SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Though the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery, Americans’ belief in the American Dream remains deeply shaken. Of the older Millennials surveyed, ages 25-32, half feel the American Dream is disappearing completely. Forty-five percent of older Baby Boomers, ages 54-64, also share this belief, an increase of 15 percent over [...]

OAKHURST – From January through June the travel industry gathers its brightest stars and most seasoned adventurers to present the latest in leisure and business travel options to consumer and professionals alike at a series of trade shows. Once again in 2014, tourism bureaus in the four Yosemite Gateway communities team up to bring their unique [...]

BOSTON, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – A recent John Hancock survey found that investors are relatively confident of their preparation and expectations for retirement, but are divided on the outlook for their children.  Six in 10 surveyed say they expect their quality of living in retirement to be better than their own parents, and close to a third [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – The 2014 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals the largest ever gap (14 points) between trust in government and business. Driven by the decimation of trust in government and not an increase in business trust, the gap was 20 points or greater in nearly half of the 27 countries surveyed, including the U.S. [...]

HANFORD – Julie Andrews of Hanford is looking forward to a healthier year in 2014, thanks to a new free health care shuttle in town. Two vans started rolling on Wednesday, Jan. 15, for patients of Adventist Health / Community Care clinics in Hanford and Home Garden. The vans provide free rides to and from [...]

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Earthquakes, fires and other emergencies strike suddenly. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) is reminding customers about the importance of being prepared for California’s next major emergency. “Customer safety is a top priority for SoCalGas and we want to provide information to help our customers be ready for an emergency,” said Jimmie Cho, SoCalGas vice [...]

FRESNO – Fresno City Manager Bruce Rudd has announced that Larry Westerlund has been named the City of Fresno’s economic development director. “Supporting business growth and job creation in our community is the most important thing we can do at City Hall,” Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin said.  “Larry brings a considerable amount of local business [...]

COALINGA – As students head back to West Hills College Coalinga for the beginning of the spring semester, they are joined by a new face – Robert Tucker, the new head football coach for the Falcons. Tucker joins WHCC from the University of Sioux Falls where he worked as assistant head coach for four seasons, [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Labor markets are mixed across many advanced economies, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons (ILC) program for November. The unemployment rate in November rose in three of the nine countries compared, was unchanged in three, and fell in three. The U.S. [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – For many of us it was our first source of income, and the first time we experienced the agonizing choice between small bursts of instant gratification versus the long game for saving for something special. Half of Americans (50%) say they received an allowance when they were growing up, and [...]

FRESNO – The Big Fresno Fair was recently honored at the Western Fairs Association’s 91st Convention & Trade Show, in which roughly 125 fairs from throughout the Western United States attend to gather new ideas, attend seminars and participate in the annual Achievement Awards. The Achievement Awards recognize the very best efforts that a fair [...]

NEW YORK, January 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Consumers engage with retailers on Facebook more than they do on the retailer websites. Nine in ten consumers say how much they spend is impacted by their social media engagement with a brand. And FourSquare has virtually no impact on consumer purchasing. These are some of the core findings of [...]

FRESNO – Kerri Donis, an 18-year veteran of the Fresno Fire Department, has been named the City of Fresno’s fire chief, City Manager Bruce Rudd has announced.  Donis has been serving as the department’s interim fire chief since June 2013. “Chief Donis has demonstrated that she is an extremely capable and dedicated public servant.  She [...]

VISALIA – The Kaweah Delta Health Care District board of directors unanimously approved a proposal  last week to establish a clinic to ensure that Tulare County residents get care to manage the nation’s leading causes of death and disability. The 12,000-square-foot clinic, expected to open in May, will help people manage chronic diseases such as [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Slightly more than one in four Americans (26%) spent less than they expected during the holiday shopping season, according to a new Bankrate.com (NYSE: RATE) report. Only 14% of Americans spent more than expected; more than half (57%) spent about what they expected. The tightfistedness was fairly universal: no age group [...]

FRESNO – The Fresno Chamber of Commerce has announced that its upcoming event, Eggs & Issues – “Crime is Toast” with City of Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, has completely sold out. The highly anticipated breakfast will be held on Jan. 16, with the program scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. in University Square Hotel’s main conference [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Going out to the movies once was, and for many still can be, an exciting night out. However, a new Harris Poll finds that while roughly two-thirds (68%) of U.S. adults went to the movies at least once in 2013, just about the same percent (66%) say they’re going to the [...]

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In November, inflation as measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) increased in 10 of 16 countries and areas compared. Japan and Germany experienced the largest increase in inflation (0.4 percentage points), followed by the U.S. (0.3 percentage points). Price growth remained stable in Denmark, Norway and Austria, and slowed in Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. After three [...]

TULARE – Three pieces of urban art, inspired by Pro Youth HEART, will be showcased at eleven Tulare County locations through April 2. Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Phil Cox will unveil the urban art during the “Urban Art Kick-Off Reception” at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Tulare County’s Visalia Branch Library [...]

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The CFO Alliance – a global community of senior financial leaders and decision makers, promoting connectivity and knowledge sharing amongst leading financial executives – along with national partner and contributor Drinker Biddle & Reath, today released the 2014 CFO Sentiment and Planning Study. The annual study surveyed a broad sample of [...]