Merck & Co. has agreed to pay $688 million to settle two lawsuits brought by investors who alleged the drugmaker delayed releasing bad news on its blockbuster cholesterol drugs to prevent a drop in sales.

Following a ruling by a federal judge, kgb USA Inc., an independent provider of directory assistance and enhanced information services, is to pay $1.3 million in minimum wage compensation to 14,568 of its current and former employees throughout the country after it violated provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The Health and Human Services Department conditionally approved Illinois to operate a state partnership exchange Wednesday.