Washington, D.C. — “Fueled by solid same-store sales and traffic results and a bullish outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose sharply in December. The RPI – a monthly composite index that tracks the … read more >

The oil boom in western North Dakota has created thousands of new oil-related jobs in the state, and has also generated thousands of spillover jobs throughout the entire state.  North Dakota’s oil prosperity has kept the state’s jobless rate below … read more >

1. Distilled spirits exports exceeded one billion dollars for the fifth consecutive year, reaching a projected record $1.34 billion in 2011 (based on 11-month totals).  Total spirits exports grew 16.5% over the preceding year.  2.  U.S. pork and beef exports … read more >

WASHINGTON, DC — “Yesterday YouTube ignored a question advocating marijuana legalization from a retired LAPD deputy chief of police (watch that video above) that won twice as many votes as any other video question in the White House’s “Your Interview … read more >

How Much Can a Celebrity Make for Tweeting?  For some, thousands of dollars per tweet.

The U.S. homeownership rate fell in 2011 to 66.15%, according to data released today by the Census Bureau. That was the lowest homeownership rate in 14 years, since the 65.7% rate in 1997. Conclusion: The political obsession with homeownership in … read more >

The World.Org — “Advances in medical technology, combined with the fact that people are living longer, means that more and more of us pass away with some kind of surgical implant. Maybe it’s a steel pin here, or a titanium … read more >