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Americans say the economy stinks. But they’re spending like it’s great

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

New York (CNN) — There’s a conundrum that economists and political strategists have been chewing on for more than a year: The economy is good, but Americans say it’s lousy.Despite all kinds of positive news on inflation (it’s slowing), the job market (best in a generation) and consumer spending (still robust!), Americans can’t seem to shake their despair, at least whenever they answer calls from pollsters.In a CNN poll released Tuesday night, 72% of all Americans say things in the country today are going badly, and 66% said the economy will be “extremely important” when deciding who to vote for next year.But just 2% of voters say the economy is excellent, according to a separate New York Times-Siena College poll released earlier this week. That could be a big problem for Democrats trying to peddle Bidenomics. (although Democrats put up a pretty strong showing in Tuesday’s elections.)But there’s a conundrum within the conundr...

Suspects who injured woman in parking lot theft sought by Sonoma police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

(KRON) -- The Sonoma Police Department is searching for two suspects who allegedly stole jewelry from a woman outside of Sonoma Market on Nov. 3. Authorities believe the suspects have committed other similar crimes in Sonoma.The victim was first approached by a female suspect inside the grocery store located at 500 West Napa Street, according to police, where the stranger spoke to the victim briefly. After shopping, the victim was walking to her vehicle in the parking lot when the female suspect from inside, now joined by a male suspect, approached her again.The female suspect asked the victim to “pray” with her while placing jewelry on her wrist, authorities said. The male suspect then began to take an expensive piece of jewelry belonging to the victim from her wrist. The victim fought against the man’s attempt, and the suspect injured the victim’s wrist before taking off with the jewelry, police said. Two arrested in Orinda residential burglary, one still at large After stealing...

Wins in local races will disrupt Michigan, Pennsylvania Democrats’ full control of state government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan and Pennsylvania will emerge from the Tuesday elections with House legislative chambers evenly split between Republicans and Democrats in yet another sign of how narrowly divided the two swing states have become. The change will be at least temporary after House members in the states were elected to other offices and will need to resign from the legislatures.Michigan Democrats who have controlled the governor’s office and slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature will lose their full control after two state representatives won mayoral races. Democrats who have clung to a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House will soon see the chamber return to a 101-101 tie after a suburban Philadelphia incumbent was elected district judge.Democrats have been able to push through a number of key pieces of legislation in Michigan since they flipped both chambers in the Legislature while holding onto the governor’s office in last year’s midterms, giving t...

NC State QB MJ Morris won’t play again this season, opting to redshirt, his father says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The father of North Carolina State starting quarterback MJ Morris says his son will not play the rest of this season and take a redshirt year while staying with the Wolfpack.Eddie Morris told WRAL-TV of the decision on Tuesday. He said his son, a sophomore, had plenty of options had he decided to transfer but would have done that already if that was his desire.Under NCAA rules, a player is allowed to participate in four games while preserving the option to take a redshirt year.Morris was elevated to the starting role on Oct. 2, after the Wolfpack struggled offensively with Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong at quarterback.He’s guided N.C. State (6-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) to three wins in four starts — including wins against Clemson and Miami — while throwing seven touchdown passes and five interceptions.Coach Dave Doeren said when making the change he hoped Morris would provide an offensive spark, and he did, leading the Wolfpack to a 48-41 vict...

Pakistan says nearly 25,000 Afghans waiting for visas to US won’t be deported as part of clampdown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister on Wednesday sought to reassure thousands of Afghans waiting in Pakistan for resettlement in the United States that they won’t be deported as part of his government’s widely criticized crackdown on undocumented migrants in the country.Islamabad has launched a crackdown on illegal migration, saying any unregistered foreign national and migrant lacking proper documentation would face arrest and deportation. The drive mostly affects Afghans because they are the majority of foreigners living in Pakistan, although the government says it’s targeting all who are in the country illegally. At least 25,000 Afghans — who had worked for the American military or government, international organizations and aid agencies, as well as media and human rights groups — escaped the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 to Pakistan and are waiting to be processed to relocate to the U.S.Pakistani authorities said they have received a list with ...

