November 7, 2009

Your Money

Unemployed people scramble for temporary work
Video

Lines at a day job site continue to grow. Read more »
Verizon will close call center with 134 employees in Springfield
Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Hill says the company will move the call center's workload to other locations. Read more »
O'Sullivan plant may get new life in Lamar
O'Sullivan closed the plant in 2007, putting more than 700 people out of work. Read more »
NorthStar powers up new plant, forsees up to 500 new jobs
Video

The plant manager says he plans to bring on about 75 employees every six months to make batteries, mostly for cellular telephone towers. Read more »
Rise in posted openings gives job seekers more hope
Video

In the Missouri Career Ccenter's seven-county area, employers have posted orders for 804 jobs, close to double the number from six months ago. Read more »
Homebuilders see reason for optimism around Springfield
Video

The number of permits for new homes in Greene County is way down this year but June is up from previous months. Read more »
Missouri offers loans to struggling small businesses
The Missouri Small Business Loan Program is offering businesses with five or fewer employees loans of between $2,500 and $25,000. Read more »

More Your Money

Personal Finance

Consumers should shop around if credit card rates increase
Video

Credit card companies are once again making changes to improve their bottom lines but there is a way to avoid paying more. Read more »
Your Money: Tell us how you cut expenses or stretch your income

We're looking for your ideas to share with others. Read more »
Searches for lower heating bills could lead to more fires
Video

This may the beginning of Fire Prevention Week but that hasn't stopped firefighters from having to battle several fires in the last few days. Read more »
Credit-card companies hit consumers with more fees
Video

Consumer Reports says you might want to shop around for a better deal if that's what's happening to you. Read more »
Don't give up credit cards completely if you want to improve credit score
Video

That all-important number can affect everything from your ability to borrow to your ability to get a new job. Read more »
Bank offers incentives for customers to use savings accounts
Video

At a time when even certificates of deposit are offering nominal interest rates, Wood and Huston Bank has a product that's really worth something. Read more »
Workers have options when employer won't pay
Video

It's a problem that more people face as the number of unpaid wage claims have spiked. Read more »

More Personal Finance

Calculators

More Calculators

Shopping Tips

Holiday shoppers should beware of return policy 'gotchas'
Video

Some of the best companies for returns are Nordstrom, Kmart, and Kohl's. Read more »
Your Money: Tell us how you cut expenses or stretch your income

We're looking for your ideas to share with others. Read more »
Consumers should find great buys on electronics this fall
Video

Electronics prices have dropped to near record lows. Read more »
Food Recall: Hazelnut spread may contain peanuts
The recall covers Kroger Hazelnut Spread in plastic, 13-ounce jars with a March 2011 sell-by date. About 65 cases were distributed to Kroger supermarkets in as many as 16 states. Read more »
Gasoline prices dip near $2 in Missouri
The AAA Auto Club's daily online Fuel Gauge Report indicates Missouri has the cheapest pump prices in the nation. Read more »
Sam's Club's second Springfield site opens in July
The store will employ approximately 230 people. Read more »
Some farmers' markets now accept EBT cards
Video

Customers and vendors see it as a win-win relationship Read more »

More Shopping Tips

Contact KY3 Reports

Holiday shoppers should beware of return policy 'gotchas'
Video

Some of the best companies for returns are Nordstrom, Kmart, and Kohl's. Read more »
Consumer product recalls

Here are links to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, which issue many of the recalls that you hear about on newscasts. Read more »
Useful Websites on consumer issues (including links to RECALL information)

Here are links to groups ranging from the ALS Association to World Against Toys Causing Harm. Read more »
Consumers can get free advice on "Ask an Expert" message board

Video

The local "Ask a Credit Counselor", "Ask a Financial Expert", "Ask a Home Remodeler", and "Ask a Realtor" message boards are offered exclusively on KY3.com and provide you with answers to your toughest questions, 24 hours a day. Read more »
Tests show higher-than-safe doses of BPA in several canned foods
Video

While there are no federal restrictions on BPA in food packaging, the government has set a guideline for safe exposure. Read more »
Consumers should shop around if credit card rates increase
Video

Credit card companies are once again making changes to improve their bottom lines but there is a way to avoid paying more. Read more »
When buying prescriptions without insurance, it pays to shop around
Video

With people continuing to lose their jobs and insurance coverage, more of them are being forced to pay for prescriptions out of their own pocket. Read more »

More Contact KY3 Reports

Consumer Reports

Tests show higher-than-safe doses of BPA in several canned foods
Video

While there are no federal restrictions on BPA in food packaging, the government has set a guideline for safe exposure. Read more »
Moen and American Standard models win tests of showerheads
Video

A good showerhead can really make a difference. Showerheads can be easy to install, but figuring out which to buy is tough. Read more »
Tires are expensive but worth replacing for safety's sake
With tires rising in price, many people are putting of replacing theirs. But Consumer Reports says that's a bad idea. Read more »
FTC tries to police online product reviews but rules are hard to enforce
Video

Some bloggers get freebies or payments from companies to say positive things about their products. Other companies ask employees to write reviews. Read more »
Researchers look for healthier snack foods
Video

Supermarket shelves are crammed with versions of crackers and chips that look healthy but really aren't that good for you. Read more »
Tests find Prius and Fusion are good choices for hybrids
Video

The third-generation Toyota Prius is still the most fuel-efficient car you can buy. The Ford Focus is more expensive and less efficient. Read more »
Prepaid cell phone plans can save money for some people
Video

Nearly 50 million people now use prepaid phone plans, and the number is growing. Read more »

More Consumer Reports

Digital TV Transition

Company offers free help for in-home DTV problems
Video

Since June 12, full-power TV stations nationwide have been broadcasting exclusively in digital format. Read more »
DTV converter coupons are available again; stations set dates to turn off analog signals
Each station in Springfield is turning off its analog signals on a different date. Read more »
Mediacom offers free cable service to digitally-challenged homes

The offer lasts until June 12. Read more »
DirecTV agrees on terms for carrying KY3's HD signal

The high definition broadcast should be available on that satellite service in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Read more »
Congressman Blunt opposes delay in DTV transition

Video

He says it's a public safety issue, as well as a contract issue. Read more »
Despite publicity, many won't be ready for digital TV transition

Video

Analog signals are scheduled to be turned off on Feb. 17. Read more »
Antenna could be to blame for bad digital signal

Video

Upgrading to a stronger antenna could give you a clear picture. Read more »

More Digital TV Transition

MSNBC Money

Best of both worlds? Combined pension/401k
An alternative retirement plan may become available in January offers a guaranteed pension-like retirement benefit alongside a 401(k).
Amid panic, uncertainty, they retired anyway

It took guts and good planning to decide to retire in the middle of the deepest recession in decades.
Easing job losses point to wobbly recovery
The economy is still shedding jobs, but at a much slower pace than earlier this year, the government reported. That bolsters the view that the economy is making a slow but steady recovery.
You can handle debt issues better than agencies
Reduce your debt by 60 percent! Stop collection calls! Be debt free in 12 months!
Long-term jobless face frayed safety net

For millions of out-of-work job seekers, unemployment insurance is providing an increasingly tenuous financial lifeline.
Answer Desk: GDP growth overstates case
The latest data shows the economy growing again. So how come it doesn't feel like the recession is over? On possible explanation: It isn't over. The Answer Desk.
Calculating the best and worst rental markets

Relocating? Then you're probably worried about whether you should rent in your new hometown or buy while prices are down.

Today's Mortgage Rates

StormTeam Weather

More Weather

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.