Joseph Lazzaro

To be sure, long-term, the U.S. budget deficit must be eliminated. But if policy makers cut federal spending too much, too soon during a period of weak demand, the result will be another recession.

Jul 28, 2011

Two California companies have partnered to sell solar-powered chargers compatible with all new electric vehicles.

Jul 28, 2011

Talk about spinning wheels, Congressional Democrats and Republicans, incredibly, made no progress Thursday toward raising the debt ceiling, even as a U.S. default nears on Tuesday.

Jul 28, 2011

Some say it was a devastating asteroid, but a new, controversial hypothesis argues that massive lava eruptions may have ended the age of the dinosaurs.

Jul 28, 2011

U.S. initial jobless claims fell last week by 24,000, to a 3-month low of 398,000, according to the Labor Department.

Jul 28, 2011

There's no way to sugarcoat it: financial markets have started to react to the possibility that the U.S. Government might default. Democrats and Republicans in Washington appear to be no closer to a debt deal Thursday than they were last week -- and a damaging default is now staring the nation -- and global markets -- in the face.

Jul 28, 2011

Federal officials have reversed an earlier decision and ruled that Oregon and Washington state cannot kill sea lions eating endangered salmon at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.

Jul 27, 2011

Following a Humane Society of the United States petition, federal officials have decided to revoke the authorization for Oregon and Washington to kill sea lions eating endangered salmon at the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.

Jul 27, 2011

There may be a way-out of the U.S. debt deal impasse, if rationality prevails inside the beltway. True, rationality and 'inside the beltway' are not usually linked, but the path to impasse resolution still exists, even at this late stage.

Jul 27, 2011

The Greek sovereign debt crisis has been resolved, and NFL owners and players have inked a new contract. Is a debt deal between Democrats and Republicans up ahead? As the saying goes -- "things occur in threes."

Jul 27, 2011

The Obama administration is in talks with General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) for the framework of an agreement that would raise the U.S. fuel economy average to 54.5 mile per gallon (mpg) in 2025.

Jul 27, 2011

There was little good news on the debt deal front early Wednesday: Democrats and Republicans are working on separately debt reduction plans, neither of which is likely to pass both chambers. A debt deal at this late stage is looking increasingly less likely.

Jul 27, 2011

African killer bees, aided by human transport, have now reached as far north as Central California, after an attack on a 70-year-old man. Are they headed for your county or town next?

Jul 26, 2011

African killer bees, which have been the stuff of science fiction films, have now been confirmed as far north as Central California, after an attack on a 70-year-old man. However, bee specialists say the killer bees were probably trucked-in, and it isn't likely that they moved that far north on their own.

Jul 26, 2011

Assuming President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans can not resolve the debt deal dispute in eight days, the unfathomable will happen -- a default by the U.S. Government. But that begs the question: what will the U.S. Federal Reserve do, if the U.S. Government defaults?

Jul 26, 2011

At this juncture, the most likely solution to the acrimonious stalemate on Capitol Hill between Democrats and Republicans that threatens to trigger a dreaded U.S. Government default may be a hybrid plan combining elements of bills by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Jul 26, 2011

Home prices in 20 major U.S. cities rose 1.0 percent in May, Case-Shiller announced Tuesday, as the sector benefited from the arrival of the warmer months -- historically a period when home sales rise. Still, the housing sector remains sluggish, and several more monthly rises will be necessary to conclude that a recovery is underway.

Jul 26, 2011

The debt talks enter a critical stage Tuesday, and there's little time left to waste on rhetoric. The two parties have less than eight days to devise a plan to cut the deficit and raise the debt ceiling. U.S. and global stock and bond markets have remained calm and patient, but that may change soon, if the markets don't see progress in D.C.

Jul 26, 2011

President Barack Obama, in an address to the nation Monday night, reiterated the need for a "balanced approach" to deficit reduction -- one that includes both substantial budget cuts and revenue increases, and he warned that if the debt ceiling is not raised, it would trigger a "deep economic crisis."

Jul 25, 2011

Call it 'dueling debt plans': Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. announced Monday a $2.7 trillion spending reduction plan, while House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, announced a 2-stage spending cut plan, $1 trillion now, and $1.2 trillion next year. If the two sides can get down to negotiating, Monday will be a day of progress in the debt deal saga.

Jul 25, 2011

For most Americans, talk of a U.S. Government default is a little complex. What the American people really want to know is, assuming the U.S.Government defaults, where should one consider putting a portion of their money? Glad you asked.

Jul 25, 2011

Is Alaska's Cleveland Volcano ready to erupt? Recent satellite images from the remote volcano suggest it might be, scientists say.

Jul 25, 2011

The International Monetary Fund Monday underscored the need for Congressional Democrats and Republicans to get their act together: it said the U.S. must raise its debt ceiling quickly, and get its debt under control, for the good of the global economy

Jul 25, 2011

Baby Boomers - the size of your Social Security payment may be lowered, if the current mood in Congress prevails. That's because 'Gang of Six' debt deal plan negotiators want to change the inflation/cost of living formula -- a change that would result in smaller annual payment increases for inflation.

Jul 25, 2011

Less than 9 days remain before the U.S. Government defaults on is debt, and the debt impasse continues. So far, institutional investor patience has been remarkable, as Asian markets were relatively calm in Monday trading. But how long can that last, if Washington remains gridlocked?

Jul 25, 2011

What are the 5 greatest cities in the world?

Jul 24, 2011

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Sunday reiterated his call for Congress to increase the debt limit immediately, underscoring that a delay may roil financial markets beginning as early as Monday. Geithner also said a default by Congress would jeopardize 80 million federal payments/checks per month.

Jul 24, 2011

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, took pains to underscore that not only have the debt deal talks resumed, he says all parties are working toward an agreement. Time certainly is of the essence: the U.S. has less than 10 days to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a default.

Jul 23, 2011

There's no way to sugarcoat it: the U.S. housing market remains a buyer's market. That said, are there ways home sellers can better-position their home for a sale amid such intense competition? Indeed there are, and here are five.

Jul 23, 2011