News
Local unemployment rate nears 5%
2+ hour, 34+ min ago (145+ words) The unemployment rate for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area remained at 4.9% in December, according to data from the state Department of Labor and Industry. The rate has been on a gradual rise after reaching historically low figures during parts of…...
Fed expected to keep rates unchanged as Chair Powell pivots back to economics
2+ week, 53+ min ago (638+ words) By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER, Associated Press The central bank's interest rate-setting committee is almost certain to keep its key short-term rate unchanged at about 3.6%, after three straight quarter-point cuts last year. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said after December's meeting that they…...
Criminal investigation raises key question: Whether Chair Powell leaves Fed in May
3+ week, 4+ 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…...
Unemployment rate on rise locally, nationally
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (368+ words) As the unemployment rate ticks up both nationally and locally, some industry experts expressed concern while another noted it represents more of a return to "normal." Nationally, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, the highest level since September 2021, according…...
Blame for affordability crisis is bipartisan
2+ mon, 23+ hour ago (681+ words) Suddenly affordability, or rather lack thereof, has become a popular refrain. From the halls of the White House to the shores of New York City, everyone is talking about the affordability crisis ... It would be helpful in solving the affordability…...
Letter: Administration fails affordability test
2+ mon, 6+ day ago (299+ words) Administration fails affordability test Editor: JD Vance recently said "It's going to take a little bit of time for every American to feel that economic boom which we really do believe is coming." " Editor: JD Vance recently said "It's going…...
Strong optimism for retail shopping this holiday season
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (1024+ words) As the National Retail Federation predicts sales during November and December will increase between 3.7% and 4.2% over 2024, both industry experts and small-business owners expressed optimism about the holiday shopping season. Consumers are projected to spend between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion " which would…...
Letter: Bresnahan nixes energy credits for consumers
2+ mon, 2+ week ago (285+ words) Editor: As utility bills continue to soar, with local increases of 15% this summer and our local utility, PPL, proposing another increase for next year, Pennsylvania families are struggling to make ... Editor: As utility bills continue to soar, with local increases…...
Reports: Thanksgiving meal cost down slightly locally, nationally
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (472+ words) Reports from a family-owned grocery store chain and Wells Fargo " an American multinational financial services company " show the cost to purchase items for the traditional Thanksgiving meal is down slightly this year. Another survey conducted by Empower " another financial services…...
Commentary: A penniless America requires changes to change
2+ mon, 4+ week ago (418+ words) By Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D., Tribune News Service One thing you can say about the president is that he likes to change things. He wanted the Gulf of Mexico renamed the Gulf of America, signing an executive order making it the…...