1.   Reports of negotiations have persisted since the Wall Street Journal reported last month that a buyout was imminent.

2.   But speculation that the Meskwaki tribe wants to build a gambling casino at Savanna has persisted since early summer, when the two began coming to the meetings.

3.   Speculation has persisted since New York trading yesterday that the U.S. Treasury Department would like to see a weaker dollar.

4.   Speculation that Iran was involved in the bombing has persisted since the attack last June.

5.   The deficit has persisted since November.

6.   With long delays in appointing new commissioners, these trends have persisted since the start of the Clinton administration.

7.   Speculation had persisted since summer that Edwards was ready to retire.

8.   The precipitation has persisted since early this afternoon and due to light winds...Has moved only slightly westward allowing for locally high accumulations.

9.   Turmoil has persisted since elections last summer that brought the Socialists to power.

10.   That news exacerbated concerns that have persisted since the company announced a new structure last week, which will split it into four operating units.