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Economic policy

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
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
News
NY Shoppers Feel Inflation But Spend Less Of Income On Groceries Than Many States: Study NY Shoppers Feel Inflation But Spend Less Of Income On Groceries Than Many States: Study
NY Shoppers Feel Inflation But Spend Less Of Income On Groceries Than Many States: Study Inflation and soaring grocery prices are squeezing US households at the beginning of 2025, but a new study says Northeast families are spending less of their income on food than other parts of the country. A study from WalletHub called States Where People Spend the Most & Least on Groceries was released on Thursday, Feb. 13. Despite higher food costs, residents in many Northeast and mid-Atlantic states spend a smaller share of their incomes on groceries compared to others. WalletHub said the cost of groceries has surged more than 25 percent since 2019, straining household…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say
Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say US tariffs on goods from its three largest trading partners -- neighboring nations Canada and Mexico as well as China -- have gone into effect after President Trump signed an order late Saturday afternoon, Feb. 1. Canada and Mexico have been slapped with 25 percent tariffs. The rate for China, America's main economic rival, is 10 percent. Canada also has an adjusted 10 percent rate for energy products, include crude oil. Mexico and Canada account for about 70 percent of US crude oil imports. Now, many economists are warning that American consumers will be paying more for a host of staple i…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Trump Vows To Hit Canada, Mexico, China With Tariffs: Here's When, How Much Trump Vows To Hit Canada, Mexico, China With Tariffs: Here's When, How Much
Trump Vows To Hit Canada, Mexico, China With Tariffs: Here's When, How Much Donald Trump's months-long threats of implementing tariffs on other countries are apparently hours away from becoming a reality. Click here for a new, updated story - Trump Tariffs Take Effect: Expect To Pay More For These Items, Experts Say White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at a news conference Friday afternoon, Jan. 31 that both of America's neighbors, Canada and Mexico, will be slapped with 25 percent tariffs on goods. A third nation, China, America's main economic rival, will be hit with 10 percent tariffs. They take effect on Saturday, Feb. 1, and are "for …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction
Fed Pauses Interest Rate Cuts Despite Trump's Push For Immediate Reduction The Federal Reserve kept its key interest rate in place, pausing further cuts and ignoring a demand by President Donald Trump to immediately drop rates. After three months of reductions, the Fed decided to keep the key interest rate target at 4.25 to 4.5 percent. The Fed announced the decision on Wednesday, Jan. 29, after its first meeting since President Trump returned to the White House. Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed is monitoring inflation and economic stability under the Trump administration. "We remain committed to supporting maximum employment, bringing inflation sustain…

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by Chris Spiker
Politics
New Poll: Undecided Voters At Stake In Presidential Debate, Why It Matters Here New Poll: Undecided Voters At Stake In Presidential Debate, Why It Matters Here
New Poll: Undecided Voters At Stake In Presidential Debate, Why It Matters Here The one and possibly only presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump is on Tuesday, Sept. 10 on ABC News from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. How Democrat Harris and Republican Trump perform from the City of Brotherly Love could be critical to how about 15 percent of undecided voters in Pennsylvania feel about their choice — assuming they watch or later hear about the debate, a political expert said. Early voting begins in Pennsylvania on Monday, Sept. 16 and Election Day is just eight weeks away. The Keystone State i…

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by Jon Craig
News
Clothing Under $110 Now Exempt From Sales Tax In This Hudson Valley County: Here's How Long Clothing Under $110 Now Exempt From Sales Tax In This Hudson Valley County: Here's How Long
Clothing Under $110 Now Exempt From Sales Tax In This Hudson Valley County: Here's How Long Those who purchase any clothing or footwear cheaper than $110 in one Hudson Valley county will not have to pay sales tax thanks to a new piece of legislation.  Effective on Friday, March 1, clothing and footwear under $110 purchased in Putnam County will be exempt from sales tax for two years, officials announced.  The exemption comes thanks to a piece of legislation signed into law by Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne in 2023. The legislation was passed unanimously by the County Legislature in November as part of a series of initiatives in the 2024 County Budget. …

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by Ben Crnic
News
COVID-19: Amazon Worker At NYC Delivery Station Tests Positive COVID-19: Amazon Worker At NYC Delivery Station Tests Positive
Covid-19: Amazon Worker At NYC Delivery Station Tests Positive An Amazon employee who works at a Queens delivery station has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the company. “We are supporting the individual who is now in quarantine," said an Amazon spokesperson. "Since the early days of this situation, we have worked closely with local authorities to proactively respond, ensuring we continue to serve customers while taking care of our associates and we’re following all guidelines from local officials about the operations of our buildings." The associate is receiving medical care and is in quarantine, officials said. …

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
People Are Fleeing NY 'Because Of High Taxes And Yes, Even Oppression Of Sorts,' Trump Says People Are Fleeing NY 'Because Of High Taxes And Yes, Even Oppression Of Sorts,' Trump Says
People Are Fleeing NY 'Because Of High Taxes And Yes, Even Oppression Of Sorts,' Trump Says President Donald Trump is accusing the New York Attorney General’s office of illegally investigating the National Rifle Association's finances, alleging that this is part of the reason the state has seen a recent exodus of residents moving away. On Saturday, April 27, New York Attorney General Letitia James' office announced that it had launched an investigation into the NRA and had issued subpoenas to the organization, but did not confirm what the probe was in regard to. "The NRA is under siege by (New York Gov. Andrew) Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the S…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address
Gov. Cuomo Touts Progressive Agenda At State Of State Address New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said New York was once again the nation's vanguard for social justice at his annual State of the State address Tuesday. The governor's address included proposed criminal justice reform and initiatives to combat the new federal tax reform bill that Cuomo called a federal assault on the state. "The state has made unprecedented progress," Cuomo, who is running for a third term this year, said. "The economy is stronger than ever. Crime is down statewide. We have more high school graduates. We have conserved more land than ever before. We have made histo…

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by Sam Barron