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Student loan servicer fights back as states eye protections

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The nation’s largest servicer of federal student loans has lobbied against states’ efforts to license student loan servicers in Maine and elsewhere this year as it seeks to become the nation’s single servicer of student loans under a plan backed by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. State records reviewed by The Associated Press show that Navient Corp. has reported spending at least $44,000 since January on lobbyists in Washington state, Maine and New York, three states where lawmakers are considering licensing requirements. Lawmakers this year have ...

With tech giants back in charge, stocks hit records again

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple and other big-name technology stocks got back to their winning ways Monday and helped drive U.S. indexes once again to record heights. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 20.31 points, or 0.8 percent, to 2,453.46 and surpassed its old record, set nearly a week ago, by half a percent. The Dow Jones industrial average added 144.71 points, or 0.7 percent, to 21,528.99, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 87.25, or 1.4 percent, to 6,239.01. Tech heavyweights, which had been among the stock market’s biggest stars until recently, led the way. After being up more ...

Columbiana County Property Transfers

Butler Township Marjorie Stryffeler to Dale and Kathleen Stryffeler, home and 3 acres on Buck Road; $77,824. Ricky and Joanne Ferry to Nathaniel and Courtney Baker, home on Slater Road; $375,000. Center Township Sarah Louise LLC to Kristyana Wichert, home on state Route 164; $64,900. Columbiana Charles Pendro to Debra Pendro, condominium on Timberline Drive; $100,000. Belden Properties to Oliver Real Estate Services, home at 316 Union St.; $25,000. Wojtecki Family Trust to Alan and Kathleen Masters, home on Herbster Street; $48,490. William Rhodes Jr. to Kenneth Krisa, ...

Nike to slash 1,400 jobs, cut sneaker styles in shakeup

NEW YORK (AP) — Nike wants to be more nimble on its feet. The sneaker maker said Thursday that it plans to focus on the hottest-selling sneakers, slash the number of styles it offers and sell more shoes directly to customers online as part of a restructuring in which it also will cut about 1,400 jobs. Nike said the moves will help it offer products to customers faster as it is facing increasing competition from smaller brands and premium labels. Another problem: The running and basketball shoes Nike is famous for may be outdated. More people are choosing fashion over function, ...

Columbiana County Property Transfers

Columbiana Ruth Parry, trustee, to Terence and Martha Pickrell, home on Terra Verde Avenue; $250,000. U.S. Bank Trust to Corey Bowker, home at 366 S. Main St.; $12,500 East Liverpool Gregg Stowers to City Hospital Association, home on Monroe Street; $20,000. Judith Heffner to Jason and Lori Wright, home on Michigan Avenue; $79,500. Jennifer McComas to Ralph and Sherry Jordan, home on Garner Avenue; $62,000. James Casto to Sarah and Robert Smith, home on Maine Boulevard; $40,000. County Sheriff (Peter and Margaret Boyd) to Huntington National Bank, home on Lisbon Street; ...

Lowe’s to lay off about 125 workers, move jobs to India

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Home improvement retailer Lowe’s says it’s laying off approximately 125 information technology workers, the third round of job cuts this year. Chief Information Officer Paul Ramsay said in a memo that the affected workers were notified Wednesday. He said the Mooresville, North Carolina-based company has spent the last several years planning a strategic IT workforce team to respond better in what he called “this highly competitive 24/7 retail environment.” Some of the jobs will be relocated to Bangalore, India. Ramsey said Lowe’s will provide a ...