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Today’s headlines
Swimming in success
Wet Seal's CEO is a perfect fit for the tough clothing industry.

Home permit filings pile up
The backlog weighs down county offices, as builders rushed to file applications before new statewide building codes went into effect.

Bargain hunters prop up Dow, but doubts persist
NEW YORK -- Blue chip stocks rose Wednesday -- giving the Dow Jones industrials their first two-day advance in nearly a month -- as investors again searched for bargains after weeks of declines. But tech stocks were left behind, falling in response to two disappointing economic reports.

Groups: Put a stop to Mexican trucks
While citing pollution concerns, labor leaders also fear lost jobs.

Business digest
MANUFACTURING GROWTH SLOWS: Manufacturing activity growth slowed in April, an industry group reported, suggesting an economic recovery that roared out of the starting gate may be losing a bit of steam. The Institute for Supply Management said its index of business activity dipped to 53.9 in April from a revised 55.6 percent in March. Analysts had been expecting a reading of 55.0. An index number over 50 signifies growth.