South Florida trade drops 17 percent in September

South Florida's trade with the world dropped 17 percent in September, falling at a slightly slower rate than it did in August and marking its 10th straight month of declines, new U.S. Census data show.

Regulators warn West Palm Beach bank

Federal regulators on Thursday directed Flagler Bank of West Palm Beach to address concerns about its financial stability.

In a 17-page written agreement with the bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta ordered Flagler to submit a plan for strengthening the board's oversight of management and operations. It also must show it can maintain sufficient capital and improve liquidity.

Twitter sales top $4 million; ad business planned

Twitter, the social-networking company valued at $1 billion by venture capitalists, said it is generating sales of more than $4 million a year and plans to build on that revenue with advertising. 1258758777

Florida, Miami-Dade jobless rates up slightly in October

Florida's unemployment rate ticked up again last month, rising a tenth of a point to 11.2 percent, the state labor department said Friday.

It was the highest rate since June 1975.

Citizens Property Insurance premiums to rise

Mobile homeowners insured by state-backed Citizens Property Insurance will see an 11 percent increase on their insurance policies in 2010.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty signed an order Thursday establishing rates for the Citizens high-risk accounts. The approved rates are close to those requested by Citizens at a rate hearing earlier this month.

Global Defense Technology shares little changed

Global Defense Technology & Systems shares were little changed after its initial public offering priced below expectations.

Stocks fall for 3rd day as dollar strengthens

Investors can't shake their fears that the economy isn't keeping up with the stock market. 1258759627

California unemployment rate hits 12.5 percent

California's unemployment rate rose to 12.5 percent in October to set another modern record, even though more than 25,000 Californians found jobs, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

Free clinics tied to health care debate

A nonprofit group's campaign to hold free medical clinics for the uninsured in three states is turning into a not-so-subtle jab at moderate Democrats to support their party's efforts to reform health care.

Customs agents seize 316,000 bongs in LA

Customs officials say they got a surprise when they found 316,000 glass bongs disguised as Christmas ornaments at the Los Angeles harbor.

New York lawmakers head home, no deal on deficit

New York lawmakers headed home Thursday without agreement on how to address the state's fiscal crisis.

Nebraska unemployment rate unchanged at 4.9 pct

Nebraska's unemployment rate held steady at 4.9 percent in October even as the national rate crept up to 10.2 percent.

W.Va. considers tax flexibility for localities

West Virginia's tax modernization project is back on, but that doesn't mean businesses and individuals should necessarily expect lower taxes in the near future. 1258747310

Huntington Bancshares to buy $338.9M in notes

Huntington Bancshares Inc., parent company of Huntington National Bank, said Friday that it will pay $338.9 million for subordinated bank notes tendered for an offer that expired Thursday. 1258758415

GM to release plan for European units in December

General Motors Co. said it expects to release a full restructuring plan for its Opel and Vauxhall operations in mid December, but did not specify the amount of cuts to capacity and jobs it would seek.

Army limits media access at Palin event at NC base

The U.S. Army will allow the media limited coverage of Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg, but will bar reporters from interviewing her or her supporters on the post, officials said Thursday.

Indiana's jobless rate hits 9.8 percent in October

Indiana's unemployment rate was almost unchanged from September to October, but officials said it's too early to tell whether the stability marks a long-awaited awaited rebound in employment. 1258750922

Ex-Vivendi CEO: I made mistakes but never misled

Vivendi's former CEO says he made mistakes in his troubled bid to turn a French water company into a global media giant but never misled shareholders about the risks involved. 1258746708

West Virginia lawmakers end special session

West Virginia's Legislature ended its special session Friday with tweaks to the gas tax and state energy policy among the final bills to pass. 1258751819