Managing Bond Risks When Interest Rates Rise ~ From Brian J. Tewksbury

Managing Bond Risks When Interest Rates Rise ~ From Brian J. Tewksbury

Murphys, CA…After dropping the benchmark federal funds rate to a rock-bottom range of 0%–0.25% early in the pandemic, the Federal Open Market Committee has begun raising the rate toward more typical historical levels in response to high inflation. At its March 2022 meeting, the Committee raised the funds rate to 0.25%–0.50% and projected the equivalent […]

Federal Reserve to Raise Federal Funds Interest Rate 1/4 to 1/2 Percent

Federal Reserve to Raise Federal Funds Interest Rate 1/4 to 1/2 Percent

Washington, DC…Indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. Job gains have been strong in recent months, and the unemployment rate has declined substantially. Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances related to the pandemic, higher energy prices, and broader price pressures. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is causing tremendous human […]

Presidential Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets

Presidential Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets

Washington, DC….By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. Advances in digital and distributed ledger technology for financial services have led to dramatic growth in markets for digital assets, with profound implications for the […]

Inflation Roars as Producer Price Index Jumps 1% in January for 9.7% Annualized Rate

Inflation Roars as Producer Price Index Jumps 1% in January for 9.7% Annualized Rate

Washington, DC…The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 1.0 percent in January, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This rise followed advances of 0.4 percent in December 2021 and 0.9 percent in November. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 9.7 percent for the 12 […]

7.5% Inflation a 40 Year High, Prices for Food, Energy & Shelter Soar as Purchasing Power of Dollars Crater

7.5% Inflation a 40 Year High, Prices for Food, Energy & Shelter Soar as Purchasing Power of Dollars Crater

Washington, DC…The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.6 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 7.5 percent before seasonal adjustment. Increases in the indexes for food, electricity, and shelter were the largest […]

Take a Chance on Love this Valentine’s Day for Hospice of Amador & Calaveras!!

Take a Chance on Love this Valentine’s Day for Hospice of Amador & Calaveras!!

Amador & Calaveas, CA…Tickets on sale now for the Hospice of Amador & Calaveras 13th Annual Take a Chance on Love Valentine’s Day Drawing. This year’s deluxe prizes feature diamonds, ocean views, water, mountains and MORE! Tickets are $10 each. Spend $100 or more and all tickets are 2-for-1, plus you receive one voucher for […]

Retirement Plan Limits on the Rise in 2022 ~ Brian J Tewksbury

Retirement Plan Limits on the Rise in 2022 ~ Brian J Tewksbury

Murphys, CA…Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Although the amount you can contribute to IRAs remains the same in 2022, other key numbers will increase, including how much you can contribute to a work-based retirement plan and the phaseout thresholds for IRA deductibility and Roth contributions. How Much Can […]

H&R Block Now Hiring! Apply Today!

H&R Block Now Hiring!  Apply Today!

Angels Camp, Jackson, Valley Springs & Ione, CA…Help Wanted! We are looking for friendly Client Service Representatives For our H&R BLOCK offices In Angels Camp, Jackson, Valley Springs and Ione. Must be comfortable on the phone, computer friendly and honest. For More Information Call 209-223-2155 Ask for Robin.

Calaveras Community Foundation Awards Community Grants for 2021

Calaveras Community Foundation Awards Community Grants for 2021

Calaveras Community Foundation recently awarded 17 grants totaling over $110,000 as part of its annual competitive grant process. These grants include: Calaveras County Office of Education –restore Student Events. Calaveras Sings Theatre Repertory (CSTARS) -produce a show in 2021. Calaveras Humane Society – assistance in veterinary expenses for low-income senior residents. Common Grounds (Meals on […]

Gross Domestic Product or GDP Stalls in Third Quarter 2021 with Only 2% Annual Rate

Gross Domestic Product or GDP Stalls in Third Quarter 2021 with Only 2% Annual Rate

