Viewpoints

So far this week, we have had the opportunity to give thanks for all we have, shop in stores - both large and small - for the latest bargains and, in case we missed those, we could have spent Monday on the Internet trying to get an even bigger bargain. Today, we have another opportunity that is just as important – and I would argue a bigger deal. Today is Giving Tuesday.

The IRS recently announced increases to the contribution limits on retirement plans for tax year 2015. The higher limits provide an opportunity for savers to accelerate pre-tax contributions to their retirement plans. An employee aged 50 or older will be able to make pre-tax contributions of as much as $24,000 ($18,000 plus a $6,000 catch-up contribution) into some of the more common types of qualified retirement plans starting next year.

Milwaukee-based Douglas Dynamics Inc. announced it has agreed to acquire Manchester, Iowa-based Henderson for about $95 million.

The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee on Sunday filed its debtors' joint plan of reorganization in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Grafton-based Microbrush International has acquired the Dry Tips product line from Swedish surgical and wound product manufacturer Molnlycke Health Care.

William Bertha, president of U.S. Bank in Milwaukee, has received the 2014 Martin F. Stein Champion for Children Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee.

Glendale-based global manufacturer Johnson Controls Inc. today held a fiscal 2015 forecast and mid-term financial outlook in which it predicted record profits in fiscal 2015.

BMO Financial Group, the Canadian parent company of BMO Harris Bank, today reported fiscal 2014 net income of $3.8 billion, or $5.62 per share, up from $3.7 billion, or $5.41 per share, in 2013.

A lot has happened at Waukesha-based DUECO Inc. this year.

American manufacturing has had great success in automating factories with robots and computers in the last 50 years, and computers are now eliminating many service jobs. This has caused a lot of speculation about how far artificial intelligence can be developed.