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Austin housing market 'trending in the right direction,' board of realtors says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin's housing market is "trending in the right direction," the president of the Austin Board of Realtors said Thursday.The characterization comes after the release of February's housing market report.A statement from ABoR said buyers gained leverage in February, as housing inventory increased to 2.6 months."Buyers have more options and negotiating power with each passing month, and sellers have more time to make their next move," ABoR President Ashley Jackson said. "Remember, a healthy housing market isn’t defined by breaking records every month, but by market activity that’s steady-paced and sustainable."Homes are taking much longer to sell than in previous months. Those sold in February spent an average of 84 days on the market, the longest in 11 years. One year ago, homes were spending an average of 28 days on the market.Median home prices dropped by 12% year-over-year to a metro average of $436,419. There was considerable variation among counties in the metro ...

'Mattress Mack' to win around $35 million if University of Houston wins NCAA Tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

HOUSTON (KIAH) — With March Madness upon us and the Final Four coming to Houston this year, it is an obvious assumption to ask the question, “How much money is Jim ‘Mattress Mack’ McIngvale has riding on the NCAA Tournament this year?”Well, to answer your question, he has about $3.5 million riding on his hometown team, the University of Houston Cougars, to win the national championship in front of a very supportive home crowd at NRG Stadium.Houston begins its run in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night as the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region when the Cougars face Northern Kentucky in Birmingham, Alabama.And as usual, McIngvale has promised to share his winnings with his customers at his furniture stores in Houston. All customers have to do is buy $3,000 or more from his store, then they can get it for free if the Cougars go through the NCAA Tournament and win the national championship game on Monday, April 3.But personally, Mattress Mack can win up to $35 million if UH wins th...

Paul Krugman: 3.5 myths about the bank bailouts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

Last weekend, U.S. policymakers went all-in on bailing out two medium-size banks: Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.And yes, they were bailouts. I wish the Biden administration weren’t trying to claim otherwise. Yes, stockholders were cleaned out. But legally, deposits are insured only up to $250,000; by choosing to make all depositors whole, the feds have done holders of big accounts a major favor.It’s true that losses, if any — it’s not clear whether either bank was insolvent as opposed to simply lacking the ready cash to handle a bank run — won’t be made up with higher conventional taxes; the money is coming from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which will recover funds, if necessary, by imposing higher fees on banks. But these fees will be passed on to the public, so taxpayers are de facto on the hook.But was it a bad decision? I’ve heard four basic kinds of criticism. One is ridiculous. Two are dubious. But the last one has me a bit worried, although I think it’s proba...

Sheldon Jacobson: Precheck for free would optimize TSA security

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

Late last month, the Transportation Security Administration found a live explosive device in a checked bag month at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Pennsylvania. TSA officers took the appropriate actions and confirmed the find. Airport surveillance camera footage helped authorities identify a suspect, and the FBI made an arrest.There are lessons to be learned from this incident.As much as the TSA touts stopping firearms from getting onto airplanes, explosives are a more dangerous threat to the air system. That is why travelers are limited to 3-ounce liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in their carry-on bags.With improvised explosive devices, numerous factors can mask what the item is and make it easy to miss. In the Pennsylvania case, the explosive appeared somewhat simple, making it possible to detect. TSA screeners were on target with their attention.Of critical importance, the person now in custody was known to local law enforcement. Such individuals should be given...

Over on the backfields, Byron Buxton sees first spring game action for Twins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey has remain steadfast in saying the Twins are targeting Opening Day for center fielder Byron Buxton.But the center fielder still hadn’t played in a game this spring, with just a couple of weeks left until Opening Day.Until Thursday.It was on a backfield against minor leaguers, but Buxton played his first game since Aug. 22 on Thursday, serving as the team’s designated hitter.“I heard he came out good,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “(Bench coach) Jayce (Tingler) went over and we had a few staff members that went over to that side to watch him. I think he wanted to swing the bat better than he swung it, but I think he came out of it feeling good, which is really the only thing that I’m concerned about at all.”So, what’s the next step for him?“More of that, I would say,” Baldelli said.While playing in a game marks a milestone for Buxton as he makes his return from last year’s season-ending knee surgery, the all...

