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US consumer confidence tumbles for 4th consecutive month to 12-year low
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth straight month amid rising concern over tariffs and inflation. The Conference Board reported Tuesday that its consumer confidence index fell 7.2 points in March to 92.9. Analysts were expecting a decline to a reading of 94.5, according to a survey by FactSet. The Conference Board’s report Tuesday […]
Caught in the middle, this US oddity at the border is grappling with Trump’s trade war with Canada
POINT ROBERTS, Wash. (AP) — In the northwest corner of Washington state lies a quirky U.S. exclave so dependent on Canada’s goodwill that the strain of President Donald Trump‘s tariff war is inescapable — in the sole grocery store, at any of the three eateries, and for the many residents who never voted for him. […]
Trump appointee fires Freddie Mac CEO
Bill Pulte, heir of one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, wasted little time launching a house cleaning campaign after being confirmed as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) March 13. On Thursday, Pulte fired Freddie Mac CEO Diana Reid, according to news reports. The government-backed mortgage financing provider’s website lists Freddie Mac President […]
Amtrak CEO abruptly resigns from the nation’s passenger railroad
NEW YORK (AP) — Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly resigned from his top post at the U.S. passenger railroad this week. Wednesday’s announcement signaled that the leadership change came down to Amtrak maintaining support from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement, Gardner said he was stepping down “to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy […]
Trump Town owner found not guilty of assault, indecent exposure
A judge Monday found Donald “Whitey” Taylor, owner of Boones Mill’s Trump Town retail store, not guilty of misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and assaulting three store employees. “It was very rewarding,” Taylor said of the verdict. “These ladies were just looking for money.” Requests for comment from the Franklin County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney and to [&hellip[...]
Federal Reserve keeps interest rate unchanged, sees slower growth, slightly higher inflation ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and signaled that it still expects to cut rates twice this year, though more policymakers forecast fewer cuts. The Fed also now expects the economy to grow more slowly this year and next than it did three months ago, according to a […]
Judge rules DOGE’s USAID dismantling likely violates the Constitution
WASHINGTON (AP) — The dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency likely violated the Constitution, a federal judge ruled Tuesday as he indefinitely blocked DOGE from making further cuts to the agency. The order requires the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all employees of USAID[...]
Pentagon is cutting up to 60,000 civilian jobs. About a third of those took voluntary resignations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in the Defense Department, but fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months, a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday. To reach the goal of a 5% to 8% cut in a civilian workforce of more […]
Trump probes lumber, timber imports for potential tariffs; names furniture as derivative product
WASHINGTON – Does the U.S.’ reliance on imported lumber and timber constitute a threat to national security? That’s what the Trump Administration aims to find out through a new executive order. “The wood products industry – composed of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (such as paper products, furniture, and cabinetry) – is a critical manufacturing […]
FTC reverses its request for a delay in an Amazon trial, says it has resources to litigate the case
A lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission has walked back his comments about a lack of resources and staff turnover interfering with the agency’s preparations for a trial involving Amazon’s Prime program. FTC lawyer Jonathan Cohen asked a federal judge during a hearing on Wednesday to delay the September trial and relax deadlines in the […]
More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump’s anti-DEI campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump‘s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs that his officials say exclude white and Asian American students. The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning America’s schools[...]
Wall Street tumbles after Trump escalates his trade war
NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street’s sell-off hit a new low Thursday after President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war dragged the S&P 500 more than 10% below its record, which was set just last month. A 10% drop is a big enough deal that professional investors have a name for it — a “correction” — and the S&P 500’s 1.4% slide on […]
