NewsFeeds 11.30.09

Va. to borrow $1.26 billion for depleted unemployment funds (Virginian-Pilot)
As Virginia wrestles with ways to replenish its depleted fund for unemployment benefits, Hampton Roads employers expressed concern about the impact that higher unemployment taxes could have on the health of their businesses.

Auto parts retail competition revs up (Roanoke Times)
Advance Auto Parts faces a challenge for the No. 2 spot in the parts-retailing industry from a Missouri chain that is big in the Midwest and expanding to the Mid-Atlantic, including Southwest Virginia.

Shoppers Showed Up, but Spent on Bargains (NY Times)
More consumers flooded the nation’s stores on Thanksgiving weekend in search of bargains. But with retailers dangling rock-bottom prices and consumers only biting at less expensive merchandise like small appliances and winter clothes, the average amount spent by each shopper declined from last year.

Unemployed U.S.-born workers seek day-labor jobs (USA Today)
Growing ranks of U.S. citizens are heading to street corners and home improvement store parking lots to find day-labor work usually done by illegal immigrants.

How to Protect Your Brilliant Idea (WSJ)
Safeguarding your company’s intellectual property through patents, trademarks or copyrights will allow you to seek damages, a big deterrent to imitators. Here’s a brief overview of all three types of protection.

Time to Start Hiring? (Business Week)
As the economy resets, companies must realign employee skill sets with the corporate mission. It’s already time to sift top-tier resumes