BRIEFCASE NEW GM NAMED AT WARNER VIDEO.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

BURBANK - Warner Home Video announced the promotion Tuesday of Ronald J. Sanders to the position of executive vice president and general manager, United States.

In his new position, he will assume responsibility for all sales, marketing, finance, administration and operations activities in the United States for the home video division of Warner Bros., which was the leader in its field in 2002.

Sanders' appointment was made by Jim Cardwell, the new president of Warner Home Video who replaced longtime video division chief Warren Leiberfarb.

Oil prices up again due to war threat

The prolonged oil workers strike in Venezuela and a possible war with Iraq helped spike gasoline prices in the Southland again, the Automobile Club of Southern California said Tuesday.

The average price for a gallon of regular self-serve unleaded gas in Southern California this month is $1.611, about a nickel more than the $1.559 in December, according to the Auto Club's Fuel Gauge Report.

The state average rose to $1.641, up 5.5 cents since Dec. 10.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline rose nearly 10 cents to $1.468. Georgia has the lowest state average at $1.346, about 13 cents higher than last month.

Court debating HMO doctor rules

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court wrangled Tuesday over whether states can push HMOs to enroll more doctors, giving patients broader choices in their own health care.

About half the states have laws requiring managed care or insurance companies to accept health care providers - physicians, pharmacists or specialists like nurse practitioners. The providers agree to the insurer's reimbursement rates and contract terms.

The HMO industry says forcing health plan expansions raises insurance costs for everyone and adds to the already escalating price of health care.

GE workers strike over health costs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Thousands of General Electric Co. workers went on strike Tuesday to protest higher out-of-pocket health costs, even as they mourned the death of a picket struck by a police car.

The two-day strike - the first national walkout at GE since 1969 - officially began at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday at plants that manufacture everything from consumer appliances to jet engines.

But just hours later, Kjeston ``Michelle'' Rodgers, 40, was hit outside a GE plant in Louisville as the eight-year employee walked with a picket sign before daybreak. The car was from the police department in nearby Hollow Creek, officials said.

Travelers takes major loss in Q4

HARTFORD, Conn. - Travelers Property Casualty Corp. said Tuesday it would charge $1.3 billion against earnings after taxes in the fourth quarter to strengthen its reserves for asbestos claims.

For the fourth quarter, Travelers expects a net loss of $793 million, or 79 cents per share with the charge. It expects a net loss including the charge of about $27 million, or 3 cents per share, for all of 2002.

Travelers plans to release fourth quarter results on Jan. 23.

The insurer expects profits for 2003 of $1.69 to $1.79 per share.