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Business
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects
Holiday Spending To Drop For First Time In Five Years, Survey Expects Holiday shoppers are expected to spend less in 2025, marking the first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey. PricewaterhouseCoopers released its 2025 Holiday Outlook on Wednesday, Sept. 3. The financial firm found that Americans plan to spend an average of $1,552 over the holidays, down 5% from 2024. Gift budgets are taking the biggest hit, dropping 11% to $721, as consumers pull back on shopping amid President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs. "People are going to keep shopping, but with continuing concerns about tariffs and elevated prices (especially on electr…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Saratoga County Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' Saratoga County Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You'
Saratoga County Restaurant Closing After 23 Years: 'It’s Been Our Pleasure To Serve You' A neighborhood favorite in Saratoga County is saying goodbye after 23 years of serving comforting meals and lasting friendships. Abeel’s Restaurant, a family-run spot in Ballston Spa known for its warm atmosphere and elevated comfort food, will officially close its doors on Tuesday, Sept. 30, owners Tony and Julie Abeel announced in a heartfelt message to customers on Facebook. “After 27 wonderful years in business, we’ve made the heartfelt decision to retire,” the post read. “It’s time for us to begin a new chapter and enjoy more time with our families and friends.” Tony and Julie have op…

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores
Major Home Goods Chain Declares Bankruptcy, Blames Trump Tariffs: See List Of Closing NY Stores A popular home goods retailer is declaring bankruptcy, citing President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs and a significant drop in consumer spending. At Home has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Dallas-area company announced on Monday, June 16. The retailer said it reached a deal with lenders to eliminate nearly $2 billion in debt and receive a $200 million capital infusion. The move will allow At Home to continue operating during the court-supervised restructuring process. "We are continuing to offer the home furnishing pairings that customers expect to find at our store…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Region Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Region
Phone Scam Involving Fake Jury Summons Targets Residents In Region Authorities are warning Hudson Valley residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate sheriff’s office personnel and demand payment via gift cards.  The scam has been reported in Putnam County, the county's Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Nov. 22. According to authorities, the caller claims to be “Sergeant Cook” from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and falsely states that the recipient failed to respond to a jury summons. The scammer then threatens that a warrant will be issued for the recipient’s arrest unless they pay using gift cards. The Sheriff’s Office emphasi…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say
Scammers Posing As Well-Known Businesses, Agencies: Here's What To Know, Feds Say Federal authorities are sounding the alarm over scams that impersonate well-known businesses and government agencies.  In 2023, data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alone show more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams. That amounts to nearly half the frauds reported directly to the agency, the FTC said. Combined, reported losses to these impersonation scams topped $1.1 billion for the year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. Reports show an increasingly blurred line between busine…

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by Joe Lombardi