“Abusive conduct” by Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig created the cash crunch that led to the bankruptcy of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team says.

Now the team is requesting that a bankruptcy court order Major League Baseball to turn over documents the Dodgers say will prove the allegations. And if the league is forced to produce the materials, it could cast a harsh light on the New York Mets and other teams struggling ...

A bill that would allow state officials to reject rate increases proposed by health insurers is under intense lobbying pressure as it faces a key committee vote this week.

Groups representing insurers, doctors and hospitals are trying to have the California bill weakened or killed, although for different reasons.

The outcome of the debate has national significance. The sheer scale in the California insurance market, along with the state’s political landscape and national influence, make it ...

U.S. consumer bankruptcies fell 8 percent in the first half of 2011 from the same period last year as households cut debt and the economy recovered, according to data released on Tuesday.

The number of U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings fell to 709,303 in the first six months of 2011 from 770,117 last year, according to a report by the American Bankruptcy Institute.

For June, consumer bankruptcies were down 5 percent at 119,768, from 126,270 a year ago, the data showed.

More of ...

According to Reuters, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service filed for a pre-packaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  The second largest U.S. tax preparer finally reached an agreement with its lenders on how to restructure its debt.  See the whole story at Reuters.

The following tips are detailed by the Bonners Ferry Hearald On Line.  The suggest . . .

• Pay off existing debt
• Get another job
• Carefully consider going into debt
• Don’t cut medical insurance
• Be upfront with your creditors
• Consider debt settlement or consolidation
• File for bankruptcy
• Understand the consequences

Dish Network Corp., purchased Blockbuster in auction.  The failed video rental store is currently in bankruptcy.  Dish paid about $320.6 million for Blockbuster.  Dish plans to use some of the Blockbuster stores to sell Dish subscriptions and doesn’t plan to liquidate the company.

2010 shows business failures tumbled 13% from a year ago.  That’s a welcome bit of good news after three straight annual increases.  Dun & Bradstreet says more than 87,000 businesses failed last year – which is still more than failed in 2006 and 2007 combined.

The numbers should decline further in 2011.  Dun & Bradstreet says business failures — which include but aren’t limited to bankruptcy filings — rise during recessions and fall as growth gains steam.

Still, the signs in the U.S. economy are mixed, if ...

Southlake Aviation LLC which is backed by Texas  millionaire David Disiere filed for bankruptcy protection last week in Texas.

With little explanation of its financial situation, Southlake Aviation LLC sought Chapter 11 protection on March 30, estimating its assets and liabilities were both valued between $50 million and $100 million. The company is based in Irving, Texas.

Once again House members have threatened middle-class America with new legislation that would end HAMP. It is not enough to target their jobs with anti-worker union busting tactics, threats, and violations of the democratic process through late night secret passage of legislation. Now some Republican House members have introduced two bills that President Obama has promised to veto.

Tuesday a judge granted Borders a 90-day extension to determine how many additional stores it will close as it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection.

Borders said in February, that it planned to close 200 stores. It now seeks to close up to 75 more, although the number is likely to be closer to 20 to 25, Borders spokeswoman Mary Davis said.

The Ann Arbor, Mich., company will receive more time to negotiate with landlords, confirmed Borders Attorney David Friedman. The 90-day extension gives ...