Business Beat for Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014

Boeing flies a jet on vegetable oil and waste animal fat

Boeing Co. has completed a flight using ‘green diesel,’ a biofuel already used in ground transportation. The fuel maker says it could, over time, reduce emissions by between 50 percent and 90 percent compared with fossil fuels.

ALSO: Boeing says it’s on track to meet Dreamliner delivery forecast [Reuters]

We’re streaming more programming but watching less TV

Americans are turning away from the tube and tuning in to their smartphones and streaming services, a Nielsen report says.

Have you had enough cinnamon, gingerbread and peppermint?

The last few months of the year have become a flavor derby, with companies putting cinnamon, gingerbread and peppermint into just about everything.

Kraft to raise K-Cup coffee prices

The maker of Maxwell House coffee said Wednesday it will raise prices on most of its U.S. single-serve coffees for the first time, [Reuters]

Allstate wants to use drones to size up damage after disasters

Allstate has joined a group seeking FAA approval to use drones to collect images after catastrophes. [Bloomberg]

Cubs, Wintrust announce long-term partnership

Wintrust Financial Corp. will be the Cubs’ official banking partner, giving it signage above the left field video board and naming rights to Gate D.

Honda to expand air bag recall nationwide

Honda is expanding a recall of driver’s side air bags made by Takata Corp. to all 50 states.

ALSO: Takata: Evidence doesn’t support national recall

US stocks extend record run ahead of jobs report

A batch of good news on the economy helped push the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor’s 500 index to new highs.

NiSource announces post-spinoff personnel moves

NiSource president and CEO Robert C. Skaggs Jr. is expected to become CEO of the natural gas pipeline and related businesses it plans to spin off.

Motorola pokes fun at luxury watches in first Moto 360 ads

The campaign parodies the solemn marketing of the luxury watch industry. [Advertising Age]

Walgreen same-store sales rise 4.5% in November

Strong prescription drug sales, aided by a rise in flu shots, helped to push up Walgreen’s same-store sales in November.

Fed survey finds improvement across US economy

The U.S. economy kept expanding in October and November, helped by solid gains in consumer spending, manufacturing and overall employment.

Southwest Airlines agents approve labor contract

The contract with customer-service agents is a boost for the airline, which hasn’t been able to get a deal with pilots or ramp workers.

Hawaiian joins other airlines in adding seats

Hawaiian Airlines plans to add seats to planes it uses to hop around the islands, joining the flock of airlines squeezing more people onto flights.

Finnair buys 8 Airbus planes in $2.3 billion deal

The Finnish national carrier says the order brings its total Airbus fleet to 19, used mainly in long-haul traffic.

State Farm, Microsoft sign up for startup speed-dating

State Farm, Microsoft are among the firms taking part in the Corporate-Startup Challenge, which introduces startups to the state’s largest companies. [Crain’s]

CME boosts offer for GFI Group

CME Group, owner of the world’s biggest futures market, raised its bid for GFI Group to try and fend off a competing offer from BGC Partners. [Bloomberg]

Microsoft shareholders approve $84 million CEO pay

Microsoft shareholders have approved an $84 million pay package for new CEO Satya Nadella, despite concerns raised by an investor advisory group.

Johnson & Johnson might sell Splenda

The health care company has hired Goldman Sachs to explore a sale of its artificial sweetener brand Splenda. [Reuters]

US productivity grew at 2.3 percent rate in 3Q

U.S. workers’ productivity increased in the July-September quarter at a slightly faster pace than previously estimated.