Medical bills show no mercy

Christmas For All

A bad car wreck left one mom within inches of her life.

Family set back after fire consumes home

Press Christmas For All

After a fire wiped out a young mom's home and worldly possessions, she and her little sons had to move into a camper at her grandmother's house.

Interest rates dip slightly

Interest for 30-year mortgages dipped last week to equal the lowest in six weeks. These lower rates not only encourage those looking for homes, but have caused refinancing applications to increase as well. While applications for new mortgages increased 1.3 percent, refinancing applications increased 6.9 percent over the previous week according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Freddie Mac reports that the average rate for a 30-year fixed loan last week was 4.27 percent, down from 4.34 percent the prior week. Still, that rate is .86 percent higher than last year at this time.

A perspective on mortgage interest

Last week brought another moderate increase in 30-year mortgage interest rates but with the average rate still below 4.5 percent there seems to be little cause for alarm. Still, with many remembering the lowest of the low at 3.35 percent in November 2012, rates over 4 percent may seem high at 4.2. Those of us who purchased homes in the early '80s will agree that, by comparison, these rates seem ridiculously low. Even so, Americans have not always enjoyed fixed rate loans.

In locked down Chinese city, some complain food hard to get

Another city was placed under lockdown after the discovery of just three asymptomatic cases

THEATER: Don't wait for this

Looking for a play with lots of suspense and unexpected plot twists? Look no further. Lake City Playhouse’s “Wait Until Dark” fits the bill. My husband and I attended the performance last Saturday night and we give it two thumbs up. It is clear that Lake City Playhouse is back on track.

More ethanol, less hunting lands

Government requirement for gas affects pheasants

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Pheasants once drew hundreds of weekend hunters to Fairbury, Neb., each fall, filling the 45 rooms at Randy Brown's Capri Motel with sportsmen eager to bag their limits.

Bitcoin is booming

Digital payment option soaring in popularity, stocks jump

US inflation dips from 4-decade high but still causing pain

Consumer prices jumped 8.3% last month from a year ago

Looking for hand sanitizer? Good luck finding it

NEW YORK (AP) — The hand sanitizers on Amazon were overpriced. A Walmart this weekend was completely sold out. Only on his third try was Ken Smith able to find the clear gel — at a Walgreens, where three bottles of Purell were left. He bought two.

Holiday spending 'record' not as good as it looks

Holiday spending reached the highest level on record last year, but that news isn't as good as it sounds.

Wall Street rises for first time in three days as oil spurts

Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 469.93, or 2.2%, to 21,413.44

Report: European economy has all but stalled

LONDON - Europe appears headed for a recession - if it isn't in one already.

Police: Accepting gifts a 'fine line'

Residents show support in light of shootings, but policies squelch many offerings

Ron Bjorklund actually wants to be pulled over by police.

Holiday shopping season is strong

Wine 2011: Look forward to good prices, choices

Riesling will rise. The market for wine in Asia will boom on. Customers will continue to hunt for vintage values. And the market for fine wine will continue to rumble back to life.

The Front Row with Mark Nelke October 14, 2012

Sometimes, good is good

There's enough things in the world that can make a person mad.

Mike Patrick: There you go again

This article addresses and responds to a series of vicious character attacks by the Cd'A Press, which began as a "news story" in the Press' online edition on 1/13, was furthered via Press editorials by Mike Patrick on 1/21 (online) and 1/22 (print edition) and taken to new lows in anonymous blog postings sponsored and tacitly encouraged by the Press. Claims made or sponsored by the Press were false, if not malicious.

Back to real estate roots

Consumers now buying homes they can afford

COEUR d'ALENE - The dream, though it bordered on a nightmare at times, is still alive.

World/Nation Briefs November 30, 2012

White House 'fiscal cliff' offer gets cold shoulder from GOP