U.S. economic growth will increase slightly next year but employment gains will remain sluggish and the Federal Reserve will slow any further rate cuts, economists polled by the National Association for Business Economics said in the group's year-end forecast survey. The survey of 42 professional forecasters, conducted from November 3...
US Supreme Court Declines Bid to Revive UBS Whistleblower’s Jury Award
The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a bid by a former UBS bond strategist to revive a $2.6 million jury award in his lawsuit accusing the Swiss bank of unlawfully firing him for refusing to publish misleading research reports. The justices turned away whistleblower Trevor Murray's appeal...
US Banks Report 13.5% Jump in Profits: FDIC
WASHINGTON — The U.S. banking industry saw its profits jump 13.5% to $79.3 billion in the third quarter of 2025, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reported Monday. The FDIC said the stronger profits were primarily due to growth in non-interest income expense, as well as banks booking smaller loss provision...
Greene’s Exit Deals a Blow to GOP, Putting Rifts on Display
WASHINGTON — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s abrupt announcement Friday that she planned to resign, blindsiding the House speaker and shocking Washington, will put a dent in Republicans’ already fragile majority, leaving them with a vacant seat at least into the spring. But beyond the short-term practical impact, the sudden exit...
Supreme Court, for Now, OKs Texas Republican-Friendly Congressional Map
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday evening temporarily allowed Texas to use its newly redrawn, Republican-friendly congressional voting map for the 2026 midterm elections. The decision blocked, for now, a lower-court ruling that had said Texas could not use the map. Justice Samuel Alito, who is assigned to handle...
The Use of a Rare Wood Pits Violinists vs. Environmentalists
In 2017, a French auctioneer sold a 200-year-old violin bow made by François Xavier Tourte, regarded as the Antonio Stradivari of bow-making, for a record €576,000 ($687,000). Tourte was among the first to make consistent use of a raw material that is still prized today for the best bows: pernambuco,...
Fresno’s BenSmokin BBQ to Serve Free Thanksgiving Meals to the Community
A Fresno barbecue restaurant that usually counts on Thanksgiving to boost sales is taking a different approach this year. Bernard Mendoza, co-owner and pitmaster at BenSmokin BBQ in Fresno's Tower District, said he felt a calling to feed people. Mendoza said his father, the “Ben” in BenSmokin BBQ, inspired him...
Utah State Outplays Fresno State in Every Phase to End Bulldogs’ Title Hopes
Fresno State's longshot hopes of reaching the Mountain West title game were steamrolled by Bryson Barnes, the Utah State quarterback who might be the toughest college player in America. Barnes rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries and passed for 150 as the Aggies overcame a 10-point deficit with an...
Claudia Is Irresistibly Cute and Smart to Boot
Meet 9-month-old, cutest-button-in-the-box Claudia, a cuddle bug doll with an irresistible managerial spirit! If she had opposable thumbs you could just let her take charge of your home. She’d do a great job with a cheery attitude and breaks for pets and cuddles. Her specialties are laundry sorting and bed...
Trump Faces Same Reality as Biden: Americans Despise Higher Prices
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to lower consumer prices that skyrocketed during Joe Biden's term, but he is now facing the same hard reality that dogged his predecessor: Once prices rise, they seldom fall, and Americans hate higher prices. Trump may now be making some of...