WASHINGTON – In the new Congress, U.S Rep. William Lacy Clay has been named the top Democrat on a revamped financial services panel with jurisdiction that includes the Federal Reserve Bank, the Export-Import Bank and the World Bank.

Clay, D-St. Louis, served in the previous Congress as the ranking Democrat on a less expansive subcommittee with oversight over the Fed and domestic monetary policy. But the new panel – the Subcommittee on Domestic & International Monetary Policy and Technology – adds oversight of major international monetary organizations.

That is likely to be of considerable interest among some big firms with operations in St. Louis, such as Boeing Co., which has been the largest beneficiary of the Export-Import Bank’s guaranteed loans in recent years.

In a statement Tuesday, Clay said the revamped subcommittee “will greatly impact the economic health of our nation and the world. Our focus will be growing jobs, expanding international trade, keeping interest rates low and restoring economic security for working families.”

https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/28899/clay_financial_committee?coverpage=2536

WASHINGTON — Top executives at Wal-Mart Stores knew of bribery allegations regarding a controversial store it built in Teotihuacan, Mexico, as far back as 2005, two U.S. Representatives here said Thursday.

U.S. Reps. Elijah E. Cummings, D-Md., and Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., said they have obtained documents including memos and email correspondence from a confidential source indicating that Mike Duke, Wal-Mart’s chief executive officer, and other senior Wal-Mart executives “were personally informed about these bribery allegations on multiple occasions,” which they said contradicted the retailer’s prior claims.

Wal-Mart according to published reports said Thursday it has already provided the same documents to federal investigators.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/reps-pressure-wal-mart-bribery-case#ixzz2HwJy25UZ

Losing a job just 10 days before Thanksgiving was a hard blow for Rick Marzuco and his family. But what’s been even more frustrating? The truck driver blames his former employer, Hostess Brands, for undermining his job search.
Before hiring a commercial truck driver like Marzuco, a company needs to obtain and review drug and alcohol test records from the former employer. That’s required under federal law.

Since he was laid off, Marzuco has applied for 10 jobs that require a commercial drivers license and landed three interviews. Marzuco, 54, has been told by prospective employers that Hostess, his employer for a dozen years, hasn’t promptly responded to requests for his records.

“I had a job offer seven days after Hostess closed, and they had to fill the position with someone else,” said Marzuco, who lives in Granite City. “I have a perfect driving record and never failed a drug screen, and I haven’t been able to get a job because they’re not returning background checks.”

Much more at link

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/d237d746-e680-5285-90e8-84820dbef3d6.html

Apparently the Holidays were not that good to these two Retail Chains.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. here conceded on Thursday that its same-store sales in December were “essentially flat,” but confirmed that its profit projections for the fourth quarter were still on track.

The report came amid what some said was a strong late-season comeback for retailers, after consumers appeared to temper their spending. Overall comparable-store sales were up about 4.5% among retailers reporting December results on Thursday — led by Costco Wholesale Corp.’s 9% increase.

Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/target-sales-flat-amid-retail-gains#ixzz2HZJZlb86

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Rapid increases in the mix of consumables and tobacco are coming along with greater pressure on profits for Family Dollar Stores, which on Thursday said it was reducing its earnings forecast for the fiscal year after posting disappointing first-quarter results and lower-than-expected holiday sales.

Net earnings of $80.3 million for the first quarter, which ended Nov. 24, decreased by 0.1% from last year’s first quarter despite a 12.7% increase in net sales to $2.4 billion, and a 6.6% comparable-store sales increase. Quarterly gross margins as a percent of sales tumbled by 112 basis points, reflecting the greater percentage of low-margin consumable items making up the sales mix, including food and tobacco.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/family-dollar-cites-weak-holiday-sales#ixzz2HZJjTJCa

AUBURN, Wash. — United Natural Foods Inc. was in discussions Tuesday with Teamsters Local 117 in an effort to end the strike at its warehouse here, the company said.

As previously reported, the union local launched a strike against the Providence, R.I.-based wholesaler in early December, citing unfair labor practices during negotiations on a new contract. The Teamsters local had previously called off the strike, but resumed it after it said some striking workers had been terminated.

The union said in an online post Tuesday that is was back in federally mediated talks with UNFI, scheduled to take place Tuesday and Wednesday.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/unfi-back-mediation-teamsters#ixzz2HZI5LebF

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Supervalu will lay off 117 workers at a distribution center here beginning in March, according to local reports.

The Minneapolis-based company previously announced plans to sell the facility to Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer, which is planning to expand in the region. Supervalu said it would supply customers in the area from its Green Bay warehouse instead.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Supervalu filed a notice with the state that said layoffs would begin March 9, with plans to close the Pleasant Prairie operation by May 1. Other employees working in the regional offices at the center will be relocated, the Journal Sentinel reported.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/supervalu/supervalu-cut-117-wisconsin-dc#ixzz2HZHM5enL

BROOKINGS, Ore. — C&K Market here said it will no longer offer plastic bags at its checkouts, effective Jan. 14 — a change the company said is a response to its "renewed commitment to be a leader when it comes to responsible, sustainable practices regarding plastic bag waste."

C&K will offer customers free paper bags or 99-cent reusable bags; customers can also get a 5-cent refund for bringing their own bags to use, the company added.

"By making this change we hope to make a positive impact on each community we serve," Greg Sandeno, president and chief executive officer, said. "We hope other retailers in our area will join us in this initiative."


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/sustainability/ck-drops-plastic-bags#ixzz2HZGUNe2J

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The browning of tips or margins of the leaves of indoor plants usually indicates unresolved stress due to mechanical injury, unfavorable environmental conditions or toxicities and their interactions.

Such plant stresses may arise from any one or a combination of the following factors: low humidity, excessive fertilizer, fertilizer imbalance or other soluble salts, poor water quality, unfavorable soil pH, overwatering, underwatering, physical injury, pesticides or direct sunlight. A consequence of uncontrolled plant stress is attack by disease organisms or insects. Take a look at indoor plant environments to see how stress management can work in your favor to correct houseplant damage.

The main environmental factors affecting the foliage of indoor plants are light, temperature and relative humidity.

Plants have a tremendous ability to adjust to varying light conditions, providing these conditions do not vary widely from day to day. Any changes of indoor locations involving significant changes in plant light levels should be made in stages to allow for proper acclimatization. Improper adaptation may produce symptoms that can be confused with disease or pest attack, such as leaf drop, leaf tip browning and the like.

A lot more at:

http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/life/be-careful-to-prevent-indoor-plants-from-browning/article_2c0707bd-bab6-55ec-9871-6f519695b617.html

Some good advice regarding the recording of the serial numbers of your electronics at the end of this article. Something that I will be rechecking myself today

FLORISSANT (KMOV.com) – Two men were charged with second degree burglary and stealing after police say they attempted to steal computers from a school.

18-year-old Justin Wilson and 20-year-old Daryl Greer are accused of stealing nine iMac computers from the Mark Twain Student Support Center, which is in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.

Police tell News 4 thieves covet electronics because they are easy to sell and are easy to give as a gift. The Florissant Police Chief also said newer electronics are even more attractive to criminals.

“The desktop computers are a lot smaller. The monitors are a lot smaller, thinner. They are a lot more portable and lightweight for people to carry out and walk away with.,” Andy Haarmann said.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Two-men-accused-of-stealing-computers-from-North-St-Louis-County-school-186112802.html