Stocks rise ahead of Federal Reserve’s rate decision
NEW YORK – The stock market advanced Wednesday, driving the Dow Jones industrial average up more than 100 points as investors reacted to better-than-expected economic and corporate reports ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.

Fed expected to cut rates one more time
WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve, which began the year aggressively fighting a severe credit crunch and economic weakness, may push the pause button after delivering perhaps one more quarter-point cut in interest rates.

Foreclosure filings double, striking 46 of 50 states
WASHINGTON — U.S. home foreclosure filings continued to climb in the first quarter of 2008, jumping 23 percent over the previous quarter and more than doubling from the first quarter of 2007, according to a new report released Tuesday. It was the seventh consecutive quarter that foreclosure activity increased, said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac, a real estate data firm in Irvine, Calif.

Economy grows by only 0.6 percent in first quarter
WASHINGTON – The bruised economy limped through the first quarter, growing at just a 0.6 percent pace as housing and credit problems forced people and businesses alike to hunker down.

Bush says no ‘magic wand’ to lower fuel prices
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday there was no “magic wand” to bring down record-high fuel prices but would consider a proposal to suspend federal gasoline taxes this summer.

Bush rhetoric on energy strays from the facts
WASHINGTON – President Bush put politics ahead of the facts Tuesday as he sought to blame Congress for high energy prices, saying foreign suppliers are pumping just about all the oil they can and accusing lawmakers of blocking new refineries.

Can anything be done about skyrocketing oil prices?
WASHINGTON — President Bush lamented Tuesday that there was no magic wand to wave to lower oil prices, but there are simple steps he could take to lower the soaring price of crude. Here are some answers to questions about making oil cheaper.

Maryland balks at pay package for former CareFirst CEO (thanks to DCblogger at Corrente)
The Maryland Insurance Administration argued Monday that the nearly $18 million CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is prepared to pay William Jews, its former top executive, is too much. Attorneys with the state agency said the MIA wants to cut the annual and long-term incentives CareFirst, the region’s largest health insurer, plans to pay Jews, who left the nonprofit in November 2006. The insurance administration also argued that the primary focus of a nonprofit is not to generate profits or encourage its top managers with incentives to increase profits.