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.

Italy's coronavirus ground zero sets virtuous example

CODOGNO, Italy (AP) — For three weeks, children’s play has not echoed in the main piazza of the town of Codogno, overlooked by a statue of the town’s patron St. Blaise, a 4th-Century physician. But over that period, too, the silence has been pierced increasingly less often by ambulance sirens, which in the early days roared through every couple of hours.

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.

Tale of two economies

China's economic might empowers Hu on return visit

WASHINGTON - Chinese President Hu Jintao's bargaining power has strengthened since he last visited Washington in 2006. He can credit China's explosive growth, coupled with economic misfortunes in the United States.

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!"

Warren C. Anglin, Jr., 78

Warren passed away during a sunny break from the rain on Sunday, November 5. He was released from 12 years of earthly fear, pain, anger and the confusion of Alzheimer's.

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?

Swing state special election a litmus test

WASHINGTON - For all the primaries testing tea party clout and veteran senators' ability to survive, a special House election in southwestern Pennsylvania is the multimillion-dollar battleground of choice Tuesday for the two political parties, previewing themes for a fall campaign shadowed by recession and voter discontent.

Give the gift of warmth with Alpaca

Looking for a unique, practical gift? Alpaca Direct in Hayden has the answer with a large selection of Alpaca socks, hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters to keep your loved ones cozy and warm this winter. We offer a large selection of Alpaca apparel at factory direct prices. Alpaca helps make the perfect cold weather apparel since it is five times stronger than wool, yet its hollow core fiber is extremely warm due to its natural insulation capabilities. As for uniqueness, you won't find Alpaca in big-box retailers due to its exclusivity. Nearly all of our Alpaca apparel products are crafted by small artisan shops in Peru and imported directly to our store in Hayden.

Head north this winter

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Here's a prescription for curing those midwinter blues: Forget jetting off to Florida or the Caribbean. Instead, spend a long weekend in snowbound, frostbitten northern Michigan.

Launching leadership

Consider a possible day in your life: Someone teaches your child; someone flies your airplane; someone plays your favorite piece of music; someone refills your prescription; someone drives a fire engine to your home. Women who grow up as Girl Scouts do all of these things every day.

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.

Judy E. Clark, 80

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Judy Clark, loving wife and mother of three children, passed away at the age of 80.

Downtown heartbeat

It doesn't matter if you're in the business of selling sweets, auctioning artwork, hawking hamburgers, peddling pastimes or marketing memorabilia — it's a good year to be in business in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Mostly.

Cut to the Chase in Post Falls

Post Falls continues to be a hot spot for new construction.

Sheriff's Blotter

Notable calls for the day!

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?