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Turned down for a loan, business owners look to family and even crowdsourcing to get money to grow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Among the many challenges small businesses face as they try to grow these days, getting a loan is right near the top.Banks big and small have tightened lending standards as the Federal Reserve hiked up interest rates the past two years. The collapse of three regional banks this spring and the possibility of stricter regulations have likely made some banks more cautious as well.So, business owners are having to make sacrifices, from turning to crowdsourcing instead of lenders, borrowing from family or friends, or simply forgoing expansion plans that would have been funded by more capital.According to the Federal Reserve, which surveys senior bank loan officers quarterly, about 49% of banks said they had tightened lending standards for small firms – those with less than $50 million in annual sales – during the July to September quarter, up from 22% in the same period last year. Loan officers cited an increasingly uncertain economic outlook as one reason for the tighten...

Are any cities in Illinois the best place to retire?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

(WJW) — If you're looking to retire, and do so on a budget, it may be hard to know where to live to get the most bang for your buck. A new analysis by the personal finance site GOBankingRates suggests a northeastern Ohio city may be just the place for you. GOBankingRates reviewed multiple U.S. cities based on their population and costs of living to find the 15 best for those looking to retire on a budget of $2,500 a month. It was Akron, Ohio, that ranked as the best place to retire, the analysis found. Man had no car, no furniture, but died with a big secret, leaving his N.H. town millions "No, it doesn't have the warm climes and white-sand beaches of Florida, but it does have an average monthly mortgage of just $699," reads an article from Travel + Leisure, published Monday.With other estimated costs like health care and groceries added in, a retiree would pay on average $2,361 per month to live there, according to GOBankingRates. It wasn't the least expensive city on the list, ...

Where it will cost most to heat your home this winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – A holiday gift is coming early this year. The average winter heating bill is expected to drop, according to projections by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). After a large spike in heating prices (and basically everything else) last year, Americans are getting some relief from rising costs. The EIA attributes the estimated 20% drop in winter heating prices to a large supply of natural gas and expected mild winter temperatures, among other factors. But even with drops across the board, residents of many states are still expected to fork over more than $100 a month to keep their homes toasty. Personal finance site MoneyGeek analyzed the EIA data to determine which states are likely to see the highest monthly heating bill come winter. It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. What will be different? Illinois residents are the unlucky winners who land at the top of the list. The average monthly natural gas bill this winter is expected to be $133. If it's any con...

List shows all 2024 federal holidays to help you manage your vacation days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) – With the year almost over, you might be thinking: When should I plan my vacations in 2024 so that I can cash in on an extended weekend?There are only two federal holidays left in 2023. But knowing when those designated days are in 2024 could help you plan for the future.If a holiday falls on a Saturday, then the Friday before will be treated as a federal holiday, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The same applies if a holiday falls on a Sunday; the following Monday will be treated as a federal holiday. Does your smartphone expire? Sort of Here's the last federal holiday of 2023:Christmas Day on Monday, Dec. 25Be aware: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are not considered federal holidays.Here are the federal holidays in 2024:New Year's Day on Monday, Jan. 1Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on Monday, Jan. 15Presidents' Day (also known as Washington's birthday) on Monday, Feb. 19Memorial Day on Monday, May 27Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19Indep...

Israel and Hamas complete second day of swaps

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

AL BIREH, West Bank (AP) — Hamas on Saturday released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, from captivity in the Gaza Strip, while Israel freed 39 Palestinians in the latest stage of a four-day cease-fire.The late-night exchange was held up for several hours after Hamas accused Israel of violating the agreement. The delay underscored the fragility of the cease-fire, which has halted a war that has shocked and shaken Israel, caused widespread destruction across the Gaza Strip, and threatened to unleash wider fighting across the region.The war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas in Gaza burst across the border into southern Israel, that left at least 1,200 people dead and abducting some 240 others, including, women, children and older people. Israel immediately declared war, carrying out weeks of airstrikes and bombings that have killed over 13,300 Palestinians dead. Roughly two-thirds of those killed in Gaza have been women and children.The cease-fire is the first extended break in fighting...

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 12: Last-minute moves

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

UPDATE: 10:04 a.m. SundayThe news this morning regarding B and C level running backs. Houston’s Dameon Pierce and Tampa Bay’s Rachaad White have been cleared to play today, according to ESPN. But Chicago’s D’Onta Foreman is considered doubtful to face the Vikings on Monday night.Other notables reportedly ready to go include Baltimore WRs Odell Ceckham Jr. and Zay Flowers, Arizona WR Marquise Brown and Rams tight end Gerald Everett.UPDATE: 11:44 a.m. Saturday Some Thanksgiving weekend updates while we bask in the warm glow of our 4-0 start against the spread to Week 12:>> Rams RB Kyren Williams is expected back against Arizona, which will remove any scant value remaining for Royce Freeman or Zach Evans.>> Tampa Bay RB Rachaad White is now considered questionable due to a knee injury, which would likely mean a whole lot more throwing for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield against Indy.>> Houston WR Noah Brown will miss another game, proving he might have been jinxed by being nam...

SFD battles fire at Holyrood House apartments

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

SCOTIA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Scotia Fire Department responded to a fire at the Holyrood House apartments on Fifth Street on November 25. The fire occurred around 4:16 p.m. on Saturday, and no injuries were reported. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Firefighters were able to contain the flames to one apartment on the fifth floor. Residents sheltered in place while the floor was ventilated, while everyone on the fourth and sixth floors were relocated by fire personnel to a ground level community room. After the building was ventilated, residents were allowed back into their apartments, except for the occupant of the apartment that the fire was in, who was displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Police searching for man missing out of Selkirk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

SELKIRK, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Bethlehem Police Department announced they are searching for a man missing out of Selkirk. Richard Ryther, 71, has not been seen since November 24. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Richard was last seen near his home at 800 River Road in Selkirk around 2 p.m. on Friday. He was last known to be wearing dark pants, a white plaid shirt and black sneakers, while carrying a black lunch box and a walking stick. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Richard's whereabouts is asked to contact the Bethlehem Police Department at (518)439-9973.

Wentzville police respond to early morning gunfire, several arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo -- Several individuals were arrested, some of whom were found to have a gun on them. The incident originated as a verbal argument, escalating into a physical altercation just before four to five shots were fired, alerting police.At 1:27 a.m. this morning, the Wentzville Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 100 block of West Allen St. A crowd of people was present at the location.One person sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to a local hospital, where they are now in stable condition and receiving treatment for the injury.Detectives from the Wentzville Police Department responded to both the scene and the hospital to take over the investigation. Currently, West Allen Street is closed from North Church Street to North Linn Street as officers process the scene. Drivers are advised to use an alternate route to allow space for the ongoing police work.If anyone witnessed the incident or has information related to the investig...

Deadly Aurora crash closes Havana-Iliff intersection, forces detours

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:24 GMT

Aurora police officers are investigating a fatal crash that shut down the intersection at South Havana Street and East Iliff Avenue in all directions Sunday morning.In a Sunday morning release, the Aurora Police Department said the roads would remain closed for several hours for the crash investigation.Drivers were advised to use East Jewell or East Yale avenues as east-west route alternatives, and South Peoria Street as a north-south route alternative.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Westbound I-70 reopens west of Golden after hours-long closure due to jackknifed tanker truck, multi-vehicle crash Crashes and Disasters | Two-car crash leaves one dead on Loveland Pass in Summit County Crashes and Disasters | 2 semitrucks on fire on Colfax Avenue, power line down Crashes and Disasters | 3 injured after car crashes into Aurora building Sunday afternoon Crashes and Disasters | Semitruck fuel spill shuts do...