Michigan firm grows from car ads to movies

Southfield --This summer, after the streets of Detroit wrapped up moonlighting as New Orleans for the murder mystery flick "Little Murder," surreptitious nighttime deliveries were made at a nondescript Southfield office building just off Northwestern Highway. - 11/21/2009

• On the set of 'Little Murder:' How Detroit landed starring film role

Baby Boomers boost tour bus business

Tour bus business is booming as the first wave of baby boomers retire and increasingly choose motor coaches as a means of travel. - 11/21/2009

U-M economists forecast no employment growth until 2011

By the time Michigan begins to pull out of this economic downturn, the state will have lost nearly 1 million jobs. That's the grim assessment in an annual forecast from the University of Michigan's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics. - 11/21/2009

Business briefs

Detroit -- The chief federal judge in Detroit denied bond Friday to a Chinese citizen accused of stealing up to $32 million worth of Ford Motor Co. engineering plans. On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Randon agreed to release Xiang Dong Yu on a $100,000 bond with an electronic tether. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Cathleen Corken appealed that ruling to Chief U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen, arguing the former Ford product engineer is a flight risk. - 11/21/2009

Bloomfield Hills developer fills retail gap

As shopping centers nationwide grapple with empty storefronts left behind by bankrupt clothing chain Steve & Barry's, a local developer is plugging holes with a new retail concept that's growing in a tough economy. - 11/20/2009

Associated Press lays off 90

The Associated Press this week laid off 90 news employees nationwide, including three in Michigan, where it closed its one-person Grand Rapids bureau. - 11/20/2009

Business briefs

Washington -- The war of words between Michigan Rep. Gary Peters and Arizona Sen. John McCain over Chrysler Group 's future continued Thursday, when Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, fired back at the 2008 Republican presidential nominee over his contention that no "objective" observer believes Chrysler will survive and urged McCain to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. - 11/20/2009

Stocks decline in early trading as dollar rises

New York -- Stocks fell in early morning trading Friday as the dollar continued to strengthen, and after a week of mixed economic reports. - 11/20/2009

GE hiring for Van Buren tech center

General Electric has appointed Vic Bhagat as site leader for its new high-tech center in Van Buren Township and plans to hire 80 engineers and information technologists by the close of 2009. - 11/19/2009

Detroit DDA to buy $1.75M Capitol Park building

In another move to redevelop downtown Detroit's Capitol Park area, the city's Downtown Development Authority agreed to buy a $1.75 million building there Thursday. - 11/19/2009

Executive's departure blow to Greektown Casino

Detroit --Greektown Casino-Hotel's chief marketing executive left her post this week after deciding to withdraw an application for licensure by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. - 11/19/2009

Michigan jobless rate falls slightly

The total number of Michiganians with jobs increased for the first time since the recession began, pushing the October state unemployment rate down from 15.3 percent to 15.1 percent. - 11/19/2009

Stocks decline in early morning trading

New York -- Stocks are falling in early morning trading following the lead of overseas markets and as the dollar strengthened. - 11/19/2009

Foreclosures hitting more people with prime loans

Washington -- A rising proportion of fixed-rate home loans made to people with good credit are sinking into foreclosure, adding to concerns about the strength of the economic recovery. - 11/19/2009

Small business spotlight: Economy redefines law firm's focus

It's Business 101: When a practice area of your law firm suddenly becomes its sole focus, it's time to revise your business plan. That is exactly what Ken Gross and law firm Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett PC have done in light of the state and national economic crisis. - 11/19/2009

Business Insider

Ilitch Thanksgiving parade float celebrates Detroit

Ilitch Holdings Inc. will make its debut this year at America's Thanksgiving Parade wheeling a float piled high with downtown buildings. - 11/19/2009

Sears narrows 3Q loss on cost-cutting efforts

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. posted a smaller third-quarter loss Thursday, combating customers' continued desire to spend money elsewhere with tighter inventory management and cost control efforts. - 11/19/2009