ATLANTA-The locally based power company was among the utilitizes Gov. Gray Davis scolded for overcharging customers. Davis urges the firms to accept lower payments but Mirant officials note the firm is owed $300 million in unpaid bills.

CHICAGO-Kmart would get a $3.7-million loan as part of a tax increment financing deal to help build a 135,000-sf store on 10.74 acres on the east side of Western Avenue between 60th and 61st streets.

SAN FRANCISCO-A comparison of February hotel occupancy rates with the same month last year shows a slowdown in existing Bay Area hotels, but top-tier hotel development here remains brisk.

ORANGE COUNTY-All three sectors of the regional economy--high-tech, tourism and construction--are expected to slow down in the second and third quarters while construction will continue to give the county an economic boost, according to a recently released economic forecast.