Spilled ink: While appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Gov. Bobby Jindal told a national audience he’s disappointed by the changes that will reduce print publication of the only daily newspaper in Louisiana’s largest city. Jindal called it “a sad day” when The Times-Picayune announced its decision to cut daily printing to three days a week. You can check out the full transcript of Jindal’s appearance—during most of which he discussed the Affordable Care Act—here.
Man-made: U.S. manufacturing shrank in June for the first time in nearly two years, a troubling sign that the economy is faltering. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, says its index of manufacturing activity fell to 49.7; that’s down from 53.5 in May and the lowest reading since July 2009. Readings below 50 indicate contraction. A measure of new orders fell below 50 for the first since April 2009.
Beyond PCs: Dell announced this morning that it’s buying Quest Software for about $2.36 billion, ending recent speculation about who the unnamed bidder was in the battle for the company with investment firm Insight Venture Partners. With consumer demand for PCs declining, Dell wants to branch out beyond the business of making personal computers into more lucrative fields. Dell is trying to grow into advising corporations and governments on how to manage technology needs and selling them more software and computing equipment. Get the full details on the deal here.
Today’s poll question: During a four-day workweek, do you feel you are as productive as during a regular workweek?
