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Germany’s central bank says the economy apparently returned to growth in the 2nd quarter

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — The German economy appears to have returned to slight growth in the April-June period after shrinking for two consecutive quarters, the country’s central bank said Monday.Germany’s national statistics office said in late May that Europe’s biggest economy contracted by 0.3% in the first three months of this year, marking the second consecutive decline that is one definition of a recession. Gross domestic product declined by 0.5% in last year’s fourth quarter.In its monthly report, the Bundesbank said economic output appears to have “increased slightly” in the second quarter, without quantifying the expected gain.It said private consumption apparently stabilized, thanks to a solid labor market, pay increases and the lack of a further significant increase in inflation. It added that supply bottlenecks declined, which together with a solid cushion of orders prevented a worse showing in the industry and construction sectors. The central bank did, however, ...

Kimberly Palmer: What to consider before budgeting with the cash-stuffing method

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

When Giovanna “Gigi” Gonzalez wanted to cut back on her food spending, the finance expert and money coach applied what is known as the “cash-stuffing” method of budgeting. She put the cash she allotted to food for the week into an envelope and limited her spending to that amount.“I could see when I had just 20 bucks left for the week, so it was really helpful,” she says.Popularized through TikTok videos, cash stuffing has brought back the old-fashioned envelope system of budgeting: You divide up your cash into different envelopes, each dedicated to a category of spending or saving. “It’s a tried and true method,” says Gonzalez, who also founded The First Gen Mentor, a money course where she promotes financial literacy.If you’re considering joining the cash-stuffing movement yourself, here are some guideposts:SET ASIDE PLANNING TIMECash stuffing requires an upfront time commitment because you need to plan your spending, withdraw your cash and then “stuff” it into labeled envelopes. T...

Child thrown from carnival ride in Antioch, airlifted to hospital

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

ANTIOCH, Ill. — A 10-year-old child was thrown from a carnival ride on Sunday in Antioch, according to police.Around 2:40 p.m., police said the child was thrown from a ride at the Taste of Antioch festival.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe child was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Their condition hasn't been released.Another kid who was on the ride said the bar for his seat on the Moby Dick ride was coming over his head several times and he had to resecure it."My bar was coming up over my head, so every time I went up because it was going up and I was almost about to fall out, I would slam down to close it so that way I would not fall out," Elliott Johnson said. "Then as soon as it started slowing down and it was about maybe rocking on the floor, I was able to push it up and slide out."Johnson said he then ran to find help for the child. Mayor Scott Gartner used his executive authority to close the rides while a safety review of each ride is ...

Monday Forecast: Air Quality Alert in effect, hazy with temps near 80

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

CHICAGO — Air Quality Alert in effect Monday. Decreasing smoke and haze this afternoon. Winds: WNW 5-15 mph. High near 80, cooler near the lake.Mostly clear skies tonight and a bit cooler. Winds: WNW 5-10 mph; Low 63 in the city, upper 50s outlying areas. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here TUESDAY FORECAST: Mostly sunny and warmer conditions. Winds: WNW 5-10 mph. Highs mid to low 80s, upper 70s lakeside. Extended outlook calls for a few more clouds on Wednesday with temps in the mid 80s and very slight chance of showers/t'storms in the late afternoon and early evening. Thursday again in the seasonal mid 80s-- a bit muggier-- and a chance of showers/t'storms in the afternoon. Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Fire burns two homes near Lake Travis; fireworks blamed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Lake Travis Fire Rescue said fireworks likely started a two-alarm brush fire that burned two homes early Monday morning near Steiner Ranch. According to LTFR, crews from the department and Austin Fire Department firefighters were at the scene of the fire at 1:20 a.m. on Mansfield View Court, which is just north of RM 620 and Quinlan Park Road. At 1:35, LTFR said two homes had minimal fire damage. One had roof damage and the second had balcony damage. Crews were able to stop the fire from going inside the homes. Lake Travis Fire Rescue said the fire was under control as of 3:10 a.m. and was out as of 4:16 a.m. LTFR told KXAN crews would be checking the area for any flare ups Monday morning.At 6:09 a.m. LTFR tweeted the "Fire is believed to be started by fireworks. Conditions are very dry. We encourage everyone to take precautions when it comes to fireworks, outdoor burning, equipment usage, and BBQing. Anything that can cause a spark can start a wildland...

