Obama hosts labor leaders, will undo Bush orders

President Barack Obama, reaching out to the working and middle classes as he seeks to revive the economy, is reversing a number of George W. Bush's executive orders that critics regard as bad for labor unions.

Labor leaders were to visit the White House for a second consecutive day Friday, where, a union official said, Obama was to abolish four of his predecessor's directives that unions opposed and then reintroduce Vice President Joe Biden's task force focused on the middle class.

Both were meant as a way for the new administration to connect with workers at the end of a week that has seen U.S. companies announce thousands more jobs cuts.

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Road runners set to flock for eagle aid

Running is for the birds, at least as far as the EagleFoundation is concerned. The nonprofit organization that buys landfor bald eagle roosts is planning to take off with its annualmarathon tomorrow.

A 26-mile run will start at 8 a.m. from the preserve nearCassville, Wis., along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Therewill also be a 10K at 9 a.m. and a 5K fun run at 2 p.m. The fee is$8. From Chicago, take Interstate-90 to the U.S. 20 bypass atRockford, ride U.S. 20 to East Dubuque, then head up U.S. 61-35 northto Wisconsin 133 to Cassville. (815-594-2259)

PINSTRIPE TYPES: Corporate types who shed pinstripes forracestripes will hold the indoor U.S. Corporate …

Mark Martin Leaving Roush for MB2

TALLADEGA, Ala. - Mark Martin will leave Roush Racing at the end of this season to drive a partial NASCAR Nextel Cup schedule for MB2 Racing, The Associated Press learned Thursday night.

Team owner Jack Roush, who has fielded a Ford for Martin in NASCAR's top series since 1988, will make the announcement Friday morning at Talladega Superspeedway, according to a source who asked that he not be identified because all details of the deal have not been finalized.

MB2 general manager Jay Frye has scheduled a press conference for later Friday morning at the Talladega track, where the Cup cars will race Sunday.

Martin will share the ride in the No. 01 Chevrolet with …

Petroleum Development names James Trimble to board

Oil and gas company Petroleum Development Corp. said Friday it appointed James Trimble to its board of directors, effective Sept. 12.

The appointment raised the number of board members to nine …

Rental franchise `Rolls' out fleet of luxury automobiles

ATLANTA Renting a sports car is going in style; renting aRolls-Royce is wallowing in it.

Such an opportunity for opulence now is available in Atlanta,where the local Budget Rent-A-Car - yes, Budget - recently unveiled afleet of exotic automobiles for rent.

There's a Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Ferrari plus a stable ofMercedes, Porsches, BMWs and Corvettes for those who have enjoyedlooking but were too afraid - or poor - to touch.

"The idea of renting prestige and classic cars came from ourcustomers," said Roger Gelder, president of Budget's franchise inmetropolitan Atlanta. "They would stand at our office and watch therush-hour parade of Mercedes, BMWs, …

Twenty years on the air

When I arrived at The Weather Channel (TWC) in the fall of 1982, a mere 6 months after startup, everything was new. As with any company that is new, the earliest days were full of experimentation, creativity, and most of all excitement. The on-air presentations were spontaneous and often entertaining in a very diverse way, as the station searched for the consistent look that has become its stock in trade. Of course, any time you have more than one meteorologist together in a room you automatically have excitement and enthusiasm about the weather. When these two elements came together in the same place at the same time with active weather, the atmosphere was lively indeed. Holidays …

Continental Airlines to receive $413 million for extended credit card deal with Chase

Continental Airlines Inc. said Thursday it will get a $413 million initial payment under its cobranded credit card deal with Chase Bank USA, adding to the carrier's cash cushion as it prepares to book severance and other charges in the coming months.

The agreement with Chase extends the credit card deal through the end of 2016, Houston-based Continental said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Of the initial payment, $235 million covers the advance purchase of frequent flyer mileage credits.

Continental said it expects to have between $3.2 billion and $3.3 billion on hand at the end of the second quarter.

Including fuel taxes …