NATION

NATION
Fed decides againstinterest-rate rise
WASHINGTON -- Borrowers may be able to enjoy near rock-bottom short-term interest rates well into next year as Federal Reserve policy-makers stay the course, waiting to raise them until it's clear the economy's recent strength is real, economists say.
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and his colleagues decided Tuesday to hold a major short-term rate at a 45-year low of 1 percent and suggested it could stay there "for a considerable period."
Economists viewed that as meaning the Fed probably would leave short-term rates unchanged at its last meeting of the year Dec. 9 as well as into much of 2004.
Some economists believe the Fed won't begin to start nudging short-term rates back up until June 2004.
REGION
Billing firm moves officesto Boardman-Poland Road
BOARDMAN -- Total Practice Management LLC, a physician billing, recruitment and consulting firm, has moved its offices to 721 Boardman-Poland Road.
Vince Russo, vice president of operations, said the new space is larger and will provide its clients and employees with easier access.
The firm, affiliated with Carbis Walker LLP, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, employs 10 billing representatives and several consultants. Its offices had been on Belmont Avenue in Youngstown.
Vindicator staff, wire reports