New year, new price to mail a letter via US Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service is once again saying inflation is the reason the cost to mail a letter is going up after recording $6.5 billion net loss for 2023.

IRS to waive $1 billion in penalties for millions of taxpayers – here’s who qualifies

Nearly 5 million people, businesses and tax-exempt organizations — most making under $400,000 per year — will be eligible for the relief starting this week, the IRS said.

California airport worker 'set for life' after hitting jackpot with $20M lottery win

Durwin Hickman, a California airport worker, is celebrating a life-changing moment after winning $20 million from a $30 Set For Life! scratch-off lottery ticket purchased during his lunch break.

Holiday debt hangover poised to be 'particularly nasty' this year, analyst says

While retail sales are strong, an industry economist is warning about about an uptick in usage for buy now, pay later services as consumers battle growing debt obligations.

Bay Area food banks pushing to meet growing need

Six months ago, life took a downturn for San Jose resident Tulei Logotaeao. She recounted losing her job as food prices surged, leading her to rely on Lord’s Pantry in East San Jose for most of her groceries each month.

PG&E asks for another rate hike due to climate change

Climate change has aggravated inflation, but nowhere more than with Pacific Gas & Electric, the first major utility to deal with far more effects of extreme weather related to fire and floods. 

Organized retail crime not as prolific as the individual shoplifter, data shows

Despite what you may see on TV, individual shoplifting is the greater detriment to retailers than organized crime that has seen groups raiding stores.

California jobs defying economic gravity

The nation gained 199,000 jobs in October, well above the projections but lower than the monthly average for the year. California made up 40,000 of those jobs, 20 percent of new jobs nationally, well above its percentage of the national workforce.

Gas prices dip lower, an early present for travelers this holiday season: AAA

The national average for a gallon of gas resumed its gradual decline amid falling oil prices. If oil prices stay low, drivers can anticipate a continued drop in pump prices, AAA said.

Homebuying demand dries up even as mortgage rates drop: Freddie Mac

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 7.03% for the week ending Dec. 7, according to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey.