WARNING: This page contains HUGE Deathly Hallows PLOT SPOILERS! Proceed only if you have completed the book!

J.K. Rowling: I'm here and I can't wait! Bring on the questions!

Leaky Cauldron: What, if anything, did the wizarding world learn, and how did society change, as a direct result of the war with voldemort? (i.E., not as a result of harry, ron and hermione's future careers.)
J.K. Rowling: The Ministry of Magic was de-corrupted, and with Kingsley at the helm the discrimination that was always latent there was eradicated. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny et al would of course play a significant part in the re-building of wizarding society through their future careers.

Ryan Love: From your fans at thesnitch.Co.Uk. Weren't we supposed to see ginny display powerful magical abilities in "deathly hallows" and find out why it's significant that she's the seventh child? Was her main role in the books only to be harry's love interest?
J.K.

Transcript of JK Rowling web chat

Earlier this morning Harry Potter author JK Rowling participated in a web chat with fans on the Bloomsbury web site. In the chat JK answered questions about the Deathly Hallows book, gave spoilers for those who haven't read the book and told all to keep an eye on her web site for answers to questions in due course. Over 120,000 questions were submitted so she could only answer some in the 90 minute chat.

J.K. Rowling: The Ministry of Magic was de-corrupted, and with Kingsley at the helm the discrimination that was always latent there was eradicated.

Beware: Alleged DOT fax is scam

Dear Action Line: Our construction company received this official-looking fax from the U.S. Department of Transportation demanding we fill out a "financial information release form" in order to "remain eligible for procurements with the DOT." It seeks our bank routing and account numbers and we find it highly unusual for the agency to seek information in this manner. Is it some kind of scam? -- L.T., Tulsa.

Yes. Recently, the consumer protection divisions of many states' attorneys general offices have received inquiries from business owners who received similar faxes -- supposedly from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The faxes demand important banking information that would allow the faxer access to company bank accounts. These appear to be bogus faxes and all target construction and construction-supply businesses that would have reason to respond to such a request.

Horizon Offshore Reports Second Quarter Results, Provides Update On Proposed Merger and Revises Full Year 2007 ...

HOUSTON, Aug. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Horizon Offshore, Inc. (NasdaqGM:HOFF - News) today reported second quarter 2007 results.

The Company's results for the second quarter of 2007 were negatively impacted by adverse conditions and project performance related issues on two significant projects in its Latin America geographic segment for Petroleos Mexicanos (``Pemex'') offshore Mexico. The Company expects to complete these projects during the third quarter of 2007. The Company's operating results for the second quarter of 2007 were negatively impacted by the combined effect of the factors described below (dollars in millions).

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Local Hope for Manufacturing Jobs

Will we make it? Leaders talked up Rochester manufacturing Wednesday.

Only Ohio and Michigan have lost more manufacturing jobs than New York in the past year, according to new labor stats.

Business owners continue to call out high taxes, insurance rates and government regulations as deal killers for business in the empire state.

Some at a roundtable still believe there's good news to spread about manufacturing here.

"We constantly hear about the loss of jobs but in select sectors and pockets you are seeing actually a demand for jobs, a skilled shortage especially in some of the trade areas, so there does continue to be jobs available in the manufacturing sector," said Chris Wiest, Vice President, RBA.

Lawmakers say the 2006-2007 state budget provides $150 million in targeted tax relief for manufacturers and high-tech companies

ajl/amy

Rochester Business Alliance
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Runnin' Utes Win Thriller in Australian Opener, 97-96

PERTH, Australia - After 29 hours of travel over the previous two days, the new-look University of Utah men's basketball team finally had a chance to apply what it had learned during the 10 days of practice conducted prior to the team's trip to Australia. Despite foul trouble and having to adjust to a slightly different set of playing rules, the Runnin' Utes came away with a hard-fought, 97-96 win over the Perth Wildcats in the opening game of the team's foreign tour.

Stephen Weigh led the team with 32 points (including eight-of-12 from three-point range) and 9 rebounds. Playing in front of a large contingent of family and friends, Perth native Luke Nevill added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Nevill was introduced before the game to a chorus of cheers. After only putting up three points and two rebounds in the first half, Nevill came on strong down the stretch to help the team overcome a double-digit deficit.