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Opinion: This federal debt-limit standoff could be really disastrous

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

I have one message for those observing or involved in the standoff over raising the U.S. federal debt limit: Be afraid, be very afraid. At this point in the financial and economic cycle, the consequences of failing to reach a deal would be particularly dire.The risks that a political impasse will force the U.S. government to renege on its obligations keeps rising as time marches on with no negotiation or progress. Worse, both sides’ positions appear to be hardening. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ability to pass a budget bill (by the thinnest of margins) has strengthened Republicans’ belief that they can win concessions from the Biden administration — concessions that are actually anathema to the latter.The Republican legislation would undo several of Biden’s major policy initiatives, including student loan forgiveness and funding for the Internal Revenue Service to improve tax compliance. It would add new work requirements for programs such as Medicaid and slash domestic discretion...

Trauma patient reunites with Bay Area Kaiser team, first responders who saved her and her baby’s lives

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

It was June 17, 2022. Gabriela Curiel of San Francisco was enjoying a warm, sunny day on Lake Berryessa. She was on a boating excursion hosted by her workplace, a San Francisco non-profit called Mission Neighborhood Centers Inspiring Success.The Children Service’s Intake Specialist decided she would not be swimming that day. However, after some convincing from a co-worker, Curiel hopped off the back of the boat and into the lake.The seemingly relaxing day then quickly turned into the most horrific day of her life.While in the water, the boat’s propeller began to drag her toward it. All of a sudden, she felt something hit her legs. The propeller had severely lacerated the upper and lower parts of each of her thighs.Curiel remembers her co-workers pulling her back into the boat and seeing blood, a lot of blood.An emergency boat just so happened to be nearby. The California Highway Patrol air unit H-30 responded with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters from Napa County.De...

CBS travel show calls Bay Area salon a “Destination’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

Vacaville businesswoman Sophia Evon said it’s been an ever-evolving journey in finding her professional niche as an esthetician.So imagine her delight that her salon — Sophia Evon Dayspa — has recently been named a destination. That is, for the TV show “Destination: SF,” with an episode set to air in the near future.The CBS travel show, which highlights hot attractions, dining options and more in select cities, hit upon Evon’s salon through extensive research. The producer reportedly liked Evon’s proximity to San Francisco as well her numerous five-star service ratings. Filming is slated to occur in June.Evon, an esthetician of 13 years with seven at her current location at 530 Merchant St., said beauty and wellness have always been part of her life.“I was about 6 or 7 years old and I had a fascination with combs and brushes,” the Richmond native recalled, relaxing in her workspace, a haven with a Middle Eastern flair. “Everywhere we’d go, I’d be brushing hair.”Later, Evon became en...

Enhance indoor-outdoor living

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

A new home in the Bay Area or across most of Northern California provides buyers the opportunity to combine optimal indoor living spaces with smartly designed and inviting outdoor spaces.It’s truly the best of both worlds. Better yet, it’s the best of all seasons.Because many new-construction home plans offer indoor-outdoor flexibility, buyers can extend the livable spaces of their homes, creating openness or largeness by bringing the indoors out and the outdoors in.The trick is to maximize the potential on both sides of every exterior door by planning furniture placement and decor that connects the outside with the inside.More doors and windowsWhere given the opportunity, create seamlessness by choosing pocket doors between interior rooms. When in the open position, the doorway will appear larger, giving greater line of sight from front rooms all the way to the back patio, California Room or deck.Before construction or in its earliest stages, ask the builder if floor-to-ceiling poc...

ICE: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — ATLANTA (AP) — IntercontinentalExchange Group Inc. (ICE) on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings of $655 million.On a per-share basis, the Atlanta-based company said it had net income of $1.17. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.41 per share.The results topped Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.40 per share.The owner of the New York Stock Exchange and other stock markets posted revenue of $2.47 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $1.9 billion, also beating Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.89 billion._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ICE at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ICESource

Anxiety knocks regional banks, shares slump

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

Anxiety over the potential for a rush of withdrawals by customers of regional banks continues to roil the financial sector as PacWest Bancorp attempted to calm investors investors overnight with its shares plunging 45%. PacWest said early Thursday that it has been approached by several potential partners and investors about a deal and that talks are ongoing. It said that it has not experienced out-of-the-ordinary deposit flows following the failure and sale of First Republic Bank after a modern day bank run. The anxiety over stability and the potential for contagion wracked other regional banks early Thursday. Zions Bancorp slumped more than 10%, Comerica fell 7%, and KeyCorp fell 5%. TD Bank Group and First Horizon Corp. on Thursday said they’ve called off a planned merger, citing regulatory hurdles. Toronto-Dominion Bank said in February that it was buying regional bank First Horizon in a $13.4 billion all-cash deal.Shares of First Horizon plunged 46% before the opening bell...

MGP: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — MGP Ingredients Inc. (MGPI) on Thursday reported first-quarter profit of $30.8 million.On a per-share basis, the Atchison, Kansas-based company said it had profit of $1.39.The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.10 per share.The producer of distillery and ingredients products used by the packaged goods industry posted revenue of $201 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $198.2 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MGPI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MGPISource

SunCoke: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

LISLE, Ill. (AP) — LISLE, Ill. (AP) — SunCoke Energy Inc. (SXC) on Thursday reported profit of $16.3 million in its first quarter.On a per-share basis, the Lisle, Illinois-based company said it had profit of 19 cents.The metallurgical coke producer posted revenue of $487.8 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SXC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SXCSource

Parker-Hannifin: Fiscal Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — CLEVELAND (AP) — Parker-Hannifin Corp. (PH) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $590.9 million.On a per-share basis, the Cleveland-based company said it had profit of $4.54. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $5.93 per share.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $5.03 per share.The maker of motion and control products posted revenue of $5.06 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts. Six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $4.8 billion.Parker-Hannifin expects full-year earnings in the range of $20.60 to $20.90 per share._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PH at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PHSource

No Mow May? Our gardening columnist says no

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:58:16 GMT

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard about the #NoMowMay movement that’s been gaining steam on social media and in eco-conscious circles these past few years.Started in 2019 by citizen scientists in the United Kingdom, the call for homeowners to abstain from mowing their lawns during the month has spread to other countries, including the U.S.The intention is admirable: Let your grass and weeds grow and bloom to provide food and shelter for essential pollinators like bees and butterflies early in the season, when such necessities may be scarce.Frankly, I think it’s a terrible idea.Some of those pollinators you set out to protect will likely get shredded up with the first mow of the season. Grass will no doubt get shaded by tall weeds, which can lead to fungal diseases. And weeds and invasive plants that take hold during the month won’t simply disappear once the mowing commences. That might lead people to apply chemical pesticides they wouldn’t otherwise use.And what about...