AP - House investigators have recommended that three lawmakers be further investigated to determine whether political contributions were improperly linked to votes on the huge financial overhaul bill.

AP - President Barack Obama says his central responsibility as president is to restore the nation's fragile economy and to help put the millions of people who lost jobs back to work.

AP - House investigators have recommended that three lawmakers be further investigated to determine whether political contributions were improperly linked to votes on the huge financial overhaul bill.

AP - More than half a dozen states suing to overturn President Barack Obama's health care law are also claiming its subsidies for covering retired state government employees, according to a list released Tuesday by the administration.

AP - Analysts say the Obama administration, under congressional pressure to take a tough stance on Chinese trade policies, is expected to declare that China unfairly helped its aluminum industry.

The Newsroom - President Obama today sought to refocus the White House's efforts to shore up the U.S. economy, with a pledge to extend tax cuts for Americans earning less than $200,000 per year. The president remained silent about the fate of Bush-era tax cuts to wealthier Americans, while also issuing a plea to Republicans to reach across the partisan aisle to ease passage of a small-business jobs bill he argues is crucial to the nation's recovery.

AP - President Barack Obama exhorted Congress on Monday to make passage of a long-languishing small business aid package its first order of business when it returns next month from its summer break.

AP - It's an audacious gamble, even with anti-establishment fever running high: a former hedge fund lawyer trying to unseat a nine-term congresswoman popular in her district.

AP - Americans are spending a little more this summer, but hardly enough to rejuvenate the weakening economy.

AP - Food and Drug Administration investigators have found rodents, seeping manure and even maggots at the Iowa egg farms believed to be responsible for as many as 1,500 cases of salmonella poisoning.

Reuters - U.S. stocks dropped on Monday as a statement on the economy from President Barack Obama fell short of addressing worries the recovery is faltering.

AP - The Obama administration on Monday expanded sanctions against North Korea by freezing the assets of individuals, companies and organizations allegedly linked to support for Pyongyang's nuclear program.

AP - Activists from Appalachia are calling on the Obama administration to end the practice of mountaintop removal coal mining.

Business news with our business editor, Sheryle Bagwell.

Business Calendar for week of Aug. 30

New Zealand business confidence continued to ebb this month, with fewer firms expecting to hire workers, invest more or earn more, according to the National Bank Business Outlook. Headline confidence remained positive, with a…

Business Mercado 2010 set for Oct. 16The Abilene Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Business Council will present Business Mercado 2010, “Meet Us at Mercado,” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St. The Business Mercado will give both Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses a place to display their products and services to other businesses and to the public.

Workshop on starting a small business: Purdue University and the Indiana Small Business Development Center will host a workshop for people who are considering starting their own business or are new small-business owners. The online course will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on three Tuesdays — Sept. 14 and 21 and Oct. 5. Northwest Indiana sites include the Purdue Extension offices in Lake and …

Solopreneurs often feel that they don’t need a business plan, especially if they’re not looking for financing. Is this true? When do you need a plan? How complex does it have to be? To help unravel the solo business plan mystery and the “how to” of it all, I turned to small business consultant, Doug Dolan . Here’s what Doug has to say: One of the top five questions I get from solopreneurs is …

Business name: Dance Dynamics, 5070 Forsyth Road, Macon. (478) 474-2010. What do you like best about your job? “I get to do what I love everyday. I love kids. I love working with them. … I like to have a positive influence on kids and I do it through dance.

Business Calendar appears every Sunday.

The Business Buzz features news about the economic scene, promotions, acquisitions, expansions, or events. Call Pat Hill at 719-687-3006 or e-mail her at phill@ccnewspapers.com.

New Zealand business confidence continued to ebb this month, with fewer firms expecting to hire workers, invest more or earn more, according to the National Bank Business Outlook.

Reuters - President Barack Obama said on Sunday there was no magic bullet for what ails the struggling U.S. economy but urged steps such as passage of his small-business lending proposal.