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Area Man Earns Human Resources Designation

Eric C. Hern recently received the Society of Human Resources Management’s Senior Certified Professional designation after successfully passing a nationwide examination. “The SHRM-SCP exam is a challenging certification, as worldwide candidate’s first time pass rate is only about 50% ...

McDonald’s Same-Store Sales Fall For 1st Time Since 2020

They’re not lovin’ it. McDonald’s global same-stores fell for the first time in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary consumers skipped eating out or chose cheaper options. The company said it’s working on fixes, like meal deals and new menu items, but it expects ...

Slowing Inflation

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s economy accelerated last quarter at a strong 2.8% annual pace, with consumers and businesses helping drive growth despite the pressure of continually high interest rates. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — ...

Fewer Americans File For Jobless Claims As Applications Remain At Elevated, But Not Troubling Levels

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but applications remained at recently elevated, though not troubling levels. Jobless claims for the week ending July 20 fell by 10,000 to 235,000 from 245,000 the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. It’s the ninth straight week claims came in above 220,000. Before that stretch, claims had been below that number in all but three weeks so far in 2024. Weekly unemployment claims are widely considered as representative of layoffs, and though they have been slightly higher the past couple of months, they ...

Average Rate On 30-Year Mortgage Inches To 6.78%, First Uptick In Three Weeks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mortgage rates inched higher this week, keeping the average rate on a 30-year mortgage essentially flat and near the 7% range it’s been in most of this year. The rate rose to 6.78% from 6.77% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.81%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also edged up this week, pushing the average rate up to 6..07% from 6.05% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.11%, Freddie Mac said. “Mortgage rates essentially remained flat ...