News and Information from Bond Buyer

Pittsburgh-based PNC Capital Markets LLC hired public finance banker Kerry Rudy in Chicago to lead its national healthcare sector and is bolstering its New York team with the addition of Lawrence Stephens to lead coverage of the city.

Former Ohio Deputy Treasurer and Chicago Comptroller Amer Ahmad was been extradited to the United States from Pakistan to serve a 15-year prison term for his role in a kickback scandal involving state investment business at the Ohio treasurer's office.

Transportation advocates target 16 members of key House committees with radio ads for multiyear highway and transit funding.

Hillview, Ky., filed for bankruptcy to stop interest accruing on an $11.4 million adverse judgment and will pay its $3.2 million of bond debt, said City Attorney Tammy Baker.

U.S. lawmakers were presented with possible options that range from backstopping Puerto Rico's debt to authorizing Chapter 9 bankruptcy to installing a financial control board.

The 60 Plus Association announced on Thursday that it is forming a coalition of small holders of Puerto Rico bonds that will push for the creation of a financial control board and oppose bankruptcy legislation for the territory.

The Chicago Board of Education credit suffered its latest blow Thursday when Kroll Bond Rating Agency dropped its rating two levels to BBB-minus, allowing the district to retain its sole investment grade level rating.

Andrew Roos, Rhode Island Treasury chief of staff the past 2-1/2 years, will leave for the private sector with Jeff Padwa the interim replacement.

Peter Hughes has been appointed to a three-year term as Orange County's performance audit director.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term rating to A-plus from A on Cascade, Iowa's series 2012B general obligation corporate purpose bonds.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said it downgraded the long term rating of the Board of Education of the city of Chicago's general obligation bonds to BBB-minus from BBB-plus and removed the rating from watch downgrade.

The Treasury Department auctioned $29 billion of seven-year notes, with a 1 7/8% coupon and a 1.930% high yield, a price of 99.641487.

Moody's Investors Service upgraded Citrus Valley Health Partners, Calif.'s underlying revenue bond ratings to Baa3.

Prices of top-rated municipal bonds were mixed at midday, according to traders, as yields on some maturities were unchanged to as much as two basis points stronger.

The reconstruction New York's LaGuardia Airport could trigger more public-private partnerships including the proposed air-train connector, P3 experts say.

Officials at Portland, Ore.'s Metro want to complete the bond financing of a long-delayed hotel adjacent to its convention center after a recent major courtroom victory.

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it raised its long-term and underlying ratings to AA-plus from AA on Cooke County, Texas' general obligation debt outstanding.

Indicator Last Report Forecast Actual GDP Q1: +0.6% Q2: +3.2% Q2: +3.7% Final Sales Q1: -0.2% Q2: +2.9% Q2: +3.5% Core PCE Q1: +1.0% Q2: +1.8% Q2: +1.8% Initial Claims 8/15: 277,000 8/22: 277,000 8/22: 271,000 Continuing Claims 8/8: 2.256M 8/15: 2.250M 8/15: 2.269M Pending Home Sales June: -1.7% July: +1.0% July: +0.5%

The Treasury Department said it will auction $25 billion 14-day cash management bills on Aug. 31.

The Treasury Department said Thursday it will auction $24 billion 91-day bills and $24 billion 182-day discount bills Monday.