More gas stations allowed to sell beerHARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is granting nine more licenses to businesses that sell gasoline. It’s the latest step in loosening the hold on beer sales by bars and beer distributors.The Liquor Control Board’s vote Wednesday is the first since February. That’s when the state Supreme Court said it would take up a case challenging whether a convenience store can sell beer and gasoline without violating state law.The beer licenses are for groceries and convenience stores in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Wilkes-Barre area, Hazleton, Orangeville and Mahanoy City, and in Western Pennsylvania, including Canonsburg, Gibsonia and Huntingdon.Liquor Control Board officials say dozens of beer licensees also sell gas. That’s despite wording in the state liquor law that bans alcohol sales licenses in locations, places and properties where gasoline is sold.

Big 1st-quarter loss for SearsNEW YORK — Sears’ fiscal first-quarter loss widened as sales dropped at its Kmart and namesake stores.The retailer also announced that it is looking at options for its Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard and Sears Home Services businesses, including possible partnerships or deals that could expand distribution of its brands and service offerings.The chain said that it believes it can achieve significant growth in the Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard brands by further expanding their presence outside of Sears and Kmart.For the period ended April 30, Sears Holdings Corp. lost $471 million, or $4.41 per share. A year earlier, the company based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, lost $303 million, or $2.85 per share.Removing certain items, the chain lost $1.86 per share. Revenue, meanwhile, declined to $5.39 billion from $5.88 billion.