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Economists expect rise in inflation as price-growth fight enters new phase

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Forecasters anticipate this week’s consumer price index report to show inflation rose last month, signalling a reversal in progress after a year of steady declines in inflation. Canada’s annual inflation rate fell back to the country’s target range in June for the first time since March 2021, tumbling to 2.8 per cent.But economists expected the victory against high inflation to be short-lived, as underlying price pressures suggest it will take some time for inflation to return to the two per cent target.“I think (the report) is going to be a bit of a dash of reality for everyone, including the Bank of Canada, that basically the easy phase is over and now the hard work begins,” said Douglas Porter, BMO’s chief economist.Both BMO and CIBC expect inflation to come in at 3.1 per cent in July, largely due to higher gasoline prices.The U.S. experienced a similar uptick in inflation last month, as its annual rate rose to 3.2 per cent, up from 3....

‘The saving grace for agriculture’: Farmers look to irrigation amid climate woes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

CALGARY — Sean Stanford’s wheat farm just south of Lethbridge, Alta. falls within the far left corner of Palliser’s Triangle — an expanse of prairie grassland encompassingmuch of southeast Alberta, a swath of southern Saskatchewan, and the southwest corner of Manitoba.The area is named for explorer Capt. John Palliser, who in 1857, famously declared the entire region a wasteland — so hot and arid that no crops would ever grow. More than 160 years later, with parts of the prairie provinces suffering through another summer of drought conditions, Stanford’s farm is certainly dry.“I think we’ve had three inches of rain since we started seeding. It’s been pretty dismal, honestly,” he said in an interview in July.But Stanford is growing crops, thanks to a series of small sprinklers, attached to a large pipe and powered by an electric motor that disperse water from a nearby irrigation canal over some of his fields.“Hopefully this fall I’m going to ...

What is the difference between 'sell by' and 'best-by' dates on food?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

(WHTM) – Grocery stores package foods in many different ways, but they also have many ways to indicate when foods may be past their prime. While some say "use by" a specific date, others say "sell by" the posted date. But what is the difference?According to the University of Connecticut (UConn), food dating is not required by federal law. The only exception to this is infant formula and some baby food. For all other foods, except for dairy products in some states, dating is up to the manufacturer. Stores are also not legally obligated to remove outdated products from their shelves, UConn reports. This means that consumers should always check the packaging to make sure what they are buying is the freshest. Dunkin’ is releasing a line of spiked coffee and tea There are a few terms that consumers should be aware of when it comes to food dating, some of which can be confusing. Here are some common terms you may see while shopping for food. Expiration date: Food should be thrown awa...

Texas woman injured after hawk drops snake on her arm, then attacks them both

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

SILSBEE, Texas (KETK) -- A woman in Silsbee was mowing her lawn when the unthinkable happened; a snake fell from the sky and landed on her arm, our NBC affiliate KPRC reported.After the snake fell, it started wrapping around Peggy Jones' arm.“The snake was squeezing so hard, and I was waving my arms in the air. And then, this hawk was swooping down clawing at my arm over and over,” Peggy Jones told KPRC. “I just kept saying, ‘Help me, Jesus, Help me, Jesus.’’Jones told KPRC that the hawk swooped down on her at least four times trying to get the snake before ultimately ripping the snake off her arm and flying away with it.She said blood was everywhere and that her husband heard the noise and came running.“I was yelling and screaming. He didn’t know what I was saying. I thought I was bit by a snake,” Jones told KPRC.Jones' husband took her to the emergency room and she was treated for cuts from the hawk and bruising on her arm from the snake, KPRC said.She was reportedly not bitten by...

A Haunted La Quinta in Texas? — Beware of Room 1009

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — There's a hotel located in downtown Dallas that has become a surprising place to spot paranormal activity. Yet, when you understand the 100 years of history, it's a no-brainer why many people believe this place is a haven for restless spirits. The hotel originally opened in 1925 as the Scott Hotel, later taking on two other names, Bradford and Hotel Lawrence, before being purchased by La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham. It unfortunately has been a hotspot over the years for several murders and deaths. The La Quinta that stands now, gratefully has had the same experience, however, reports say that ghosts of the past haunt this hotel. A gangster named Jack "Smiley" Jackson is one of the hotel's most famous ghosts. Jackson was a gangster that was killed in the now-infamous Room 109. It's said, that "Smiley" haunts the room on the tenth floor and if you stay there he reportedly shuts the door on his visitors. This specific room's energy was never the same since Jackso...