Washington, DC…Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.0 percent in the third quarter of 2021 (table 1), according to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 6.7 percent. The GDP estimate released today is based on source data that are […]

Economy Treading Water with Only 194,000 Jobs Added in September

Economy Treading Water with Only 194,000 Jobs Added in September

Washington, DC…Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 194,000 in September, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point to 4.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, in professional and business services, in retail trade, and in transportation and warehousing. Employment in public education […]

Advancing Tax Proposals Put Corporations and High-Income Individuals in Spotlight

Advancing Tax Proposals Put Corporations and High-Income Individuals in Spotlight

Murphys, CA…On Saturday, September 25, 2021, the House Budget Committee voted to advance a $3.5 trillion spending package to the House floor for debate. The House Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation had previously released summaries of proposed tax changes intended to help fund the spending package. Many of these provisions […]

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee Release Economic Projections

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee Release Economic Projections

Washington, DC…The Federal Reserve is committed to using its full range of tools to support the U.S. economy in this challenging time, thereby promoting its maximum employment and price stability goals.  With progress on vaccinations and strong policy support, indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. The sectors most adversely affected by […]

Consumer Prices Soar in June! Energy up 23.8%, Used Vehicles up 41.7% & All Items up 5.4%

Consumer Prices Soar in June!  Energy up 23.8%, Used Vehicles up 41.7% & All Items up 5.4%

Washington, DC…The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent in July on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.9 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustment. The indexes for shelter, food, energy, […]

Beth Childs/Genna Hurst Scholarship Awarded by Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF)

Beth Childs/Genna Hurst Scholarship Awarded by Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF)

Angels Camp, CA…The Beth E. Childs/Genna Hurst Renewable Scholarship administered by CCF was awarded recently. The 2021 CCF Scholarship Committee is proud to award this 4-year $4,000 renewable scholarship to Calaveras High School student, Karsyn Miller. The Childs/Hurst scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating student residing in the West Point/Wilseyville area. Karsyn has maintained […]

The US Economy Added 943,000 Jobs in July & Unemployment Drops to 5.4%!

The US Economy Added 943,000 Jobs in July & Unemployment Drops to 5.4%!

Washington, DC…Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 943,000 in July, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage point to 5.4 percent. Notable job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, in local government, education, and in professional and business services. Reflecting the initial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the labor market, job losses totaled […]

Calaveras Community Foundation Competitive Grants Deadline 7/31/2021

Calaveras Community Foundation Competitive Grants Deadline 7/31/2021

Angels Camp, CA…Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) announced in early-June the timing of the grant cycle for 2021. Timing is of the essence with completed grant applications due by July 31, 2021. Complete details, application guidelines and fillable forms are all available at www.calaverascommunityfoundation.org. If you have further questions or concerns, call the CCF office at […]

U.S. Dept. of Labor Awards More Than $130M in Grants to Support Registered Apprenticeship Programs

U.S. Dept. of Labor Awards More Than $130M in Grants to Support Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Washington, DC… The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of more than $130 million in grants to develop, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeship Programs in 15 states and to establish Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Centers of Excellence in three states and Washington, D.C., to provide technical expertise and services and accelerate the expansion of […]

Mother Lode Job Training Awarded $350,000 to Improve Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Mother Lode Job Training Awarded $350,000 to Improve Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Mother Lode Region, CA…Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) has been awarded a $350,000 grant to establish services that will improve job opportunities for people with disabilities. Funding for this grant, which ends in March 2023, was provided through discretionary funds made available to Governor Gavin Newsom in accordance with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity […]

Consumer Prices Surge .8 Percent in May. Final Demand Index up 6.6 Percent from May to May

Consumer Prices Surge .8 Percent in May.  Final Demand Index up 6.6 Percent from May to May

Washington, DC…The Producer Price Index for final demand increased 0.8 percent in May, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Final demand prices rose 0.6 percent in April and 1.0 percent in March. (See table A.) On an unadjusted basis, the final demand index advanced 6.6 percent for the 12 months ended […]