oilman A.V. Jones advocated the pro side of a compulsory unitization debate 30 years ago, a West Texas oilman opposing the proposal called Jones "a Communist".

Sept. 27 -- Cody Carson is man of few words -- but they are clear thanks to Rehab: Like many true cowboys, Cody Carson doesn't say a lot.

Sept. 27 -- Big Country Business Notes: News from around the area

Sept. 27 -- Drought, worms loom over state's fall crops: COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Recent tropical showers that have doused large sections of Texas haven't amounted to a puddle in the state's northwestern wheat-and-cattle belt. And crops that have gotten rain are prime targets for an anticipated pest invasion.

Sept. 27 -- Reviving the not-so-wonderful world of Disney: Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer of Walt Disney Co., once said every company needs to reinvent itself every few years. After a long stretch of 20 percent average annual profit growth, that moment has again arrived for Disney.

Sept. 27 -- Cities see downtown residential development continuing to grow: NEW YORK -- When Leslie Aun and Buzz McClain moved from suburban Washington, D.C., to Dallas, they first looked at what they knew: the suburbs. They even put a deposit down on a house in Allen, Texas, 20 miles north of Dallas.

Sept. 26 -- ECP assistance may be available for some area counties (J.T. Smith): The ongoing drought has caused severe hurt throughout Taylor County, notes Tim Hall, executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency for Taylor County, Abilene.

Sept. 26 -- Activity at old Merchants building happening again (Doug Williamson): The former headquarters and dock terminal of Merchants Inc. is beginning to see traffic again. Coastal Transport Co. Inc. has purchased the facilities from the bankruptcy court.

Sept. 26 -- Consumer spending rebounds in August and income keeps pace: WASHINGTON (AP) - Spending by American consumers rebounded in August after falling in July because of the General Motors strikes. Income growth nearly kept up. And sales of existing homes slipped a bit from a record high.

Sept. 26 -- House rejects GOP effort to expand president's trade powers: WASHINGTON - The House rejected a Republican-led attempt Friday to enhance the president's ability to negotiate trade treaties, as what once was a top priority of President Clinton became fatally entangled in campaign-season politics.

Sept. 25 -- Farmers Union applauds President Clinton for farm relief package (J.T. Smith): The Texas Farmers Union is commending President Bill Clinton for the administration's $7.1 billion farm relief package unveiled this week.

Sept. 25 -- Texas cattlemen wrestle with timely issues in Abilene meeting: Some of Texas' top ranching names and beef industry leaders were on hand for the Beef Producers Meeting at Abilene Auction Inc. Thursday night, but the emphasis was on average-size cattle raisers.

Sept. 25 -- Acquisition of Azle State bank completed: Independent Bankshares Inc. completed its acquisition of Azle State Bank earlier this week.

Sept. 25 -- IRS approves new taxpayer-friendly mission statement: WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service now has an official mission statement emphasizing "service" is its primary job.

Sept. 25 -- New $20 bills to start circulating: WASHINGTON - After months of planning and printing, the government began circulating a redesigned, harder-to-counterfeit $20 bill Thursday.

Sept. 24 -- Risk management workshop is Oct. 1 in Abilene ( J.T. Smith): Farming and ranching deals in high stakes. A risk management and marketing workshop is Oct. 1 in Abilene at the Taylor County Extension Service office at 1982 Lytle Way.

Sept. 24 -- Golf courses can be better for deals than offices: Some businessmen say they have the deal in the bag - the golf bag that is. For years, businessmen, and now businesswomen, have used the golf course to woo customers.

Sept. 24 -- Big Country business notes: News from around the area

Sept. 24 -- New rules will tell big airlines how to compete fairly with small ones, official says: WASHINGTON - Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said Wednesday the federal government will issue rules early next year to stop big airlines from using "anti-competitive practices to keep out low-fare competition."

Sept. 24 -- Fed approves merger creating nation's largest financial services company: WASHINGTON - A megamerger between Citicorp and Travelers Group Inc. won approval Wednesday from the Federal Reserve Board. The combined company would offer consumers one-stop shopping for everything from credit cards and checking to insurance and investing.

