Afternoon briefs: Deere announces layoffs; Oracle sued; Southwest plane makes emergency landing

Here's what's happening in the world of business on Aug. 22, 2014.

-- LATEST LAYOFFS --

Farm equipment and tractor maker Deere said it will lay off about 460 workers from its Iowa plant as sales for the company have begun to dry up.

-- YELLEN SPEAKS --

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the Great Recession has made it hard to assess the health of the U.S. job market, leaving the time table for future rate hikes unclear.

-- OREGON VS. ORACLE --

State officials in Oregon on Firday filed a $200 million lawsuit against software firm Oracle over's the company's botched attempt to create a health insurance exchange website for the state.

-- EMERGENCY LANDING --

A Southwest Airline plane had to make an emergency landing in Dallas Friday after a tire blew out during the takeoff.

-- J-E-L-L 'NO' --

Sales of iconic snack treat Jell-O have tumbled, and maker Kraft isn't sure why, exactly. One culprit could be the rise of Greek yogurt, which continues to find more space in American ... culture.

-- BANK OF AMERICA UPDATE --

Though the record $16.65 billion settlement for Bank of America makes $7 billion available to help victims of the mortgage and housing collapse, experts say the scope of the help will be smaller than expected, with red tape tying up much of the relief.

-- NEWS WITH WHEELS --

An auto safety advocay group wants the U.S. government to investigate a power system probelm in Chrysler vehicles that could cause the cars to stall.

-- IT'S THE ECONOMY --

- A new report from the U.S. Census Bureau says the gap between the rich and poor has widened in the past decade, with the median household net worth falling 7 percent to $68,828.

- Meanwhile, the country's housing recovery is on track, with sales of existing homes steadily rising.

-- SOLO FLIGHT --

American Airlines said it will extend the $150 fee it charges for unaccompanied minors up to 14 years old. Previously, the fee cut off after 11 years old. The airline said the fee will help it ensure the safe travel for these children.

-- GREEN BEER --

A Georgia brewery has started shipping its beer in cans made almost entirely form recycled aluminum.

-- ARGENTINA SCOLDING --

A New York judge lambasted Argentina for failing to pay its debts to U.S. bondholders, but chose not to hold country's officials in contempt of court even though U.S. hedge fund managers have asked for that.

-- RINK SUED --

An ESPN anchor has sued a hockey rink owner in Brewster after a change-making machine fell on her arm, cutting her badly.