WAR OF THE ROACHES

Roaches were a common topic in inner-city Boston, where Michael LaPaul Freeman grew up with his single mother and his three siblings. The insidious insects were virtually impossible to kill in several of Freeman's childhood homes.

Today, the 48-year-old Lancaster County artist's most promising business deal centers on the reviled bugs of his boyhood.

Freeman has partnered with a Cumberland County marketing firm to produce "The Roach War Chronicles," a 30-minute, 3-D, animated sitcom featuring a gang of mafioso roaches. He and executives from the Triscari Group Inc. will pitch their project to television network executives in the next few weeks.

Although Lower Allen …

S&P lifts BNP Paribas China, Hang Seng China on sovereign upgrade.

(ADPnews) - Dec 17, 2010 - S&P on Thursday upgraded the Chinese units of French BNP Paribas (EPA:BNP) and Hong Kong-based Hang Seng Bank (HKG:0011) to reflect the same action it took on the People's Republic of China.

The two banks now bear long-term ratings of AA-, denoting "very strong" credit quality and matching the enhanced creditworthiness of China, given its commitment to financial stability and lower macroeconomic pressure. Besides, their long-term rating are unlikely to change over the medium term as seen in their "stable" outlooks, which mirror China's outlook.

The banks' short-term ratings were also raised to the …

Nutrition workshop helps with diabetes.(Capital Region)

TROY - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County will hold a nutrition workshop, "Diabetes-Make Carb Counting Work for You," from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8. The workshop will be held at the extension office, 61 State St., on the second floor.

Participants will learn how to count carbohydrates to better control blood …