Regulators on Friday shut down two big California banks, as well as banks in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Illinois, bringing to 140 the number of U.S. banks brought down this year by the weak economy and mounting loan defaults.

A federal jury in Texas on Friday ordered BP Plc to pay $100 million to 10 workers who were sickened by a 2007 chemical release at its Texas City refinery.

Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal is supporting a Texas company’s proposal to build a major plant for turning coal into gasoline.

Santa came early for Wall Street this year by delivering a 22 percent return for 2009, and with just a handful of trading days to go, stock investors aren’t expecting to find much more under the tree.

The Montana Land Board is to vote Monday on whether to put up for lease a half-billion-ton coal reserve near the Wyoming border — a politically charged decision for Gov. Brian Schweitzer and the four other Democrats who make up the panel.

Those who lament the scant rates on their savings may want to review where they stand. Here is a quick look at low-risk options and some of the pluses and minuses of stashing your cash in each:

More write-downs for Euro banks

The Department of Interior has suspended Kforce Government Solutions from any new or renewed business with the federal government, the company said Friday.

In a reversal of earlier gains, more states lost jobs than added them in November, signaling that hiring is occurring only sporadically around the country.

Spain stands out in Europe’s recession as it battles an especially nasty housing downturn and soaring unemployment.