Signs of an improving economy might be in your kitchen or bathroom cupboards. » Full Story

WASHINGTON — The unemployment rate fell in September in most metro areas, although that’s largely because more people gave up on job searches than found new work. » Full Story

PORTLAND, Maine — FairPoint Communications Inc. had its work cut out when it grew sixfold overnight by buying Verizon Communications’ land line and Internet operations in three New England states. » Full Story

Verizon Communications Inc. » Full Story

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Smart Choices nutrition labeling program, created voluntarily by nine large U.S. » Full Story

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department on Thursday ordered seven companies that received billions of dollars in government bailouts to halve total compensation for their top executives. » Full Story

WASHINGTON — Shockingly poor financial management at General Motors and Chrysler weakened their case for a federal bailout, but officials feared letting them collapse, the former head of a governmen... » Full Story

WASHINGTON — Applications for home building permits, a key gauge of future construction, fell in September by the largest amount in five months — a discouraging sign for the housing industry. » Full Story

NEW YORK — Sales of toys tied to the “G.I. Joe” and “Transformers” movies and cost-cutting drove a third-quarter profit increase for Hasbro. » Full Story

LOS ANGELES — Homebuilders are growing less optimistic about their fortunes as a temporary tax credit for first-time homebuyers that boosted home sales this year nears its end. » Full Story