54 Hours + Your New Business Plan = Portland Startup Weekend

The main event is April 27-29 at the Portland State Business Accelerator

2012-04-26

Bruce Poinsette Special to The Skanner News

The main event is April 27-29 at the Portland State Business Accelerator. Some of the main speakers, mentors and judges include Bill Lynch, co-founder of Jive Software; Scott Kveton, co-founder and CEO of Urban Airship; Jim Huston, manager of Portland Seed Fund; and Monica Enand, co-founder and CEO of Zapproved. Read the complete article

Seattle-Area Company Aims to Mine Resource-Rich Asteroids

Planetary Resources has eye on precious metals to bring back to Earth and other materials that could help crafts refuel in space

2012-04-25

Jason Hanna and Brad Lendon CNN

(CNN) -- Eric Anderson and Peter Diamandis pioneered the business of sending millionaire tourists to space. Now they want to mine asteroids for what they say will be tens of billions of dollars worth of resources annually for use on Earth and beyond. Read the complete article

News Briefs


Obama's Buffett Rule Impact on Taxes, Jobs

Only around one out of every 1,000 Americans would face higher payments

2012-04-16

Alan Fram The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's proposal to impose a "Buffett rule" tax on the rich is generating enormous political wattage, but the plan itself would directly affect only a tiny fraction of Americans. Read the complete article

Circus Evolves Amid Market, Regulatory Challenges

Ringling Bros. modernizes to compete with other entertainment options, but maintaining tradition is also imperative

2012-04-10

Matthew Barakat AP Business Writer

VIENNA, Va. (AP) -- Nicole and Alana Feld come from a long line of circus folk, so they are well aware of the challenge of bringing a century-and-a-half old attraction to families with VIENNA, Va. (AP) -- Nicole and Alana Feld come from a long line of circus folk, so they are well aware of the challenge of bringing a century-and-a-half old attraction to families with many entertainment choices.any entertainment choices. Read the complete article

Coca-Cola Ends Ties to Conservative Law Writers

Move comes just hours after Black advocacy group starts boycott of soda giant

2012-04-05

Suzanne Gamboa The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Coca-Cola Co. has terminated its relationship with a conservative group seen by some as an incubator for a string of new state voter ID laws and a marketer of laws like Florida's "Stand Your Ground" self-defense statute. Read the complete article

US Unemployment Claims Hit 4-Year Low of 357,000

Numbers suggest employers have been hiring at a healthy pace

2012-04-05

Christopher S. Rugaber AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell to a four-year low last week, suggesting employers kept hiring in March at a healthy pace. Read the complete article

French Socialist's Big Idea: Tax the Rich

Sarkozy rival’s plan to levy 75 percent tax on millionaires proves popular

2012-04-03

Sarah DiLorenzo The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) -- French presidential candidate Francois Hollande, leading in polls but lacking in ideas that stick in voters' minds, finally dropped a bombshell: As president, he would levy a 75 percent tax on anyone who makes more than (EURO)1 million ($1.33 million) a year. Read the complete article

Watchdog: Housing Regulator Should Be More Active

Report says FHFA is understaffed and can’t properly monitor Fannie and Freddie

2012-03-29

Christopher S. Rugaber AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A government watchdog says the top U.S. housing regulator should take a more active role in overseeing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have received huge infusions of taxpayer cash. Read the complete article

Breaking Down the Mortgage Settlement: How Far Does $26 Billion Go?

More than $1 billion will go directly to homeowners, but the number of foreclosures is still expected to grow by 25 percent

2012-03-20

The big bank settlement over mortgage servicing abuses was finalized last week, detailing the agreement’s actual terms. Read the complete article

Fans, Entrepreneurs Among First Buyers of New iPad

"I don't think it's worth the price,” says one buyer who lined up, “but I guess I'm a victim of society"

2012-03-18

Peter Svensson and Dinesh Ramde The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Apple's latest iPad drew the customary lines of die-hard fans looking to be first and entrepreneurs looking to make a quick profit. Read the complete article