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Analysis: Inflation is down overall, so why are my grocery bills still going up?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

By: Michael von Massow, University of GuelphDespite Canada’s inflation rate falling to its lowest point in two years, food prices remain high. The Consumer Price Index slowed to 2.8 per cent in June compared to last year, but food prices increased by 8.3 per cent. Food prices in stores increased by 9.1 per cent.The gap between general inflation and food prices is puzzling — and frustrating — for many, especially because the Bank of Canada’s interest rate hikes don’t seem to be affecting food prices at all. In periods of high inflation, central banks raise interest rates to moderate price increases, or, ideally, bring them down.But food prices don’t respond to interest rate policies as much as other factors do. This is because food demand is relatively steady — we can’t put off food purchases like we might put off the purchase of a new computer or car.So if interest rates won’t help bring down food prices, what will?Competition Bureau reportCanada’s competition watchdog, the Competit...

Parts of Cherry Creek Reservoir closed to recreation for toxic algae bloom

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Parts of the Cherry Creek Reservoir have been closed to recreation due to toxic blue-green algae bloom.Colorado Parks and Wildlife said swimming, paddleboarding and wading will not be allowed near the marina and West Shades area of the Reservoir.However, boating and fishing will still be allowed.Signs have been placed at the closure areas to inform people of the closure and warn about the dangers of coming into contact with an algae bloom. Headed to the lake? Check for toxic algae blooms "All skin-to-water contact should be avoided for humans and pets," Cherry Creek Operations Manager Larry Butterfield said.Butterfield said contact with the water could cause minor skin rashes and make pets ill.Recreation is closed when water tests above 8 micrograms per liter of the toxic algae microcystin. That threshold is set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.The water in the Cherry Creek Reservoir tested at 10 micrograms per liter. Samples will contin...

Mom honors late son on his 18th birthday by helping other local children

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

DILLON, Colo. (KDVR) -- Mom Stephanie Brown would have been celebrating her son JT's 18th birthday next week. But, sadly, JT passed away at just 10 years old after battling epilepsy for several years. “We grew up together I would say,” Brown, a single mom to JT, said. Brown had JT when she was 19 years old. She said the first bit of his childhood was smooth until when he was two years old and suffered his first Febrile seizure. “It was the scariest moment of my life," Brown said, "he turned blue he was unconscious, his eyes rolled back in his head." She said right before JT turned three he was diagnosed with epilepsy. From there she said they tried everything from every medication to alternative treatments but nothing she said helped control JT's seizures. Camp Spark aims to ignite girls’ interest in firefighting “Nothing worked so he was diagnosed with intractable epilepsy, meaning nothing we could do could control his seizures," Brown said. But JT's life went on and she did eve...

Woman found dead after overnight shooting in Miami

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Miami that left a woman dead. City of Miami Police units responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Northwest 14th Avenue and 58th Terrace, just after midnight on Sunday.Responding officers arrived to find the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Several streets in the area were temporarily blocked off while crews worked to remove the body.7News is working to gather more information as it is unclear whether or not any arrests have been made.

National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado touched down on Foxboro, Easton line

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down along the Foxboro/Easton town line on Saturday that had an estimated peak wind of 105 mph.In a post on Sunday, the weather service said the tornado’s path length and width are estimated at 400 yards and 100 yards. The service said it would post additional details about the tornado Sunday evening.Also during the storms, microburst wind damage was confirmed in Brockton, East Bridgewater, and parts of Easton.https://twitter.com/NWSBoston/status/1685743454436085760This is developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Orioles option starting pitcher Tyler Wells to Double-A after string of bad starts

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

The Orioles’ best starting pitcher in the first half of the season is now in Double-A.Baltimore optioned Tyler Wells down to Double-A Bowie after his third straight ineffective start Saturday, the team announced Sunday afternoon.The Orioles selected the contract of right-hander Joey Krehbiel as the corresponding move. To make space for Krehbiel on the 40-man roster, they designated right-hander Eduard Bazardo for assignment.A month ago, Wells was undoubtedly the Orioles’ best starting pitcher and was seen as a potential All-Star candidate. He posted a 3.18 ERA and an MLB-best 0.927 WHIP before the All-Star break. He covered at least five innings in each of his 18 first-half outings.However, the 6-foot-8 right-hander has struggled mightily in his three starts since the break. He’s failed to make it past the third inning in two of the three outings, allowing 19 base runners and 11 runs in just nine innings.Manager Brandon Hyde said after Wells’ start Saturday &...

