IN BRIEF
BETHLEHEM, Pa.
Sands casino draws crowds in Pennsylvania
Gamblers tried their luck Friday at Pennsylvania's newest casino, a $743 million slots parlor built on the site of a historic mill where tens of thousands of workers once made steel for warships and beams for skyscrapers and bridges.
Sands Bethlehem opened about 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, with hundreds of gamblers -- some of whom had lined up before dawn -- pouring onto the casino floor to place bets on the blinking, ka-chinging slots.
The casino, owned and operated by Las Vegas Sands Corp., has 3,000 slots and four restaurants. It is the eighth casino to open in Pennsylvania since the state legalized slots gambling in 2004.
WASHINGTON
Tobacco companies lose appeal in court
A federal appeals court on Friday agreed with the major elements of a 2006 landmark ruling that found the nation's top tobacco companies guilty of racketeering and fraud for deceiving the public about the dangers of smoking.
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington upheld requirements that manufacturers change the way they market cigarettes. The requirements, which have been on hold pending appeal, would ban labels such as "low tar," "light," "ultralight" or "mild," since such cigarettes have been found to be no safer than others because of how people smoke them.
It says the companies must publish "corrective statements" in newspapers and on their Web sites on the adverse health effects and addictiveness of smoking and nicotine.
NEW YORK
Ford workers get time to consider buyout
Ford Motor Co. is giving its hourly workers more time to decide whether they want to accept the company's buyout and early retirement offers.
The original deadline was Friday, but Ford spokeswoman Angie Kozleski says the company is extending the date to June 26 so Ford's 42,000 hourly workers have more time to consider their options in uncertain economic conditions.
Kozleski wouldn't say how many workers have accepted the offers so far.
INDIANAPOLIS
U.S.-made cars staying in demand with buyers
The desire to own American-made automobiles remains strong, despite last week's announcements that General Motors and Chrysler will close many U.S. dealerships.
More than 1,250 highly in-demand models of Chevrolet Corvettes, Pontiac GTOs, Plymouth Hemi Cudas, Packard Woody Wagons and many more original American automobile idols were put on the auction block at the 22nd annual Spring Classic conducted by Mecum Auto Auction, which ran recently at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Attendance was projected at more than 10,000 people, which is in record territory, officials said.
"We simply refuse to participate in the recession," said Dana Mecum, chief executive of the Marengo, Ill.-based auction company.
NEW YORK
Treasury prices decline ahead of auctions
Treasury prices fell Friday ahead of several auctions next week.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note hit a new high for the year, climbing to 3.44 percent from 3.35 percent late Thursday. Its price fell 0.69 points to 97.25.
The 30-year bond's yield jumped to 4.39 percent from 4.31 percent, while its price fell 1.13 points to 97.78.
