Bodog Beat

United Airlines shares dropped after bankruptcy rumors. (Cubbie_n_Vegas at Flickr Image)

The United Airlines shares dropped as low as one cent today after rumors that the airline was going bankrupt sent shock waves through Wall Street. A 2002 Chicago Tribune story with the headline "United Files For Bankruptcy," appeared on the Florida Sun Sentinel over the weekend with the date changed, but shares have bounced back since the story was revealed to be a recycled story. The shares declined $3.33, or 27 percent, to $8.97 before trading was halted.

"The story was related to United's 2002 bankruptcy filing, and United has demanded a retraction from the Sun Sentinel and is launching an investigation," parent company UAL Corp said in a statement.

Gary Weitman, a spokesman for Tribune Co. said he was looking into the matter.