Edward Jones receives high marks from SmartMoney Magazine

HUNTINGTON -- The financial services firm Edward Jones was named the No. 2 full-service brokerage firm in the August edition of "SmartMoney" magazine, according to Matt Ward, a financial advisor in Huntington.

The firm placed ahead of six other firms and received high marks in the four categories surveyed by the magazine: stock pricing, customer satisfaction, trust and customer statements. Edward Jones, which ranked No. 1 in 2007 and 2005, received five-star ratings in the quality of its clients statements.

W.Va. opens workers' compensation market

CHARLESTON -- More than 160 companies can begin offering workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia this week.

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. has been the sole provider of workers' compensation insurance since the Legislature abolished the state Workers' Compensation Commission. That changed on Tuesday, when the market will be opened to other insurers.

Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline says 162 companies have filed paperwork with her office to offer workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia.

Talks resume in labor dispute at Greenbrier

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS -- Contract negotiations have resumed between The Greenbrier and its unions with a meeting resort spokeswoman Lynn Swann called productive.

Representatives of the posh White Sulphur Springs resort and the Council of Labor Unions discussed terms for about four hours Monday.

Union negotiator Harold Bock says a proposal will be presented to The Greenbrier July 16 at the next round of talks. A key issue in the dispute involves the amount of work hours that must be completed before health benefits are awarded.