Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows for the second straight week. The declines have led more homeowners to refinance, a trend that could help jump-start the economy.

An encouraging report on the labor market and better sales from Costco and other retail stores helped push the stock market higher Thursday.

At the Democratic National Convention, Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal provided his endorsement of President Obama. The administration may have felt the need to bring in a heavy gun from the corporate world to respond to Republican attacks targeted at Mr. Obama's "you didn't build it" speech.

Police were called to a Costco store in a Los Angeles suburb after comedian Joan Rivers handcuffed herself to a shopping cart to protest the store, which is not selling her latest book.

Ryan Homes is building 292 town homes and condominiums at the Villages at Dakota Crossing in Washington, D.C., located on Fort Lincoln Drive Northeast.

Mayor Gray still has head above the scandalous waters of a public corruption probe, but time will soon tell whether the jobs programs he has in place will actually deliver what people want: a J-O-B.
Shoppers, worried about jobs and the economy, pulled back on spending in June, slowing down sales for many retailers. And that could leave merchants on edge in the coming week, wondering if Americans will spend more once the back-to-school season starts in late July.

Shoppers, worried about jobs and the overall economy, pulled back on spending in June, resulting in tepid sales for many retailers.

Score one for Costco, but there's push back from Ward 5 on the District's streetcar project.