Government regulations add nearly $132K to cost of new home, builders say
Government regulations now add roughly $132,000 to the cost of a typical newly built home, according to a new study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as industry leaders warn that mounting costs are worsening the nation's housing affordability challenges.
Government regulations now add roughly $132,000 to the cost of a typical newly built home, according to a new study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), as industry leaders warn that mounting costs are worsening the nation's housing affordability challenges.
New ranking shows America's best and worst run cities
Which U.S. cities get the most value from taxpayer dollars? A new study is ranking the nation’s best-run cities.
Which U.S. cities get the most value from taxpayer dollars? A new study is ranking the nation’s best-run cities.
Pizza Hut sold by Yum Brands for $2.7 billion
Pizza Hut, whose famous red roofs dotted cities across the country before changes in the restaurant industry cut into its popularity, was sold for $2.7 billion.
Pizza Hut, whose famous red roofs dotted cities across the country before changes in the restaurant industry cut into its popularity, was sold for $2.7 billion.
Americans expected to pay more to cool homes this summer, new research finds
Staying cool this summer is about to become an expensive necessity for Americans with residential cooling expenses soaring for the average family to use their air conditioning units, according to a new report.
Staying cool this summer is about to become an expensive necessity for Americans with residential cooling expenses soaring for the average family to use their air conditioning units, according to a new report.
More than 40 insurers lower Florida home and auto insurance rates
Florida’s auto and home insurance markets are stabilizing, delivering much-needed relief to drivers and homeowners across the state as insurance prices come down. The downward trend stems directly from changes passed by state lawmakers in 2023, which helped reduce insurance claim costs and lawsuit abuse.
Florida’s auto and home insurance markets are stabilizing, delivering much-needed relief to drivers and homeowners across the state as insurance prices come down. The downward trend stems directly from changes passed by state lawmakers in 2023, which helped reduce insurance claim costs and lawsuit abuse.
Gas prices won’t drop anytime soon despite Strait of Hormuz reopening, EIA says
Ships will soon be sailing through the Strait of Hormuz again, and drivers across the country are all wondering when gas prices may return to where they were before the conflict with Iran began.
Ships will soon be sailing through the Strait of Hormuz again, and drivers across the country are all wondering when gas prices may return to where they were before the conflict with Iran began.
Cattle herd ‘fix’ is taking years longer than predicted, CEO warns amid historic beef shortage
America’s historic beef shortage may not ease anytime soon as the U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in more than seven decades, keeping pressure on prices even as consumers continue to buy beef at elevated levels.
America’s historic beef shortage may not ease anytime soon as the U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in more than seven decades, keeping pressure on prices even as consumers continue to buy beef at elevated levels.
Manatee County's Piney Point funding gap reaches $23.4M as commissioners clash
A funding rift has divided Manatee County commissioners as they work to handle an unexpected $23.4 million shortfall stemming from the prolonged cleanup of the Piney Point phosphate plant.
A funding rift has divided Manatee County commissioners as they work to handle an unexpected $23.4 million shortfall stemming from the prolonged cleanup of the Piney Point phosphate plant.
Retired Lakeland police officers push for annual pension increases amid rising inflation
Retired Lakeland police officers say a lack of pension adjustments has left them struggling to afford basic necessities like food and medicine amid rising inflation.
Retired Lakeland police officers say a lack of pension adjustments has left them struggling to afford basic necessities like food and medicine amid rising inflation.
Solar energy passes coal power on list of largest U.S. electricity sources for first time
The United States hit a clean energy milestone last month as the amount of electricity generated through solar power topped what was made by coal for the first time ever.
The United States hit a clean energy milestone last month as the amount of electricity generated through solar power topped what was made by coal for the first time ever.
United Way Suncoast report: Pinellas County's 'survival budget' is second highest in Florida
A family of four now needs more than $106,000 to afford necessities in the Bay Area, according to a newly released report by the United Way Suncoast.
A family of four now needs more than $106,000 to afford necessities in the Bay Area, according to a newly released report by the United Way Suncoast.
Rise in gas prices from Iran war could have helped inflation hit a 3-year high
U.S. inflation surged to a three-year high in part because of skyrocketing gas prices as consumer prices exceeded 4% in May’s overall inflationary spike.
U.S. inflation surged to a three-year high in part because of skyrocketing gas prices as consumer prices exceeded 4% in May’s overall inflationary spike.
St. Pete mayoral debate: Candidates clash over affordability, hurricane prep, future of Gas Plant District
St. Petersburg mayoral candidates went head-to-head on Tuesday night, clashing over some of the city’s biggest challenges during a debate hosted by the St. Pete NAACP at the Obama Main Library.
St. Petersburg mayoral candidates went head-to-head on Tuesday night, clashing over some of the city’s biggest challenges during a debate hosted by the St. Pete NAACP at the Obama Main Library.
Costco lowers some Kirkland prices after customers complain: "They’ve become too expensive"
Facing customers’ worries that prices of some Kirkland Signature products were getting too expensive, Costco is cutting prices on some of its house brand’s products.
Facing customers’ worries that prices of some Kirkland Signature products were getting too expensive, Costco is cutting prices on some of its house brand’s products.
This gas buying trend indicates financial stress, top industry executives say
Industry executives said that while spending among U.S. consumers hasn't stopped, many people are changing their habits, particularly at the gas pump. More Americans are choosing to top up their gas, instead of filling it, as well as visit the gas station more frequently over fears of increased prices.
Industry executives said that while spending among U.S. consumers hasn't stopped, many people are changing their habits, particularly at the gas pump. More Americans are choosing to top up their gas, instead of filling it, as well as visit the gas station more frequently over fears of increased prices.
Hibbett Sports owner plans to close 175 underperforming stores in major North American reorganization
Hibbett Sports will close 175 stores around the U.S. over the next three years as its parent company, JD Sports, looks to reorganize its footprint.
Hibbett Sports will close 175 stores around the U.S. over the next three years as its parent company, JD Sports, looks to reorganize its footprint.
Screwworms in Texas: What an infestation means for livestock, beef supply and the economy
The return of the flesh-eating screwworm fly in Texas has ranchers and government agencies scrambling to contain what could threaten a $113 billion cattle industry in the U.S.
The return of the flesh-eating screwworm fly in Texas has ranchers and government agencies scrambling to contain what could threaten a $113 billion cattle industry in the U.S.
Eagle Lake residents push to save 100-year-old former school building from demolition
There's a big community push to save a century-old former school building in Eagle Lake.
There's a big community push to save a century-old former school building in Eagle Lake.
USDA confirms first US case of flesh-eating screwworm in Texas, triggering quarantines
Federal agricultural officials on Wednesday confirmed the first U.S. case of the destructive New World screwworm in a Texas calf, triggering emergency quarantine measures and sparking a sharp political clash over the adequacy of the government's response.
Federal agricultural officials on Wednesday confirmed the first U.S. case of the destructive New World screwworm in a Texas calf, triggering emergency quarantine measures and sparking a sharp political clash over the adequacy of the government's response.
St. Pete rising power bills spark $590K feasibility study vote to leave Duke Energy, create city-run utility
St. Petersburg leaders are preparing for a high-stakes vote Thursday on whether to spend $590,000 to study leaving Duke Energy and launching a city-owned power utility. The move comes as residents demand relief from skyrocketing electricity rates.
St. Petersburg leaders are preparing for a high-stakes vote Thursday on whether to spend $590,000 to study leaving Duke Energy and launching a city-owned power utility. The move comes as residents demand relief from skyrocketing electricity rates.