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1. IS FERRO BEING UPFRONT ABOUT SIDE DEALS?
Michael Ferro's Merrick Ventures LLC invested $20 million in medical imaging software maker Merge Healthcare Inc. back in 2008. But since then, he's conducted millions of dollars in "related party" side deals with Merge, raising questions about whether all the transactions are appropriate, and if they're getting adequate review. Details in Crain's 2. RYDER CUP: BUCKS FOR BURBS
The golf world's 2012 Ryder Cup, Sept. 25-30 at Medinah Country Club, is expected to yield an economic bump on par with the NATO summit's financial boost to Chicago -- but with a fraction of the headaches. While the city spent millions and closed streets and museums in the name of security, hosting the suburban golf event will generate only minimal costs. It's in Crain's 3. METERED PLAN FOR CRAIN'S SITE
Crain's Chicago Business in mid-June will introduce a metered subscription plan for ChicagoBusiness.com. Under the plan, readers can view up to 12 online articles per month for free, but to see more they'll have to sign up for a $59-a-year digital subscription. The move reflects an ongoing trend in the news industry, in which publishers are using "paywalls" to monetize once-free online material. Read more about it 4. MORE TROUBLE FOR COAL-BURNER MIDWEST GEN
After a Friday power-industry electricity auction failed to provide a hoped-for price hike for the energy it sells from six coal-fired power plants in Northern Illinois, Midwest Generation LLC is likely to close more generating facilities -- and the unit of California's Edison International may also filed for bankruptcy protection. More power-plant closures could put a strain on the region's energy pool. Details in Crain's 5. CROWNS INVEST IN CHINESE CHILLING VENTURE
Chicago's Crown family is teaming up with Robert W. Baird & Co.'s private equity unit to invest in a Chinese refrigerated-truck manufacturer. Crown's CC Industries private-equity arm will participate in the investment, as will CC-owned truck-trailer maker Great Dane and Baird Capital Partners Asia. Read more in Crain's 6. CHINA CLEARS GOOGLE-MOTO DEAL
Chinese regulators, after a protracted review, finally signed off on Google's $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility, clearing the way for that long-delayed deal to proceed. But China, which in past years has had a rocky relationship with Google, did so only after attaching conditions. AP has the story 7. FROM THE GET-GO
The new CEO of publicity-averse Chicago trading firm Getco LLC, says columnist Joe Cahill, brings to the electronic market maker a "wide-ranging experience in global markets and executive skills honed at one of the world's largest financial firms." Despite all the technical trappings of the high-frequency trader, the new chief says, “We see ourselves as traditional intermediaries.” Read Joe's column here 8. TWEET-MARKETING
Startup social media consulting firm SocialKaty is growing rapidly by providing clients with marketing and brand promotion centered on media like Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Their plan, according to a co-founder: "Just keep pushing the gas pedal down." Crain's has it 9. BRANDMEIER IN THE TOWER
Radio personality Jonathon Brandmeier, who got his walking papers from rock-oriented WLUP-FM back in 2009, is settling in -- and attracting a younger demographic -- at his new gig as morning guy for WGN-AM, which has historically skewed gray. Here's the Crain's profile 10. A NEW ROLLOUT FOR BAEDERBRAU
Baderbrau, a local beer brand that disappeared years ago, is back: Two entrepreneurs started a new firm, purchased the expired trademark and have recreated the original brew. Read more in Ann Dwyer's blog
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