US consumer prices surge in June by the most since 2008

Fed, White House claim current bout of inflation will prove temporary

True story: You can buy unclaimed packages

Websites offer unclaimed merchandise for sale.

America's favorite birth control method turns 50

Healthy Lifestyles

CHICAGO - A world without "the pill" is unimaginable to many young women who now use it to treat acne, skip periods, improve mood and, of course, prevent pregnancy. They might be surprised to learn that U.S. officials announcing approval of the world's first oral contraceptive were uncomfortable.

The gold standard

Precious metal proves to be a safe bet for investors

NEW YORK - For what is normally a sleepy month, there are so many customers at the Gold Standard, a New York company that buys jewelry, that it feels like Christmas in August. Uncle Ben's Pawn Shop in Cleveland has never seen a rush like this.

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

HOMELAND SECURITY: Resources should be re-deployed

Another New Year is upon us with baggage from the previous years to address. We have the president talking to the corrupt Mexican president about our current problem with migrants.

Zimbabweans hit by 257% inflation: Will gold coins help?

Rising prices and a fast depreciating currency have pushed many Zimbabweans to the brink

Swallowed pills go where?

Barbieri says abortion query misrepresented

Holiday shopping forecast looks merry

Consumers gifting more services, experiences than goods this year

A fresh green Vanhoff's Garden Center wreath with a buffalo plaid bow will adorn Chrisdee Imthurn’s front door this holiday season, thanks to Girl Scout Troop 4923, which had friendly, festive Scouts on hand during Black Friday at the Silver Lake Mall. “It's so easy to buy online, but you want to support the local community,” said Imthurn, of Hauser.

A disappointment so far

Holiday shopping season on slower pace than expected

NEW YORK - Sparse crowds at malls and "50 percent off" signs at The Gap and other stores offer clues as to how this holiday season is shaping up so far: It's the most discount-driven one since the U.S. was in a deep recession. It's also the most disappointing for stores.

Veterans air VA concerns

COEUR d’ALENE — Local veterans had the chance to address the strengths and weaknesses of their health care with VA officials Tuesday afternoon in a veterans town hall.

Wine House CDA to open on East Sherman

Gelato by the Lake opens downtown Monet Floors moves north to Hayden Interlake Pharmacy joins Kootenai Health And now the Tidbits

Alexa, are you spying on me?

If you use Alexa and haven’t asked that question yet, then perhaps you should.

Must be the season for reasons

The editorial cartoon from the Philadelphia Daily News on Monday caught our attention. The sketch depicts a man listing his accomplishments: "I climbed Mount Everest" he says in the first picture. "Scaled the walls of the Grand Canyon" he continues, "and survived being lost on a deserted island." The last sketch shows the same man in front of a house with a "For Sale" sign in the yard. The man then says, as he looks at the sign, "But this is my toughest challenge yet."

Patient Resources

Before doctors check your vitals, check out theirs

Consumers aren't sure how to uncover more information about physicians

Thrift giving: Millennials take the lead in making old new again

By ELENA JOHNSON

'We don't have food': African leaders meet as crises grow

Leaders called for increased mobilization to resolve a humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and more than 280 million suffering from malnourishment

State board approves University of Idaho plan to purchase University of Phoenix assets

The Idaho State Board of Education, in its role as the Board of Regents for the University of Idaho, today unanimously approved the institution’s plan to purchase assets from the University of Phoenix, one of the nation’s largest online higher education providers.

Strong demand = no price cuts