Economy

Iconic retailer’s retreat leaves Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord as the state’s last outpost, stirring questions about the brand’s future. The wave of department‑store shutdowns has finally washed over Sears in Burbank, trimming the onetime retail titan to just one California location. Shoppers who once relied on dozens of Golden State branches now have a … Read more

Dream of unboxing a home like a kitchen gadget? Amazon’s most‑wished‑for cabin now starts at $11,100 and can land on your driveway in just a few weeks. The flat‑packed tiny house unfolds into 335 square feet, topped by an 86‑square‑foot covered porch perfect for rocking chairs and sunsets. Two true bedrooms let it serve as guest suite, Airbnb, or … Read more

The Oregonian’s Readers Choice Awards reveal a tight race, just three votes apart, for the city’s favorite frozen treats—and the winners span Portland, the suburbs and Newberg. Portlanders are passionate about their scoops, and the latest Readers Choice poll proves it. Below is a quick‑glance table of the top five finishers before we dig into … Read more

A compact, steel‑framed villa ships nationwide, promising a customizable living space for a fraction of traditional housing costs. Mortgage rates keep climbing, rents show no mercy, and many Americans are hunting for alternatives. Enter Amazon’s 20‑foot modular steel villa, a blank‑canvas home you can own for about $17,000 and assemble in just a few days. … Read more

They’re edible, even delicious, yet most shoppers have never cracked one open. Every diner knows chicken eggs. Foodies may splurge on duck or quail eggs. But turkey eggs? They remain a curiosity—despite barns and backyards full of the birds that lay them. Turkey eggs taste a bit richer than chicken eggs and sport a speckled, … Read more

The $170‑billion Yarlung Zangbo cascade, billed as the world’s largest hydropower project, is expected to churn out enough electricity to match Britain’s yearly consumption and has already pushed Chinese stocks and bond yields higher. China has begun building a five‑station dam complex on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau that will generate an estimated 300 billion kWh … Read more

Weekly unemployment claims dip again, underscoring a job market that refuses to buckle even as tariff worries linger. Applications for unemployment aid tumbled for a fifth straight week, dropping by another 7,000 to 221,000 for the period ending July 12. That’s the lowest level since mid‑April and well below the 232,000 many analysts expected. In short, … Read more

Five‑cent hike takes effect July 13, raising costs for postcards, international letters and more. Mail writers have a new number to remember: 78 cents. Starting July 13, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will charge that amount for its ubiquitous first‑class Forever stamp, up from 73 cents. The increase, cleared by the Postal Regulatory Commission after months of review, headlines … Read more

Anglers across the Mississippi River basin just got another reason to grab their tackle. A fresh expansion of the “Keep, Cool, Call” bounty now pays up to $1,000 a month for every verified invasive black carp you haul in. If you fish in fresh water from Alabama to Wyoming, this matters to you. The Illinois … Read more

A July 3 executive order will hike entrance costs for non‑U.S. visitors, give Americans first dibs on coveted permits, and roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) directives across federal recreation sites. Overseas adventurers eyeing the Grand Canyon or Great Smoky Mountains may want to pad their travel budgets. President Donald Trump says the new policy will … Read more

West Michigan diners can soon relive a drive‑thru legend. Gun Lake Investments and developer Jeff Konczak confirmed Tuesday that Hot ‘n Now will fire up the grills again this summer at 1146 129th Ave., just off US‑131 in Wayland Township. Will it taste like the ’90s—yet stay affordable in 2025? That’s the promise driving the comeback. The revived … Read more

A fresh surcharge of up to 1.5 % will appear on every ride, funding road repairs and nudging passengers toward carpooling. North Carolina travelers will soon notice a new line on their receipts. Beginning July 1, every Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi ride will include a state‑imposed surcharge dedicated to shoring up the Tar Heel State’s road … Read more

Nearly a dozen popular items sold through the warehouse giant must be pulled from use right away, officials warn. Costco has posted recall notices covering everything from pocket‑size electronics to rolling coolers, and shoppers nationwide should pay close attention. Which specific Costco products are now under an urgent safety recall Before you toss yesterday’s receipt, … Read more

Texas chain lines up first stores in Ohio, Wisconsin and Arizona as construction crews race toward 2027. It has been a whirlwind summer for Buc‑ee’s. After cutting ribbons in Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia, the convenience giant now runs 54 stores across nine states—yet that number could top 70 within two years. Who stands to benefit from … Read more