Sept. 24 -- Greenspan signals interest rate cut next week: WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan ignited a rally on Wall Street on Wednesday by signaling that he and his fellow policy-makers will cut short-term interest rates next week.

Sept. 23 -- Drought's impact on range will be felt well into 1999 ( J.T. Smith): General rains - if they ever come - could still make it possible to plant some winter wheat pasture to provide some forage for livestock.

Sept. 23 -- It's the 1940s all over again (Brian Bethel): Welcome to the 1940s, all over again. Okay, not literally. But when it comes to the Internet, we're reinventing the wheel in some awfully familiar ways.

Sept. 23 -- Make the most of web sites with free technology (Doug Williamson): Some of today's sites use some of the technologies available on the Internet to enhance their look and sound.

Sept. 23 -- Crown Cork plans job cuts, but none at Abilene plant: Crown Cork & Seal Co. Inc. is eliminating 2,700 jobs, or about 7 percent of its work force, as part of a series of initiatives designed to boost profits and its share price.

Sept. 23 -- SBDC slates workshop on government contracts: Government contracts are a good way to get good business. The Small Business Development Center is sponsoring a free workshop on Sept. 30 to help people learn how to procure government contracts.

Sept. 23 -- Senate rejects $1 increase in minimum wage: WASHINGTON - The Senate today rejected a $1 election-year increase in the federal hourly minimum wage pushed by Sen. Edward Kennedy and other Democrats.

Sept. 23 -- Newspaper: Oil chiefs to meet for world summit: LONDON (AP) - Heads of some of the world's biggest oil companies plan to meet in Europe next week to discuss the slump in crude prices and the growing global economic uncertainty, the Financial Times reported Wednesday.

Sept. 22 -- Perry unveils legislative proposals to assist farmers and ranchers (J.T. Smith): Texas Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry has put together a list of proposed federal measures that, if passed, would offer both short- and long-term relief to drought-stricken farmers and ranchers.

Sept. 22 -- Capital big topic at WeCTOGA fall meeting: The money of oil and gas was the focus of attention at the annual fall meeting of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association Monday.

Sept. 20 -- Rehab Club Pig Sale is Oct. 5 at Wylie FFA barn in Abilene (J.T. Smith): The eighth annual Club Pig Sale benefiting the West Texas Rehabilitation Center is slated for 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Wylie FFA Showbarn at 4502 Antilley Road in Abilene.

Sept. 20 -- Breckenridge volunteer is recognized by Eckerd Corp: BRECKENRIDGE -- Maude Allison has been named to the The Eckerd 100, a prestigious honor roll sponsored by Eckerd Corporation that acknowledges the volunteer contributions of 100 women nationwide.

Sept. 20 -- Big Country Business Notes: News from around the Big Country

Sept. 20 -- Livestock Board says bid to import Australian cattle withdrawn: ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (AP) -- A bid to bring 5,000 Australian cattle into the United States from Mexico has been withdrawn after Mexican and U.S. cattlemen opposed the effort, the New Mexico Livestock Board has announced.

Sept. 20 -- Long-term investing can be a lonely road: NEW YORK -- It's easier to understand now why more people don't get rich making long-term investments in stocks and stock mutual funds.

Sept. 20 -- Texas housing markets expected to be strong through end of next year: DALLAS (AP) -- As the summer cooked, so did Texas' housing market, attributed in part to lower interest rates, a booming market and strong economy.

Sept. 20 -- Pentagon accuses insurance company of deceptive practices: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Academy Life Insurance Co., one of the largest sellers of life insurance to military personnel, has been barred from U.S. defense installations after the Pentagon accused the insurer of deceptive practices.

Sept. 20 -- So long sabbaticals? Some companies are axing sabbatical programs: Compaq Computer scrapped Tandem's sabbatical program soon after taking over the company last year. But Tandem managers were hardly distressed. What to do on a weeks-long sabbatical? Most veg out

Sept. 19 -- Drought has taken its toll on most Texas crops (J.T. Smith): The 1998 drought has put the whammy on Texas crop production.

