A few years ago, the Buffalo Bills threatened to leave New York State unless a new stadium deal was secured. This kind of relocation bluff is common in the NFL, with only the Green Bay Packers standing out as a team with a municipally owned facility and a market too small to seriously consider relocation. Despite the ever-present threat of the Bills moving to a more lucrative market, Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul ultimately signed a deal providing $600 million in state funding for a new $2.1 billion stadium for the Bills, with Erie County contributing an additional $250 million. This was after team owner Terry Pegula threatened to move the franchise to Austin, Texas, where he would privately finance a stadium.
California lost 156,300 jobs in the first half of 2024, according to the latest federal quarterly payroll data, contradicting Governor Gavin Newsom’s optimistic claims about job growth in the state. While Newsom’s office had highlighted preliminary job survey data, which often overestimates employment numbers, the finalized payroll data shows a starkly different picture. In January, California’s payroll data counted 18,037,900 jobs, but by June, that number had dropped to 17,881,600, reflecting a significant job loss.
President Joe Biden assured Vice President Kamala Harris of her continued importance to the Democratic Party during remarks at the Democratic National Committee’s holiday party on Sunday. Turning to Harris, Biden declared, “You’re not going anywhere,” while praising her integrity and purpose throughout her career.
Illinois’ pension crisis continues to deepen, with the state's unfunded pension liability reaching $143.7 billion, according to the latest report from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA). This figure is $1.5 billion higher than last year and marks the second-highest total since 2020, when the liability hit $144.2 billion.
President-elect Donald Trump will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Thursday as TIME Magazine names him “Person of the Year.” This marks Trump’s second time receiving the honor, having first been named in 2016 following his initial election to the presidency.
Caitlin Clark, the biggest star in the WNBA, has taken the sports world by storm with her stellar college career and professional debut. Her dynamic performances and compelling personality have drawn new fans to women’s basketball and elevated her status as one of America’s top athletes. Time Magazine’s decision to name her Athlete of the Year for 2024 reflects this well-deserved recognition.
Inflation rose in November at the fastest pace in four months, marking the second straight month of acceleration. The Department of Labor reported Wednesday that the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 2.7% over the past year, matching economists' forecasts. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, climbed 3.3% year-over-year.
Joe Biden delivered remarks on his administration’s economic record Tuesday at the Brookings Institution, making the questionable assertion that President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a “strong economy.” Biden expressed hope that the incoming administration would “preserve and build” on his policies.