In a significant community initiative in El Monte, the local police department, Assembly Member Mike Fong, and the El Monte Business Alliance came together to distribute 450 turkeys to families in need, marking the approach of Thanksgiving. This gesture aimed to bring some holiday cheer and support to those facing hardships during festive times. On…

In a welcome development for prospective homebuyers, housing affordability in California showed signs of improvement during the third quarter of this year. According to recent data, the statewide index for existing single-family homes rose by 2 percentage points from the previous quarter, reaching 16%. This marks a minor uptick of 1 percentage point compared to…

In its recent November meeting, the Federal Reserve opted to reduce the fed funds rate by 25 basis points (bps), marking another step in its ongoing adjustments to monetary policy amidst evolving economic conditions. This decision aligns with the central bank’s continuing strategy to unwind its substantial balance sheet, an initiative that began earlier amid…

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) recently released its housing market outlook, indicating a robust revival in home sales over the next two years, supported by an improving supply situation and stabilizing mortgage rates. Lawrence Yun, NAR’s Chief Economist, highlights a promising forecast for the U.S. housing market amidst ongoing economic adjustments. According to the…

California’s labor market faced challenges in October 2024, as the state reported a net loss of 5,500 nonfarm payroll jobs. With this downturn, the unemployment rate edged up to 5.4%, contrasting sharply with the robust job growth witnessed in September 2024, when revised figures showed a gain of 12,700 jobs. October’s employment figures marked a…

In October, U.S. retail sales again outstripped economists’ expectations, posting a 0.4% increase from the previous month, generating optimism about consumer spending resilience as the holiday season approaches. The year-on-year growth also saw a healthy uptick of 2.8%, indicating that, despite economic pressures, consumers are continuing to spend. Although this growth represents a slight deceleration…

In October, consumer expectations for inflation in the near and distant future have shown significant declines, as detailed in the recent Survey of Consumer Expectations from the New York Fed. Specifically, one-year inflation expectations decreased slightly to 2.9%, marking the lowest expectation recorded in the past four years. Moreover, expectations for three years and five…

El Monte High School junior Michelle Garcia recently won the prestigious Pasadena Tournament of Roses Día de los Muertos Art Competition, securing first place in the 14 to 18 age category and earning a $2,000 scholarship. This award was presented in collaboration with the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles. Garcia’s artwork embodies the…

In response to a nationwide shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMT) and the need for skilled first responders, El Monte-Rosemead Adult School (EMRAS) has taken a proactive step by launching a new EMT training program. This program is designed to prepare individuals for critical roles in emergency medical services, a sector that is essential for…