Shipping snags prompt US firms to mull retreat from China

For decades, companies have piled up profits by moving manufacturing to China and other low-wage countries

Why the bond market is more fragile than you think

NEW YORK - A bottleneck is building in the global market for bonds.

WinEconomy IV: Another round...

Against the backdrop of year end and the coming shuffling of wineries and the distributors who represent them that we see in the first quarter of each new year, we are experiencing yet another round of drastic price cutting. While consumers, retailers and restaurants welcome these price breaks in the near term this round of price cuts to me as a wine professional is far more disconcerting for the long-term health of the wine industry here in North Idaho.

Stores have a solid start to back-to-school season

NEW YORK - The back-to-school shopping season is off to a promising start, but retailers may be sacrificing profit for sales.

Steering clear of sales fever

By TYLER WILSON

Hey, kids! Seniors aren't the only targets

During the past few months it seems that many — if not most — of the scams and cons we’ve covered, specifically target those of us who are over the age of 50. It seems that the elderly are being disproportionately targeted. This is not necessarily true.

Stop stressing: You don't need a 20% down to buy a home

Many Americans may be unnecessarily talking themselves out of homeownership. Thirty-seven percent of nonhomeowners say not having enough saved for a down payment is holding them back from homeownership, but 62% of Americans incorrectly believe you have to have at least 20% of a home’s purchase price to buy, according to NerdWallet’s 2020 Home Buyer Report.

Wine price misconceptions

Assumptions, opinions, we all have them about most everything, including what wine should cost. Even more importantly, we have them about how a wine should taste when it is "X" dollars. Those assumptions and opinions cut both ways, too. We have all thought or said it during a wine discussion: "there is no way I would pay that much for a bottle of wine, it can't possibly be that good." Surprisingly - or perhaps not so - we have also heard, "there is no way I buy wine that is that inexpensive it must taste terrible." Over the summer, a very good customer of ours went so far as to suggest, "you should charge more for that wine, you will probably sell more of it!"

What do new investors really need to know?

If you're starting out as an investor, you might be feeling overwhelmed. After all, it seems like there's just so much to know. How can you get enough of a handle on basic investment concepts so that you're comfortable in making well-informed choices?

Netbooks unable to replace your laptop

Ask the Propellerheads

Dear PropellerHeads: I was going to buy a netbook. But my iPhone zealot friends say it is old technology and I should buy an iPad. That true?

OPINION: Housing problems — and solutions — focus of new column

Restructuring means important work will continue

Sales tax solution

The Coeur d'Alene bookstore manager smiled grimly when asked about business over the holidays.

Prostitute in Google executive case linked to 2nd death

MILTON, Ga. - Two months before police say a high-priced prostitute calmly left a Google executive dying from a heroin overdose on his yacht, the woman panicked on the phone with a 911 dispatcher as her boyfriend lay on the floor of their home in the throes of a fatal overdose.

Sifting Black Friday's deals

Filling holiday gift lists on a budget takes organized, careful planning. Sales are tempting: If I wait, will I really pay more?

The right direction

Black Friday retail sales edge up only slightly

NEW YORK - Shoppers crowded stores on Black Friday but spent just a little more than last year on the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, according to data released Saturday by a research firm.

U.S. home prices rose by most in nearly 7 years

Generic-drug tsunami warning!

Patients currently taking prescription drugs should know that, over the coming months, an unprecedented number of expiring drug patents will unleash a virtual tsunami of generic drugs.

Exxon Mobil doubles down on fossil fuels with $59.5 billion deal for Pioneer Natural as prices surge

Woods explained that Exxon and Pioneer will be able to use their combined capabilities to drive down emissions and produce lower carbon intensity oil and gas

Auditors: Pharmacist's $358K deal is excessive

BOISE - Every time the pharmacist at the State Veterans Home in Boise dispenses an over-the-counter or prescription medication to one of the residents, he's due $11.

Regional Realtors president: Housing market healthy

Home sales decline but prices hold steady in 2023

The median price of those homes sold in 2023 was $525,000 for the sixth straight month.