WASHINGTON - The economy lost jobs in September for the first time in over two years as the convulsions of a devastating Gulf Coast hurricane rattled the labor market, pushing unemployment up to 5.1 percent.

NEW YORK - Wall Street bounded higher Wednesday, lifting the Nasdaq composite index well over 1 percent after profit reports from Yahoo Inc. and Sun Microsystems Inc. restored investors' confidence in the tech sector. The Dow Jones industrials logged fresh trading and closing highs.

RICHMOND, Calif. -  Shoppers surveyed shelves loaded with rice at the Ranch 99 Asian supermarket, chatting in languages from Mandarin to Portuguese as they hunted for their favorite varieties, checked brand names and compared prices before heaving 50-pound bags into their carts.

If you’re a college freshman living away from home, it’s probably the first time you’re entirely responsible for taking care of your health. It’s somewhat like riding a bike after dad or mom takes off the training wheels — you’re on your own trying to find your balance.

WASHINGTON - Consumer prices shot up in July, reflecting higher prices for gasoline and other energy products while output at the nations' factories, mines and utilities slowed sharply.

NEW YORK - Wall Street tumbled Wednesday as the price of a barrel of oil soared to a record near $124 and touched off concerns that the stock market’s recent gains might have been premature as consumers grapple with rising energy and food costs.

Gilbert’s new Goodwill store rolled out the red carpet Thursday, serving wine and catered food at a posh preview for the neighborhood that protested against it.

Jayne Hergott is sick of jumping through hoops to receive the best price for her newspaper, garbage and cable TV. The longtime resident of Chaska, Minn., knows that her newer neighbors pay less for garbage service than she does. She also knows that if she calls to complain, the company will probably cut her a deal.

Most Arizona voters would be willing to raise taxes to avoid budget cuts to education and health care for the poor, a statewide poll has found.

February 2, 2005

NEW YORK - Wall Street managed a tiny gain Wednesday, enough to give the Dow Jones industrial average another record close, after the Federal Reserve stoked some fears of inflation pressures but implied that it's not intent on raising interest rates.

Recently, Lisa Love was in the middle of an endurance- and patience-testing day as Arizona State University athletic director when her phone rang.

Got a freezer?

Are you constantly struggling to reach or maintain healthy weight? Do you experience cravings for specific foods? What about unexplained joint pain, skin problems or headaches? If so, the cause is highly probably related to the food(s) you’re eating.

Deflation has finally come to the Arizona shopping cart. New figures from the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation find that, on average, the cost of food from grocery stores in the state is about 20 percent less than it was a year ago.

Grocery prices in Maricopa and Pinal counties shot up more than 7 percent in 2007, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report released Wednesday.

Two United Way organizations in the Valley have set ambitious fund-raising goals for 2007, during a shaky economic time that could cut into charitable contributions.

Researchers say Mexican immigrants who exercise regularly, eat wholesome foods and live in tight-knit communities illustrate why Latinos live longer on average than non-Hispanic whites and blacks.

A unanimous Supreme Court found this month that the government can withhold Social Security money to collect on old student loans. Much as this could impose a hardship on some retirees, the decision is just.

WASHINGTON - It sounds hard to believe, but gasoline retailers’ profit margins are at a 20-year low.

Don't be surprised if you start thinking about gas while you're buying food.

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez threatened on Sunday to seize control of businesses caught hoarding products, and set his sights on Empresas Polar - Venezuela's largest food producer and distributor.