Sept. 19 -- Radio veteran calls it quits: Radio in Abilene is losing one of its strongest voices.

Sept. 19 -- Chrysler shareholders approve merger of Chrysler, Daimler-Benz: WILMINGTON, Del. -- Chrysler Corp. shareholders Friday strongly endorsed formation of a new international automaker by merging with Daimler-Benz AG of Germany.

Sept. 19 -- Housing construction dips in August after hitting 11-year high: WASHINGTON -- After hitting an 11-year high, construction of homes and apartments dipped in August but remained on track for a banner year with mortgage rates at a nearly three-decade low.

Sept. 19 -- Despite warnings, Central Bank to pump more money into economy: MOSCOW -- The Central Bank's plan to print more money to revive the ailing Russian economy prompted warnings Friday of hyperinflation and a return to Soviet-style restrictions.

Sept. 18 -- Jones County Farm Bureau meets Monday night in Anson (J.T. Smith): The Jones County Farm Bureau will have its annual county convention at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Women's Building in Anson.

Sept. 18 -- An Unexpected Twist to Cheap Oil: An Orgy of Drilling: What do oil producers do when oil sells for less than it costs to pump it? Drill like crazy.

Sept. 18 -- First in 1998 Cattlemen's Round-Up series fetches $15,947 for Rehab: Despite tough times for drought-stricken ranchers, the 1998 Cattlemen's Round-Up for Rehab got off to a great start Thursday with the first sale of the annual series at San Angelo.

Sept. 18 -- Dow loses 216 points as world markets boo central banks: NEW YORK - The Dow industrials slid as much as 235 points Thursday as world stock markets jeered the wait-and-see stance on the global economic crisis taken by the Federal Reserve and central banks in other major nations.

Sept. 17 -- West Texas Fair and Rodeo's economic impact on Abilene seen in diverse areas: The West Texas Fair and Rodeo. Is it a money magnet? Or does it siphon off sales that would otherwise go to Abilene retailers? Largely, it depends on what kind of business one's talking about.

Sept. 17 -- Plains Cotton Cooperative announces record cash distribution (J.T. Smith): Just when drought-stricken cotton farmers desperately needed some good news, they got some Wednesday afternoon.

Sept. 17 -- FCC proposes letting Internet providers use faster modems: WASHINGTON (AP) - It's three bits in the right direction. The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday proposed changing decades-old rules so that digital 56 kilobit-a-second modems - used by Internet service providers to transmit data to consumers - are permitted to operate at their maximum speed.

Sept. 17 -- Area business notes: News from around the Big Country

Sept. 17 -- Internet companies campaign for safer cyber transactions: In the usual media hoo-haw about the dangers of cyberspace and the rise of high-tech criminals, a very telling statistic was lost.

Sept. 17 -- Reviews of shareware programs: Troubleshooting the Internet: These are reviews of shareware programs for IBM-compatible computers running Windows.

Sept. 17 -- Cut interest rates without switching cards: Q: My husband and I have been trying to get one of those low-rate credit cards that allow you to transfer your balances from a high-rate credit card. We owe a little more than $15,000 on our current cards.

Sept. 16 -- Beef Producer Meeting is Sept. 24 at Abilene Livestock Auction (J.T. Smith): Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Bayer Animal Health, Hi-Pro Animal Health, along with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service offices of Taylor, Callahan, Jones, Nolan and Shackelford counties have put together a superb program for ranchers.

Sept. 16 -- Company sites miss the point.com (Brian Bethel): In every commercial, in every ad, you see them: www.tacobell.com, www.ge.com, www.gillette.com, www.anythingandeverything.com.

Sept. 16 -- House urges emergency spending for farmers: WASHINGTON - The House today indicated its willingness to help farmers weather their severe economic crunch, voting overwhelmingly to exempt the aid from federal spending limits.

