Broker Regulation

The weak economy and high unemployment concern Americans the most, polls show. Yet much of the political heat generated lately has been over Medicare and Mitt Romney's tax returns.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union filed a federal lawsuit Thursday over money the Port of Portland recently agreed to pay to its terminal operator to help cover losses caused by the work slowdowns and cargo diversions that highlighted this summer's labor strife.

White House officials have announced an initial $30 million investment to form a manufacturing hub in Ohio aimed at boosting technology in a three-state region.

Republican vice presidential contender Paul Ryan says he never would have included a $700 billion Medicare cut in his budget if President Barack Obama hadn't done it first.

Using outside companies to help detect Medicaid program fraud and abuse ultimately will reap significant savings for the state of North Carolina, despite a recent audit critical of contract terms and the initial yields, the state Medicaid director said Wednesday.

Towers Watson & Co. rebounded from an annual low this week, jumping 7 percent Wednesday, with at least one industry watcher saying that the sell-off was overdone following a disappointing fourth quarter.