COSHOCTON - Though things could be better, it could have been worse as the Coshocton Port Authority prepares to close out 2007.

When Executive Director T.J. Justice took the helm in February, a $52,000 deficit was predicted for the end of the year; however, Todd Mizer, fiscal officer, told the Coshocton Port Authority Board at its regular meeting Thursday night that things won't be quite that bad.

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Meta Financial Group, Inc. (R) Increases Reported Earnings for First, Second, and Third Quarters of Fiscal Year 2007

STORM LAKE, Iowa, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Meta Financial Group, (Nachrichten) Inc. (the "Company") reported today that the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors has determined to restate its earnings results for the first three quarters of Fiscal Year 2007. First, earnings increased for each of the three quarters for fee income which was not properly recognized on a portfolio of prepaid gift cards. In addition, on November 14, 2007, the Company was informed by its independent accountants that, as a result of their consultation with their regulatory authorities, an additional loan loss provision recorded in the quarter ending December 31, 2006 should be recorded in the previous quarter ending September 30, 2006. In total, Fiscal Year 2007 year-to-date net income through June 30, 2007 increased by $834,000, or $0.33 per diluted share, from a loss of $239,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, to net income of $595,000, or $0.23 per diluted share.

Boycott by media ends

NEWS agencies around the world have ended a boycott of Australian cricket after striking an agreement with the governing body allowing their photographers and reporters to cover matches.

The boycott, which blacked out agency coverage of last week's first Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane, would be lifted immediately, the agencies said in a statement issued by a coalition of media groups opposed to the restrictions.

NYSE to Suspend Trading in TOUSA Securities; Company to Appeal the Decision

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Nov. 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TOUSA, Inc. announced today that NYSE Regulation Inc. (``NYSE Regulation'') informed the Company that its common stock and debt securities will be suspended on Monday, November 19, 2007 prior to market open. The Company is currently making arrangements for its common stock and debt securities to be traded on alternate markets.

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Peer review: Stafford loan is best bet

Q I am attending graduate school and need to apply for a student loan this year to help pay for the costs. I've received a list of student-loan providers from my school. I'm trying to decide whether a fixed or variable interest rate is best. My mom is pushing the fixed rate -- is that almost always best in these changing times?SARA (25) WOODBURYA You raise an issue that a lot of students are seeing these days regarding fixed and variable rates on student loans. The first loan I recommend you consider is the Stafford loan (sometimes called a FFEL loan). This is a federal program that allows you to borrow up to $20,500 per year as a graduate student. The loans have a fixed rate of 6.8 percent and will likely be easier to get than student loans from private lenders. The rates on the private loans, whether fixed or variable, likely will be higher than the Stafford.