NEW YORK
Murdoch: Satellite merger no threat
News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch said last week that U.S. regulators would find it difficult to reject a merger of his DirecTV Group Inc. and rival satellite television provider Echo Star Communications Corp., based in Douglas County.
The union of the two largest U.S. satellite operators would pose less of a threat to competition than in the past because consumers have more ways to get news and entertainment, Murdoch said in an interview on “The Charlie Rose Show.”
“There are so many alternatives, ways of getting pictures and information,” Murdoch said. “I think it would be much harder for the government to turn it down.” Murdoch, 75, didn’t say whether News Corp. or DirecTV is in talks to buy the smaller EchoStar, or whether he wants to bid for it.
DENVER
Deadline set for bid to move Nacchio trial
A judge set an end-of-the month deadline on Friday for Joe Nacchio to submit an expected motion seeking to move his insider-trading trial from Denver, saying the former Qwest chief’s attorneys have had ample time to research the issue.
U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham gave Nacchio’s attorneys until July 31 to submit the motion and prosecutors until Aug. 18 to submit a response.
DENVER
Hotel occupancy rates climb statewide
Hotel occupancy rates and average room rates continued to climb statewide in June, compared with the same month last year, but occupancy rates in metro Denver were flat, according to the latest Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, released Friday.
For Colorado, average hotel occupancy rates in June rose by 1.9 percentage points, to 72.5 percent. Average room rates increased by $8.41, to $108.82. In metro Denver, occupancy rates were basically flat compared with June 2005, at 77.9 percent. Average room rates showed strong growth, up $11.49, to $103.48.
DENVER
Unemployment rate stays at 4.5% in June
Colorado’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent in June as new medical and education jobs were offset by losses in tourism, government and the financial sector, state economists said Friday.
Overall job growth in the state has ebbed since January, reflecting the slowing national economy, said Rick Grice, executive director of the Colorado labor department.
Most of the jobs created in the past year have been in professional and business services, trade, transportation, utilities, and construction, Grice said.
The natural-resources and mining sector has been the fastest-growing of the 11 industry sectors, up 15.8 percent to 19,800 jobs since June 2005.
The June unemployment rate compared with 5.1 percent in June 2005 and the national rate of 4.6 percent last month.
CODY, Wyo.
Some businesses fear Hells Angels event
Gail Nace can’t help but smile, talking about Hells Angels and the business bikers will bring her downtown bar when they ride into town this week for a major gathering.
But Hells Angels, with its outlaw image, isn’t just bikers, and not everyone is rolling out the welcome mat.
At least one business plans to close while the bikers are in town Wednesday through Sunday, and some business owners are nervous or taking special precautions.
There are concerns, too, that either Hells Angels or the beefed-up law-enforcement contingent planned for the group’s World Run will scare off tourists during the height of Cody’s tourism season.
