A Washington observation of the federal spending process, somewhat uncertainly attributed to the late Sen. Everett Dirksen, goes: “A million here and a million there and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.”

WASHINGTON - More than 1 billion people a year will be boarding planes in the United States within a decade, nearly half again as many as those now using an aviation system showing signs of being overburdened.

Baby boomers heading into what used to be called retirement age are providing a 70 million-member strong market for legions of companies, entrepreneurs and cosmetic surgeons eager to capitalize on their "forever young" mindset, whether it's through wrinkle creams, face-lifts or workout regimens.

Coin collectors from across the United States are gathering at the Phoenix Convention Center this weekend for the 2008 National Money Show.

Legislative panels approved more than $1 billion in spending cuts, nearly $500 million in raids on special funds and some other budget maneuvers on Tuesday in their bid to balance the budget.

A total of $1.1 billion in new high-voltage electric lines are in the advanced planning stages in Arizona and adjacent states as utilities attempt to keep up with population and economic growth and increase the reliability of the Western transmission grid.

A total of $1.1 billion in new high-voltage electric lines are in the advanced planning stages in Arizona and adjacent states as utilities attempt to keep up with population and economic growth and increase the reliability of the Western transmission grid.

The cost to the U.S. Roman Catholic Church of sexual predators in the priesthood has climbed past $1 billion, according to tallies by American bishops and an Associated Press review of known settlements.

Scottsdale-based dermatology giant Medicis Pharmaceutical Co. said Monday it will swallow up rival Inamed Corp. in a $2.8 billion deal.

Scottsdale-based dermatology giant Medicis Pharmaceutical Co. said Monday it will swallow up rival Inamed Corp. in a $2.8 billion deal.

Scottsdale-based dermatology giant Medicis Pharmaceutical Co. said Monday it will swallow up rival Inamed Corp. in a $2.8 billion deal.

PHILADELPHIA - Verizon Communications, which began its life as two of the companies spawned by the breakup of the Bell system 21 years ago, Monday agreed to buy MCI, the company that helped instigate the breakup.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Intel, the world’s largest computer chip maker, is pushing a new wireless technology that it believes can bring ultra-highspeed Internet access to American homes as efficiently as fiber-optic networks.

Intel Corp. is going to spend $3 billion in the next two years revamping its Ocotillo manufacturing complex in south Chandler to make the next generation of computer chips.

Gov. Janet Napolitano is proposing a nearly $7.9 billion spending plan that includes more money for kindergarten and programs to benefit children.

CHICAGO - The discounter Kmart Holding Corp. is acquiring one of the most venerable names in U.S. retailing, the department store operator Sears, Roebuck and Co., in a surprise $11 billion deal that will create the nation's third largest retailer.

Despite recent difficulties negotiating labor union contracts and the collapse of its $9.8 billion hostile bid for Delta Air Lines, Tempe-based US Airways Group posted the largest gain on the Fortune 500 list, climbing 208 spots to No. 216.

Computer and electronics distributor Avnet will cut about 500 jobs, 5 percent of its worldwide work force, and close a Chandler warehouse in a continuing effort to cut costs, a company official said Wednesday.

NEW YORK - Citigroup’s new chief executive, Vikram Pandit, plans to stick with a global banking model after months of intense review — but only after shrinking the company by about one-fifth first.

NEW YORK - Skyrocketing energy prices propelled Exxon Mobil Corp. to the top of the 2006 Fortune 500 list, and consigned Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to the No. 2 spot on the magazine's annual ranking of the nation's largest publicly traded companies.

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has reclaimed its position as the largest corporation in the U.S. among the Fortune 500, pushing Exxon Mobil down to number two.