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Businesses expect more but slowing price, wage increases: BoC survey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

OTTAWA — A new survey by the Bank of Canada suggests businesses still anticipate larger-than-normal wage and price increases, but expectations are shifting closer to what they were before the pandemic.In its business outlook survey, the central bank says that for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, businesses on balance expect slower wage growth over the next year.Firms on balance also expect their input and output prices to grow at a slower rate over the next 12 months.Overall, the business outlook survey indicator pointed to a negative sentiment as businesses continue to expect their sales growth over the next year to be weak, with one in five firms expecting an outright decline in sales.However, the survey for the second quarter found fewer firms expect an outright recession with one-third planning for a recession compared with half in the first quarter.Meanwhile, the central bank’s Canadian survey of consumer expectations also suggests that while consumer inflati...

How the Supreme Court student loan decision affects you

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The Supreme Court has ruled the Biden administration overstepped its authority in trying to cancel or reduce student loan debt, effectively killing the $400 billion plan, which would have canceled up to $20,000 in federal student loans for 43 million people. Of those, 20 million would have had their remaining student debt erased completely.The court’s decision means, barring an act of Congress, those Americans are on the hook for payments starting in October.Still, borrowers who are worried about their budgets do have options. For instance, the government has other loan forgiveness programs that are still in effect, even if Biden’s plan was struck down.Here’s what to know about how the decision will affect you:WHEN WILL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS RESUME?Student loan payments that have been frozen for the last three years because of the pandemic are set to restart in October. That was going to happen no matter what the Supreme Court decided. Interest will...

After Republicans expelled him, campaign for Tennessee Democratic Rep. Pearson says he raised $860K

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson raised about $860,000 through some 31,700 campaign donations after Tennessee Republican lawmakers abruptly moved to expel him and two other Democrats for a gun control protest on the House floor, his campaign said.The short-lived expulsion propelled the Memphis environmental activist, a fresh face just months into his first term, to become a nationally watched progressive figure who sat in the Oval Office. His quick fame translated into a wave of campaign cash largely because Republicans opened the door for Pearson and fellow expelled Rep. Justin Jones of Nashville to accept donations from across the country just when the spotlight centered on them. Had Republican lawmakers left the two young Black lawmakers in office, they would’ve been banned from raising cash because a legislative session was ongoing.Instead, in just two months, Pearson attracted, through average donations of about $27, an amount of campaign cash similar...

A Boris Johnson ally quits the UK government with a blast at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A British environment minister who is close to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson quit on Friday, accusing the current government of apathy toward climate issues.While Zac Goldsmith cited environmental policies as his reason for resigning, it came after he was asked to apologize for trying to undermine a group of lawmakers who were investigating government rule-breaking.Goldsmith, a long-time conservationist, said he was quitting the government because Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was “simply uninterested” in the environment.“This government’s apathy in the face of the greatest challenge we have faced makes continuing in my current role untenable,” he wrote in a resignation letter released on social media.He said Britain has “visibly stepped off the world stage and withdrawn our leadership on climate and nature.”Goldsmith, Sunak and Johnson are all members of the governing Conservative Party. Goldsmith, 48, was appointed to Parliament’s unelected House of Lords by Johns...

‘Watermelon snow’ piques curiosities in Utah after abnormally wet winter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — High up in the mountains, amid pinyon pine and quaking aspen trees, the remaining remnants of the winter’s snow is dotted with hues of pinks, purples and oranges.Hikers, campers and church youth groups journeying by grasp it in their palms and liken it to flavored snow cones, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, pink lemonade, dissolved blood or if passersby conducted an art project using red food coloring.“It’s almost like it’s been sprinkled with Himalayan salt or even Kool-Aid powder,” Jana Brough, a mother hiking with friends and family at Tony Grove Lake in Utah’s Logan Canyon, said this week. “But when you scrape it you can tell it’s just on the surface.”From the roads that traverse mountain passes above Park City to the Bear River Range near the Utah-Idaho border, last winter’s record snowfall is heating up, baking under the sunlight and turning hues of red. The presence of so-called “watermelon snow” — referred to unofficially due to its pinkish ti...

