Sign of spending: The number of people who travel for Christmas and New Year’s is expected to increase by 3.8%, according to AAA. About 88.7 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. That’s the biggest travel increase for any holiday in 2009. The number of people who will travel by car is expected to go up by 4.4%, to 77.7 million, while airline travelers is expected to post a 2.9% increase to 4.2 million. In 2008, Christmas and New Year’s travel fell by 4.7%. AAA says the increased activity is another sign people are feeling better about their personal financial situation.
Lee in the clear: Dan Lee, the former chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, has been cleared by the Missouri Highway Patrol of violating state regulations when he confronted a St. Louis County councilman last month. Lee told a council member who voted in favor of allowing another company to build a casino complex in the county that, “he just made the worst move in his political career.” Lee, who apologized and stepped down as head of Pinnacle shortly after the outburst, says he was pleased the investigation showed no wrongdoing.
