NM wants company to take responsibility for cavern AP (November 23, 2009) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The state of New Mexico has spent more than a half-million dollars investigating and monitoring a giant cavern a few hundred feet beneath the ground in southeastern New Mexico.
Incinerator plans on hold after protests in China AP (November 23, 2009) GUANGZHOU, China (AP) - Hundreds of residents protested Monday against the planned construction of a trash incinerator in the southern boomtown city of Guangzhou, a news report said.
Feds find association between drywall, corrosion AP (November 23, 2009) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The federal government said Monday that it has found a "strong association" between problematic imported Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires, a conclusion that supports complaints by thousands of homeowners over the last year.
Virginia governor meets with state revenue panel AP (November 23, 2009) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's fiscal picture remained dim, as a panel of state legislators and business leaders got another look at prospects for the state's upcoming budget.
Home sales likely rose again in October AP (November 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Home resales for October are projected to rise to the highest level in more than two years as first-time buyers, anticipating that a tax credit would soon expire, rushed to beat the clock.
Industry group: Ohio home sales rise in October AP (November 23, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Home sales have risen in Ohio and across the country thanks to first-time buyers rushing to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.
Huge Philly apartment fire leaves 21 injured AP (November 23, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Fire investigators in Philadelphia are trying to determine what caused a weekend apartment fire that left nearly two dozen people hurt, including two firefighters.
Salix Pharmaceuticals completes stock offering AP (November 23, 2009) NERALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said Monday it completed its public offering of 5.5 million shares of common stock.
D.R. Horton fiscal 4th-quarter loss narrows AP (November 20, 2009) FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - D.R. Horton Inc. said Friday its loss in its fiscal fourth quarter narrowed despite a plunge in revenue as the homebuilder wrote down fewer costs.
Firm: Calif median home price rises in month AP (November 19, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A tracking firm says the median home price in California increased more than 2 percent last month from September to its highest level in nearly a year.
Colo. company starts work on biofuel facility AP (November 18, 2009) DENVER (AP) - A Colorado company that has developed a process to convert wood to fuel is starting construction of what will eventually be a commercial-scale production plant.
Ahead of the Bell: Housing Starts AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - New home construction likely inched higher in October as builders seized on the promise of more orders due largely to a federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers.
Home construction plunges 10.6 percent in October AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction of new homes unexpectedly plunged last month, as builders waited to see whether lawmakers would extend a tax credit for homebuyers.
Oct. home construction, permits fall unexpectedly AP (November 18, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction of new homes unexpectedly plunged last month, as builders waited to see whether lawmakers would extend a tax credit for homebuyers.
Homebuilder sentiment index unchanged in November AP (November 17, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A key gauge of homebuilders' confidence held steady in November, reflecting a cautious outlook from residential developers as they waited to learn whether Congress would extend a homebuyer tax credit.
Firm: SoCal median home price increases in October AP (November 17, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - The median home price in Southern California rose nearly 2 percent last month from September, as the inventory of homes for sale continued to shrink and lenders worked to avoid fresh foreclosures, a tracking firm said Tuesday.
Home Depot 3rd-qtr earnings fall 8.9 percent AP (November 17, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Home Depot Inc.'s third-quarter earnings fell 8.9 percent as the housing and renovation markets remained weak, the nation's largest home improvement retailer said Tuesday.
Energy Dept. walks the walk with smart building AP (November 17, 2009) GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) - Homes and office buildings consume three-quarters of U.S. electricity, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory wants to lower that figure by erecting what it believes will be the largest "net-zero" energy building in the world - one that produces as much power
Beazer Homes CEO McCarthy may face civil charges AP (November 16, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Federal regulators have notified Beazer Homes USA Inc. that its top executive could face civil charges over incentive compensation.
Valmont recognized for export successes AP (November 16, 2009) OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The U.S. Commerce Department says irrigation and infrastructure company Valmont Industries has done a good job promoting exports.
Minn.'s biggest stimulus road project moves ahead AP (November 16, 2009) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Transportation officials are closing more roads this week to accommodate work on Minnesota's biggest stimulus-funded road project.
Phoenix announced as new home of Chinese solar biz AP (November 16, 2009) PHOENIX (AP) - A Chinese-owned manufacturer of solar panels plans to build a 100,000 square-foot headquarters and manufacturing plant in the Phoenix area.
Sands looks to restart Macau casino work next year AP (November 16, 2009) HONG KONG (AP) - U.S. casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp. plans to resume work in January on its multibillion-dollar gambling resorts in Macau after suspending construction last year amid a massive funding crunch, the company said.
Environmentalists sue over huge Calif. development AP (November 13, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A coalition of environmentalists filed a lawsuit Thursday to stop the development of a 5,000-acre resort community on the sprawling Tejon Ranch property some 60 miles north of Los Angeles.
