Bill Gates tops this year's Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans with a net worth calculated at $59 billion. Forbes says the Microsoft co-founder saw his wealth increase by $5 billion from last year. Investor Warren Buffett ranks second with a fortune of $39 billion, though Forbes says the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. chief executive's wealth shrank by $6 billion from a year ago. Oracle CEO Larry Ellison rounds out the top three with a net worth of $33 billion, a $6 billion increase from last year/AP. More here. (AP file photo, of Bill Gates)

Question: Anyone know how much Duane Hagadone is worth?

But some areas are doing better than others, and for many of them, it isn’t an accident. Who’s doing the best job when it comes to fostering growth? Utah, according to our fifth annual look at the Best States for Business. The Beehive State captured the top spot in our rankings for the first time, after a four-year run by Virginia at the head of the list/Kurt Badenhausen, Forbes. More here.

• Full list: Washington’s No. 5, Idaho’s No. 12

Question: Is Idaho a good state to own a business, in your estimation?

Forbes’ list of “Best States for Business” rated Idaho No. 7 out of 51. There is a great business climate here, as well as one of the best states in which to vacation. Idaho is loaded with geographic diversity and home to hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails and more whitewater than any other state in the lower 48. There are mountains and sand dunes to climb, lakes to fish, 18 ski resorts and water parks/Ken Brooks, Payson Roundup. More here.

Question: What attracted you to Idaho?

President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House about health care reform  Sunday.

“U.S. President Barack Obama can add another accolade to his already long list of awards after being named the world’s most powerful person in an inaugural ranking by Forbes magazine.

Obama, whose popularity at home and abroad has boosted the image of the United States according to numerous surveys, topped the list that also features al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey as people wielding some influence over the world.” Story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091112/india_nm/india438903

And Forbes magazine, apparently unimpressed with the official “Near nature, near perfect” city slogan in Spokane, today pronounced the Lilac City the “Scam Capital of America.”  From writer William Barrett’s story: Welcome to Spokane, Wash., a metropolitan object lesson in what can befall the unwary when rugged individualism is revered and consumers unsuspecting. The story paints the city as a sort of freewheeling frontier town. And I suspect it has city leaders doubling up on their blood-pressure medication this morning/Rich Roesler, Eye On Olympia.

• How’s your school stack up?
• No special session in Olympia
• GOP rep censured by CC for co-sponsoring partners act
• Dino Rossi’s new job — and more

Question: OK, those of us who live on the North Idaho side of the state line know that our communities are nicer than Spokane. But … “Scam Capital of America”? C’mon. What do you think Spokane should be known for?