President Bush and other political leaders scrambled yesterday to distance themselves from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff by giving Abramoff-linked campaign contributions to charity. Among those giving up cash they got from Abramoff or his clients were Rep. Tom DeLay (R., Texas); Rep. Roy Blunt (R., Mo.), his temporary successor; and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R., Tenn.).

The Republican Party in Colorado, which over the past decades has seen a big increase in its Hispanic population, is making a concerted effort to reach out to and recruit Latinos, who historically have tended to vote Democrat.

Increased sales for U.S. retailers in December showed that consumers were more willing to spend their money that month than anticipated.

Forecasting is a fool's game. The economy has enough unpredictable twists and turns to make anyone look stupid. But in the spirit of the New Year, I'm going to give in to temptation and offer up not one, but two predictions: 2006 will be a terrible year for housing. However, it will be a great one for technology.

Hispanics are underrepresented at all levels of the U.S. government despite the fact that they constitute the nation's largest and most rapidly growing minority, two Latino defense groups said last week.

Just as the movie studios are reaching out to diverse markets, home-video marketers are aggressively going after black and Latino audiences.

Last year was a busy one for the New Mexico business community. Tax credits and a robust housing market gave the economy a boost. And venture capitalists appear to have rediscovered the Land of Enchantment.

While the U.S. median age continues to rise, from 35.3 years in 2000, the median age of Hispanics remains the lowest of all groups. Demographers predict faster growth among young Hispanics than among other young ethnic groups for the next decade.

More than 20 percent of Cubans are 65 or older, while a scant 4 percent of Mexicans are in that age bracket. On the other hand, 37 percent of Mexicans and 31 percent of Puerto Ricans are younger than 18.

Hispanic ad spending growth slowed significantly this year, after peaking in 2003.