<ul><li>Feb. 1–Gov. Deval Patrick is going to have a tough time getting re-elected if past economic trends during election years are any indication. </li><li>But can Patrick buck the trend, as he gears up for re-election with t…
<ul><li>Jan. 31–If you have a good job and good credit, the next few months might be a sweet time to go house hunting. </li><li>Fence-sitters take the risk that Congress may let a rich tax credit expire, and that interest rates…
<ul><li>Jan. 31–PPL Electric Utilities received approval on Thursday to offer an electricity plan unlike any other in the market. </li><li>Called "time of use," the plan has a higher rate during a peak usage period du…
Last week was a terrible week for riskier assets. Fears in the market about Greece’s fiscal situation continued to reek havoc on European bonds, currencies, commodities and the equity markets. At one point, Greek 10 year yields moved up 5…
<ul><li>Jan. 31–Appalachian Power couldn’t have chosen a worse time to implement a double-digit interim rate increase. </li><li>The 12.5 percent raise comes when electric customers are confronting bills for a frigid winter snap…
<ul><li>Jan. 30–National Grid is seeking a new three-year rate plan from state regulators that it says would have little to no impact on the delivery costs a typical customer pays. </li><li>National Grid, which provides electri…
<ul><li>The national economy boomed at the end of 2009, growing at an annual rate of 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter, the fastest rate in more than six years.</li><li>But Massachusetts actually lost ground as economic activity…
<ul><li>Jan. 30–The state and the North Shore saw its unemployment picture dim in December, according to numbers out this week. </li><li>Salem led the pack with a 9.5 percent jobless rate, followed by Wenham with 9 percent and …
<ul><li>Jan. 30–Unemployment hit its highest rate in 19 years. </li><li>Tourism has waned, nonprofit aid organizations struggle to meet increased demand, and residential and commercial developments have been mothballed. </li…
<ul><li>Obama: Deficit reduction ‘critical’</li><li>WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) — U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday said "it is critical that we rein in" budget deficits that put economic recovery at risk.</li>…