Browsing: 2024

The National Retail Federation, a prominent industry association, forecasts that U.S. consumer spending will increase by approximately 4 to 6 percent this year, reaching between $5.13 and $5.23 trillion. While e-commerce retail sales dropped since peaking at 19 percent in 2020, the share is back up to 15 percent—still higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The effects of climate change continue to break grim records this year. The mercury is climbing. Species are dying. Atmospheric carbon is concentrating. But entrepreneurs keep inventing new technologies to counter these trends.

ALPENA — District Health Department No. 4 received the results of its 2024 audit on Sept. 15. The auditor’s opinion was that the department had fairly presented its financial statements though there were material weaknesses reported.