The U.S. consumer confidence index dipped to 97.4 in August, down 1.3 points from July’s revised reading of 98.7. According to the Conference Board report, dips in business and labor assessments drove the decline. Local experts view the data as balanced with a positive confidence outlook. This confidence outlook encourages local shoppers and investors to…

Sales of new home sales slipped 0.6 percent in July, dropping to an annual pace of 652,000 units after June figures were sharply revised upward. The July total exceeded analysts’ forecasts of 630,000 units but remained 8.2 percent below the pace recorded in July 2024. New home sales rose 11.7 percent in the West, offsetting…

The City of El Monte is deepening its commitment to local families by approving major funding partnerships with the El Monte City School District and Mountain View School District. At its July 30 council meeting, the City Council voted to accept more than $2.4 million from the districts to support after-school and youth sports programming…

The El Monte Union High School District will host its 2025 Districtwide College Night from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at South El Monte High School. The Districtwide College Night offers students and families a chance to explore educational and career pathways in one place, with representatives from UC, CSU, private universities, community…

This Week in Real Estate The California market data for the week ending Aug. 30 shows a robust pace of activity as summer winds down. California market data reveals 598 closed sales, 584 pending sales and 590 new listings per day, according to the California Association of REALTORS®. This California market data highlights the balance…

El Monte Union High School District unveiled the Arteaga Ogaz Center at Fernando R. Ledesma High School on Aug. 27, naming the newly renovated multipurpose building and gymnasium in honor of brothers Freddy and Bernie Arteaga and longtime leader Frank Ogaz. The dedication ceremony drew district officials, alumni, students and community members to the 12347…

The mortgage delinquencies rate dipped in July to 3.27 percent, eight basis points lower than June and nine points below July 2024, according to the latest Intercontinental Exchange report. That figure remains 58 basis points under its pre-pandemic level. At the same time, foreclosure starts edged up 4.3 percent month-over-month to 32,000 filings, while foreclosure…

El Monte Union welcomes students and families to the 2025-26 school year with a message from Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga. The district, serving nearly 7,700 students across five comprehensive high schools and alternative programs, begins classes Tuesday, August 19. El Monte Union urges families to have students arrive on time and ready to learn to…

July’s consumer price figures delivered welcome stability for households across El Monte, Baldwin Park and neighboring cities. Inflation holds steady in July, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising just 0.2 percent from June and up 2.7 percent year-over-year. That modest gain matches economists’ forecasts and reflects moderating food and energy costs, helping families in…

Irwindale’s City Council has taken up the issue of RV parking rules, seeking community input on residential setbacks and public‐street permits. At its July 23 session, councilmembers reviewed staff proposals to illustrate how recreational vehicles can be parked on private lots and to create a temporary permit program for RVs on city streets. Residents may…