PACT

Oct 07 2024WEATHER

What Winter 2024-2025 Might Bring: A Climate Pattern's Influence

As the leaves start to change color, it's time to think about the upcoming holiday season and the weather that might come with it. Both NOAA and the Farmers’ Almanac have released their extended forecasts for this winter. While these predictions aren't set in stone, they can help us plan our travels

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Oct 07 2024BUSINESS

Roadwork Pains: Businesses Hang On in Post Falls

In Post Falls, a major roadwork project has been causing quite a stir. The 300 block of Spokane Street is under construction, and local businesses are feeling the heat. Shem Hanks, co-owner of the Filling Station gastropub, has noticed a significant drop in customers. Normally, autumn is a busy time

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Oct 07 2024BUSINESS

Small Biz in Trouble: Tax Hike Looming

Inflation's been tough on Texas small businesses. Costs are skyrocketing, and owners are losing sleep over it. A recent report by the NFIB showed that supply costs jumped to the second biggest worry from twelfth in 2020. This is bad news for job creators who now face tough choices: raise prices, cut

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Oct 07 2024BUSINESS

Tupperware’s Big Move: What Happens to Williamsburg County?

Tupperware, a well-known name in many homes, is leaving Williamsburg County. The facility, which has been around since the late 1970s, is shutting down for good. This isn't because of their recent bankruptcy filing; instead, it’s part of a new plan to improve customer service and operations. But

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Oct 07 2024FINANCE

Gulf Banks Have More Cash: What's Next?

In a surprising turn of events, banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are sitting on more liquid cash than many of their global counterparts. This shift is largely due to the high interest rates in Europe and other regions, according to an executive from Qatar National Bank. Speaking

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Oct 07 2024ENVIRONMENT

Indonesia's Shift to Solar: A New Dawn for Energy Independence

For years, coal has been the king of Indonesia's energy scene. But times are changing, and solar power is stepping into the spotlight. The country is sitting on a goldmine of sunshine that could help it ditch its coal addiction and fight climate change. Enter AC Ventures, a firm that's betting big o

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Oct 07 2024FINANCE

Big Budget Problem for Cook County in 2025

Cook County has a big problem on its hands. The county is looking at a $218 million budget gap next year. Why such a huge gap? Well, it's mainly because of the raises given to county employees and the increasing pension payments that come with those raises. But here's an interesting twist – this yea

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Oct 07 2024BUSINESS

Young Finance Chiefs: What's Their Secret?

Ever wondered how some finance chiefs climb the corporate ladder so quickly? Let’s take a look at three young stars who have proven their mettle in the world of business. Shawn Flores, 35, has been with Par Pacific Holdings for nearly a decade and is now its CFO. He believes in creating an efficient

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Oct 07 2024BUSINESS

Humana's Stock Dives After Medicare Rating Drop

It's been a rough week for Humana, the health insurer. Their stock has taken a big hit, dropping 23% since Monday – that’s the worst weekly fall since 2020 and the sharpest two-day drop in 15 years! The cause? Medicare is downgrading some of Humana's key health insurance plans, which could hurt thei

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Oct 07 2024POLITICS

Could Trump’s Election Boost Bitcoin?

Bitcoin investors have been buzzing lately. Why? Because some analysts think a Trump win could be great for the cryptocurrency. You see, Trump recently picked Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate. Vance is a big fan of crypto, owning at least $100,000 worth of bitcoin himself. This move has giv

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