Casinos build for future in the desert

Rooms at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage are booked up and business is looking good. Rooms were sold out at the new hotel in April and May sales are through the roof, officials say.

"It's been a good couple of weeks," General Manager Scott Cooper said. "It's looking good for May and we're booking into June."

Controlling economic spin's downward spiral

Political officials, economists and the media should stick to the facts in discussing the economy. The talk since the subprime mortgage meltdown last year has been about recession. And the "R word" affects the decisions that consumers, businesses and investors make.

Home chain to close five Inland stores

Linens 'n Things, the national home furnishings retailer, will close five of its eight Inland Empire locations.

Stores at Chino Spectrum Marketplace II, Corona Hills Plaza, Montclair Plaza, Hunters Ridge Town Center in Fontana and Canyon Springs Parkway in Riverside will all close by August, said Rich Tauberman, spokesman for the Clifton, N.J.-based chain.