Casey’s General Stores Inc. reported net earnings of $14 million, or 28 cents per share, in its fiscal third quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $13 million, or 26 cents per share, a year ago. Same-store gasoline sales were up 2.1 percent, with an average margin of 9.9 cents per gallon, less than the company’s average margin goal of 10.8 cents. However, grocery and other merchandise same-store sales were up 6.5 percent for the quarter and prepared food and fountain same-store sales were up 8.1 percent. Casey’s plans to increase its total stores by 4 percent this fiscal year; by the end of the third quarter, it had acquired 14 stores and completed construction of seven new stores. At its March meeting, the board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 7.5 cents per share, payable on May 15 to shareholders of record on May 1.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority’s (DART) ridership increased 18 percent last year, compared with a 4 percent increase at transit systems nationwide. DART General Manager Brad Miller announced that the organization will improve its service to the northwest part of Greater Des Moines, with residents in Grimes, Granger and Polk City gaining greater access to the regional transit network. DART will host three public meetings to review its plans and receive feedback starting on March 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Urbandale City Hall, 3600 86th St. DART also will receive $7.8 million to add global positioning system technology to all of its vehicles and complete the architectural/engineering phase of a transit hub. For more information, go to www.ridedart.com.

Wells Fargo & Co. CEO John Stumpf received $13.8 million in compensation last year, up from $12.6 million in 2007, Reuters reported. Stumpf became the CEO in June 2007. Former CEO and current chairman Richard Kovacevich received $3.7 million in total compensation in 2008, down from $22.9 million in 2007. Stumpf, Kovacevich, Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins and senior executive vice presidents David Hoyt and Mark Oman did not receive cash bonuses last year. Wells Fargo had a profit of $2.66 billion last year.

U.S. Bancorp CEO Richard Davis received $5 million in compensation last year, up from $4.4 million in 2007, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reported. However, Davis declined a $1.3 million cash bonus. Most of Davis’ pay was in restricted stock and option awards instead of cash bonuses. U.S. Bancorp’s profits were $3.4 billion last year.

General Growth Properties Inc. is again asking lenders for an extension as it seeks to refinance its debt and avoid bankruptcy, the Associated Press reported. Yesterday, the owner of Jordan Creek Town Center asked holders of $2.25 billion worth of bonds to hold off on calling in payments for the rest of the year. It currently has about $1.18 billion of past-due debt and about $4.09 billion worth of debt that could be called in. General Growth has another $1.44 billion worth of consolidated mortgage debt and about $595 million in unsecured bonds scheduled to mature this year that still need to be refinanced, repaid or extended.

North Liberty-based Heartland Express Inc. has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 2 cents per share, payable on April 2 to shareholders of record on March 20. About $1.8 million will be paid on the company’s 91.2 million outstanding shares of stock.

Iowa Legal Aid will host its annual “Equal Justice After Hours” event tonight starting at 6 p.m. in the Hotel Fort Des Moines ballroom. Bonnie Campbell will be inducted into the hall of fame. About 300 people are expected to attend.