RICHLAND -- Developers of a luxury condo development on George Washington Way in Richland say they aren't losing their enthusiasm for their project despite the national economic slowdown.

In a program to help move clean energy technologies from the lab to the market, the Department of Energy will bring an "entrepreneur in residence" to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

WALLA WALLA -- A community meeting to discuss chemical contamination in ground water near the Washington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. today.

Small-business owners are invited to learn how to save tax dollars and protect assets at a seminar Wednesday.

WENATCHEE - Growers wrapped up apple harvest last week, apparently winning the race against freezing temperatures.

WENATCHEE -- Growers wrapped up apple harvest last week, apparently winning the race against freezing temperatures.

WASHINGTON -- As U.S. lawmakers start debating today whether to grant Detroit's automakers $25 billion in loans to tide them over a critical stretch, the car companies and the United Auto Workers union are coming under intense pressure to make concessions in exchange for the help.

When new housing starts to slow down, home remodels tend to pick up.

WALLA WALLA -- Net sales at Key Technology Inc. increased about 25 percent in the 2008 fiscal year, the company has announced.

RICHLAND -- Richland-based IsoRay reported Thursday that it had reduced losses by streamlining operations and reducing materials and production costs.

BRUSSELS, Belgium It sounds easy: dispatch naval commandos to storm a hijacked cargo ship, shoot or capture the ragtag band of pirates and free the hostage crew.

WASHINGTON Federal regulators on Friday shut down two big thrifts based in Southern California, saying they fell victim to the acute distress in the housing market in that state.

WASHINGTON Democratic leaders ordered Detroit's Big Three automakers Friday to submit what amounts to a detailed loan application to Congress so lawmakers can decide whether to give the beleaguered industry an emergency $25 billion lifeline.

NEW YORK Pressure intensified on Citigroup to sell part or all of itself as its stock fell below $4 a share on Friday and fears escalated about future loan losses.

MEXICO CITY Mexico says its yearly growth rate dropped to 1.6 percent in the third quarter, its slowest rate since 2003, as the U.S. economy stalls.

LOS ANGELES Word of mouth is one of the most common ways homebuyers and sellers find a real estate agent. Now, there are several Web sites that tout a more scientific approach: ranking agents based on criteria such as years of experience, how many sales they've closed, and the number of positive testimonials from past clients.

NEW YORK Maybe there's something to face-to-face interaction after all.

DAYTON, Ohio If only we could be a fly on the wall when our enemies are plotting to attack us. Better yet, what if that fly could record voices, transmit video and even fire tiny weapons?

TEN SLEEP, Wyo. The nearest Wal-Mart is two hours away, and only foul weather, a deer in the road or a Washakie County sheriff's deputy would slow down anyone with a mind to drive there faster.

LIMA, Peru Not everyone is slashing jobs in these grim economic times. Microsoft Corp. has no plans to cut back on research spending and plans to add workers in the coming year, senior executive Craig Mundie said Friday.