Wall Street Journal (12/03/13) Jonathan House

U.S. factory activity expanded in November for the sixth straight month, demonstrating stronger demand that could boost next year’s growth prospects. The Institute for Supply Management on Monday said its index of manufacturing activity rose to 57.3 from 56.4 in October. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. The report pointed to broad-based strength for factories. Measures of new orders and exports showed improvement. The employment index rose to its highest level in more than a year, a positive sign ahead of the Department of Labor’s November jobs report on Friday.

U.S. factories still face headwinds. Federal budget reductions, which reduced defense spending earlier this year, could weigh on the sector further if January’s scheduled cuts take effect. And while key export markets in Europe and Asia have improved, their recoveries are incomplete.

On Assignment Inc. News Release (12/02/13)

On Assignment Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire CyberCoders Holdings Inc., a national permanent placement recruitment firm; acquired Whitaker Medical LLC, a physician staffing firm; and sold its Allied Healthcare business unit to Cross Country Healthcare Inc., a health care staffing company.

On Assignment will pay $94 million for CyberCoders, with an earn-out opportunity of $11 million. It purchased Whitaker for $17.1 million and an earn-out opportunity of $5 million. On Assignment earned $28.7 million for the sale of Allied Healthcare.

CBSNews.com (12/02/13)

Medical technician David Kwiatkowski was sentenced Monday to 39 years in prison for stealing painkillers and infecting dozens of patients in four states with hepatitis C through tainted syringes. Kwiatkowski was a contract worker assigned as a cardiac technologist in 18 hospitals in seven states before being hired at New Hampshire’s Exeter Hospital in 2011.

He had moved from job to job despite being fired at least four times over allegations of drug use and theft. Since his arrest last year, 46 people have been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C he carries.