Real World Economics: Cannabis legalization and market forces

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

Edward LottermanThis month Minnesota begins the long process of regulating legal retail sales of cannabis.Jackpots of a billion dollars or more in multistate lotteries are in the news.So the challenge of managing goods and services that people want to consume — but that also have harmful effects — are at center stage. Can economists contribute anything to public debate on this perennial issue?Well, yes to useful insights and to suggesting palliative measures. But no to solutions. Desirable products that cause collateral damage to society are an old problem and one that will be with us always.History offers some insights. In the Bible, Noah gets drunk and into trouble bringing harm to his kids. In the mid-1700s, gin consumption in Britain exceeded six gallons per man, woman and child. Social harms from this “gin craze,’ memorably recorded by satirical painter William Hogarth, were enormous.In our nation a century later, per capita consumption of alcohol reached a level eq...

Armed suspects barricaded in Ontario home after hours-long pursuit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

Two suspects led police on an hours-long chase through Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and barricaded themselves in a house, where they currently remain. According to the California Highway Patrol, the pursuit started around 12:52 a.m. in Pasadena and nearly an hour later, the suspects stopped at a house in a cul-de-sac in Ontario and barricaded themselves. A SWAT team was called in at 4:19 a.m., police said. The scene remains active, but no surrounding residents have been evacuated. This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for updates.Nancy Fontan contributed to this report.

Study ranks Sunnyvale as 5th best U.S. city for families

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

Sunnyvale was ranked No. 5 in a recent study of Best U.S. Cities to Raise a Family. Researchers at RentCafe.com compared more than 130 cities to find out what they offer in terms of cost of living and housing, local economy and quality of life.Sunnyvale snagged first place in the last two categories, with the study showing the city’s 4.1% unemployment rate to be one of the lowest among all the cities analyzed. The study also noted that 67% of Sunnyvale residents hold a college degree.According to the study, at 4.4% Sunnyvale has the lowest percentage of children living below the poverty line among the top 10 Best Cities to Raise a Family in 2023, In San Francisco, the next-highest ranked California city at No. 17, this rate is more than 10%.The study ranks Sunnyvale at No. 134 for cost of living. Ahead of the city in the overall rankings are Plano, TX, Scottdale, AZ, Arlington, VA, and Marietta, GA.To view the complete report, visit https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market...

Los Gatos museum recognized for high school ArtNow competition

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

New Museum Los Gatos has received the 2023 Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Museum Education for its high school art competition.Founded in 2012, the annual ArtNow competition is a juried high school art contest open to students across the Bay Area. Each year students are asked to submit works based on a theme and have the chance to win scholarships and awards totaling $16,000.The Superintendent’s Award, which was also begun in 2012, is sponsored by the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education and recognizes California museums for programs that serve K-12 students and educators. ArtNow is among 66 programs to have received the award.NUMU’s competition presents awards for works in painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital art and video/animation. One work is named Best in Show, and museum visitors cast their votes for the people’s choice award.Related ArticlesLocal News | Jamie Reid ...

Summer music still playing in Saratoga

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:50 GMT

Summer’s not over in Saratoga: There are plenty of music and events to still enjoy in the city this weekend.Nigel and Clive’s British Invasion arrives at Savannah Chanelle Winery Saturday, Aug. 19. The Brit boys will perform their favorite British Invasion songs. $20 cover charge. www.savannahchanelle.comAlso on Saturday, another concert in Wildwood Park. Sponsored by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, it’s a full afternoon of rock, starting at 12:30 p.m.  Wine, beer and food are available. The theme of the concert is sunglasses: Wear your cheapest, ugliest, coolest or most fabulous shades to the show to compete in the Sunglass Selfie contest. www.saratogachamber.orgThere is still time to enjoy a Saratoga tradition. The Montalvo Service Group hosts its last Montalvo Summer Luncheon of the season on Aug. 23. Dine al fresco on the veranda of the historic villa, with proceeds benefiting the maintenance and preservation of the villa and grounds at Montalvo Arts Center. Montalvo Executive...