Sept. 16 -- BankAmerica, NationsBank affirm merger despite outlook: SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones News) - BankAmerica Corp. and NationsBank Corp. plan to go forward with their planned $60 billion merger despite a negative outlook released by BankAmerica.

Sept. 16 -- Dow puts together first three-session winning streak since early August: NEW YORK - Stocks extended their rebound Tuesday as another day lacking in bad news helped Wall Street muster enough confidence to post its first three-session winning streak since early August.

Sept. 16 -- Check out these sites

Sept. 15 -- American State Bank official to speak at luncheon (Doug Williamson): Business Briefs - Steve Exter, senior vice president and trust officer of American State Bank of Lubbock, will speak to a luncheon of the McMurry University Leadership Development and Family Business Center Thursday, etc.

Sept. 15 -- Fire Ant Awareness Week is under way in Texas (J.T. Smith): Anybody in these parts other than a hermit knows the annual West Texas Fair is going on at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene. But did you know it's a week to be aware of treacherous fire ants? It is in Texas.

Sept. 15 -- Equipment company honored with Small Business Salute: Abilene Business Equipment Inc. has been selected for this quarter's Small Business Salute.

Sept. 15 -- Stevens to dig for oil industry layoff details: Cheap petroleum prices are forcing oil companies to prune operations and office staff, but one man is trying to go beyond the statistics.

Sept. 15 -- Senate again rejects Democratic boost in farm price supports: WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans for a second time rejected an election-year boost in agricultural price supports Monday as lawmakers jockeyed over the best way to address farmers' growing economic problems.

Sept. 15 -- Dow gains nearly 150, first two-session win streak in three weeks: NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks rose sharply Monday, extending Friday's rally and making it the first time in three weeks the market has managed two consecutive winning sessions.

Sept. 13 -- Drought is zapping the blood from some farm equipment dealers: Abilene has received an official 9.8 inches of rainfall for the year -- or about half of average.

Sept. 13 -- Aspermont rancher N.L. "Boss" Winter honored as Texas Trail Blazer (J.T. Smith): N.L. "Boss" Winter of Aspermont was one of two ranchers honored with the highly prestigious "Texas Trail Blazer" Award during the recent 1998 Texas Ranch Roundup.

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

Sept. 13 -- The time for your 401(k) checkup is now: With about 50 percent of their retirement assets now tied up in 401(k) plans, Americans have reason to be asking themselves what, if anything, they should be doing when the stock market succumbs to the forces of gravity, weak profits, Asian flu, rublephobia, the crisis in the presidency, or whatever else may be getting it down.

Sept. 13 -- Saving money isn't so difficult, if you can modify your behavior a bit: If saving money were easy, we would all be millionaires. But it isn't, and most of us aren't.

Sept. 13 -- Why -- not just how -- a cigarette maker created a more addictive tobacco: Inside the restricted laboratory compound on the south coast of England, five senior scientists for B.A.T. Industries, the world's second-biggest cigarette maker, were devising ways to make it harder for people to quit smoking.

Sept. 12 -- Perry encourages farmers to get their stalk destruction rebates (J.T. Smith): With the widespread devastation from the drought, every penny counts.

Sept. 12 -- Local investment clubs going to 'wait it out': No longer is making money in the stock market as easy as falling off a log.

Sept. 12 -- Grants help boost Texas business: AUSTIN -- Taylor County businesses spent more than $600,000 this year training area residents for jobs.

Sept. 12 -- Senate panel approves compromise financial overhaul bill: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Breaking a logjam, the Senate Banking Committee on Friday approved new compromise legislation that would overhaul the nation's financial services laws. Only a few weeks remain for Congress to enact the sweeping package.

Sept. 12 -- Starr Report: What if it were a corporate executive and an intern?: Suppose an otherwise valued employee had an office affair, lied about it, stymied an internal investigation and, when eventually confronted with the evidence, scolded the accuser. What would the boss do?

