Economy & Business

The Pennsylvania State Insurance Department says a workers' compensation insurance rate reduction will go into effect next week, saving employers millions of dollars.

The department said the overall 4 percent decrease, which takes effect Monday, could mean as much as $110 million in savings for Pennsylvania employers.

The 4 percent estimate may vary according to a company's claims experience, payroll and other factors, and not all employers will see a decrease.

Insurance Department Spokeswoman Rosanne Placey says there is a positive trend happening in Pennsylvania.

“The keys of success are innovation and entrepreneurship.” François Delattre, French ambassador to the United States, discusses what he’s learned from Pittsburgh when it comes to reinvention after industrial decline and new opportunities for a Franco-American partnership.

Pittsburgh can add the 2014 U.S. Gymnastics Championships to its hosting resume, along with the 2009 G-20 Summit, 2011 Winter Classic, 2012 NHL Draft and 2012 One Young World Conference.  

The gymnastics competition is coming to Pittsburgh for the first time from Aug. 21-24, 2014, at the CONSOL Energy Center. 

Steve Penny, President and CEO of the U.S. Gymnastics organization, said it's not just the newly-constructed arena in Uptown that made Pittsburgh appealing.

If you have the right education or training you may be well positioned for success in this growing job market. Business contributor Rebecca Harris looks at some of the fastest growing occupations.

Check out Rebecca's links for the fastest growing occupations.

  Student loans are now second to mortgages when it comes to personal debt.  The average PA college student amasses $27,500 worth of debt. As college acceptance letters come in the mail, what do students need to consider when planning for their financial future? University of Pittsburgh Business Professor Jay Sukits joins us to talk about student financial planning and debt.

The North Side Leadership Conference (NSLC) and North Shore Community Alliance (NCA) are combining to improve services for North Side residents seeking employment.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has announced the city’s plans to file legal challenges to UPMC’s tax exemptions. We'll get reaction from Karen Shastri, Associate Professor of Business Administration at the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County has an additional $13 million to spend on trying to combat homelessness in the region.  The funds come from a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care grant. 

The county can use the funds to support housing and service programs including safe havens, transitional housing and permanent housing for persons with disabilities. Most of the money will be used to continue programs already being offered by the county, said Allegheny County Homeless Programs Administrator Chuck Keenan.

Local leaders in business and politics highlighted the recent successes of downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) released its annual report for 2012.

For one, Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl said he's happy with several new developments in the Golden Triangle, including a new skyscraper currently being built by PNC Bank and the revamped Market Square. He said some people were skeptical of the Market Square renovation at first.

"Now, they're (angry) that they can't get in for lunch or dinner," Ravenstahl said.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has been on a media blitz since the release of her book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. Our business contributor Rebecca Harris takes a look at the controversy surrounding Sheryl Sandberg. Can all women have it all? Or just the privileged?

Pittsburgh has been on a number of lists praising its livability. However, a new regional study titled Pittsburgh Today & Tomorrow, finds city residents have a number of concerns when it comes to the quality of life. We'll discuss those concerns with Pittsburgh Quarterly publisher Doug Heuck and reporter Jeffery Fraser.

Pittsburgh officials gathered outside Colteryahn Dairy in Carrick on Monday to announce a $50,000 study of redevelopment options for the 1600 block of Brownsville Road.

The four- to six-month study of the so-called "Dairy District" by Desmone Architects is meant to attract private investment, said Stephen Glassman, president of the Design Center, which is funding the research along with the city and the Urban Redevelopment Authority.  

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate in January rose to 8.2 percent and is now at its highest point since October 2010 and Democrats in the state are hoping to use the numbers as political fodder.

The numbers were released Friday afternoon. By Monday morning, Senate Democrats were pointing to the report as all the proof they need to show the Corbett administration’s policies have failed to spur investment and, in turn, job creation.