Latest articles by Jim Ostroff
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No Big Postal Rate Hike -- for Now
Business Costs & Regulation Dramatic changes -- like whether to drop Saturday delivery -- are now in Congress' hands.
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Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass
Buying & Leasing a Car The generation gap is a growing, long-term headache for automakers.
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China Auto Parts Firms Buying U.S. Counterparts
Buying & Leasing a Car China is tapping into faltering firms for market access -- and saving jobs in the process.
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Government to Mandate 60 MPG
Business Costs & Regulation Even today's fuel sippers will seem thirsty when the Obama administration is done with its overhaul of mileage rules.
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Box Shortage Causing Ocean Shipping Woes to Linger
Economic Forecasts A dearth of ocean cargo containers is stymieing efforts to ramp up exports and imports.
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Automakers Rev Up Sales Incentives
Buying & Leasing a Car Rebates and 0% financing are in the offing -- but they probably won’t last long.
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More Oil from Canada, Less from Venezuela
business Within five years, a new pipeline will make U.S. oil supplies more reliable.
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Solar Roofing Grabs the Light
business As consumers increasingly demand conservation minded building materials, companies are rolling out new products.
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On Tap: Black Boxes for All Passenger Vehicles
Buying & Leasing a Car Your driving habits soon will be an open book to insurers and police in the aftermath of an accident or car malfunction.
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Ford Looks to Boost Sales Abroad
Buying & Leasing a Car China and India are two large and growing markets on the automaker’s radar screen.
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Lighter Vehicles Spell Better Gas Mileage
Economic Forecasts Steel, aluminum and composite makers are vying to get more of their materials into cars and trucks.
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Key Industrial Resources Face a Tepid Recovery
Economic Forecasts Good old supply and demand are back in control of the prices of industrial metals, cement and lumber.
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Electric Bills to Surge in Coal Burning Areas
Business Costs & Regulation Green power requirements will require utilities to invest big -- and raise rates.
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States Vying for Alternative-Energy Firms
business Take a look at which states are landing key solar and other high-tech firms.
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Obama Drilling Ban Mostly for Show
Politics The president has little leeway as he struggles with the oil spill and the public backlash.
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Highway Bill to Spur Land Use Changes
Economic Forecasts Uncle Sam’s new focus: More mixed-use developments, fewer long commutes.
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Postal Rates Headed Higher -- Again
Business Costs & Regulation With payrolls in jeopardy, a desperate Postal Service seeks more revenue.
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Solar Power to the People
Economic Forecasts Worries about safety and neighborhood aesthetics will spawn new rules but won’t stop solar installations.
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Obama Won't Decide to Stop Oil Drilling
Politics The BP spill will mean more regulations and safeguards, but it won't slow the expansion of offshore oil exploration.
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New Forms of Philanthropy -- With New Business Opportunities
Politics Donors are no longer happy letting umbrella charities decide how their contributions will be used.
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Tech Solutions for Water Shortages
real estate New water management, treatment and conservation methods will bolster water supplies and save money.
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Car Sales Revving Up
Buying & Leasing a Car Easier credit will help unleash some pent-up demand. And though electric cars won’t be a big part of the sales picture, their day is coming.
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Cash for Clunker Appliances
spending The fridge on its last legs? Uncle Sam wants you to replace it with a new, energy efficient model -- and will give you money to do so.
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Car Leasing Stages a Comeback
Buying & Leasing a Car More financing options and a dearth of trade-ins are behind the rebound.