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Mortgage rates rise: 30-year climbs to 6.39%

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. mortgage rates rose this week for the first time in more than a month, at least a temporary setback for would-be home buyers and a housing market already reeling from more than a year of interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that that average fixed-rate 30-year mortgage edged up to 6.39% from 6.27% the week before. A year ago, the average rate was 5.11%.The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with those refinancing their homes, also rose — to 5.76% from 5.54% a week earlier.The Fed, responding to a surge in inflation that last year hit a four-decade high, has raised its benchmark interest rate nine times in just over a year. Mortgage rates surged — to a two-decade high of 7.08% last fall. But rates had fallen five straight weeks before the upturn this week.Higher borrowing costs have taken a toll on the housing market. The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that sales of existing U...

Dutch envoy quoted saying ‘Ukrainians also Russians’ quits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A veteran diplomat who was appointed less than three weeks ago to promote Dutch involvement in the reconstruction of Ukraine has quit over remarks he made — reportedly about Russia — in a new book, the government announced Thursday.The Dutch foreign ministry said that Ron van Dartel would step down with immediate effect. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher “respects the decision and has accepted his resignation,” the ministry said in a statement.Van Dartel, a former Dutch ambassador to Serbia, Poland and Russia, quit over comments he made to the author of a new book. Dutch broadcaster RTL reported that they include him saying “Ukrainians are also Russians. We must not forget that. That is the reality.”The ministry said Van Dartel’s comments were made before his appointment earlier this month, but only published after he took up his new role.Van Dartel “has realized that he can no longer function credibly with the...

Distrust in America: Small mistakes, deep fear — and gunfire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

In suburban Detroit, it was a lost 14-year-old looking for directions. In Kansas City, it was a 16-year-old who went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers. There was the 12-year-old rummaging around in a yard in small-town Alabama, the 20-year-old woman who found herself in the wrong driveway in upstate New York and the cheerleader who got into the wrong car in Texas.All of them, and dozens more across America, were met by gunfire. Some were injured, some killed.In a nation where strangers are all too often seen as threats and fear has been politicized, honest mistakes and simple acts like going to the wrong address or car in a parking lot, or even just ringing the wrong doorbell, can seem like a fateful question of trust. It is a tension not lost on Jae Moyer, who was at a rally at the Kansas City police headquarters Tuesday, demanding a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the shooting of Ralph Yarl, the Black teenager shot last week when he went to the door ...

Lawyer who spat on anti-racism protester in 2020 convicted

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A white lawyer was convicted for spitting on a Black high school student during a 2020 anti-racism march in a Milwaukee suburb.A jury reached the verdict Wednesday in the trial of Stephanie Rapkin, 67, of Shorewood, Wisconsin, finding her guilty of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.Rapkin faces sentencing for the misdemeanor charge later this week and is charged separately with a felony assault on a police officer who arrested her at her home the day after the spitting incident.In June of 2020, Rapkin showed up at the protest in Shorewood and parked her car in the street, blocking the anti-racism march that was one of thousands held around the U.S. in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a police officer.When protesters approached her to urge her to move her car, video shows Rapkin spitting on Eric Lucas, then a 17-year-old junior at Shorewood High School. Lucas had helped organize and lead the march. According to the criminal complaint, Rapkin told an investigati...

Browns enter another NFL draft with needs, without top picks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

CLEVELAND (AP) — For the Cleveland Browns, being on the clock in this year’s NFL draft will again require extra patience.They’ll spend Day One on the sideline watching.Just as they did during the playoffs.After mortgaging their future in the controversial trade last year for quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Browns don’t have a first- or second-round pick. They aren’t scheduled to make their initial selection until the third round at No. 74, unless general manager Andrew Berry gets antsy and makes a move.It’s not an ideal situation for a team that underachieved last season, finishing 7-10 and last in the AFC North. But the Browns put themselves in this spot by banking on Watson, handing him $230 million guaranteed.Berry has been aggressive in past drafts, sliding up, dropping back and free-wheeling with Cleveland’s draft assets. But following a successful offseason in free agency devoted to filling numerous holes on defense, it’s more likely t...

