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MA Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why MA Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why
MA Ranks Among Nation's Least-Stressed States, New Study Says: Here's Why While most Americans are feeling the pressure — from rising costs to political uncertainty — residents in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic may be catching a bit of a break, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 list of the most stressed states in the US on Monday, Mar. 24. The findings suggest that despite national anxieties — like inflation, job instability, and healthcare access — many in the region are experiencing less day-to-day stress than much of the country. Connecticut ranked 42nd overall, placing it among the 10 least-stressed states. The Constitution State had …

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by Chris Spiker
News
Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP
Egg Smuggling Soars As US Prices Spike, Fentanyl Seizures Drop: CBP U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is cracking down on a surprising contraband at the border—eggs. Egg-related seizures have surged 116% in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with officials reporting 3,254 interceptions, according to CBP data. The spike comes as U.S. egg prices continue to soar, driven by a historic avian flu outbreak decimating poultry farms nationwide. Meanwhile, fentanyl seizures have fallen 32% year-over-year. While President Donald Trump has vowed to curb fentanyl trafficking, the more immediate smuggling crisis appears to be brea…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Forever 21 Collapses: Bankruptcy Forces US Stores To Shut Down, Reports Say Forever 21 Collapses: Bankruptcy Forces US Stores To Shut Down, Reports Say
Forever 21 Collapses: Bankruptcy Forces US Stores To Shut Down, Reports Say Forever 21 is going out of business in the US after struggling against online rivals Shein and Temu, according to reports. Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in six years and has already started liquidation sales at more than 350 stores, CNBC reported. Its US operations are expected to shut down entirely unless a buyer steps in. Sparc Group, Forever 21's operator, had been searching for a buyer for months and contacted more than 200 potential bidders. Court filings show that 30 parties signed confidentiality agreements, but no viable deal materialized. Talks wit…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey
Consumer Confidence Falls To 2022 Lows Amid Tariff Worries, Affordability Crisis: Survey Consumer confidence plunged in March, hitting its lowest level since 2022 as lingering inflation, a slowing job market, and economic uncertainty weigh on Americans. The preliminary consumer sentiment index dropped to 57.9 in March, down 10.5 percent from February, a survey from the University of Michigan said on Friday, Mar. 14. It marks the lowest reading since November 2022 and 27.1 percent lower than March 2024. The decline marks the third consecutive month of falling confidence, with all age groups, income levels, and political backgrounds reporting a more negative outlook. "…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Inflation Cools Slightly In February As Tariffs, Slowing Labor Market Fuel Economic Concerns Inflation Cools Slightly In February As Tariffs, Slowing Labor Market Fuel Economic Concerns
Inflation Cools Slightly In February As Tariffs, Slowing Labor Market Fuel Economic Concerns Consumer prices rose slightly less than expected in February, but President Donald Trump's escalating trade wars and a declining labor market are keeping economic uncertainty high. Inflation increased 0.2 percent in February and 2.8 percent over the past year, according to new Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The yearly inflation number remained well above the Federal Reserve's two-percent target. The monthly increase was smaller than January's jump of 0.5 percent. February's figures were also a little lower than Dow Jones expectations, CNBC reported. Co…

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by Chris Spiker
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Grocery Shoppers Pivot As Inflation Reshapes Spending Grocery Shoppers Pivot As Inflation Reshapes Spending
Grocery Shoppers Pivot As Inflation Reshapes Spending As inflation continues to strain household budgets, consumers are scaling back purchases of both name-brand and private-label snacks and drinks.  TreeHouse Foods, a leading manufacturer of private-label products for major retailers like Walmart and Trader Joe’s, is now feeling the pinch, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.  After initially benefiting from consumers shifting toward budget-friendly options, TreeHouse is now seeing slower sales growth as rising costs for essentials like coffee and eggs impact spending, the outlet said. Once a growth driver, private-lab…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy
Private Job Growth Hits Lowest Point In Months As Trump's Trade Wars Shake Economy Job growth in the private sector slowed to its weakest pace in seven months, as hiring lags amid economic uncertainty and rising trade tensions, according to new data. Private employers added just 77,000 jobs in February, the ADP said in its National Employment Report released on Wednesday, Mar. 5. That number marks the smallest job growth since July 2024 and was down sharply from January's revised total of 186,000. February's data is the latest in a wave of troubling economic indicators during the first two months of President Donald Trump's return to office. "Policy uncertainty…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say
Price Hikes Likely At Best Buy, Target As Trade Wars Escalate, CEOs Say Shoppers at Best Buy and Target should prepare for higher prices as new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China disrupt supply chains, according to the companies' CEOs. The heads of the retail giants sent out warnings about likely price hikes for everything from fresh produce to expensive electronics. On Tuesday, Mar. 4, President Donald Trump officially enacted 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, along with raising tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent. Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said the chain heavily relies on China and Mexico as its top two…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Canada, Mexico, China Retaliate As Trump's Tariffs Spark Trade Wars: 'We're Ready To Fight' Canada, Mexico, China Retaliate As Trump's Tariffs Spark Trade Wars: 'We're Ready To Fight'
Canada, Mexico, China Retaliate As Trump's Tariffs Spark Trade Wars: 'We're Ready To Fight' Canada, Mexico, and China are responding to President Donald Trump officially placing tariffs on the three nations, escalating tensions with the US's key trading partners and increasing concerns about rising costs for American consumers. The US officially imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods on Tuesday, Mar. 4. On the same day, the US also raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed the solution to the trade wars is bringing more businesses into the country. "IF COMPANIES MOVE TO THE UNITED STATES, THERE ARE …

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by Chris Spiker
News
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears Unemployment claims have surged to their highest level since October 2024, adding to growing concerns over job security and the broader economy. Initial jobless claims jumped by 22,000 to 242,000 for the week ending on Saturday, Feb. 22, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in data released on Thursday, Feb. 27. The previous week's total was revised up slightly to 220,000. The rise in claims comes as consumer confidence took its steepest monthly dive since August 2021 amid concerns over inflation, tariffs, and the labor market. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Egg Prices Now Expected To Rise Twice As High As Earlier Projections In 2025 Egg Prices Now Expected To Rise Twice As High As Earlier Projections In 2025
Egg Prices Now Expected To Rise Twice As High As Earlier Projections In 2025 Egg prices are now expected to jump in price in 2025 by more than double earlier projections. Click here for a new, updated story - Grocery Shoppers Pivot As Inflation Reshapes Spending Initial estimates by the USDA predicted a 20-percent increase just a month ago. With a nationwide shortage due to bird flu which has reduced egg-layer flocks and egg production, a 41-percent increase is now expected this year, the USDA says. The price of a dozen eggs, at around $5 on average, is up nearly 100 percent from last year. About 18.8 million commercial egg layers were affected by the bir…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021 Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021
Recession Fears Rise As Consumer Confidence Sees Steepest Drop Since 2021 Consumer confidence took its biggest dive in more than three years, adding to growing concerns over inflation, job security, and the broader economy — as Americans grapple with high prices and uncertain financial conditions. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell 7.0 points in February to 98.3, the nonprofit business research group said on Tuesday, Feb, 25. That marks the metric's steepest monthly decline since August 2021. The Expectations Index also dropped 9.3 points to 72.9. That number gauges consumers' outlook on jobs, income, and business conditions. Fo…

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by Chris Spiker