| What retailers’ dismal holiday season mean for shoppers
The 2007 holiday shopping season is history, but the effects of the mediocre period will reach far into 2008. Because of lower-than-expected sales, retailers are trimming costs, and that likely means less selection in stores, fewer employees to help you, some store closings and fewer new stores this year. Several chains, including Talbots, Macy's and Ethan Allen, have announced that they will close unprofitable stores to focus on high-profit areas. Marshal Cohen, chief retail analyst at the NPD Group expects that "2008 is going to be the year when retailers will step back, evaluate and continually look at what they're doing and how they can streamline the expenses. "It's not like they're going to close the doors and wait till Christmas comes around again." The changes are coming because Christmas sales were mediocre — the worst since 2002.
Covering the Collapse: Live-Blogging from Minneapolis
You can make great time with a police escort. The Deputy Police Chief hits on his lights and siren and sets off down University Ave., which has been bumper to bumper on the stretch approaching the I-35 W bridge ever since it collapsed. I rode in the front of the first bus, next to my photographer Cappy Cochran, watching with amazement out the front window as cars peeled off to the right and left, like the parting of the Red Sea. It reminded me of the scene in "Bruce Almighty," when Jim Carrey wills all the vehicles out of his way. (Story continues below) .
Recap: LA Lakers vs. New York
Sasha Vujacic scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles outlasted New York, 120-109, at the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant added 24 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Lamar Odom chipped in with 22 points and 12 boards. "Our coverage on defense was much better," said Bryant. "This was a good boost for us." Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson both had 22 points for the Knicks, who have dropped three of four games. David Lee finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Zach Randolph had 16 points and 14 boards. "The last five or six minutes we didn't have good defensive execution," Kicks coach Isiah Thomas said. "We lost our composure. No positives from this game." The game was tightly contested throughout.
ROVE GETS 'EXPELLED'
The choice of Rove as commencement speaker had some students planning to walk out and others trying to bring comedian Stephen Colbert to the campus for an alternate speech. Shanahan said many seniors wanted to hear from Rove, just not at commencement. He said he shared some of their concerns that outsiders might disrupt graduation if Rove spoke. .
Woman, 79, killed in crash at Athens intersection
A 79-year-old Limestone County woman died Friday when the vehicle she was driving was struck broadside at Edgewood Road and West Elm Street. Woman, 79, killed in crash at Athens intersection By Karen Middleton karen@athensnews-courier.com ATHENS — A 79-year-old Limestone County woman died Friday when the vehicle she was driving was struck broadside at Edgewood Road and West Elm Street. .
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Lorna Lee, now the head of libraries, museum and gallery, was promoted from the post of gallery and museum manager during a restructuring of the service, after the council cut £56,000 from its budget this financial year. Her promotion put her up four council grades, from a salary range of £40,782 to £45,048 to one of £53,154 to £60,957 - an equivalent of four grades. William Morris Gallery curator, Peter Cormack, who had been at the gallery for 30 years, and Vestry House Museum's local studies librarian David Pracy were made redundant as part of the same process. The appointment came to light after Mr Spiro asked a series of questions over a period of months at his local community council meeting. The council claimed that under its Managing Change procedure, certain staff "could be "directly assimilated into roles at the same grade or interviewed for posts where grades increased".
Gates praises NATO's 'powerful role' in Afghanistan
Gates praises NATO's 'powerful role' in Afghanistan Lolita C. Baldor / Associated Press WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that sending Marines to Afghanistan will keep pressure on the Taliban and doesn't "reflect dissatisfaction" with NATO countries' performance. He was trying to smooth over comments a day earlier that sparked an international furor. The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Gates said U.S. forces in eastern Afghanistan are doing a terrific job but that he is concerned that NATO allies are not well trained in counterinsurgency operations. "Allied forces ... have stepped up to the plate and are playing a significant and powerful role in Afghanistan," Gates told a Pentagon press conference, which officials said had purposely been rescheduled for earlier in the day Thursday to meet European news deadlines.
Regal soon to control East Cooper movies
The nation's largest movie theater chain is set to corner the East Cooper market and add to its near-lock on the rest of the region. Charlotte-based Consolidated Theatres, owner of the Palmetto Grande 16-screen megaplex at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, is dropping the curtain and selling itself to industry kingpin Regal Entertainment Group for $210 million in cash. The deal will give Knoxville, Tenn.-based Regal control of all 28 silver screens in the East Cooper market, rarely a good situation for consumers. If history is any guide, the Palmetto Grande moniker will likely be changed once Regal integrates it into its national network of movie houses later this year. Regal is already the undisputed heavyweight of the region's movie exhibition business, with three megaplexes and 46 screens in North Charleston, Summerville and Mount Pleasant.
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