During the national discussion on health care reform that’s been going on over the past year, many people who normally disagree on issues seem to agree on one point — home care for patients in their latter years is more enjoyable and less expensive than treatment in hospitals or nursing homes. That said, the next […]
With spring comes spring cleaning — and the potential for exposure to the dangerous and even deadly hantavirus. Precautions are especially important while cleaning homes, sheds, out buildings, cabins, barns or other areas where mice or mouse droppings are present. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a caused by virus that is carried primarily by deer […]
More than 15 percent of Coloradans carried no health insurance coverage last year. Health insurance premiums grew at a faster pace in 2009 than did inflation or wages. And about 14 percent of premiums were used for administrative expenses and producer commissions. The numbers are included in the 2010 health insurance report from the Commissioner […]
The latest results of a monthly index tracking optimism among small business owners reflect a more upbeat outlook, although not yet a robust economic recovery. The National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Index of Small Business Optimism rose four-tenths of a point in February to 94.5. “This is not a reading that characterizes […]
Real estate activity slowed in Mesa County during February with a decline not only in the number of sales, but also the dollar volume of those transactions. Nonetheless, some real estate agents report increases in listings, showings and even closings — what they consider hopeful signs conditions could be improving. Still, a substantial recovery depends […]
A monthly measure of labor trends keeps rising, forecasting continued job growth, albeit at a modest pace. The Conference Board reported that its Employment Trends Index (ETI) rose 1.6 points in February to 101.7. With gains in each of the last five months, the ETI has advanced more than 8 percent in the last year. […]
The U.S. unemployment rate continues to fall even as payrolls increase. According to the latest Labor Department estimates, the national jobless rate fell to 8.9 percent in February, the lowest level since April 2009. At the same time, nonfarm payrolls increased 192,000, the largest monthly gain since June 2010. With declines in each of the […]
Aspiring entrepreneurs might have the good ideas and work ethic it takes to succeed, but don’t know quite how to get started. Bill Tiefenback wants to help. “If they don’t know how to do it, we can help them do it,” said Tiefenback, a serial entrepreneur who’s operated six businesses over the course of a […]
Federal policy must encourage the development of conventional as well as renewable energy sources to counter the growing risk the United States won’t keep pace with increasing demand. “America is headed toward a level of energy security risk not seen in decades,” said Christopher Guith, vice president for policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce […]
Coal constitutes a “workhorse” fuel that’s expected to continue to account for more than 40 percent of electrical generation in the United States over the next two decades. But a flurry of proposed regulations could hobble that horse — along with the ability of the country to keep pace with growing energy demand, said Jason […]