Sept. 12 -- Large crop forecasts push farm prices down even more: WASHINGTON -- Farm prices are likely to fall even further as harvest time approaches because of forecasts for large corn, soybean and wheat crops amid stagnant exports, the Agriculture Department reported Friday.

Sept. 11 -- Priddy FFA show pig, lamb and meat goat sale is Sept. 20 (J.T. Smith): You will want to mark this one on your calendar if you are looking for a show animal this season.

Sept. 11 -- Government's efforts to reform HMOs critized here: Representatives of the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce criticized government efforts to reform HMOs on Tuesday.

Sept. 11 -- Paternity testing at America's fingertips: 1-800-DNA-TYPE: HOUSTON - There's no turning away from Identigene's looming black billboards that read, "Who's the father? 1-800-DNA-TYPE."

Sept. 11 -- Rocky stock market too risky for Social Security dollars: WASHINGTON - Those who argued throughout Wall Street's boom that the stock market is too risky a place to consider investing Americans' Social Security money are now saying, "I told you so."

Sept. 11 -- Oil industry continues to wait for price bounce-back: LUBBOCK (AP) - While consumers are enjoying cheap gasoline prices, oil analysts say low crude prices are causing an industry downturn that's costing the state $600 million a month.

Sept. 11 -- Dow slumps 249 points in latest mood swing on Wall Street: NEW YORK - The Dow industrials fell as much as 345 points Thursday as the glimmer of hope that energized the stock market just days ago was swept away by another wave of anxiety over the crises in Washington and the global economy.

Sept. 11 -- Northwest strike coming to an end: WASHINGTON - Negotiators for Northwest Airlines and its pilots reached agreement Thursday on a deal that would end a strike that has grounded the airline for 13 days.

Sept. 10 -- Employee attitudes seem to be good here: When the Abilene Industrial Foundation recently commissioned a wage and benefits survey, it also asked Abilene employers about employee attitudes.

Sept. 10 -- Perry urges quick passage of emergency feed legislation (J.T. Smith): With the U.S. House of Representatives back in session, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry is urging quick passage of pending legislation in the U.S. House that would help Texas livestock farmers.

Sept. 10 -- Area Business Notes: From around the Big Country

Sept. 10 -- IDC predicts PC sales will rise modestly despite Asian turmoil: NEW YORK - Personal-computer sales in the third quarter are expected to rise a modest 11 percent from the year-ago period, as economic turmoil in the Asia/Pacific region continues to constrain the industry, according to a study by a research firm.

Sept. 10 -- IBM creates tiny disk drive to boost capacity of digital cameras, other devices: NEW YORK - International Business Machines Corp. has built the world's smallest hard disk drive, an advance that could greatly increase the storage power of digital cameras, hand-held computers and other small electronics devices.

Sept. 9 -- Cattle Raisers Foundation purchases historical manuscripts (J.T. Smith): The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation has purchased an extensive manuscript collection that documents one of the most significant eras in Texas ranching.

Sept. 9 -- What's new on the 'Net? (Doug Williamson): This week's journey along with Information Superhighway has stops at Euclid, Easy-Bake Ovens, your personality and more.

Sept. 9 -- Listening to radio on the Internet (Brian Bethel): The other day, I was listening to paranormal shock jock Art Bell on my computer.

Sept. 9 -- Greenspan proves again that a few words can spark big reaction: WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, demonstrating anew the impact of his words, ignited the biggest one-day point surge in Wall Street history by suggesting he would consider cutting interest rates if America's "oasis of prosperity" is further threatened by global economic troubles.

Sept. 8 -- Bookstore at ACU changes name (Doug Williamson): Where'd it go? There is no ACU bookstore any more. The Abilene Christian University bookstore is now known as The Campus Store.

Sept. 8 -- Beyond programs and policies - companies try to adopt more family-friendly cultures: Managers at Dallas-based Texas Instruments will soon begin taking a class on making decisions based not only on business needs - but on workers' needs.

