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Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans stepped up retail spending modestly from July to August as the price of gasoline jumped, cutting into budgets as many families send their kids off to school. Retail sales rose 0.6% in August, compared with a revised 0.5% increase in July, according to a report issued by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The big rise in gas prices accounted for more than half of the inflation increase recorded in August, the U.S. reported Wednesday. Excluding gas, retail sales were just up 0.2% for August, according to the report.Sales at gas stations rose a robust 5.2%, while furniture and home furnishings stores saw a 1% drop in sales. Clothing and accessories stores had a 0.9% gain, likely helped by back-to-school spending. Restaurants saw a 0.3% increase. Grocery stores had a 0.4% sales increase. Online sales were unchanged in August, perhaps hurt by robust spending during the Amazon Prime day sales event in July.The uptick in retail sales reflects the economy’s resil...

Largest US newspaper chain is hiring Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reporters, drawing interest and ire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This week the United States’ biggest newspaper chain posted to its site two unusual job listings: a Taylor Swift reporter and a Beyoncé reporter.Gannett, which owns more than 200 daily papers, will employ these new hires through USA Today and The Tennessean, the company’s Nashville-based newspaper. The chain is looking for “modern storytellers” adept in print, audio and visual journalism, said Michael Anastasi, The Tennessean’s editor and Gannett’s vice president for local news.“Seeing both the facts and the fury, the Taylor Swift reporter will identify why the pop star’s influence only expands, what her fanbase stands for in pop culture, and the effect she has across the music and business worlds,” the company said in its job description.Similarly, the company wants a journalist who can capture Beyoncé’s effect on society and the industries in which she operates.Anastasi said the Tennessean already has a three-person music team and “I put ...

11-year-old missing Gary boy safely located

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

GARY, Ind. — An 11-year-old Gary boy who was missing since Wednesday night has been safely located.Police said the boy was found near his home.

Man killed, another critical after Far South Side shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed and another is in critical condition following a double shooting Wednesday night on the Far South Side.Police responded to the 10600 block of South Green Street on the report of a person shot at around 9:50 p.m. Officers found two men, 31 and 34, suffering from gunshot wounds while inside a parked vehicle.The 31-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The 34-year-old was transported to Christ Hospital in critical condition. Family wants answers after 19-year-old daughter found dead on Englewood porch No one is in custody.

Libyan city buries thousands in mass graves after flood as mayor says death toll could triple

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

DERNA, Libya (AP) — The Libyan city of Derna has buried thousands of people in mass graves, officials said Thursday, as search teams scoured ruins left by devastating floods and the city’s mayor said the death toll could triple.The deluge swept away entire families on Sunday night and exposed vulnerabilities in the oil-rich country that has been mired in conflict since a 2011 uprising that toppled long-ruling dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Health officials have confirmed 5,500 deaths and say 9,000 people are still missing.Here's a look at the latest developments.WHAT HAPPENED IN LIBYA?Daniel, an unusually strong Mediterranean storm, caused deadly flooding in towns across eastern Libya, but the worst-hit was Derna. As the storm pounded the coast Sunday night, residents said they heard loud explosions when two dams outside the city collapsed. Floodwaters washed down Wadi Derna, a valley that cuts through the city, crashing through buildings and washing people out to sea.A U.N. official sai...

Roles reverse for the Sky in 2023 playoffs - and Game 1 showed that

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

LAS VEGAS — The feeling is a little different around the team than it was a year ago, and Wednesday proved that. In 2022, the Sky were the second seed in the WNBA Playoffs as they looked to face the Aces for a shot at a second-straight title.Now the team is in Las Vegas with a new look team, a new coach, having gotten into the last seed in the playoffs in the final week of the season. They are facing the top-seeded Aces as a heavy underdog, with some not even predicting the Sky to win a game, and the first contest of their WNBA Semifinals didn't change that opinion.Even as Candace Parker, a key member of the Sky in 2021 & 2022, is on the sidelines with a foot injury, Las Vegas looked the part of a defending champion. They sprinted past the Sky from the start and kept them at a distance, winning Game 1 of the best-of-three series 87-59 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.Now the team faces elimination when they play Game 2 on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Las Vegas. The Aces wasted no time building a ...

What renters insurance does and does not cover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — When the unexpected happens — whether fire, hail, or human error — renters insurance can provide much-needed stability. But many choose not to purchase coverage, including in places most frequently and hardest hit by natural disasters, new research shows.Linda Klamm, who works as an attorney for insurance policyholders after catastrophes, lost her home to a firestorm in Oakland, California, in 1991, and has firsthand experience with the challenges of collecting on a policy.Jorge Amezquita, from right, cousin Adalene Castillo and girlfriend Cassandra Duarte look for a TV remote under debris after a tornado ripped the roof off the apartment on Jan. 24, 2023, at Beamer Place Apartments in Houston. When natural or manmade disasters happen, renters insurance can mean the difference between catastrophe and stability. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)“The sky went from being a reddish color to the sun looking bloodied. Then it quickly became black,...

Illinoisans got poorer in 2022, new Census data shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – 2022 was a rough year for Illinoisans, newly released U.S. Census Bureau data indicates. The state is one of 17 which saw its median household income drop. Nationwide, the median household income was $74,755 in 2022 – nearly 1% lower than the year before when you account for inflation. Income inequality also increased.Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin make up the rest of the states where household income took a dip in 2022. Social Security beneficiaries can expect a 2024 increase: reports Five states, meanwhile, actually saw their median household income grow last year. Those are: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Florida, and Utah. The other 28 states, plus Puerto Rico and D.C., didn't see a statistically significant change, according to the Census Bureau.The nation's capital received the honor of having the highest median household in the...

WATCH LIVE: Defense expected to call first witness after House rests its case in Paxton impeachment trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Defense attorneys representing suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton are expected to call their first witness on day eight of the historic impeachment trial when it resumes at 9 a.m. Thursday.An attorney representing the House impeachment managers rested their case Wednesday afternoon, but did so accidentally before the defense could cross-examine another whistleblower.After wrapping up questioning of Blake Brickman — another whistleblower — attorney Rusty Hardin said, “The House rests.” He then apologized and added, “Here’s the problem: I messed up and shouldn’t have rested until [Tony Buzbee] finished his cross.” Buzbee then interjected by saying, “And yet you did.” CATCH-UP: House attorney calls it ‘screw-up’ to rest case against Ken Paxton His move promoted Paxton's attorneys to make a swift motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment on the ground that prosecutors didn't prove enough evidence. However, defense ultimately withdrew their motion after s...

New north Austin business combines childcare with coworking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:12:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Being a parent isn’t easy, and it’s even harder with a fulltime job.Plus, according to Care.com, childcare costs an average of $18-$20 an hour in Austin. Add in a membership to a coworking space and people are paying quite the cost.For parents experiencing that challenge, help is here, as a brand-new business just opened in north Austin.WorkCastle offers childcare combined with a co-working space.Holly Koutin has a two-year-old daughter, who’s dropped off each week at WorkCastle."I don't have full-time help, so somewhere like this where I knew it was safe, new and seemed really cutting edge was very exciting,” Koutin said. “It turned out to be even better in person."The state-of-the-art space works with children ranging in age 18 months to 13 years old.It offers opportunities for kids to learn music, arts and crafts."This is comparable for me to getting a babysitter at home,” Koutin said. “The difference is if I need my house to be quiet for whatever reason, I have t...