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Promised a 'battery belt,' where are the factories entering 2026?
Between 2021 and 2024, North Carolina welcomed a parade of lithium-ion battery factory projects promising to hire hundreds, if not thousands.
They were from companies you know, like Toyota, and ones you might not, like ...Read more
Kelsea Ballerini's 'soul dog' dead
Kelsea Ballerini's dog has died.
Dibs passed away on Wednesday (07.01.26) - more than a year after he was diagnosed with cancer - and the 32-year-old country singer announced his death on Instagram the following day with ...Read more
Taking the Kids: Planning a winter getaway
Even if you are one of those travelers who prefers spontaneity, there are definite pluses to planning ahead, especially when kids are involved.
Sure, if you are driving to the mountains for a ski getaway, you might want ...Read more
Trump tells Fannie, Freddie to buy $200 billion of mortgage debt
President Donald Trump is directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a move he cast as his latest effort to bring down housing costs ahead of the November midterm election.
Trump ...Read more
GM reports $6 billion hit from now-unused EV investments
General Motors Co. on Thursday disclosed another $6 billion hit from unprofitable electric vehicle investments.
GM reported the loss to the Securities and Exchange Commission as what's known as an impairment charge. ...Read more
Trump directs $200 billion mortgage bond buy in housing push
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was directing the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage bonds, which he cast as his latest effort to bring down housing costs ahead of the November midterm election.
Trump announced the...Read more
GM's online used-vehicle marketplace lengthens warranties
General Motors Co.'s online marketplace CarBravo is extending warranties on certified pre-owned models as it seeks to meet demand for used vehicles and online car shopping.
GM now will provide 12-month or 12,000-mile ...Read more
Ford introduces new electronic system to support eyes-free driving
Ford Motor Co. says eyes-off and hands-off autonomous driving will be road-ready in 2028, and it'll introduce new artificial intelligence-powered features to its current customers starting this year.
The Dearborn, ...Read more
Complaints over insurers' handling of LA wildfire claims prompt a flurry of bills
Since the January 2025 firestorms damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 homes in Los Angeles County, fire victims have repeatedly complained that insurers have delayed, denied or underpaid many of their claims, with most ...Read more
Expect even more homebuying assistance competition after fed rule
For cash-strapped, lower-income homebuyers, the housing market is a tough place to be.
And it’s only becoming more uncomfortable in 2026.
A new federal rule has changed the eligibility targets for certain down payment-...Read more
Real estate Q&A: If board doesn't enforce rules, is HOA liable when someone is hurt?
Q: Our association board members never seem to enforce the rules, and recently, this ended up with someone getting hurt. Is our association liable because of this? Are the board members? — Andy
A: Community associations...Read more
Here's How: Do Construction Inspections Yourself
Dear James: I'm having a house built, and it was designed to meet all building codes. Is it still a good idea to make periodic visits to the site, and if so, what should I look for? -- Shelly T.
Dear Shelly: Being assured...Read more
Editorial: Hybrids return auto industry to practicality
The auto industry is headed back to where it should have stayed in the quest to put a cleaner fleet on the road: hybrids.
Automakers are rapidly backing away from plans to fully electrify their offerings, due to an easing...Read more
On Gardening: Limelight Prime named 'Landscape Shrub of the Year'
Once New Year's Day has passed, gardeners start to get excited about new plants and ideas for the landscape and garden. One plant that The Garden Guy wants to put in your mind is Proven Winners' "Landscape Shrub of the ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Don't Rely on Vinegar to Disinfect
Dear Mary: What is a safe disinfectant for colored clothes, such as underwear and bath towels? I can't use chlorine bleach, and since I usually wash my colored clothes in cold water, I do not feel like I am getting them ...Read more
The Greener View: Gardening Winter To-Do List
We made it through the first week of the year. Are you tired of winter yet? Officially, it is only a couple of weeks old, but I am ready for spring. I like snow that covers the ugly brown grass and leafless trees, but I ...Read more
My Pet World: Why pets do (or don’t do) things — Understanding their preferences
Dear Cathy,
My dog has zero interest in toys. He doesn’t fetch, chew, squeak, or even look at them. I’ve tried balls, stuffed animals, and ropes. He won’t play with anything. Is this normal, or am I doing something ...Read more
Dennis Anderson: Forward-facing sonar threatens Minnesota walleyes and other fish
MINNEAPOLIS — The fact that Ross Petersen is a fishing guide and also a former mayor of Ely doesn’t make him unique. Two other recent mayors of that small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness ...Read more
Ice fishing off to quick start as anglers benefit from early freeze
MINNEAPOLIS — As wind and snow blew hard across White Bear Lake on Dec. 31, Mark Walker was keeping to his winter clock. This time of year, he, his wife and his daughter make time for ice fishing.
Walker worked a bucket...Read more
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