NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) climbed in December.  The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending[i]. “Economic fundamentals that influence consumer spending moved in a positive direction in the latest Index,” said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte’s senior U.S. economist.  “Median home prices increased, while initial unemployment [...]

FRESNO – Applications are now being accepted for a new financial assistance program, the California Middle Class Scholarship, that will be available in the fall for undergraduate students who have family incomes up to $150,000 to attend a California State University (CSU) or a University of California (UC). A campaign to inform students and their families about [...]

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – While the job market is showing signs of improvement, one segment of the workforce is feeling the sting of a slower-than-expected recovery more so than others: the long-term unemployed.  Thirty percent of workers who were previously employed full time and who have been out of work for 12 months or longer said [...]

YOSEMITE – The latest edition of the award-winning Yosemite Sierra Visitors Guide has been released, featuring a cover photographs by noted Yosemite photographer Nancy Robbins. This year the fifty-page booklet celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant on June 30, 2014 and encourages participation in the multitude of festivities planned around the occasion. The guide also serves [...]

TULARE – Tulare County officials say the number of building permits for both single family homes and commercial buildings increased sharply in 2013. County records show 3,363 building permits were issued in 2013 – up sharply from the 3,023 issued in 2012. “The value of county building permits issued in 2013 increased by $40 million [...]

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 [...]