TUCSON
Home-sales price down in October, but sales up
The average sale price for homes in Tucson dropped in October to $175,850. The average sale price in September was $182,041.
But sales of homes increased more than 14 percent in that same period, monthly statistics from the Tucson Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service show.
The October median sale price dipped 1.35 percent from September but is up 19 percent from October 2011.
Active listings increased from 3,845 in September to 4,195 in October, and average days on the market were 49.
Gabriela Rico
Raytheon furloughs 30 at Ark. missile plant
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Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems has furloughed about 30 employees at its missile plant in Camden, Ark.
The furlough does not affect the company's Tucson operations, Raytheon spokesman John Patterson said.
"To better align our workforce to meet current and future business requirements, and achieve the right mix of talent to remain competitive in the marketplace, Raytheon Missile Systems is furloughing approximately 30 employees at the company's Camden, Arkansas, facility," Patterson said in a written statement. "During the furlough, affected employees will be eligible to continue medical, dental and vision coverage."
Raytheon did not say how long the furloughs will last.
David Wichner
ARIZONA
5 of 30 pharmacies had cold-, flu-med overcharges
A recent test of the accuracy of cold and flu medicine prices in Arizona found that five of 30 pharmacies that were inspected had at least one overcharge.
The Arizona Department of Weights and Measures said its inspections of pharmacies between August and late September found that the advertised price may not always be the price that's charged at the cash register.
The agency said it also found instances in which the stores were undercharging customers.
The Associated Press
NATION
Energy group: US will be largest oil producer by '20
The United States will become the world's largest oil producer by around 2020, temporarily overtaking Saudi Arabia, as new exploration technologies find more resources, the International Energy Agency forecast on Monday.
In its World Energy Outlook, the energy watchdog also predicted that greater oil and natural gas production - thanks partly to a boom in shale gas output - as well as more efficient use of energy will allow the U.S., which now imports about 20 percent of its energy needs, to become nearly self-sufficient around 2035.
That is "a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy-importing countries," the Paris-based IEA said. "Energy developments in the United States are profound, and their effect will be felt well beyond North America - and the energy sector."
Sherwin-Williams to buy Mexican firm
Sherwin-Williams is buying the privately held Mexican paint company Consorcio Comex in an all-cash deal valued at about $2.34 billion. Consorcio had $1.4 billion in sales last year.
WORLD
Japan economy shrinks
TOKYO - Japan's economy contracted in the latest quarter, signaling it may be in recession. On an annualized basis, the world's No. 3 economy shrank 3.5 percent in the July-September quarter, Japan reported Monday.
The Associated Press