Washington's biggest business stories of the year [CapBiz A.M.]

Your first source for understanding business in greater Washington  •  Mon., Dec. 29, 2014 View in your Web browser

Washington’s biggest business stories of the year

Welcome to CapBiz A.M., your morning primer on business news with a focus on Washington. A look back: This past year was one of fresh starts as the D.C. region looked to inject a spark into a sputtering economy. Here’s a look at the most important business developments this past year in Washington. (CAPBIZ) A look forward: From a new stealth bomber to the military’s health care records system, here are some of the most critical government contracts to keep an eye out for in the new year. (CAPBIZ) A particularly rough year: Few people are more eager to see the clock strike midnight on Dec. 31 than Atlantic City casino executives and the thousands of workers who still have jobsthere. (AP) Sign of a new career: Sean Quill, who oversaw hundreds of employees as vice president for consumer operations for District-based LivingSocial, is onto his next start-up: making signs. (CAPBIZ) Slimming down: Less than a mile separates the old and new offices of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in Washington. But the close location is about all the two locations have in common. (CAPBIZ) Students steering clear: The number of people entering American law schools is at its lowest point in 41 years as the shrinking job market for young lawyers continues to chip away at demand. (CAPBIZ) Bread winner: First, Ron Shaich turned the Au Bon Pain cafe chain into a billion-dollar business. Not content, he started from scratch with a second company, and it went pretty well with Panera Bread, too. (OSB) Begin the bidding? The board of American Apparel Inc. has reportedly received a letter from British buyout firm Lion Capital, pushing it to explore strategic options including a sale. (REUT) Hot tempered: Some in the U.S. solar industry said the government’s decision to implement the new tariffs is counter-productive to its own environmental, employment and manufacturing goals. (CNBC) Happy holidays: Amazon and other Web retailers sold more products than ever this holiday season, boosted by earlypromotions and investments in delivery systems that helped avoid shipping snags. (CD) Sky high: The Obama administration is on the verge of proposing long-awaited rules for drone operations, but decisions on how much access to grant drones are likely to come from Congress next year. (AP) On Wall Street Stocks continued to soar at the end of last week, with the Dow and S&P 500 closing at new record highs. (Get the latest updates here) What’s on tap today Dallas Federal Reserve manufacturing survey (10:30 a.m.) Federal Reserve balance sheet (4:30 p.m.) Help: What your company should learn from the Sony cyber attack (OSB) Follow: Panera Bread Extra: What your first grade life says about the rest of it (WP)