Realtors: home prices to rise 4 percent in 2010 AP (November 13, 2009) SAN DIEGO (AP) - Home prices are expected to grow modestly next year and sales will keep rising as the housing market continues to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression, the National Association of Realtors said Friday.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Ida sloshed ashore with rain and gusty winds Tuesday before weakening to a depression, causing little damage along the Gulf Coast but bringing more rain to the already-soaked Southeast.
Beazer Homes posts profit in fiscal 4th quarter AP (November 10, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Beazer Homes USA jumped 15 percent Tuesday after the homebuilder posted a fourth-quarter profit and a nice improvement in gross margins.
10 homes damaged in blast at nearby Utah refinery AP (November 05, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - An explosion at a Utah oil refinery - the second this year - smashed windows, bent garage doors and peeled siding Wednesday from 10 nearby houses, officials said.
Congress giving homebuyers a big new tax break AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Congress has another deal for you: Buy a home before May 1 and collect up to $6,500 from the government. If you're a first-time homebuyer, get up to $8,000.
Pulte Homes posts $361.4M loss for Q3 AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Pulte Homes Inc. lost $361.4 million in the third quarter, but with the acquisition of Centex Corp., the homebuilder's new orders increased by more than a third.
National Retail Properties gets new $400M loan AP (November 04, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Retail real estate investment trust National Retail Properties Inc. said Wednesday it has a new $400 million credit facility, which will replace one set to mature May 2010.
Pulte Homes posts $361.4M loss for Q3 AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Pulte Homes Inc. lost $361.4 million in the third quarter, but with the acquisition of Centex Corp., the homebuilder increased sales by more than a third.
Martin Marietta posts 16 pct decline in 3Q profit AP (November 03, 2009) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Martin Marietta Materials Inc., a maker of construction materials, said Tuesday its third-quarter net income slid 16 percent as delays in infrastructure projects hurt revenue.
Fire strikes historic Vt. general store - again AP (November 03, 2009) PUTNEY, Vt. (AP) - When a fire destroyed the beloved, centuries-old Putney General Store 18 months ago, some people here cried.
NJ towns move to preserve area, limit developments AP (November 02, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - One of New Jersey's most significant environmental areas may soon get new protections that probably would limit development projects.
September pending home sales rise 6.1 percent AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The volume of signed contracts to buy previously occupied homes rose for the eighth straight month in September as buyers scrambled to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires at the end of this month.
Kan., feds to meet on power lines construction AP (November 02, 2009) LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Kansas and federal energy policymakers will gather this week to discuss ways to remove barriers to the construction of electric transmission lines.
St. Joe Co. weathers recession by thinking big AP (November 02, 2009) SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Building along the Florida Panhandle's picturesque seaside slowed when financing dried up and the economy soured. Fences with architects' renderings of developments hide the unfinished eyesores dotting the beaches.
Bay Bridge closed through Friday evening commute AP (October 30, 2009) OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Commuters confronted a third day of heavy congestion as officials kept the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge closed to finish emergency repairs.
Millions spent on small border stations justified AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - An internal Obama administration review supports its rationale for upgrading little-used border checkpoints rather than the busiest crossings.
Plans to rebuild damaged CCTV building under way AP (October 29, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - The chief architect for the landmark new headquarters for China's powerful state broadcaster said the part of the complex that burned in a massive fire earlier this year can be repaired and does not need to be torn down.
MoMA 82-story tower approved by NYC Council AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A proposal for a new 82-story tower next to the Museum of Modern Art has cleared its final hurdle.
Nevada construction deaths prompt safety review AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal officials will investigate workplace safety programs across the country after the deaths of 25 workers in construction accidents in Las Vegas over an 18-month period.
China, US's Harsco sign construction joint venture AP (October 28, 2009) HANGZHOU, China (AP) - Top U.S. trade officials visiting China for high level talks on nuts-and-bolts economic issues oversaw the signing Wednesday of a joint venture between major Chinese and U.
La. sells $200M in bonds for building projects AP (October 28, 2009) BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana sold $200 million in general obligation bonds to generate upfront cash to finance state construction projects, the first such bond sale since September 2006.
New home sales fall 3.6 percent AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Sales of new homes dropped unexpectedly last month as the effects of a soon-to-expire tax credit for first-time owners started to wane.
Tenn. Appeals Court rules for Bible Park rezoning AP (October 27, 2009) MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Court of Appeals at Nashville has ruled in favor of a rezoning that would allow a Bible-based theme park to be built in Rutherford County.
Johnson Controls posts 4Q profit, backs guidance AP (October 27, 2009) MILWAUKEE (AP) - Johnson Controls Inc. said Tuesday that cost cuts and operational improvements bolstered its profit in the fourth quarter, helping to offset the effects of the continued weak economy on its sales.
Analyst: Quiet storm season hurts Beacon Roofing AP (October 27, 2009) HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The quiet hurricane season is bad for business at Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., and two branches extending its reach into new markets won't do much for sales, an analyst said Tuesday.