BRIEFCASE BUSINESS GROUP TO HOLD FREE FAIR.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

NORTHRIDGE - The West Valley Black Chamber of Commerce will set up shop for its Community Economic Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held in the California State University, Northridge, off-site parking lot at the corner of Lassen Street and Lindley Avenue, the event is free to the public.

The chamber will offer seminars on home buying, taxes, incorporation and scholarships, as well as networking opportunities, free medical exams and entertainment.

Univision garners doubled earnings

Spanish-language media conglomerate Univision Communications Inc. said Thursday that strong sales and viewership for its television networks helped more than double its earnings in the third quarter.

The Los Angeles-based broadcaster said its net income was $42.2 million, or 16 cents a share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared with $20.3 million, or 8 cents per share, in the same period last year. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had been expecting that Univision would earn 13 cents per share for the quarter.

NBC hopes to end Paxson alliance

NEW YORK - NBC, fresh from a blockbuster deal to merge with Universal, is seeking to unwind an earlier partnership with Paxson Communications Corp., owner of the family-friendly Pax network.

NBC notified the West Palm Beach, Fla.-based broadcaster Thursday that it wanted the company to buy out its 32 percent stake in Paxson, which it acquired in 1999 for $415 million. The stake, with interest, is now worth $549.2 million, Paxson says.

NBC and Paxson have been at odds over their partnership for several years.

McDonald's has big 'McKids' plans

DES MOINES, Iowa - If you think that McKids are youngsters munching on Happy Meals, think again.

McDonald's Corp. plans to put ``McKids,'' a word it owns, on a slew of products - from toys to apparel to interactive DVDs - as part of a broad new marketing initiative to make the fast-food giant's presence even more ubiquitous.

The effort significantly expands a long-standing but limited merchandising program that featured a line of McKids children's clothing sold only at Wal-Mart stores, along with some toys and games available through various retailers.