IN BRIEF
CARSON CITY
Nevada gasoline prices rise 4 cents to $2.97 a gallon
Gasoline prices in Nevada have inched up 4 cents per gallon since July, to a statewide average of $2.97.
AAA Nevada on Tuesday blamed the increase on higher demand during summer travel season, economic uncertainty and forecasts for an active hurricane season that influence crude oil prices.
The national average in August rose 7 cents to $2.78.
Around Nevada, prices rose 2 cents in Las Vegas to $2.87; 5 cents in Reno and Sparks to $3.16; and 6 cents in Carson City to $3.02.
The largest increase in the state was in Elko, where the price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded jumped 17 cents to $3.21.
AAA says prices in Nevada are the fourth highest in the continental United States, behind California, Washington and Oregon.
NEW YORK
Three-hour-plus tarmac waits rare for airline fliers in June
Only three flights sat on the tarmac for more than three hours in June compared with nearly 300 a year ago, the government said Tuesday. But airlines didn't cancel more flights to avoid potentially massive fines for those long delays.
All the flights that exceeded the limit were operated by United Airlines, and each topped the three-hour time by five minutes or fewer. All were flying from Chicago's O'Hare airport on the same day -- June 18 -- when thunderstorms and strong winds battered the area. United later canceled two of the three flights that were held up.
United said in a statement that the weather kept employees from safely loading and unloading aircraft at a few points during the day. United also said it gave passengers on the flights food, drinks and updates. It also compensated customers on the canceled flights.
WASHINGTON
Regulators move to halt use of credit ratings in rules for banks
Federal regulators have taken a first step toward eliminating the use of credit ratings in rules for banks, under a mandate of the new financial overhaul law. The head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Tuesday it won't be easy to come up with a replacement.
The FDIC board voted to take public comment for 60 days on alternatives to relying on credit rating agencies to assess the risk of investments. The Federal Reserve and the Treasury's Office of the Comptroller of the Currency published the document requesting comment with the FDIC.
The landmark law enacted last month calls for reducing the influence of the three big rating agencies -- Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.
The rating agencies were discredited in the financial crisis for giving high ratings to risky mortgage securities.
LOS ANGELES
Netflix to pay nearly $1 billion for online screening rights
Netflix Inc. will pay nearly $1 billion during the next five years for the online streaming rights to movies from Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM in a deal that could help Netflix attract even more subscribers.
The deal announced Tuesday advances Netflix's bid to stock its online streaming library with more compelling material, so it can keep its subscription service relevant as more households order entertainment through high-speed Internet connections.
The online streaming push also helps the company cut its postage bill for mailing digital video discs to its 15 million subscribers.
The company spent $117 million on streaming rights during the first half of this year.
LOS ANGELES
Vegas.com president resigns; Greenspun exec to fill spot
Vegas.com President Howard Lefkowitz resigned Tuesday and is being replaced temporarily by Greenspun Corp. Senior Vice President James Gibson, the company said Tuesday.
Lefkowitz was president of Vegas.com since 2001 and his resignation was effective immediately.
Gibson, a former mayor of Henderson, was named interim president of the city travel website.
