The U.S. labor market continues to show resilience, maintaining what economists call a “no-fire, low-hire” pattern. For the period ending August 2, the number of people who filed for unemployment benefits rose to 226,000, an increase of 7,000. Despite the uptick, the figure remains low compared with much of this year. The unadjusted total of…

The “lock-in effect” that has shaped the housing market in recent years is showing gradual signs of change, according to a Realtor.com analysis of the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s National Mortgage Database. In the first quarter of 2025, 81 percent of outstanding mortgage debt carried interest rates below 6 percent. That figure marked a 4.4…

Opening weekend brought autumn excitement to Santa Anita Park as the much-anticipated Autumn Meet got under way. Ticket sales began Friday, August 15, at 11 a.m. PT, with passes available via Ticketmaster. Free parking, general admission, and an all-day Happy Hour every Friday greeted guests as racing began Friday, September 26. Autumn Meet anchored its…

Housing affordability in California remained a significant challenge in the second quarter of 2025, according to the California Association of Realtors. The statewide Housing Affordability Index (HAI) for existing single-family homes dropped to 15 percent, down two percentage points from the first quarter, but slightly improved compared to the same period in 2024. Affordability Numbers…

Two Opportunities for Learning (OFL) Baldwin Park seniors, Atziri Talavera and Autumn Davies, joined business leaders, elected officials, and community members at the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon on July 25. The event, held in Irwindale, featured Congressman Gil Cisneros as keynote speaker and focused on issues impacting San Gabriel Valley industries including insurance,…

Thousands of students and staff returned to El Monte City School District (EMCSD) schools for the 2025-2026 school year with a brand new vision and mission for the future. Last year, EMCSD formed a Guiding Coalition that featured nearly 90 participants consisting of teachers and staff, current and former students, administrators, board members, and community…

Residential construction spending continued its downward slide in June, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline amid high interest rates and market uncertainty. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, total construction outlays dropped 0.4% from May and fell 2.9% compared to June 2024. Homebuilding Slows Across the U.S. The sharpest decline occurred in private residential…

Temple City Library will host a free session of Adult 101 life skills for teens on Friday, August 8, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The program, titled Adult 101: Life Skills for Teens: Decision Making, is designed for ages 13 to 17 and focuses on helping teens build real-world decision-making skills. Participants will learn…

  Across the San Gabriel Valley, local families are turning to parks, pools, and playgrounds for free and low-cost ways to stay active together. In communities like El Monte, South El Monte, and Baldwin Park, publicly funded spaces offer more than just fresh air—they provide critical outlets for fitness, social connection, and childhood development. During…

U.S. job market growth slowed more than expected in July, raising concerns about economic momentum and increasing the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. Weaker Hiring Signals Slowing Growth According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, nonfarm payrolls rose by just 73,000 in July. The figure fell short…