News
CBO: Federal deficits and debt to worsen over next decade
2+ hour, 29+ min ago (454+ words) Compared with the CBO's analysis this time last year, the fiscal outlook has deteriorated modestly. Major developments over the last year are factored into the latest report, released Wednesday, including Republicans' tax and spending measure known as the "One Big…...
FACT FOCUS: Trump says tariffs have created an economic miracle. The facts tell a different story
5+ day, 6+ hour ago (898+ words) By PAUL WISEMAN and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, AP Economics Writers He made his case in a recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, chiding the paper and critics, including mainstream economists, who predicted that tariffs would backfire, raising prices and…...
Criminal investigation raises key question: Whether Chair Powell leaves Fed in May
3+ week, 5+ day ago (792+ words) Powell's term as Fed chair finishes on May 15, but because of the central bank's complex structure, he has a separate term as one of seven members of its governing board that lasts until January 31, 2028. Historically, nearly all Fed chairs have…...
Average US long-term mortgage rate hits the lowest point in more than 3 years
3+ week, 6+ day ago (576+ words) The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is now down to its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate eased to 6.06% this week, down from 6.16% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year…...
Inflation rate in Bay Area rises at fastest pace in more than a year
4+ week, 1+ hour ago (878+ words) In December, the Bay Area inflation rate rose at its swiftest annual pace in more than a year " an increase driven by fast-rising food costs " while gasoline prices continued to plunge. In its most recent report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor…...
North Bay unemployment rates in November reveal higher rates than a year earlier
1+ mon, 2+ day ago (453+ words) October's unemployment data will not be available because of the lapse in funding during the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and ended Nov. 12, 2025, according to the EDD. It calculates the figures using data from the monthly Current Population Survey…...
Average US long-term mortgage rate edges higher but remains near 2025 low
1+ mon, 3+ day ago (514+ words) The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged higher this week to just above its 2025 low. The average long-term mortgage rate rose to 6.16%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. That's up slightly from 6.15% last week, when the average rate dropped…...
Stocks slip on Wall Street as 2025 winds down
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (260+ words) By DAMIAN J. TROISE, Associated Press Business Writer The S&P 500 fell 0.4%. With just three trading days left in 2025, the benchmark index is still up more than 17% for the year and it remains on track for its eighth monthly gain in…...
Money Matters: The Haves and Have-Nots
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (749+ words) Go to any third world country and you see a remarkable similarity in the economic makeup of its people. Every third world country, with no exceptions that I know of, print up oodles of their currency until the cows come…...
Tariffs force local businesses to adjust holiday buying strategies
4+ mon, 2+ week ago (940+ words) While it's normal for businesses do their holiday shopping well before the change of seasons in order to have enough stock on hand for shoppers, many were doing so much earlier than usual in order to avoid tariffs. With the…...