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US stocks drift ahead of jobs report

NEW YORK — Wall Street drifted through a quiet day of trading on Monday, ahead of economic reports this week that could drive where interest rates go. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, though the majority of stocks within the index rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 41 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.6%. Helping to keep indexes in check were stocks in the artificial-intelligence industry, which were mixed following last week’s scary swings. Nvidia, the chip company that’s become the face of the AI boom, added 0.7%. It was one of the strongest forces ...

Briefcase

TYRONE Tyrone may get a McDonald’s The Tyrone Zoning Hearing Board has granted The Stern Group a “special exception use” to operate a restaurant with a drive through in the Town Center Commercial District on the 1300 block of Logan Avenue as long as they meet all other regulations and codes for that district, according to Stephen Hanzir, borough code enforcement officer. Hanzir said the possibility of a McDonald’s restaurant has been discussed. Officials from the Stern Group have not responded to requests seeking information on their proposed project. Sheetz rebuilding ...

Watch your step: A guide to good manners at holiday retail counters

As shoppers flood stores across the country during the year’s biggest shopping season, retail workers are bracing for what many describe as the most demanding — and often demoralizing — stretch of the job. “It magnifies everything,” said Nick Leighton, host of the podcast “Were ...

Don’t let your HSA drag you down

Paired with high-deductible healthcare plans, health savings accounts help ease healthcare costs. HSAs are a triple tax-advantaged vehicle in the tax code, allowing for pretax contributions, tax-free compounding, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. However, few owners fund their HSAs to the maximum, and even fewer invest their HSA dollars outside a savings account. Most consumers likely don’t fill their HSAs because they lack the financial means; critics note that the HDHP/HSA combination can be less beneficial for lower- income workers. But even wealthy ...

Visa-less travelers to US may soon face online screening

WASHINGTON — Foreigners who are allowed to come to the United States without a visa could soon be required to submit information about their social media, email accounts and extensive family history to the Department of Homeland Security before being approved for travel. The notice published Wednesday in the Federal Register said Customs and Border Protection is proposing collecting five years worth of social media information from travelers from select countries who do not have to get visas to come to the U.S. The Trump administration has been stepping up monitoring of international ...

Air Service Alliance seeking contributions

STATE COLLEGE Air Service Alliance seeking contributions The State College Air Service Alliance — a strategic partnership between the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, Centre County Airport Authority, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Penn State University — is encouraging individuals and businesses to support regional air service by contributing to the Fly State College Fund. The fund directly supports air service growth and provides opportunities for community investment in reliable, competitive air service at State College Regional Airport. Contributions to ...