NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2006--The Investor Relations department of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) will conduct a conference call on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to discuss second quarter 2006 earnings. The company will issue ... [full story]

Tool Aims to Educate Whyville Users About Financing as They Purchase Virtual Scion Vehicles LOS ANGELES, July 17 -- Whyville.net and Toyota Financial Services announced the launch of "Scion Solutions" this month within Whyville.net, the popular virtual world for children ... [full story]

"The employer-based system of health coverage is over" in the U.S., Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. Stern writes that the "system is collapsing, crushed by out-of-control costs, a ... [full story]

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2006--A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to A- (Excellent) from B (Very Good) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a-" from "bbb-" for Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company ... [full story]