News/Business
United settles with dragged passenger
By DAVID KOENIG
DALLAS — United Airlines moved to staunch criticism — and any customer defections — by reaching a settlement Thursday with a passenger dragged off one of its planes two weeks ago and issuing new policies designed to prevent similar customer-service...
Trump proposes dramatic tax cuts for companies big and small
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER and JOSH BOAK
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump proposed dramatic cuts in the taxes paid by corporations big and small Wednesday in an overhaul his administration says will spur economic growth and bring jobs and prosperity to America’s middle class. But his...
Delta OKs offers of up to $9,950 to flyers who give up seats
By DAVID KOENIG and DAMIAN TROISE
Delta is letting employees offer customers nearly $10,000 in compensation to give up seats on overbooked flights, hoping to avoid an uproar like the one that erupted at United after a passenger was dragged off a jet.In an internal memo obtained Friday...
The importance of being an intern
By EMILY CUTTS
Internships are increasingly becoming a required part of the college experience, and many say that’s a good thing.Through internships, college students gain not only experience to add to their resume but tools to help prepare them for the workforce...
Recreational marijuana industry poised for takeoff
By SHANNON GOLDEN
BOSTON — Massachusetts already has one of the highest-performing economies in America according to recent surveys, along with the best unemployment rate in 16 years. So how can things get better? The emergence of a new industry, experts say — one...
Service learning links UMass students and community
By MORGAN HUGHES
Students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst aren’t just learning about the history of social change, they’re practicing it.The Office of Civic Engagement and Service Learning promotes the melding of academics, service work and social change....
After weak jobs report and Syria strikes, stocks stand stilljob gains.
By MARLEY JAY
NEW YORK — U.S. stocks never got going Friday after a slightly disappointing jobs report and word of U.S. missile strikes against Syria. Investors bought shares of defense contractors and stocks that are traditionally considered safe.Stocks moved...
Hiring slows, but US unemployment falls to 10-year low
By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and JOSH BOAK
WASHINGTON — U.S. employers cut back sharply on hiring in March, yet Friday’s jobs report still had much to be encouraged about, including a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.5 percent, the lowest in a decade.Employers added just 98,000 jobs, the...
Fed disputes douse market rally
By MARLEY JAY
NEW YORK — A big rally in U.S. stocks evaporated Wednesday as the Federal Reserve appeared to struggle with questions related to inflation and government policy and suggested it might start trimming its balance sheet later in the year.Stocks had...
Red Fire Farm to run store, bakery
By RICHIE DAVIS
MONTAGUE CENTER — A new farm store and bakery is growing where a bar once stood.Red Fire Farm is readying its latest venture — Red Fire North: A Farm Store and Bakery on Route 63 — on the site of the former Montague Inn.The new venture is seen as an...
Banks nosedive as Trump health care speedbump tanks stocks
By MARLEY JAY
NEW YORK ( — U.S. stocks took their biggest loss in five months Tuesday as a health care bill backed by President Donald Trump ran into trouble in Congress, which raised some questions about his agenda of faster economic growth spurred on by lower...
Higher wages push stocks to records, but Dow misses 20,000
By MARLEY JAY
NEW YORK — So close! The Dow Jones industrial average missed the 20,000 mark by a fraction of a point Friday as U.S. stock indexes rose after the government said wages jumped in December. Two other major indexes set records.Stocks wavered between...
Macy’s to close 68 stores, cut 10K jobs amid weak sales
By SARAH SKIDMORE SELL
Macy’s says it is eliminating more than 10,000 jobs and plans to move forward with 68 store closures after a disappointing holiday shopping season. The department store chain also lowered its full-year earnings forecast.The retailer said Wednesday...
AirBnB popular source of income in Pioneer Valley
By CAITLIN ASHWORTH
An extra space at home could bring in guests from all over the world — and some extra cash.Many people in Hampshire County are renting living space through the online platform Airbnb, a service that allows people to share space. There are currently...
Business briefs: UMass food specialist gets grant
Greenfield Savings promotes threeGREENFIELD – Kelly Gagnon has been promoted to trust officer in the Trust and Investment Management Group at Greenfield Savings Bank. Gagnon joined the bank in 2010, and has worked in the financial services industry...
Dow nears 20,000 as energy companies and tech stocks climb
By MARLEY JAY
NEW YORK — Major U.S. stock indexes set records again Tuesday as energy companies continued to climb following international deals that will cut oil production. Big-name technology companies like Apple and IBM also traded higher as the Dow Jones...
US stocks rise to fresh records in shortened session
By BERNARD CONDON
US stocks rise to fresh records in shortened sessionNEW YORK — Stocks hit fresh records in a shortened trading session Friday as investors continued to bet on a pickup in economic growth and rising corporate profits.The gains were modest but broad,...
Shoppers hunt for deals, hit the shops for entertainment
By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK — Shoppers were on the hunt for deals and were at the stores for entertainment Friday as malls opened for what is still one of the busiest days of the year, even as the start of the holiday season edges ever earlier.Julie Singewald’s Black...
Chamber to spotlight South Hadley businesses at showcase
By EMILY CUTTS
SOUTH HADLEY — Area businesses will be on display Thursday for the first Spotlight on South Hadley Businesses, a new event designed to showcase new and established companies in town.The event, hosted by Know Your Town and the South Hadley & Granby...
Gannett gives up on Tronc
NEW YORK (AP) — USA Today publisher Gannett walked away Tuesday from its attempted takeover of Tronc, the owner of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other major dailies.Gannett’s target was elusive from the beginning, with a publicly...