Westamerica: Q1 Earnings Snapshot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (AP) — Westamerica Bancorp (WABC) on Thursday reported net income of $40.5 million in its first quarter.The bank, based in San Rafael, California, said it had earnings of $1.51 per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to $1.47 per share.The holding company for Westamerica Bank posted revenue of $80.2 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $79.7 million, which missed Street forecasts._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WABC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WABCSource

Jets have holes to fill in draft while they wait for Rodgers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

The New York Jets head into the NFL draft still anticipating Aaron Rodgers will be their quarterback this season.When a deal with the Green Bay Packers will finally be completed is anyone’s guess. And so is how much it will cost the Jets.New York currently holds the No. 13 overall selection and back-to-back picks — Nos. 42 and 43 — in the second round to lead off their draft. A trade for Rodgers before or during the draft could result in the Jets parting ways with at least one of those picks.Rodgers said during an appearance last month on “The Pat McAfee Show” on YouTube and Sirius XM his intention is to play for the Jets this season. Weeks of discussions, negotiations and lots of waiting have followed as the sides continue to work out the parameters of a deal.During an appearance on WFAN’s “Boomer and Gio Live” event earlier this month, New York general manager Joe Douglas fueled optimism for the Jets and their fans when he was asked by Boomer Esiason if Rodgers will, i...

20-year-old killed by rock thrown at car in Arvada

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Multiple law enforcement agencies are looking for the suspects who may be responsible for a string of crimes from Wednesday night that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old after she was struck and killed by a large rock while driving. The crimes occurred on Wednesday night starting at 10 p.m.According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 20-year-old Alexa Bartell of Arvada was driving northbound near the 10600 block of Indiana Street. JCSO believes the suspects threw a large rock either from a vehicle or the side of the road at Bartell's car. Warning: Picking up folded money could be dangerous The rock allegedly hit Bartell, and she was killed. Moments before she was killed, Bartell was on the phone with a friend when the call went silent. JCSO said Bartell's friend tracked her address and found her dead inside her car that was off the roadway in a field. This was not the first instance of rocks being thrown at cars that night. According to...

This is the deadliest tornado in Colorado history

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- While parts of the Centennial State continue to see snow and wintry conditions, tornadoes have been popping up across the Midwest.Colorado’s tornado season is traditionally May through August, but we have had tornadoes from February to as late as October. Tornado alley is expanding — and scientists don’t know why Deadliest tornado in Colorado historyTo this day, the deadliest tornado in Colorado history was the August 10, 1924 tornado.The National Weather Service said the tornado developed near Thurman, which is about 110 miles east of Denver.The tornado hit a farm about 4 miles east-northeast of Thurman. There were 27 people at a gathering of the farm, which the NWS said was owned by Henry Kuhns. How safe is Denver when it comes to natural disasters? There were 10 people killed at the farm. Another person died four months later from injuries they received in the tornado. The NWS said that of the 11 people killed, nine of them were children.The tornado was estim...

Local artist, business owner to hold anti-gun violence fundraiser

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (KDVR) — As youth gun violence has been in the spotlight, many teachers and parents have taken it upon themselves to speak out. Now, one local business owner is using his talents to pay it forward. Remembering those lost 24 years ago at Columbine High School Out of Step Clay is an art studio that was founded just a year ago. For their anniversary, the owner, Joshua Margolis, wanted to use his medium to send a message.   “The most important thing for me in this space is about creating a community that can support one another. That's huge. So when people come into the studio, they all want to learn how to work with clay, and I tell them that I don't care about clay. I care about creating a space where we can find commonalities, maybe with people that we normally wouldn't lead to develop and facilitate relationships, and then we can have a positive impact on our lives and the lives outside of these walls,” Margolis said. He teaches adult and kids clay molding works...