Sept. 8 -- Seinfeld co-creators top list of Forbes highest-paid entertainers: NEW YORK (AP) - Even Jerry Seinfeld would have to admit that $225 million is a whole lot of "yada, yada, yada," especially for a TV show about nothing.

Sept. 8 -- Negotiators to resume Northwest talks in Minneapolis: MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Negotiators in the Northwest Airlines pilots strike planned to resume federally mediated talks here today - but not necessarily face to face.

Sept. 6 -- Toxic plant book should be a must for every rancher (J.T. Smith): If you raise cattle, then you want a copy of the Toxic Plant Handbook from the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service.

Sept. 6 -- Low jobless rate does not discourage new business: A low unemployment rate didn't scare away The Colonels International Inc. from setting up shop in Abilene.

Sept. 6 -- Service industry booms in Abilene: For Abilene workers, service is king -- service industries, that is.

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

Sept. 6 -- Office-supply superstores find bounty in the boonies: LEBANON, N.H. -- From morning till night, rusty pickup trucks and mud-spattered Jeep Cherokees from miles around pull into a low-slung strip mall here and pull out loaded with the day's purchases: computer scanners, books on Web-page design, reams of paper for laser printers, and just about every other kind of office equipment imaginable.

Sept. 6 -- How market free fall could affect mortgage rates: Keep your eye on the mortgage market for what could be the silver lining to the clouds over Wall Street -- lower mortgage rates.

Sept. 6 -- Major oil companies spending barrels of money to beat Year 2000 bug: HOUSTON -- Big Oil will sink more than $1 billion to try keeping the Year 2000 computer glitch from jeopardizing the world's energy supply -- and companies' bottom lines.

Sept. 5 -- Stocker cattle program is Sept. 15 at Roby (J.T. Smith): A special Stocker Program on cattle is 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Roby Annex.

Sept. 5 -- Texas No. 2 in Hispanic gains; Harris County No. 1 in black population increase: HOUSTON (AP) -- New U.S. Census Bureau figures show Hispanics have been the fastest-growing ethnic group in Texas during the 1990s, while Harris County appears to have been the No. 1 destination for blacks.

Sept. 5 -- U.S.-Japanese officials meet on global jitters: SAN FRANCISCO -- Top U.S. officials face a dwindling list of options as they fight a global financial crisis that has hit Asian nations and Russia and is now threatening Latin America and even closer to home.

Sept. 5 -- After 10-year respite, Dow gets two 500-point drops in one year: NEW YORK -- Bull or bear, after two 500-point tumbles in less than a year, even the longest-term investors may be wondering whether they have what it takes to ride this bucking bronco.

Sept. 5 -- Stock market volatility will slow merger frenzy: NEW YORK -- After the bull market drove mergers to dizzying heights, the stock market's summer swoon will likely force dealmakers to the sidelines.

Sept. 5 -- Government estimates Year 2000 fix at $5.4 billion: WASHINGTON -- The federal government said Friday it will cost at least $5.4 billion to fix its most important computers to overcome the Year 2000 problem, about $400 million more than previously estimated.

Sept. 4 -- Texas agriculture faced with both drought and low prices (J.T. Smith): The nation has been aware of the devastation Texas agricultural producers face from the 1998 drought.

Sept. 4 -- First collegiate job fair deemed impressive: Business owners not represented at Abilene's first collegiate job fair can expect a major headache today.

Sept. 4 -- Farmers watch Hill for action on trade, aid: WASHINGTON - With only a few weeks before Congress packs its bags to end this year's session, American farmers are eager to see what lawmakers will do to ease the rigors of a year of disastrous economic and weather conditions.

Sept. 4 -- Retailers report weak August, hurt by late Labor Day and slower economy: NEW YORK - Retail sales at many of the nation's biggest stores fell below expectations in August, raising concerns about the outlook for the rest of the year, especially during the Christmas season.

Sept. 4 -- Economic crisis inches closer to home: WASHINGTON - The economic crisis that has hit Asia and Russia - and rattled the U.S. stock market - is moving ever closer to American borders as major trading partner Canada and fast-growing Latin American markets start to suffer.

