Patrick Temple-West

The consumer price index was unchanged in February as energy prices declined for the first time in 10 months, the Labor Department reported yesterday.

WASHINGTON - The consumer price index was unchanged in February, the first month without an increase since last March, as energy prices declined for the first time in 10 months, the Labor Department reported today.

WASHINGTON – Initial jobless claims decreased 5,000 to 457,000 for the week ending March 13, the third weekly decline and lowest number of initial claims in more than a month, the Labor Department reported today.

The producer price index fell 0.6% at a seasonally adjusted rate in February, the largest monthly decline in seven months, as energy prices decreased, the Labor Department reported yesterday.

The Virginia General Assembly on Sunday approved a two-year budget that eliminates a $4.2 billion shortfall and preserves bond-financed projects.

WASHINGTON - The producer price index fell 0.6% at a seasonally adjusted rate in February, the largest monthly decline in seven months, as energy prices decreased, the Labor Department reported today.

U.S. import prices declined 0.3% in February, the first drop in seven months, as fuel prices fell, the Labor Department reported yesterday.

WASHINGTON — U.S. import prices declined 0.3% in February, the first drop in seven months, as fuel prices fell, the Labor Department reported today.

Industrial production edged up 0.1% in February, the eighth consecutive monthly increase, but the growth was constrained partly due to winter storms, the Federal Reserve Board reported yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Industrial production edged up 0.1% in February, the eighth consecutive monthly increase, but the growth was constrained partly due to winter storms during the month, the Federal Reserve Board reported today.

WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia tomorrow will issue $160 million of revenue bonds for the country’s largest non-commercial radio broadcaster, National Public Radio Inc., which has bolstered its listener base over the last 10 years, showing a steady increase in audience in contrast to other mainstream media companies.

Retail sales increased 0.3% in February led by strong gains in electronics and appliance sales, the Commerce Department said Friday.

WASHINGTON - Retail sales increased 0.3% in February led by strong gains in electronics and appliance sales, the Commerce Department reported today.

Initial jobless claims fell 6,000 to 462,000 for the week ending March 6, in line with economists’ estimates, the Labor Department reported yesterday.

WASHINGTON – Initial jobless claims decreased by 6,000 to 462,000 for the week ending March 6, in line with economists' estimates, the Labor Department reported today.

WASHINGTON – The federal government posted a $220.9 billion deficit in February, the highest monthly deficit on record and the 17th consecutive monthly deficit.

The Chesapeake Regional Medical Center this week was upgraded to A2 from A3 by Moody’s Investors Service based on its consistently strong balance sheet. The action affects $39.4 million of fixed-rate debt issued in 2004.

WASHINGTON – The federal government posted a $220.9 billion deficit in February, the highest monthly deficit on record and the 17th consecutive monthly deficit.

The U.S. budget deficit is soaring into “unfamiliar territory” and could reach a “tipping point” where investors no longer want to buy Treasury securities, Congressional Budget Office director Douglas W. Elmendorf warned at a conference here yesterday.

WASHINGTON – Consumer borrowing increased by $5 billion, or 2.4%, in January to a seasonally adjusted $2.456 trillion, the first increase in a year, the Federal Reserve reported today.