• OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states has dropped after rising the previous two months.
• The overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index plunged to a growth neutral 50.0 in October from 54.8 in September.
• Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the partial government shutdown and slower business activity for firms tied to agriculture pushed overall economic conditions lower for the month.
• The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
• The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
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• BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- Saturday has been designated "National Bison Day" under a U.S. Senate resolution sponsored by western lawmakers.
• The measure is intended to promote the cultural and economic contributions of bison in the United States. It was introduced by Wyoming Republican Sen. Michael Enzi and passed by unanimous consent.
• Bison advocates in Congress also this week introduced a broader proposal to elevate the Plains bison to a status similar to that of the iconic bald eagle. A similar measure stalled last Congress.
• The largely symbolic moves by lawmakers would give no added protections for the estimated 20,000 remaining wild bison.
• Tens of millions of bison, also known as buffalo, once roamed most of North America.
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• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- A Parkston-based manufacturing company will expand its South Dakota operations with the help of a low-interest state loan.
• MDS Manufacturing Co. Inc. makes skid steer, tractor loader, telehandler and

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