NuStar To Expand Propane Distribution Network; Jobs Story Worse Than Reports; Roombas -- May 20, 2015

I remember all the stories of seasonal shortages of propane in the Midwest when I first started blogging. Biz Journal is reporting that NuStar will soon expand its propane distribution network to two key states, Iowa and Kansas.

San Antonio-based NuStar announced on Tuesday that it is pursuing a strategic alliance with Minnesota-based agribusiness giant CHS Inc.

Under the deal, NuStar will develop an expanded pipeline and terminal network that will increase supply of propane to meet product demand in the Upper Midwest.

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Haven't We Been Talking About This ... Like, Forever?
"The unemployed are dropping like flies" -- CNBC

CNBC is reporting:

At a time when 8.5 million Americans still don't have jobs, some 40 percent have given up even looking.  

The revelation, contained in a new survey Wednesday showing how much work needs to be done yet in the U.S. labor market, comes as the labor force participation rate remains mired near 37-year lows.

Duration matters: The longer someone was out of work, the more likely it is that they've quit looking.

Of the total, 55 percent who were unemployed for more than two years fell into the category; 32 percent of those idle for 13 to 24 months and 34 percent out for seven to 12 months had quit as well. Just 21 percent out for three months or less had stopped looking.

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Roombas?

I did not know what a Roomba was until recently. I probably knew at one time, and then forgot. Our 10-month-old granddaughter was the "Roomba" up until very recently.

 Roombas are those robotic vacuum cleaners. Before my son-in-law got (his first) Roomba, Sophia was seen to lay down on the floor and literally "inhale" the cheerios, crumbs, and other sorted snacks that had fallen on the floor from earlier in the day. (The family needs a dog.) It was "that event" that stirred (spurred? This is Texas) our son-in-law into buying a Roomba, saying that "Sophia is not a Roomba."

He is so impressed with the Roomba, he bought a second one for upstairs.

Roomba.