Energy in America

Business Highlights

___ Not very merry: US stocks plunge before Christmas President Donald Trump's attack on the Federal Reserve spooked financial markets on Christmas Eve, raising fears about an uncertain future should the White House try to undermine or remove the head of the U.S. central bank.

Extended jobless benefits in store for natural gas workers

Massachusetts lawmakers approved legislation Monday that would extend state unemployment benefits to about 1,200 natural gas workers who have been locked out in a bitter contract dispute with National Grid since July.

Idaho lab protects US infrastructure from cyber attacks

The United States is rushing to catch up with what cybersecurity experts say are threats to critical infrastructure control systems by hackers to energy pipelines, hydroelectric projects, drinking water systems and nuclear power plants.

Business Highlights

___ A decade-long rally on Wall Street looks like it's ending NEW YORK (AP) — The nearly 10-year stock market rally looks like it's fading after another day of big losses Friday left the U.S. market with its worst week in more than seven years.

Company sues to block order to contain 14-year-old oil leak

The company that has failed to end a 14-year-old oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is suing to challenge a Coast Guard official's order to design and install a new containment system to capture and remove the crude before it forms slicks that often stretch for miles.