By ROBERT RODRIGUEZ, Fresno Bee

Out of cash? No checks?Not a problem for millions nationwide who rely on a debit card to pay for everything from appliances to trips to the zoo.

In a world of supersized food stores, British-based grocer Tesco is banking that smaller is better.The retailer has ambitious plans to build at least 10 Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores in California. Its smaller-format stores average 10,000 square feet, about one-fifth the size of conventional grocery stores.

FRESNO, Calif. -- Supporters are pleased and business groups are worried now that legislation requiring paid sick leave for 6 million California workers has cleared the Assembly.

This summer's teen job market looks grim, with the projected employment rate expected to be the lowest since World War II, according to research.This summer 34.2 percent of teens are expected to work, down from 34.5 percent last year, according to a study by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University in Boston.

For the estimated 6 million California workers without paid sick leave, relief may be on the way.Assembly Member Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, has introduced a bill that would allow California workers to earn paid sick days for everything from personal illness to recovering from domestic violence.

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service struggles to reach people who don't know they qualify for thousands of dollars in tax benefits.Now -- with $168 billion in economic stimulus checks waiting to be delivered -- the stakes are even higher.

The owners of Tempest Technology in Fresno, Calif., always believed their little company could do something big if it got the attention of the mighty Fire Department of New York.Now, they've got it.

California's lowest-paid workers are getting a 50 cents-an-hour raise this year as the state increases the minimum wage to $8, making it among the highest in the nation.

If you've ever overheard a co-worker's loud cell phone conversation, noticed underwear peeking from the tops of his or her pants, or become nauseated watching one talk with a mouthful of

If Santa didn't bring you everything you wanted this year, the tax man may help.