TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Southwestern Bell to Cut 1,500 Jobs: The St. Louis-based firm said it will reduce its management staff within two years as part of a restructuring plan. About 800 of the cuts will come by mid-October and those employees will be notified this week, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. spokesman Jim Epperson said. The company will take a special charge of $30 million to $35 million against third-quarter earnings to pay for the reductions, he said. The cutback eventually is expected to save perhaps $35 million a year. The restructuring was announced in July by Southwestern, a subsidiary of Southwestern Bell Corp., headquartered in San Antonio.