Senate leaves United pension relief up in air

WASHINGTON -- United Airlines, in urgent need of pension relief before it can emerge from bankruptcy, learned Tuesday that it will have to wait until next year. The Senate adjourned Tuesday without taking action on a House-approved bill that includes billions of dollars of pension relief for airlines and other companies. A long delay, or rejection, could affect United's plan to come out of bankruptcy by mid-2004.

AT&T Wireless blamed for delays in phone switches

WASHINGTON -- AT&T Wireless, responding to hundreds of complaints that it takes too long to process customer requests to switch to another cell phone company, has improved software that will speed the process, company officials said Tuesday. The FCC received more complaints about AT&T than any other wireless company since customers in the 100 largest metro areas were allowed to switch companies without changing cell numbers.

Brown Shoe ordered to pay in lawsuit

ST. LOUIS -- A jury has ordered Brown Shoe Company Inc. to pay $1 million to a group of Colorado residents after finding the company partly responsible for environmental problems near a former plant. The footwear company said the plaintiffs had sought $380 million.

-- From wire reports