BBB is target of e-mail scam
Thousands of businesses in the U.S. and Canada have received phony e-mails claiming to be from the Better Business Bureau, the Washington Post reported. The e-mails have a false return address of operations@bbb.org and a hyperlink citing a BBB complaint case number (DOCUMENTS FOR CASE #263621205, for example). The link downloads an executable file believed to be a virus. The BBB said recipients should delete the message immediately without clicking on any links.

Spectrum looks to sell garden business
Spectrum Brands, makers of Spectracide, Schultz and Garden Safe products, plans to sell its home and garden business. The company made the announcement with the release of its 1Q 2007 financial results. Spectrum Brands president and CEO David Jones said proceeds from the sale will be used to reduce outstanding debt and allow the company to focus on strengthening remaining businesses. Spectrum's home and garden division employs 400 people in the St. Louis area.

Home Depot could ditch wholesale business
Home Depot would like to sell, spin off or pursue an initial public offering of HD Supply, the company's wholesale distribution business. HD Supply has nearly 1,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada, which serve construction and maintenance supply industries. Home Depot Landscape Supply, a landscape distribution division, is a separate entity and would not be part of any deal. "We are undertaking this action today because of our desire to increase our focus on our retail business," Home Depot chairman and CEO Frank Blake said in a statement.

Pesky deer come under fire
Some towns and cities are permitting deer hunting within their borders, according to a report in USA Today. Authorities hope thinning out the deer population will reduce traffic collisions and ease conflicts between animals and humans. In most cases, hunters can only use bows and arrows within city limits. Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio have coordinated bow hunts or are considering them. Some animal-rights proponents disagree with the strategy. A representative of the Humane Society of the U.S. told the paper reflectors or fencing can prevent traffic accidents and repellents can keep deer away from home landscapes.

American workers become less literate
More workers will have minimal reading skills in 2030 than today, according to a report in The Christian Science Monitor. The article cites a new report from the Educational Testing Service showing downward trends in reading and math skills. What's causing the slip? Most baby boomers are retiring and a wave of less-educated immigrants will be entering the workforce. "I hope it's viewed as an important warning sign," ETS president Kurt Landgraf told the paper. "It's important for society to take notice of what's going on here in a macro way."

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