Exclusive! Big money backs McCain in S.C. - Arizona senator lines up impressive list of 2008 finance committee

U.S. Sen. John McCain has locked up nearly every major Republican donor in South Carolina to lead his 2008 finance committee, including some of the top names of President Bush's 2000 campaign.

With just a year to go before S.C. Republicans cast their ballots for the party's presidential nominee, McCain has built a formidable team. It includes Bob Royall, Bush's finance chairman from his 2000 Palmetto State campaign, as well as top Bush fundraisers Florence surgeon Eddie Floyd, Midlands venture capitalist Larry Wilson and Bill Stern, chairman of the State Ports Authority and finance chairman of Gov. Mark Sanford's recent re-election campaign.

From steel to tech to finance, Northwest companies shine

From heavy industry to high technology, Oregon's largest companies popped the cork on a good year for stock prices in 2006.

Oregon Steel Mills Inc., Mentor Graphics Corp., Rentrak Corp., Cascade Bancorp and PW Eagle Inc. led the pack, each with gains of 68 percent or more. With a few exceptions, Northwest stocks smiled on investors in all sectors.

Macon finance chief to look at fundraising regulations

Macon City Council members asked the city finance director Thursday to develop a policy to keep track of money employees collect at work for city-related fundraisers.

From sales of baked goods or plates of chicken dinners to the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department's annual Pink Pancake Breakfast held during the Cherry Blossom Festival, three city departments last year brought in a total of at least $60,000, according to a Finance Department survey. Most of that money was raised by the fire department.