Patriots training camp Day 5: Matt Judon limited, Bailey Zappe and two rookie WRs shine

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

FOXBORO —According to Matt Judon, his reduced participation at Patriots training camp is all part of the plan.A plan designed by himself, the Patriots’ coaches and training staff to keep him fresh for the long season ahead. His would-be sack of Mac Jones during one competitive 11-on-11 drill in Sunday’s practice exemplified this mindset. Judon’s sack was one of just three snaps he took in competitive team periods all day, his rest seemingly paying off immediately.Except Sunday’s practice followed a rare day off for players. And Judon basically sat out one of the preceding three practices. How much rest does an eighth-year veteran need? Or is it more contract-related than he’s explained?Judon, according to Herald sources, does want his contract reworked. But indications and reports suggest a new deal isn’t imminent, despite Judon only having $2.5 million guaranteed left on his deal and being underpaid relative to the current market. So what does hi...

Massachusetts lawmakers need to move on tax cuts, cooperate with audit: MassGOP chair

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

The state needs to pass a short-term capital gains tax cut offered by the governor and the House if lawmakers want Massachusetts to stay competitive, according to the head of the MassGOP.Amy Carnevale, the chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, on Sunday pointed to the state of business sentiment in the Commonwealth — stressing that proposals to lower the tax, from 12% to 5% offered by Gov. Maura Healey and lawmakers, must pass this year if legislators wish for their constituents to stay in the Bay State.“We’ve seen business confidence in Massachusetts dip now to under 50% when typically it has been in the neighborhood of 60%. So, that’s an indication that our Legislature should be running to act on measures designed to keep businesses and individuals here in this state,” Carnevale said during an interview with WBZ’s Jon Keller.Alongside the budget proposal offered at the start of her term, the governor unveiled a $742 million tax cut proposal which would lower the capit...

Mets’ Justin Verlander ponders future after winning 250th game in final start before trade deadline

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

Making his final start before the fast-approaching trade deadline, the Mets’ Justin Verlander demonstrated once again Sunday how he could help a contender — and joined an exclusive MLB club in the process.The 40-year-old right-hander picked up his 250th career win, holding the Washington Nationals to one run over 5.1 innings in the Mets’ 5-2 victory at Citi Field. Verlander exited to a standing ovation from a home crowd wondering if he had just pitched his last game for New York.The strong outing came a day after the Mets sent co-ace Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, establishing them as full-blown sellers before Tuesday’s deadline. The blockbuster move left Verlander pondering his own future, he said after Sunday’s game.“When you see that happen, you can’t help but think, ‘What’s in store for next year?’ We play this game to win,” Verlander said. “You want to win a championship and you want to have the opportu...

Shooting at police facility in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula kills at least 4 officers, officials say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:57:14 GMT

EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) — A shooting Sunday at a heavily fortified security facility in the restive part of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula killed at least four police, including a senior officer, two security and health officials said.At least 21 other forces were wounded in the shooting at the National Security headquarters in el-Arish, the capital city of North Sinai province, they said.A list of casualties obtained by The Associated Press showed that some forces suffered from gunshots and others faced breathing difficulties from tear gas that was fired inside the facility. There were eight officers among the wounded, the list showed.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.The circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear, and there was no immediate comment from the Interior Ministry, which oversees police forces.North Sinai is the scene of a yearslong battle against an insurgency led by Islamist militants who have ca...