Sept. 4 -- Late bounce halves latest 200-point drop by Dow: NEW YORK (AP) - A late bounce sliced a 200-point plunge in half Thursday as a jittery stock market continued to swing violently in the aftermath of Monday's brutal selloff.

Sept. 3 -- A professional degree doesn't guarantee a good job right away: Popular belief may be that a professional degree is a ticket to lucrative work and a guaranteed job. But finding such jobs is proving tricky, and opening a professional practice requires the intestinal fortitude of an entrepreneur.

Sept. 3 -- Day traders take Wall Street by storm with guerrilla tactics: BOCA RATON, Fla. - Mitch Dinnerman started making money on Wall Street from the computer in his gas station.

Sept. 3 -- Perry says more companies join effort to get hay to Texas (J.T. Smith): Browning-Ferris Industries, Union Pacific Railroad and Roadway Express have joined a growing list of companies that are hauling hay to drought-stricken areas of the state.

Sept. 3 -- Technology managers start to gain status as information rules: Has the growing importance of information technology to corporations opened the gates to senior management for techies?

Sept. 3 -- Bringing a good idea to market: It happens so often and to so many people that it's practically become a cliche. A new product hits the shelves, simple in concept yet hotly in demand and everybody wonders, "Now why didn't I think of that?"

Sept. 3 -- Maligned 3.5-inch computer diskette still popular: NEW YORK - When the computer industry talks about killing the 3.5-inch floppy disk, personal computer users like George Velez get upset.

Sept. 3 -- Factory orders rise in July: WASHINGTON (AP) - American factories in July saw the biggest increase in orders for their products since last fall, but signs persist that financial troubles in Asia are hitting home.

Sept. 2 -- Stenholm announces extended emergency haying on CRP land (J.T. Smith): An extension has been granted for emergency haying on idled Conservation Reserve Program acreage.

Sept. 2 -- The five great things about the Internet (Brian Bethel): The other day, a coworker of mine told me how surprising it was that e-mail and the Internet had "grown on him."

Sept. 2 -- Citizens Bank being purchased: Texas Country Bancshares is purchasing Citizens Bank in Abilene and Knox City.

Sept. 2 -- Fed now urged to cut interest rates: WASHINGTON - The recent turmoil on Wall Street and worsening economic conditions around the world are increasing calls for the Federal Reserve to lower U.S. interest rates.

Sept. 2 -- Market's outlook depends on how investors handle $2 trillion loss: NEW YORK (AP) - When their monthly account statements begin arriving in the mail next week, investors will be staring at a collective $2 trillion loss.

Sept. 2 -- Answers to your computer questions: All of the questions I've received lately are really hard, so in the meantime, let's head right to the fake questions for which I have ready answers.

Sept. 1 -- Producers could be eligible for loan deficiency payments (J.T. Smith): Producers of wheat and grain sorghum could be eligible for loan deficiency payments if they still have ownership in the grain or have not harvested the grain sorghum yet.

Sept. 1 -- Chamber Banquet tickets selling well: Half of the seats for the annual banquet of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce have been sold.

Sept. 1 -- District engineer promoted to El Paso: Calling the Loop 322 project and Winters Freeway improvements her two Abilene district engineering triumphs, Maribel P. Chavez, district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation's Abilene district, is moving west with a promotion.

Sept. 1 -- Administration offers reassurance to investors: WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration moved quickly Monday to assure investors that the U.S. economy is essentially sound despite the second-biggest point drop in Wall Street history.

Sept. 1 -- U S West workers back on job; apprehensive about work environment: DENVER (AP) - Some 34,000 U S West employees began returning to work Monday after a tentative settlement was reached in a strike that forced customers to wait for phone repairs and installations.

Sept. 1 -- Northwest vs. pilots: How long will strike go on? MINNEAPOLIS - With a strike survival fund of $3 billion, Northwest Airlines appears able to engage in a long staredown with its striking pilots.