BRIEFCASE JAKKS CUDDLES UP WITH HELLO KITTY.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

MALIBU - Jakks Pacific Inc. announced Thursday that it has signed a new long-term agreement with Sanrio that increases the number of Hello Kitty brand product categories available for use by the Malibu company.

The new licensing agreement includes Tongue Tape candy, TV Games, slumber bags and select sporting goods, including kites, sports balls and foam pool toys.

Jakks Pacific's Flying Colors division currently produces arts and crafts activity kits, fashion accessory kits, cosmetics play sets, plush puppets and other products based on the Hello Kitty property.

Jakks Pacific expects to begin shipping the new Hello Kitty products in June to Toys 'R' Us, Kay Bee Toys, Target and other retail locations nationwide.

Delta giving away SkyMiles bonuses

Delta Air Lines announced Thursday it is offering its SkyMiles members triple miles for paid nonstop travel between Atlanta Hartsfield International and three Southern California airports.

The offer applies to Los Angeles International, Ontario International and John Wayne Airport in Orange County from May 1 through Aug. 31.

The airline also will award a one-time bonus of 2,500 miles for newly enrolled members who join the SkyMiles program via the Internet from now through Aug. 31, and fly between Atlanta and any of the three West Coast airports from May 1 through Aug. 31.

Alfigen offers test to Jewish group

PASADENA - Pasadena-based Alfigen Inc., a private genetics diagnostic laboratory, announced Thursday the introduction of an extensive panel of tests for screening individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

As with many ethnic populations, individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have an elevated risk for certain diseases, most of which are untreatable.

The expanded panel tests for nine autosomal recessive diseases, including Cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs disease.

The new screening test will enable at-risk individuals to know their carrier status and make informed decisions about family planning and other issues, according to lab officials.

The test panel can be performed on a blood sample, a sample from mouthwash, or a simple brushing from inside the mouth.

Electric blankets recalled by firm

WASHINGTON - A Georgia company is recalling 11,000 electric blankets that can overheat when folded, causing the heating element and blanket to melt and posing a risk of burns to consumers.

WestPoint Stevens, Inc., of West Point, Ga., has received 10 reports of the blankets overheating, including four reports of minor skin burns, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

The government warned consumers to stop using the blankets immediately. Consumers can contact the company at [phone] for information on receiving a full refund.

30-year mortgage rates drop again

WASHINGTON - Rates on 30-year mortgages fell for a second straight week while other mortgage rates held steady this week.

The average interest rate on a fixed-rate 30-year mortgage dipped to 5.79 percent, Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday in its weekly nationwide survey. This week's rate was down from 5.82 percent last week.

In the week ending March 14, right before the United States went to war against Iraq, rates on 30-year mortgages declined to a record low of 5.61 percent as investors sought the safe haven of bonds during a period of heightened global tensions.

That rate was the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking 30-year mortgages in 1971. Records that reach back earlier indicate that the rate is the lowest since the early 1960s.