Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Jobs Report

Stock futures edged lower Friday as investors, pummeled by a sharp drop on Wall Street a day earlier, awaited the Labor Department's October jobs report.

After a week of contradictory economic news, investors are anxious to learn how many jobs were created last month, and whether the job market continues to be one of the economy's stronger pillars. Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR predict non-farm payrolls grew by 85,000, compared with growth of 110,000 in September.

Wall Street plunged Thursday amid worries that the U.S. could be stuck in a period of slowing economic growth and rising inflation _ and that the Federal Reserve would refrain …

Colorado wildfires force evacuations of 100 homes

GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) — Evacuation orders were issued Monday for about 100 homes in the mountains west of Denver and people in at least 200 more homes were told to be ready to leave as two separate wildfires kept firefighters battling flames driven by 40 mph winds.

One wildfire west of Golden had charred a little more than a square mile, or 850 acres, of rugged, steep terrain, with crews periodically retreating when winds kicked up, Jefferson County sheriff's officials said.

A grass fire of about eight acres was threatening at least 25 homes near Evergreen, roughly 20 miles southwest of Golden, while a third, smaller fire in the mountains west of Denver destroyed a structure …

Hope and new beginnings

Life Bridge ministry to recovering addicts underway

For those struggling with addictions, the journey to rebuilding health and relationships is paramount to recovery. That's where Life Bridge Ministries comes in. The year-old ministry at Kinghaven Treatment Centre is offering hope and new beginnings to recovering addicts and marginalized people.

Located next door to the former West Abbotsford Mennonite Church that recently merged with Wellspring Christian Fellowship to form Level Ground Mennonite Church (as of Jan. 1, 2009) - Kinghaven is ideally situated for Christian outreach. For some time, church members have been reaching out to Kinghaven residents, inviting them to …

Woman arrested for DUI in 2nd crash at same spot

Call it drunken driving deja vu. For the second time in five months, a 23-year-old California woman has been arrested after she allegedly crashed her car while driving under the influence at the exact same spot north of Lake Tahoe.

And to top it off, Truckee Police say that in both cases, her blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit.

Police say Melissa Dennison of Truckee crashed at about noon on Sunday on Glenshire Drive just south of the Glenshire Bridge. They say she was extremely …

Correction: Michael Kuchwara story

In an obituary of AP drama critic Michael Kuchwara sent May 22 and 23, The Associated …

Daley Says Kozubowski Should Step Down Now

City Clerk Walter S. Kozubowski should resign immediately nowthat he's pleaded guilty to corruption charges, Mayor Daley saidTuesday, vowing to seek restitution from ghost payrollers in theclerk's office.

On the defensive for refusing to dump Kozubowski from his 1991ticket while the clerk was under federal investigation, Daley soughtto portray himself and Chicago taxpayers as victims in the scandal.

The mayor told reporters he would "explore every avenuepossible" to recoup the $476,000 Kozubowski has admitted paying sixemployees of the clerk's office who did little or no work over a12-year period. Lawsuits may be filed against the clerk and hisghost …

US CEOs meet with China president

HONOLULU (AP) — A small group of executives from some of the largest U.S. companies met privately with Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to discuss trade, protecting intellectual property rights and challenges facing the world's two largest economies.

The meeting late Thursday included heads of 14 companies, including Google Executive …