Etc. . . .

Gemstar-TV Guide International Inc., the parent company of Television Games Network, lost $134.8 million in the second quarter of 2001, or 33 cents a share, the company announced late Monday. The losses stemmed from a $224 million charge the company took related to the merger of Gemstar and TV Guide last year, and excluding that charge, the company said it had earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization [EBITDA] of $108 million, or 24 cents a share. . . . Washington's Personnel Resources Board ruled last week that employees of the Washington Horse Racing Commission, including stewards, are to be placed in the state civil service system and may form a collective bargaining unit to negotiate with the commission. The ruling was opposed by the commission, Emerald Downs, the Washington division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Washington Horse Breeders Association.