Ben Stokes’ first Cricket World Cup century helps England end losing streak with win vs. Netherlands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

PUNE, India (AP) — Ben Stokes scored his first World Cup century to help England finally end a five-game losing streak by beating the Netherlands by 160 runs on Wednesday.Stokes reached his hundred off just 78 balls and finished on 108 to help England reach 339-9 after his team opted to bat first. Pace all-rounder Chris Woakes also scored 51 off 45 balls, and he and Stokes put on 129 runs to rescue England from a precarious 192-6.In reply, the Netherlands was all out for 179 in 37.2 overs. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali took three wickets each for England, which climbed off the bottom of the table with a second win from eight games.The defending champions had already been eliminated from semifinal contention, but can still clinch a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a win over Pakistan in its final game on Saturday. The Netherlands’ slim chances of advancing to the last four of the tournament officially ended with the loss. The Dutch can still finish eighth or higher to qualify...

Colorado funeral home owner, wife arrested on charges linked to mishandling of at least 189 bodies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

DENVER (AP) — The owner of a Colorado funeral home and his wife were arrested Wednesday after the decaying remains of at least 189 people were recently found at his facility. Jon and Carrie Hallford were arrested in Wagoner, Oklahoma, on suspicion of four felonies: abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery, District Attorney Michael Allen said in a news release after at least some of the aggrieved families were told.Jon Hallford was being held at the Muskogee County, Oklahoma, jail, though there aren’t any records showing that his wife might also be there, according to a man who answered a call to the jail but refused to give his name.The Hallfords couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. Neither has a listed personal phone number and the funeral home’s number no longer works.Jon Hallford owns Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, a small town about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Denver. The remains were found Oct. 4 by authoriti...

NCAA putting renewed emphasis on sportsmanship in women’s hoops after technical fouls soar last year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

After a season that saw over a 33% increase in technical fouls, women’s college basketball is putting a renewed emphasis on sportsmanship this year.Last season, there were 830 total technical fouls called, up from 606 the season before, according to the NCAA. That included a 77% increase on techs given to head coaches and a whopping 193% increase on technical fouls assessed to personnel on the bench.Fighting was also a problem last year, including incidents in a game between George Washington and TCU as well one between Georgia and VCU. There was a 400% increase in bench personnel ejections as a result.The Associated Press obtained a copy of an email sent out to coaches, officials and coordinators last week that reiterates longstanding rules on bench decorum and the coaching box rule. “We have a mutual responsibility to serve as leaders and role models in this regard. Basketball is a competitive game, which, by its very nature, may lead to adversarial relationships between opp...

The officiating in the title game between LSU and Iowa was below expectations, NCAA review finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

The national championship game in women’s basketball last spring was unforgettable for a lot of good reasons. LSU beating Iowa for its first title. A record television audience of nearly 10 million viewers. The spicy intensity between star players Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.The game will also be remembered for its controversial officiating and The Associated Press has learned that an NCAA review concluded the refereeing did not meet expectations.The organization had planned a review of NCAA Tournament officiating after the 2024 championship concludes next April, but it was sped up by a year after criticism of the LSU-Iowa showdown. NCAA vice president for women’s basketball Lynn Holzman said the officials were graded on the accuracy of their calls and the overall accuracy number fell short.“In the championship game itself, for example, we typically have a performance that I think is 91% historically,” she said. “In that game, the percentage of correct calls was ...

Local Md. election unofficial results: Rockville selects new mayor, Greenbelt approves votes for noncitizens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:08:02 GMT

All eyes were on Virginia races during Election Day; but in Maryland, voters also headed to the polls to decide several important issues, including allowing noncitizens and young residents to vote in local elections.Here are some of the unofficial results in Maryland races WTOP has been monitoring. Leading candidates and results are in bold.More election newsVirginia general election resultsVirginia local general election resultsPHOTOS: Virginia Election Day 2023Voters in Virginia cast ballots in pivotal state electionMajor races to watch in the USRockvilleVoters in the City of Rockville decided on whether to allow noncitizens and residents as young as 16 to vote in local elections, among other referendums.In the unofficial results, on the question, “should Rockville allow 16-17-year-olds to vote in city elections,” the answer “No” received 69.39% of votes, while “Yes” received 28.6% of votes.On the question, “should Rockville allow resident...