Nordhaus to host small-business seminar

The Nordhaus law firm, an advocate for American Indian tribes, is hosting a free small-business information seminar for American Indian entrepreneurs on marketing Native American art.

The event is from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 at the Nordhaus law firm, 1239 Paseo de Peralta in Santa Fe.

The presenters include Carol Harvey, a member of the Navajo Nation, and Pablo Padilla, a member of the Pueblo of Zuni.

To reserve a seat, call 982-3622 or e-mail charvey@nordhauslaw.com.


Leadership program accepting applicants

Leadership New Mexico is now accepting applications for the 2008-2009 Core Program, a 10-month effort designed to identify, teach and challenge the state's established leaders with a curriculum that addresses critical issues affecting New Mexico.

To be selected for the program, applicants must demonstrate a dedication to New Mexico's progress. Characteristics of a successful applicant are commitment, motivation and interest in serving the state; demonstrated voluntary leadership in his/her community and business; willingness to seek future key volunteer and/or appointed leadership roles; an occupational commitment to remain in the state; and commitment to play a personal role in helping shape New Mexico's future.

For more information about the program or to download an application, visit www.leadershipnm.org, call Patty Komko, the organization's president, at 505-241-4800, or e-mail leader@leadershipnm.org.


McGraw-Hill Cos. to cut 600 jobs

NEW YORK — McGraw-Hill Cos., a major educational publisher that also owns Standard & Poor's credit ratings agency and BusinessWeek magazine, said Tuesday that it is cutting more than 600 jobs, resulting in a fourth-quarter charge of $43.7 million.

The 611 job cuts will come across the company's divisions and will reduce its after-tax earnings by 8 cents per share, the company said in a statement. About half of the job cuts will come in its education division.

McGraw-Hill attributed the cuts in its financial services division to current business conditions, which were affecting both the credit ratings services and other businesses of Standard & Poor's.


Supervalu shares drop 16 percent

MINNEAPOLIS — Shares of Supervalu, one of the nation's largest grocers, dropped more than 16 percent Tuesday after it suggested financial pressure was hurting its customers and it reduced its full-year guidance.

The sell-off came as the company behind the Cub Foods, Shop 'n Save, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's and Star Market store brands reported its third-quarter profit rose almost 25 percent.

Chairman and chief executive Jeff Noddle said it expects consumer spending will continue to be pressured by inflation, as it was during the third quarter.


Dow falls as oil futures rise

The Dow fell 238.42, or 1.86 percent, to 12,589.07, after ratcheting up and down through the day.

Broader stock indicators also sank. The S&P 500 index dropped 25.99, or 1.84 percent, to 1,390.19, and the Nasdaq, reflecting uneasiness about tech stocks after AT&T's news, declined 58.95, or 2.36 percent, to 2,440.51.

Light, sweet crude for February delivery rose $1.24 to settle at $96.33 a barrel Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Other energy futures also rose Tuesday. February heating oil futures jumped 4.28 cents to settle at $2.6363 while February gasoline futures rose 4.41 cents to settle at $2.4739 a gallon. February natural gas futures rose 8.8 cents to settle at $7.967 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In London, Brent crude for February delivery rose $1.15 to settle at $95.54 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.