Three injured after GO Train strikes vehicles in Scarborough

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

Three people have injuries after a GO Train struck a vehicle in Scarborough on Friday morning.Emergency crews responded to the crash at a street level train crossing on Finch Avenue East, between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue, just before 10 a.m.Police say a GO Train struck an SUV, with other cars possibly struck after the initial collision. Toronto police confirm no one was trapped as a result of the crash.Paramedics assessed a number of patients at the scene and say two people were taken to a local trauma centre. A third person sustained minor injuries.Trains are currently holding in both directions on the GO Stouffville line.

13 facing federal charges after fentanyl investigation on West Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

CHICAGO — Thirteen people have been charged following a federal drug investigation into fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine trafficking on the West Side.Many of those charged, including the group’s suspected leader, are members of the Traveling Vice Lords gang, according to the Department of Justice.Authorities said they conducted a multi-year investigation into the alleged trafficking to shut down an open-air drug market in Humboldt Park.On Wednesday, multiple search warrants of multiple locations in Chicago and the suburbs were executed. Authorities seized approximately ten firearms, two 50-round drum ammunition magazines, several extended ammunition magazines, more than a kilogram of cocaine, more than 250 grams of heroin containing fentanyl, and approximately nine vehicles that allegedly were used in furtherance of narcotics trafficking.The following 11 men have been charged with federal drug conspiracy.Terrance Sanders, 40, of AuroraShavelle Sims, 32, of Glendale HeightsTyron Pau...

Working out at this time could help you live longer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

CHICAGO — It's universally agreed that more exercise is a good way to promote better health.In fact, we've talked about it a few times on the WGN Morning News through the years. But did you know that there's a time of day that could actually be of more benefit to getting some exercise in? Scientists even believe it could extend your life. That's one of the topics that was discussed on the "9@9" on Friday as the hosts discussed those findings when it comes to being active in your life. We also talked about a fire-breathing dragon bridge, a high-end dog hotel, "Moonshot" shoes, walking cushions, and more during the segment.You can watch the entire "9@9" from the June 30 show in the video above.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Blackhawks officially add another veteran after NHL Draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

CHICAGO — During the team's dynasty years, he was a rival and often brought out some angst among fans of the Blackhawks. But now in need of veterans to bolster a young team that will feature one of the best players in a generation, the team is officially bringing in this player fans got to know when he played in Anaheim.A day after acquiring him in a trade with the Lightning, the Blackhawks have signed forward Corey Perry to a one-year contract with a $4 million cap hit.@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/97wDTHxeWE— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) June 30, 2023After trading a seventh round pick to acquire his rights on Thursday, the Blackhawks signed forward Corey Perry to a one-year contract that has a $4 million cap hit on Friday.Known for his scoring prowess early in his career and physical play, which included a few run-ins with the Blackhawks, the forward has played in the NHL for 18 seasons. He's a four-time NHL All-Star and was named the Hart Trophy award winner for league MVP in 20...

Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin, of 'Little Miss Sunshine' fame, dies at 89

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:14:55 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alan Arkin, the wry character actor who demonstrated his versatility in comedy and drama as he received four Academy Award nominations and won an Oscar in 2007 for "Little Miss Sunshine," has died. He was 89.His sons Adam, Matthew and Anthony confirmed their father's death through the actor's publicist on Friday. “Our father was a uniquely talented force of nature, both as an artist and a man," they said in a statement.FILE - Alan Arkin poses with the Oscar he won for best supporting actor in "Little Miss Sunshine" at the 79th Academy Awards Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)A member of Chicago's famed Second City comedy troupe, Arkin was an immediate success in movies with the Cold War spoof "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming" and peaked late in life with his win as best supporting actor for the surprise 2006 hit "Little Miss Sunshine.” More than 40 years separated his first Oscar nomination, for "The Russians...