BUSINESS NOTES 52-WEEK T-BILLS AT SIX-MONTH LOW.

The interest rate on 52-week Treasury bills fell in Tuesday's auction to the lowest level in six months.

The discount rate was 5.880 percent, down from 6.000 percent at the last auction on May 31. It was the lowest rate since 52-week bills sold for 5.840 percent on Feb. 29.

The bills will carry an equivalent coupon interest rate of 6.241 percent with each $10,000 in face value selling for $9,405.50.

Sales totaled $10 billion out of bids of $23.4 billion.

- Associated Press 

Officials delay matter of adviser

San Bernardino County officials have delayed the selection of a Woodland Hills financial adviser after learning of his $35,000 settlement for his role in Orange County's 1994 bankruptcy.

Douglas S. Montague, whose practice, Montague De Rose, is based in Woodland Hills, saw his selection derailed after a packet of 11 newspaper articles were faxed anonymously to a county supervisor Monday.

- Associated Press

1-time opponents now consultants

Five years after opposing one another in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, Donald E. Vinson and Jo-Ellan Dimitrius Tuesday announced the formation of Vinson and Dimitrius.

Dimitrius will serve as chief executive officer of the new Los Angeles- based trial consulting company, while Vinson will fill the position of chairman.

- Daily News

Napster appeal set for hearing

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal appeals court said Tuesday it would hear oral arguments in the Napster Inc. case the first week of October.

The 26-judge court provided no other details and, in customary fashion, did not announce the three judges who would sit on the case.

- Associated Press

Airlines miles can buy merchandise

MINNEAPOLIS - Frequent fliers on six major airlines will be able to exchange the miles they earn for discounts on goods and services from more than 100 online merchants under a MilePoint program announced Tuesday.

The Web site, milepoint.com, is now accessible to frequent fliers who want to find out more about becoming a MilePoint member.

- Associated Press