1.   By region, starts fell in the Northeast and South, rose in the West and were unchanged in the Midwest.

2.   For its part, the government reported that public works starts fell in November for the third straight month as it continued to cut spending to reduce the deficit.

3.   His next start will fall next Friday, in the first of three games with the visiting Mets.

4.   His start tonight falls on the one-month anniversary of his last victory.

5.   It was the second straight month starts have fallen and comes as mortgage rates are low.

6.   New home starts have fallen every month this year, while condominium sales have only just started improving after a one year slide.

7.   New home starts fell seven straight months through July.

8.   New home starts fell six straight months through June.

9.   Starts fell in the South and Midwest last month, while the Northeast and West registered an increase in new construction activity, according to Commerce Department statistics.

10.   Starts fell for three straight months for the first time in a year.