Despite lack of scoring, Timberwolves’ offense took a step forward in loss to Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

The numbers suggest Minnesota struggled offensively Wednesday against Boston. The Timberwolves scored just 102 points while shooting 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range.Certainly, shot-making is what cost the Timberwolves a chance to pull off a key home victory over a great, motivated Celtics team.But the stats didn’t match the eye test of the offensive performance Minnesota put forth. The telling number comes in the assist category. The Wolves finished with 27 assists of their 37 made buckets.Minnesota generated good looks, as well. Twenty-one of Minnesota’s 36 shots from beyond the arc were “wide open,” as characterized by NBA.com, while 10 more were “open.” Forty-seven of Minnesota’s 84 attempts from the field were either “wide open” or “open.”The shots were good and came in the rhythm of the offense. They just didn’t fall.“We just couldn’t make some timely shots,” coach Chris Finch lamented. “We had chances to control the game with good looks we cou...

Both NYS Senate and Assembly pass one house budgets

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--The Senate and Assembly one house resolutions passed on Thursday. They are billions of dollars more than Governor Hochul’s $227 billion budget proposal.The Assembly ideally would like to see an increase of over $5 billion and the Senate $9 billion. Senate Republicans have an issue with proposed spending."This is unsustainable. It’s reckless. It’s irresponsible," said Senator Bill Weber.Both houses rejected a SUNY tuition increase, something the governor put forth. "The governor has proposed tuition increases across the board then particularly increases for our four universities centers which are in SUNY Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton and Stony Brook," explained Assemblymember Pat Fahy. "Those are our research institutions and they have really been trying to stay competitive. Grateful to the speaker, as well as to the Senate, because instead of raising tuition, he has put the money in that we would have gotten through tuition."The Senate and Assembly also rejected...

Nearcare closing its doors in Glens Falls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - On Thursday, local medical care organization Nearcare announced that it will be closing its doors. For the last 40 years, the organization - formerly known as Caritas - provided free support to those living with severe or terminal illness in Warren, Washington and northern Saratoga counties, as well as their families. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We are deeply grateful to our incredible volunteers, donors, supporters, staff members, andmembers of the Board of Directors whose generosity has enabled Nearcare to carry out itsmission. As a partner agency for many years, we thank all who support the Tri-County UnitedWay," said Nearcare Board of Directors President Rick Bergeron in a release on Thursday.Nearcare has operated as a small, completely nonprofit organization, and said that the demands of upkeep have become impossible to meet over recent years. Nearcare services will be suspended effec...

Local businesses hope for boost from NCAA Tournament

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Basketball fans from across the country are in Albany through this weekend for the NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena. For local businesses, especially those situated near the festivities, there's hope that the influx of people will provide a big boost. PHOTOS: NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena At Maurice's Deli, located directly across the street from the arena, they're hoping to serve up their sandwiches to fans all weekend long."We’d like to hope so. They’ll be here, whether or not we get them in and they support us, that’s to be determined," said Keith Mahler Jr., the owner and operator of the deli.Maurice's is typically open Monday through Friday, but with the tournament in town, they'll be open this weekend. The business has seen firsthand the impact events at the arena can have for them and others. Things to do in the Capital Region this weekend: March 17-19 "It’s big. It does a lot of things for all the local businesses down here, for Downtown Albany and it’...

Number of kids ingesting edibles rises, lawmakers react

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:26:55 GMT

ABLANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Lawmakers are proposing legislation to hold those who are selling cannabis illegally accountable. This happening after some people, including children ingested cannabis edibles without even realizing it. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows in 2017 there were 207 reported cases of cannabis edible ingestions in children younger than age 6. In 2021 that number rose to 3054 cases.  Officials crack down on illegal cannabis sales "We must do everything we can to save lives, and prevent this crisis from getting any more out of hand," said Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio who is proposing legislation to enact stricter penalties for people who don’t follow the rules. Recreational cannabis for those 21 and older is legal in New York and 5 retail dispensaries are open for business. These products are legal in those stores, but the Office of Cannabis Management does have guidelines in place when it comes to marketing. "My bill would require that the packaging, ...