[naviga:h3]Ford recalls pickups over transmissions[/naviga:h3]

DETROIT — Ford is recalling nearly 1.5 million pickup trucks in North America because the transmissions can suddenly downshift into first gear.

The recall covers F-150 trucks from the 2011 through 2013 model years with six-speed automatic transmissions.

The company says a glitch in sending a signal from the transmission speed sensor is the cause. Ford has five reports of accidents including one that caused a whiplash injury from a sudden downshift.

Owners will be notified by letter starting March 4. Dealers will update the powertrain control software to fix the problem.

[naviga:h3]T-Mobile, Sprint execs defend merger[/naviga:h3]

WASHINGTON — Top executives of T-Mobile and Sprint took the case for their $26.5 billion merger to Congress, arguing that joining their companies won’t hurt competition or jack up prices for wireless service.

The deal, which must win approval from federal regulators, would combine the nation’s third- and fourth-largest wireless companies, creating a new behemoth roughly the size of industry giants Verizon and AT&T.

Obama administration regulators blocked a similar merger earlier this decade when AT&T attempted to purchase T-Mobile, concluding that it would inhibit competition.

[naviga:h3]Cubs, Sinclair plan sports network[/naviga:h3]

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and Sinclair Broadcast Group are launching a regional sports network in 2020 that will be the team’s exclusive TV home.

The Cubs said Wednesday the Marquee Sports Network will carry live game broadcasts and pregame and postgame coverage. Cubs games will be in one place, instead of split between two broadcast stations. The Cubs signed five-year contracts with WGN and WLS in 2014 ahead of plans for the network launch in 2020.

At least nine other major league teams or their owners have equity stakes in regional sports networks.