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 DJIA 13,862.22 +69.75 / S&P 500 1,542.5 +11.5 / NASDAQ 2,840.1 +23.4
 |  |  Tonight: Mostly cloudy, chilly. Low 40. Thursday: Lots of sun, cooler. High 58.
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|  Wednesday, October 31, 2007 |
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FFA starts hunt for next convention location
Officials of the National FFA Organization haven't even held a meeting to debrief following the group's second convention in Indianapolis, but they're already moving ahead scheduling visits to several cities to consider where to hold the next set of conventions beginning in 2013. The organization, which is headquartered on the northwest side, plans to visit Minneapolis; Nashville, Tenn.; Kansas City, Mo., and Louisville in the next 60 days, said Doug Loudenslager, chief operating officer for both the organization and its foundation. 
Duke exec calls for conservation thrust
Duke Energy Chairman Jim Rogers today is calling for a massive expansion of the utility's electricity-conservation programs that could stave off future power-plant construction. But Rogers' vision still includes construction of a coal-gasification plant in Edwardsport that some consumer and environmental groups argue wouldn't have to be built if the North Carolina-based utility were more ardent about conservation. "We know there's no silver-bullet solution to both meet our customers' energy needs and [to] keep production costs down," Rogers was expected to say in a speech today before the Economic Club of Indiana.
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Purdue prof expects weak holiday spending
This year's holiday season is looking grim for retailers across the country, although the outlook is a bit brighter in Indiana, according to an upcoming report from the Purdue Retail Institute and the Center for Customer Driven Quality. The annual report, from Purdue University researcher Richard Feinberg, will forecast a 4-percent increase in consumer spending this holiday season. But that figure will be overshadowed by higher costs, making the expectations for 2007 the lowest in five years.
Indy Racing League lands Peak as oil sponsor
Indy Racing League officials are expected later today to unveil Peak Performance Motor Oil as the series' official motor oil, according to league sources. The deal will also make Peak the official motor oil of the Indianapolis 500. Peak, which is owned by Northbrook, Ill.-based Old World Industries Inc., recently began featuring its IRL partnership on the front page of its Web site, showing bottles of oil with the series logo featured prominently on it.
Irwin Financial sustains loss, hints at layoffs
Bad home loans caused Columbus-based Irwin Financial Corp. to lose $18 million in the third quarter, the bank holding company reported today. The loss of 64 cents a share on revenue of $44 million compared to a loss of $4.2 million, or 14 cents a share, on revenue of $64 million in the same period last year. The disappointing numbers will result in Irwin's having to "align staffing with the current environment," Chairman and CEO Will Miller said in a statement.
Amylin, Lilly cite positive study
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, locally based Eli Lilly and Co. and Alkermes Inc. said today the long-acting form of the diabetes drug exenatide showed better glucose-control results than the drug Byetta in a comparative study. All three companies are partnering on the development of exenatide, with Massachusetts-based Alkermes having designed the microspheres that are designed to release the drug gradually. Byetta is made by Amylin.
Powerway to expand in Europe
Indianapolis-based Powerway Inc. plans to expand in Europe and has named Alan Ackroyd chief information officer to help lead the push. Ackroyd had been executive director of technology at Cohesia Corp., which Powerway acquired in June. As Powerway's chief information officer, Ackroyd will oversee broadening the market for the company's software-as-a-service operations. Powerway plans to open data centers and support systems in its new markets. The company develops software for manufacturing-product development.
From IBJ staff and Associated Press-Compiled by Norm Heikens | | | |
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Arsenal parents, teachers unite against hate
Parents and teachers of Arsenal Tech High School students gathered at the school this morning to make a statement that racist messages are not acceptable. Three weeks ago, flyers peppered with racial slurs were left around the school, calling for a Ku Klux Klan revival on Oct. 31. Security was increased at the school during the demonstration. Fox 59 will have more at 10 p.m.
Madison county man charged with DWI, neglect
Anthony Russell faces drunk-driving and neglect charges after police say he allowed his 10-year-old son to drive his truck. The truck crashed into a tree, leaving the boy with a broken rib. Police say the Madison County man's blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. |  | | | |
| Vice president coming to Indianapolis
Vice President Dick Cheney is scheduled to speak tomorrow before the Indiana American Legion in Indianapolis. Cheney will appear at the Indiana War Memorial downtown at 11:30 a.m. and then will leave for Dallas, where he will attend a private fund raiser for Texas Sen. John Cornyn and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Brothers accused of beating cancer patient
Two brothers are in jail, accused of beating a cancer patient and stealing more than 100 of her prescription pain pills. Officers say they broke into the 60-year-old woman's home in Lapel after a friend told them she was dying of cancer and had the medication. Police say Timothy and Christopher Parker then beat the woman with a golf club after she refused to give them her painkillers.
Dispositions boost Simon's profit in quarter
Simon Property Group Inc. sold four U.S. malls and five in Poland in the third quarter, netting the company $82.2 million and boosting its overall profit for the period to $164.9 million, 74.3-percent higher than the third quarter last year. Funds from operations for the three months were $418.7 million, a 13.3-percent increase over the year-ago period. The retail mall developer said it expects funds from operations for the year to hit the high end of its previously announced expectation of $5.83 to $5.88 a share. 
Largest Indianapolis-Area Accounting Firms 
When someone has a business proposal for you, how do you prefer to be approached: via phone, mail or e-mail? Why? 
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