Last year was a rough one for Directed Electronics, the maker of Polk audio speakers, Viper car alarms and Sirius satellite radio receivers. The Vista-based company's stock price tumbled 84 percent.

MEXICO CITY – Mexican auto unions are taking a cue from U.S. labor leaders by offering two-tier hiring schemes and salary cuts that bring already-low wages down to near-Chinese levels.

When the Kingston Village apartment complex in Coronado toyed with the idea of installing solar panels on the roofs of its seven carports last year, San Diego Gas & Electric dissuaded it for a curious reason. The utility said the project would generate too much power.

There are plenty of reasons to encourage a teenager to take a summer job. It builds responsibility, provides a glimpse into the work world, develops credentials for the next job and, of course, produces some spending money. But if you are after serious money for college, there may be a better way.