Viewpoints

Menomonee Falls-based Assisted Living Concepts Inc. reported Thursday that it had a net loss of $25.1 million in the second quarter, compared to positive net income of $6.28 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Milwaukee-based Glenn Rieder Inc. announced that it has acquired San Diego-based Quality Cabinet and Fixture Company and its majority owned subsidiary, Quality Cabinets de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

Cudahy logistics provider Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. has acquired R&M Transportation and Sortino Transportation for $24.4 million.

Milwaukee-based Bank Mutual Corp. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share to be paid out on August 31 to shareholders of record as of August 17.

Heartland Financial USA has announced Wisconsin Bank & Trust will acquire First Shares Inc., the parent company of First National Bank in Platteville, for $11 million.

Some big thinkers, looking for big answers for the troubles afflicting the Milwaukee economy, keep looking south to Chicago.

On a normal Monday morning commute, I drive by the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek along Howell Avenue on my way to work in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

Wiscraft Inc., a Milwaukee contract machining, packaging and assembly facility that provides work for the visually impaired, has changed its name to Beyond Vision.

SPX Transformer Solutions will hold an investor event on Tuesday, Sept. 11, starting at 8:30 a.m. at its facility, 400 S. Prairie Avenue in Waukesha.

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc. reported that its second quarter profit of $247.25 million, up 29.7 percent from its 2011 second quarter profit of $190.58 million. Diluted earnings per share were $1.07, up 32 percent from 81 cents in the 2011 second quarter.