WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- The Greenbrier's new casion is paying off for its home county and local municipalities.

State Treasurer John Perdue's office says the Tavern Casino generated $121,933 in receipts from table games and slot machines in its first month of operation.

Greenbrier County and White Sulphur Springs got the biggest share of the revenue. The county received $1,298 and White Sulphur Springs received $811.

Lewisburg, Alderson and other municipalities in the county each received $115.

Shareholders OK DirecTV spinoff

Shareholders approved the formation of a new company out of DirecTV Group Inc. and some of Liberty Media Corp.'s entertainment businesses, as the chairman of both firms dampened speculation about a sale to a big phone company.

Media mogul John Malone told The Associated Press that he could see the new DirecTV, the nation's largest satellite TV provider, collaborating more closely with phone companies to offer Internet and phone services that compete with cable TV operators. But he was vague on whether or not he would seek a sale.

Malone also said he hadn't expected to name a new DirecTV CEO who had no experience in the satellite TV business, but he ultimately chose a soft drink executive for his "great leadership capabilities."

On Wednesday, DirecTV chose Michael White, vice chairman of PepsiCo Inc. and CEO of PepsiCo International, to be its chief executive, replacing Chase Carey, who left to be president and chief operating officer of News Corp.

Sears narrows 3Q loss on cost-cutting efforts

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. posted a smaller third-quarter loss Thursday because it cut costs and better matched inventory with falling sales.

The news sent the retailer's stock up $2.80, or 3.7 percent, to $78.57 in premarket trading.

The company led by hedge fund financier Edward Lampert has struggled for years, with shoppers dwindling at its Sears and Kmart stores. But the retailer recently launched a major campaign to win over holiday shoppers -- with measures like its new Christmas Club cash savings card good at Sears and Kmart stores -- and capitalize on last year's successful holiday layaway program.

The owner of Sears and Kmart stores lost $127 million, or $1.09 per share, for the period ended Oct. 31. That compares with a loss of $146 million, or $1.16 per share, a year earlier. Excluding store closing costs and other items, Sears said it lost 81 cents per share.

Severstal Yorkville mill to resume operations

WHEELING, W.Va. -- Severstal Wheeling Inc. says its cold rolling mill in Yorkville, Ohio, is resuming operations in mid-December.

Severstal idled the mill in June and plans to restart it Dec. 13. The company says the number of employees who will be recalled will vary with production demands.

The company says demand for cold rolled and coated steel products is increasing. Restarting the mill will give Severstal North America additional cold rolling capacity and better balance the company's supply and finishing capabilities.

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