Parents and teachers are talking to kids about the country’s economic woes, teaching them the value of a dollar as they try to allay their fears.

A Prime struck the lowest blow in the battle for gas prices on North Montello Street Wednesday,  lowering prices to $2.81 while just a couple blocks away, the newly-opened Prestige Gas station was offering $2.83. Both had lines well into the street. Tuesday, the two stations created a new benchmark by offering gas at $2.87 and $2.85 a gallon.

Caterpillar Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have embarked on a pilot drug program that could revolutionize the prescription drug industry, officials from both companies said Monday.

Weekly auto rail, with a look at the new Corolla, Tip of the Week on your battery and more.

Building Design + Construction Magazine has named Hinsdale and Elgin architecture firm, DLA Architects, Ltd., the 30th largest architecture firm in the United States in the category, “K-12 Schools Design Firms.” To date, DLA Architects has provided comprehensive architectural and planning services for 41 Chicagoland school districts representing 127 elementary schools, 50 middle schools and 48 high schools. Each year, Building Design + Construction Magazine editors survey the country’s largest architecture firms in the nonresidential building industry to create the 2008 Giants 300 Report. DLA Architects has two offices located at 15 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 400, Hinsdale and 462 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. For further information, call (630) 230-0420 or visit www.dla-ltd.com.

Steven Carmichael, manager at Eastern Mountain Sports in Hingham, advises customers to consider whether they will be using their boots for day trips or extended backpacking, and how long they expect them to last.

The continual decline of the dollar is the biggest threat to the U.S. and to oil prices, and a culture of overspending is the heart of the problem within the financial sector of the country. That is according to Dr. Micheal Kurth, professor of economics at McNeese State University.

Thinking about using a debit card to take cash from your 401(k) retirement plan? Be careful: It may trigger shocking fees and deliver tax headaches.

Today's business notes

Legislators in Washington are working to negotiate a bailout for the swooning financial industry. What does the financial turmoil mean to you? How has it affected your life? Here's what experts in a few different areas say.

Gas prices are rising, groceries are getting expensive and the stock market is downright depressing. So whaddya doing with that new iPod?

Do you have any comments on the new VW Tiguan? I know it’s a new downsize SUV for this year.