PHOTOS: Moore Peak fire burns hundreds of acres in Llano County

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

LLANO COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A brush fire began burning at a ranch in Llano County Thursday afternoon and remained active until Sunday night, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.The Forest Service's website said the fire was 100% contained as of 9:14 p.m. Sunday and had burned up to 707 acres. Officials said the fire was likely started by someone in the area operating machinery. RELATED: Llano County brush fire at 707 acres, nearly 20 agencies responding Here are some photos of the fire taken by KXAN viewers:Photo of the Moore Peak Fire in Llano County as seen from Kingsland. (Courtesy Max Galyen)Photo of the Moore Peak Fire in Llano County taken Friday. (Courtesy Felicia Perez, Double F Photography)Fire in Llano County taken Friday. (Courtesy Alan Jensen)Photo of the Moore Peak Fire in Llano County taken Friday. (Courtesy Felicia Perez, Double F Photography)Photo of the Moore Peak Fire in Llano County as seen from Kingsland. (Courtesy Max Galyen)Llano County put a burn ...

5 things to know this Monday, July 17

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Happy Monday! According to Meteorologist Jill Szwed, the wildfire smoke is back. Before the smoke arrives, temperatures are heating up with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Today's five things you need to know features Albany police investigating two shots fired calls, New York State Police investigating a burglary at a Washington County gun store, and champion racehorse Funny Cide has passed away at 23 years old.1. Albany Police investigating two shots fired callsThe Albany Police Department is investigating two shots fired incidents. It is currently unknown if the two calls are connected.2. Police investigating Washington County gun shop burglaryNew York State Police are investigating a burglary at a Washington County gun store. According to police, the burglary happened at Beecroft’s Shooters Supply on Route 40 in Easton.3. Bennington woman dies in one-car crashA Ben...

Bennington woman dies in one-car crash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

GLASTENBURY, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Bennington woman has died after a one-car crash in Glastenbury. Vermont State Police said Dorothy Oshea, 71, was a passenger in the car. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The crash happened on July 16 around 7:30 a.m. on Route 7 near the Glastenbury Road underpass. Police said it was heavily raining at the time.Police said the car was traveling north on Route 7 when it left the lane, striking the guardrails. Oshea, who was in the back seat, was ejected from the vehicle. Police said she was not wearing a seatbelt. Police investigating Washington County gun shop burglary Oshea was brought to Albany Medical Center and was later pronounced dead. The driver and another passenger were uninjured in the crash.The Shaftsbury Fire Department and Arlington Ambulance Squad assisted on scene. The crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information can call Vermont State Police at (802) 442-5421.

St. Louis County locals still without power after weekend storms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Thousands of people in the area are still without power Monday morning after a series of intense storms over the weekend.It's going to be another busy day for Ameren Missouri crews working to restore power in various areas around St. Louis County. Scattered damage can be seen on one road just off Lindbergh Boulevard and East Concord Road in one of the impacted neighborhoods. In the area, including a fallen tree that took power lines with it.Spanish Lake in north county was hit very hard by storms on Friday night into Saturday. Huge sections of trees were knocked over, some falling onto homes, while others toppled more power lines.Spanish Lake locals are still dealing with power issues Monday morning. Ameren's outage map shows about 10,600 customers in Ameren Missouri's service area out of power right now.The most outages are in St. Louis County, where more than 4,400 people are without power. In Jefferson County, about 3,900 customers are without power Monday...

Isolated storms Monday with temp highs in upper 80s, possible storms Wednesday and Thursday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:52:41 GMT

St. Louis weather from Meteorologist Angela Hutti:ST. LOUIS - Tracking another round of thunderstorms early Monday morning that is creating some heavy downpours and frequent lightning. The bulk of the active weather will move off to the southeast through the morning. Then we’ll watch for some isolated storms during the afternoon and evening as a cold front moves through. Temperature highs are set in the upper 80s.  Monday night is going to be partly cloudy with just a slight chance of showers and storms. Wake up temps Tuesday will be in the upper 60s.  St. Louis radar: See a map of current weather here Another widespread chance of thunderstorms looks likely Tuesday afternoon and night. Highs Tuesday again are in the upper 80s. Storms may linger into Wednesday morning.  A slight chance for storms will then linger for Wednesday and Thursday before we get a stormy pattern break. We’ll also have to watch the dangerous heat building across the south and see just how far north into the...