Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM:NYSE)

OAKLAND -- Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., the first African-American astronaut to walk in space, didn't just tell the kids at Roosevelt Middle School to reach for the stars, as promised in the announcement of his upcoming visit. Harris told them how to survive -- eat, dress, move and even use the bathroom -- once they leave Earth and its atmosphere behind.

The new contract between the state and a public-private partnership to operate the state's 23 highway service plazas needs a close look to be sure it's in the best interests of state taxpayers, according to state Sen. Andrew J. McDonald, DStamford.

The Texas Supreme Court on Friday said it will again hear arguments in the nearly 15-year legal battle over accusations that Exxon Mobil Corp. loaded abandoned wells with junk, sludge and even explosives to keep other companies from drilling there.

Shares of some top oil companies were down at the close of trading: Chevron fell $.57 or .7 percent, to $76.77. ConocoPhillips fell $.48 or .9 percent, to $52.08. Exxon Mobil fell $.27 or .4 percent, to $74.38. Marathon Oil fell $.31 or .9 percent, to $33.02.

Lewis Hamilton's Formula One world championship victory last year drove his McLaren team from the red to a £14 million pre-tax profit according to its accounts to 31 December 2008. It comes as good news for the outfit after Mercedes said on Monday that it is selling its 40 percent stake in McLaren to the team's co-owners and investing in rival Brawn GP, which took the F1 title this year.

Shares of some top oil companies are down at noon: Chevron fell $.54 or .7 percent, to $76.80. ConocoPhillips fell $.52 or 1.0 percent, to $52.04. Exxon Mobil fell $.24 or .3 percent, to $74.41. Marathon Oil fell $.64 or 1.9 percent, to $32.69.

Shares of some top oil companies are mixed at 10 a.m.: Chevron fell $.27 or .3 percent, to $77.07. ConocoPhillips fell $.26 or .5 percent, to $52.30. Exxon Mobil rose $.03 or percent, to $74.68. Marathon Oil fell $.68 or 2.0 percent, to $32.65.

HARTFORD -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Thursday announced a deal with associates of Subway restaurants that she said would rebuild the 23 highway service plazas and create 350 jobs. The total value of the deal, including the investment to revamp the plazas and the royalties that the stores would generate, was estimated at $500 million over 35 years, according to a statement from Rell's office.

The state has signed a 35-year contract with a regional Subway restaurant franchiser and private equity firm to supply food and fuel and overhaul the state's highway plazas, an agreement which will include for the state a combined $500 million in revenue and investment to make over the 23 properties on Interstate 95, the Merritt Parkway and I-395, Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Thursday.

The development arm of Subway of Milford will serve travelers on the state highways for the next 35 years. Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Thursday the state has awarded the contract for the 23 service plazas to Doctors Associates/Paul Landino, which represents Subway, and The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm.