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Small business owners feel the credit crunch

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — When Nat West, owner of cider-making company Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider, decided to supplement his wholesale business by opening a taproom in a bustling neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, he thought getting financing would be a breeze. After all, he was only seeking $50,000, has been in business for 11 years, and takes in more than $1 million in annual revenue.In February and March, West reached out to three lenders he had previously gotten financing from, including one where he has an existing line of credit. To his surprise, he was rejected.“I feel like it’s really weird, it’s such a small amount of money for a business that has so much ongoing, sustained revenue and has been in the same community for a long time,” he said. West isn’t alone. Borrowing for small businesses was already constrained due to rising interest rates. Following the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, some lenders – particularly the small and midsize banks that serve smal...

Denver weather: Record heat Tuesday, Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — With mostly sunny skies on Tuesday, temperatures will climb above 80 degrees for the first time in 193 days. The Mile High City is expected to break the current record high in the Denver weather forecast.Weather today: Hot and sunnyHigh temperatures will reach the low 80s Tuesday breaking records and giving Denver its first 80-degree day since the end of September. Colorado seeing among the biggest drops in gas prices Skies will stay mainly sunny across the state with a light wind.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on April 11. Weather tonight: Clear and mildSkies will stay clear Tuesday night with comfortable lows in the upper 40s. Winds will begin to increase after midnight and become breezy into Wednesday.Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on April 11. Looking ahead: Record heat Wednesday, end of week rain and snowWednesday looks to be another 80-degree day that breaks records. Clouds arrive later in the day with breezy winds. Extra clouds are across the area o...

Wet season set to continue as scattered showers, heavy downpours settle in South Florida

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

All of the rain from the past few days left South Florida soaked and it has demonstrated to be difficult for residents to get around the flood waters, but as Monday proved to be drenched in inconveniences, this washout is expected to continue.Live video footage showed standing water in downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard near Northeast 11th Street, early Tuesday morning. Roads were still wet from Monday night but weather forecasts showed scattered showers and heavy downpours all through South Florida.Monday experienced heavy rains and flooding which sent cars floating down Biscayne Boulevard. Residents share their frustrations and excitement about the precipitation. “I just don’t understand why they don’t close the street because I’m about the 10th car that’s been downed,” said one woman.A wet mess in Miami led to stalled vehicles all along the busy streets. Slow-moving traffic was evident as the roads flooded and wakes developed as cars inched t...

Pro-choice protesters regrouping after Tallahassee arrests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

Tallahassee (WTXL) — “Drop the charge! Drop the charge!”A different kind of protest for a group in Tallahassee pushing against a potential six-week abortion ban. Now, they’re calling for charges to be dropped for 11 people arrested outside of city hall for trespassing.“Our state constitutional right to privacy, which includes our personal health care decisions, but as we are speaking against the near total abortion ban, our first amendment rights have also been violated,” said protester Kat Duesterhaus.Nikki Fried and Senator Lauren Book were among those arrested. Both are very vocal against abortion bills going through the legislature.Protesters with Occupy Tally say on top of pushing for their charges to be dropped, they are trying to shift the focus back to the state’s controversial six-week abortion ban.“In our House and Senate are destroying our human rights. Human rights. Not partisan rights. These rights affect more than just wo...

Mother of 6-year-old student who shot teacher charged with child neglect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

(CNN) — The mother of a 6-year-old who shot his first-grade teacher in Newport News, Virginia, in January has been indicted on charges of felony child neglect, and one count of recklessly leaving a firearm to endanger a child, a news release from the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney said Monday.The child will not be criminally charged, Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn said last month.Deja Taylor’s son shot his teacher Abigail Zwerner, 25, on January 6 at Richneck Elementary School, leaving her in the hospital with gunshot wounds to her hand and chest, investigators said.The indictment comes after a “thorough investigation” from the police and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, according to the news release.James Ellenson, one of the attorneys for the family, said in an email, “She will be turning herself in later this week.”He declined further comment on the indictment.The family ...

US designates Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as wrongfully detained by Russia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

(CNN) — The US State Department on Monday officially designated Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as wrongfully detained by Russia.“Today, Secretary Blinken made a determination that Evan Gershkovich is wrongfully detained by Russia,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement.The designation gives further backing to the assertions by the US government and the Wall Street Journal that the espionage charges against the reporter are baseless. It will empower the Biden administration to explore avenues such as a prisoner swap to try to secure Gershkovich’s release.His case will now be handled at the State Department through the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, which has played a key role in the release of US citizens held hostage and wrongfully detained around the world.Both of the Americans who have been recently brought home from Russia — Trevor Reed an...

Reinstated Tennessee lawmaker Justin Jones says he’ll continue to call for gun reform

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

(CNN) — After being sworn back into the Tennessee House of Representatives Monday, a lawmaker who was expelled just days ago over a gun control demonstration on the chamber floor says he’ll continue to call for gun reform.“The first thing I do when I walk into this building as a representative is to continue that call for common sense gun legislation,” Democrat Justin Jones said as he stood on the steps of the Capitol after his reinstatement Monday.Jones and another Black Democrat, Justin Pearson, were forced out of the Republican-controlled legislature last week, after a protest on the chamber floor spurred by the mass shooting last month at a Nashville Christian school that left six people dead.A third Democrat who had joined them in protest, Rep. Gloria Johnson, avoided expulsion.The Nashville Metropolitan Council voted 36-0 Monday to reappoint Jones to the House of Representatives, making him once again the representative of ...

Dolphins NFL draft options: Tight ends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

The South Florida Sun Sentinel continues its eight-part series previewing top players in the 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29) with tight ends. The Dolphins’ first pick in the draft is No. 51, a second-round selection.The Dolphins’ primary options at tight end are Durham Smythe, Tanner Conner and newly-signed Eric Saubert. Miami watched Mike Gesicki depart to New England via free agency and traded Hunter Long to the Los Angeles Rams in the deal for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Tight end is considered among the top priorities for the Dolphins in the draft.Dalton Kincaid, UtahKincaid (6 foot 4, 246 pounds) is more of a slot receiver than an old-school in-line tight end. He was a matchup nightmare in college because he’s a polished route-runner and top-notch receiver (70 receptions, 890 yards, eight touchdowns). His skills should transfer well to the NFL.Michael Mayer, Notre DameMayer (6-4, 249), a physical sort, has a balanced game, meaning you can put him in-line or in the s...

With just three tight ends on the roster, Dolphins appear likely to draft another

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

The Miami Dolphins ended their marriage with Mike Gesicki but extended their connection to Durham Smythe after five seasons with each tight end that spanned three different head coaching regimes.What made Smythe fit coach Mike McDaniel’s offense more than Gesicki? To put it simply, he’s a better blocker.Smythe, who started 15 regular-season games plus last January’s wild-card round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, remains. Along with him, Eric Saubert was brought in as an affordable free-agent acquisition, and Tanner Conner returns for a second season after making the team as an undrafted rookie in 2022.Meanwhile, along with Gesicki’s departure, fellow tight end Hunter Long was traded to the Los Angeles Rams as part of the trade for elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Cethan Carter was released after spending most of the past season on injured reserve.With three tight ends on the roster this April, the position is one the Dolphins appear likely to address in the...

Ravens draft preview: In deep cornerback class, there’s talent across the board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:31:22 GMT

The calendar has officially flipped to April, which can only mean one thing: It’s time to get ready for the NFL draft.The first round begins April 27 in Kansas City, but until then, the Ravens have plenty to figure out. Most notably, their contract stalemate with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has requested a trade while under the $32.4 million nonexclusive franchise tag. If he gets his wish, the Ravens’ draft could look a lot different.Baltimore owns five picks: Nos. 22 (first round), 86 (third round), 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round). A blockbuster deal for Jackson would significantly increase the size of that haul, but the Ravens are guaranteed at least one additional first-rounder this year if Jackson signs an offer with another team before the draft and Baltimore declines to match it.As we get closer to the draft, The Baltimore Sun will examine which players at each position of need (quarterback, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive l...