Today’s News
Canadian tribe opposes New England powerline project in New England
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Supporters of a controversial project that would bring Canadian hydro power to markets in southern New England like to talk about how this would use much cleaner energy than the coal-fired power plants that once dominated the region. But don’t tell that to members of a Canadian tribe, whose traditional territory is dotted with some of the dams, reservoirs and power stations that would provide the energy. Rather than green energy, [...]
Statues to Confederacy in its ex-capital spur soul-searching in deliberate approach
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — When a French artist’s statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee arrived by train in Richmond in 1890, thousands helped haul the enormous pieces to what is today the city’s grandest boulevard. Many took home pieces of the rope they used as souvenirs, so beloved was Lee as a top Confederate commander and native Virginia son. Well over a century later, cities across the country are removing Confederate statues and other symbols [...]
Construction of new Outer Banks bridge attracts sightseers
NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) — Construction of a North Carolina bridge to replace the one that links isolated Hatteras Island to the mainland is attracting sightseers even though it's not quite halfway finished. Island resident and Dare County commissioner Danny Couch said people enjoy crossing the current Bonner Bridge, stopping on the sandy roadside and taking photos. "It's going to be one of the single biggest attractions down here just to cross it," Couch said. [...]
Cops wage psychological warfare against international online drug bazaars
HOUSTON — In an innovative blow to illicit internet commerce, cyberpolice shut down the world’s leading “darknet” marketplace — then quietly seized a second bazaar to amass intelligence on illicit drug merchants and buyers. AlphaBay, formerly the internet’s largest darknet site, had already gone offline July 5 with the arrest in Thailand of its alleged creator and administrator. But last week, European law enforcement revealed that Dutch cyberpolice had for a month been running Hansa [...]
Local chapter of national gay business group launched
Diversity Chamber of Central Ohio, an organization promoting diversity in the central Ohio business community, was founded on the premise that gay professionals face unique obstacles in the workplace. These obstacles include a lack of opportunity, of community and of being allowed to be themselves on the job, according to the organization’s website at diversitycolumbus.org. An affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Diversity encourages gay and lesbian small business owners, corporate [...]
Bill designed to help pregnant minors get prenatal care
A bill that would no longer require a pregnant girl to file for judicial emancipation in order to make medical decisions about the pregnancy or her health otherwise has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. The Democrat lawmakers sponsoring the measure — Reps. Nickie Antonio and Kristin Boggs of Lakewood and Columbus, respectively — believe the move ultimately will result in better prenatal care. “I believe that all expectant mothers should have access [...]
The importance of bigger earnings for stock funds
NEW YORK — This earnings season is off to a good start, and the encouraging run is expected to keep going. Instead of excitement, though, the reaction so far from Wall Street has been more like quiet relief, and funds that track the broad stock market have only edged higher since earnings reports began arriving in earnest last week. That’s because the strong reports that are forecast would be more a justification for the big [...]
Last year’s car models are this summer’s bargains
Buying a new car, truck or SUV that is about to be replaced by a new, redesigned model might seem like a bad idea. Actually, it’s one of the best times to negotiate a good deal. Dealers are eager to clear out the current models before the new versions arrive, so you can use that leverage to negotiate a favorable price. Here are some prime examples of popular models receiving significant upgrades for the 2018 [...]
Jersey city has Mexican flavor of the state of Puebla
PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) — The aroma of chiles and cinnamon fills the air, and bags of corn husk for making tamales fill Lino Cruz’s food distribution business on a street here where three other businesses run by Mexican immigrants from the state of Puebla distribute fruits and vegetables from their country throughout the New York region. Passaic has become a second Puebla for many Mexicans who moved to the city 12 miles from Manhattan in [...]
Amazon isn’t technically dominant, but it pervades our lives
NEW YORK — Amazon is already a huge part of many people’s lives. And its $13.7 billion deal for the organic grocer Whole Foods will likely bind its customers even more tightly. “It kind of feels like they’re taking over so much commerce in our life,” said Erica McGivern, a Whole Foods and Amazon customer who lives in Seattle, where Amazon is headquartered. “It’s intimidating.” The acquisition could easily hurt both Amazon’s existing rivals and [...]
Legal News
Powell lawmaker pitches school-funding revamp
A Powell lawmaker has outlined an ambitious plan to fix the state’s method of funding public schools, which was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court [...]
Stalled bill seeks to license roofers
A measure that seeks to license commercial roofers just as commercial plumbers, HVAC specialists and electricians are licensed has made little progress in the Ohio [...]
Legislation designed to update Ohio’s self-defense standards
A bill proposing to shift the burden of proof to a prosecutor challenging an individual’s self-defense claim recently secured a first hearing before committee members [...]
Business News
Some food manufacturers say sugar deal with Mexico could turn sour
NEW YORK (AP) — Are Americans getting a raw deal on sugar prices? President Donald Trump called a recent agreement on sugar with Mexico a [...]
Get started: Summer is a good time to check a company’s to-do list
With business slower at many companies during the summer with customers and employees on vacation, owners might want to tackle that list of tasks they [...]
NAWBO names Warnick national board chair
The National Association of Women Business Owners appointed Columbus businesswoman and entrepreneur Kathleen Warnick of Warnick Consultants to chair the national organization’s 2017-18 board of [...]
Real Estate
Detroit at crossroads 50 years after riots devastated city
DETROIT — Deborah Chenault Green is 62, a writer. But 50 years ago she was a pre-teen, sleeping on the porch to escape the oppressive [...]
Black homeowners struggle as housing market makes recovery
SAN FRANCISCO — Graciano and Buena de la Cruz bought their two-bedroom house in San Francisco two decades ago when the neighborhood teemed with drug [...]
Central Ohio home prices have risen 16% this year
The cost to buy a home in central Ohio continues to go up and up. Last month the average price for a home sold in [...]
Politics
Poll shows most say feds should ensure health coverage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans aren’t enthralled with “Obamacare” and they definitely don’t like the Republican plans offered in Congress, so what does the public want [...]
Border patrol officers expected to play key role in enforcing revised travel ban
SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will be key players in putting President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban that went into [...]
Gun rights advocates had high hopes, but now initiatives are stalled
ATLANTA (AP) — Gun rights advocates entered the Trump era with high hopes. After years of frustration they thought a gun-friendly president and Congress would [...]
