Other voices: Our federal spending is unsustainable. We have to fix that

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

Other voices: Our federal spending is unsustainable. We have to fix that It’s time to start talking again about the deficit and not dismiss those fretting about the mounting federal debt, now approaching $34 trillion, as Chicken Littles.The yearly deficit has topped $1 trillion — once a nearly unimaginable figure — now for several years running. It was $1.7 trillion in the fiscal year just concluded, and the financial world barely cocked an eyebrow. The federal government has no problem floating debt; the dollar remains strong.This won’t last. Even America, as economically powerful as it is, can’t run on a credit card forever.Without action, U.S. debt eventually will become unappealing to investors. The feds then will need to offer investors ever higher yields, exacerbating the situation.Interest on the federal debt now accounts for about 10% of the budget. To put that in context, expenditures for all nondefense discretionary programs make up 15% of the budget.On the present course, according to the U.S. Government Accountab...

5 things to know this Thursday, November 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

5 things to know this Thursday, November 16 ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- One more day until Friday, folks. Happy Thursday! According to Meteorologists Jill Szwed and Matt Mackie, today and tomorrow look awfully nice by November standards. Make sure to soak it up before a new system brings big changes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A Schenectady man was arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run in Ballston Spa on Wednesday. Gary Lucas was charged with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. Meanwhile, the Pittsfield Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 15-year-old. Josiah Delph stands at 5’10” and 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. These stories, and more, are covered in your five things to know this Thursday morning. 1. Driver, victim identified in fatal Ballston Spa hit-and-runA Schenectady man was arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run in Ballston Spa on Wednesday. Gary Lucas was charged with leaving the s...

Woman in custody after stabbing man in south St. Louis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

Woman in custody after stabbing man in south St. Louis ST. LOUIS - There's a large police presence in south St. Louis responding to a reported stabbing. Our Nissan Rogue Runner reporter, Nic Lopez, captured footage of the scene located on the 4300 block of Frieda Avenue, where authorities shared that a group of people were drinking all night, then a woman stabbed a man in the back. St. Louis native’s story to hit big screen, local filming continues The woman is now in custody and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. FOX 2 will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Illinois representative petitions U.S. Supreme Court to review assault weapons ban

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

Illinois representative petitions U.S. Supreme Court to review assault weapons ban HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - An Illinois ban on high-power semiautomatic weapons is facing a new challenge. Republican State Representative Dan Caulkins is petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to review the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law.According to the Belleville NewsDemocrat, the 'Protect Illinois Communities Act' was adopted after the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, last year. It prohibits the possession, manufacture, or sale of semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more Caulkins argues the law violates Second Amendment rights and that the justices involved in the case had conflicts of interest. He explained that they received campaign contributions from people who support the ban, including Governor J.B. Pritzker, which go against the separation of powers.

MoDOT holding I-55 project open house meeting tonight

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

MoDOT holding I-55 project open house meeting tonight ST. LOUIS - MoDOT is hosting an informational meeting about the Interstate 55 Corridor Improvement Project.It's at the Jefferson Memorial VFW in Festus from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The project is to address traffic and safety concerns along I-55 by constructing an additional northbound and southbound lane. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more MoDOT will also replace 14 bridges and repair 12 others. Construction on the $246 million project is expected to start in January or February of next year.

New Panera Bread opening today in O'Fallon Missouri

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

New Panera Bread opening today in O'Fallon Missouri O'FALLON, Mo. - A new Panera is opening in O'Fallon, Missouri, on Thursday.It's located off of Highway K and will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day. It's the second St. Louis Bread Company store in O'Fallon and the 68th in Missouri. St. Louis native’s story to hit big screen, local filming continues Earlier this month, Panera Bread laid off about 300 corporate workers, or roughly 17% of its workforce.

New Chick-fil-A opening today in University City

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

New Chick-fil-A opening today in University City ST. LOUIS - A new Chick-fil-A is opening in University City.It's located at 8637 Olive Boulevard and is open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more The new restaurant is expected to bring 120 jobs to the area.

Harris-Stowe State University hosting 'SleepOut' fundraiser tonight

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

Harris-Stowe State University hosting 'SleepOut' fundraiser tonight ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis organization is continuing to support unhoused youth in the region. 'Covenant House Missouri' is holding its annual 'SleepOut' in St. Louis' on Thursday.70 business and government officials will spend a night outdoors at Harris-Stowe State University. There will also be a candlelight vigil. St. Louis native’s story to hit big screen, local filming continues The SleepOut raises money for Covenant House, which provides beds, education, and job training.

FOX 2 and St. Louis Post-Dispatch partnering for 67th annual 'Old Newsboys Day'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

FOX 2 and St. Louis Post-Dispatch partnering for 67th annual 'Old Newsboys Day' ST. LOUIS - FOX 2 is partnering with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the 67th annual 'Old Newsboys Day.'From 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., hundreds of volunteers will sell special editions of the Post-Dispatch at the corner of Lindbergh Boulevard and Gravois Road in south St. Louis County. All the funds raised will go to the Old Newsboys children's charities, which help kids receive food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Mayor resigns, hired weeks later in new job making 6x more Former St. Louis Cardinal Al 'the Mad Hungarian' Hrabosky will chair the event. FOX 2's Chris Regnier will be live there on FOX 2 News at 7.

Starbucks union workers striking today at 8 St. Louis coffee shops

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 19:55:50 GMT

Starbucks union workers striking today at 8 St. Louis coffee shops ST. LOUIS - A strike is taking place Thursday by Starbucks union workers at eight St. Louis coffee shops.It's part of the national 'Red Cup Rebellion.' Earlier this fall, Starbucks workers filed an unfair labor practice charge, saying the company refused to bargain with them around promotion days. St. Louis native’s story to hit big screen, local filming continues They say those days are busier, but extra workers are not scheduled. They're asking Starbucks to turn off mobile ordering on promotion days and hire more workers.Thursday's strike will run from 7:00 a.m. until 1 p.m.