Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

Dollars & Sense

Change here, there raises MPG in autos

Automakers are making far more tweaks to cars and trucks between model years to squeeze out more miles per gallon. Page D-4

Central Valley job fair is today

Central Valley companies will recruit employees at a job fair from noon to 4 p.m. today at the Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St. Admission is free. Job seekers can speak one-on-one with company representatives who have immediate hiring needs. Opportunities range from sales and marketing to finance, telecommunications, social service, administration and public safety. For more information, visit http://jobjournal.com or call 888-843-5627 (THE JOBS).

Report finds rise in mortgage fraud

Reported incidents of mortgage fraud jumped 42 percent nationwide, with Florida reporting the highest number of cases, according to industry data released Monday. Properties in the Sunshine State accounted for nearly a quarter of all mortgage fraud incidents, the Mortgage Asset Research Institute said. California ranked second, and there was a three-way tie for third among Illinois, Maryland and Michigan. The most common mortgage fraud cases included misrepresenting income, employment history, and debt and assets.

350 plant workers may be illegal

Federal immigration agents said they uncovered 350 suspected undocumented workers in a raid on a Mississippi electrical equipment plant Monday, hours after sealing all entrances amid reports their sweep had idled normal operations. Barbara Gonzalez, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman, confirmed the raid and said it targeted Howard Industries Inc. of Laurel, Miss. The company produces dozens of products ranging from electrical transformers to medical supplies, according to the company's Web site.

Coming Wednesday

Companies have found that new strategies used to cut rising fuel and energy bills are worth making permanent.