that fewer americans applied for fewer unemployment benefits last week. first time claims dropped to 393,000. second straight drop after a super storm sandy caused a spike in claims across the northeastern united states. the storm also caused big headaches for major retailers according to folks at master card who track spending sandy kept shoppers in hard hit areas from spending estimated $4 billion in stores. today big name chains macy's targeting and kohl's weak sales in november. came despite strong black friday sales which many started on thanksgiving day itself. you have probably heard that the maker of twinkies is about to go belly up. the company wants to pay a number of high level executives nearly $2 million in bonuses. that's despite the fact that 18,000 employees are about to be out of work. you will recall hostess brands decided to shut down operations earlier this month it. it makes wonder bread, who he who hes. dingdongs. bakers union gone on strike over salary and benefit cuts. the union claims years of