Software giant's quarterly profits double

SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp.'s profits more than doubled from a year ago as a new, controversial software licensing plan helped drive sales and insulate the company from the turmoil hitting the technology industry. The software giant also was able to stem losses from investments.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, the Redmond-based software maker had a profit of $2.73 billion, or 50 cents a share, compared to net earnings of $1.28 billion, or 23 cents a share, for the same period a year ago.

The results included one-time charges of $291 million, or 5 cents a share, related to weakness in Microsoft's investments. A year earlier, Microsoft wrote down $1.2 billion on investments.

Free watershed workshop to be held on Nov. 1

A free workshop to help Missouri residents develop sound watershed management plans will be offered Nov. 1 in nine locations across the state, including Cape Girardeau.

The interactive video-conference workshop is designed to inform residents and encourage participation in watershed management activities by using computer-based resources related to sources of water pollution, said Frank Wideman, extension natural resource specialist in Perry County.

The workshop will be at 9 a.m. in Camdenton, Cape Girardeau, Linn, Mexico, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Portageville, Reed Spring and Salem.

The workshop will be held at the Distance Learning Center at Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

Participants will have the opportunity to search for and find information specific to their situation using the Missouri Watershed Informational Network. This is a Web-based information resource developed by quality specialists at the University of Missouri.

Management plans are needed to meet federally mandated requirements called Total Maximum Daily Loads included in the federal Clean Water Act.

For more information or to register, contact Wideman at (573) 547-4504 or by e-mail at widemanf@missouri.edu.

Three airlines post losses in third quarter

Continental, Northwest and America West all posted third-quarter losses, while Southwest -- the only major carrier to record a profit -- warned that its streak of 46 quarters of profitability could come to end soon.

All the major airlines that reported earnings Thursday exceeded the low expectations of Wall Street analysts and their stock prices rose in afternoon trading.

Executives blamed their third-quarter woes on higher fuel costs, reduced spending by business travelers and the anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks.

-- From staff, wire reports