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Cold stifles vehicle sales in February

Staff report Mahoning Valley’s franchised dealers, like its Northern Ohio counterparts, suffered a freeze in new vehicle sales following the release of the February’s figures. The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, based in Broadview Heights, said new vehicle sales of 31,798 marked a 7.89% decrease for the year, compared to the first two months of 2025. Dealers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties sold 1,715 new vehicles in January and February and 1,816 during the same period in 2025. The drop of 101 vehicles represented a decrease of approximately ...

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DEAN NAMED: Youngstown State University has announced the appointment of Christina Saenger, Ph.D., as the new dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration, effective April 1. Saenger has served as interim dean since July 2025 and brings extensive experience in academic leadership, strategic planning and business education to the role. Prior to serving as interim dean, Saenger was associate dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration from 2022 to 2025, helping guide the college’s strategic initiatives and academic programs. She joined the YSU faculty in ...

When markets get shaken, it can pay for investors to be patient

NEW YORK (AP) — When stock markets are as manic as they’ve been recently, it’s natural to want to do something to protect your retirement savings. Historically, though, staying calm has usually been best. The U.S. stock market has a track record of recovering from every steep drop it’s taken. Whether it’s a global financial crisis, a trade war or a military war, the S&P 500 has so far always recouped its losses to push toward more records. Of course, that can take years, but anyone who moved their 401(k) investments out of stocks risked missing out on the recovery and further ...

Tax scams are on the rise — here’s what to know

NEW YORK (AP) — Robocalls, texts, and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared to previous years, with artificial intelligence likely increasing fraud attempts, according to the consumer protection bureau of the Federal Trade Commission. Consumer advocates and government officials urge the public to stay wary, to stop and think before engaging with phone or text messages, and to remember the IRS will not contact you directly by text or phone. Here’s what to know. ’TIS THE SEASON Each year, the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” of tax scams that target ...

The best budget hatchbacks you can get in 2026

Compared to a typical sedan, a hatchback offers greater versatility thanks to its larger, easier-to-load trunk. Some hatchbacks are also fun to drive with nimble handling and peppy engines. Yet, with the surge in popularity of SUVs and crossovers, even the best hatchbacks often get overlooked. The experts at Edmunds have compiled a list of their favorite budget-friendly four-door hatchbacks on sale in 2026. Among this group, you’ll find options that provide frugal mpg, sporty performance, and excellent everyday driving versatility. All of the following prices include destination ...

Jury finds Musk misled investors during Twitter purchase, absolves him of some fraud claims

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A jury has found Elon Musk liable for misleading investors by deliberately driving down Twitter’s stock price in the tumultuous months leading up to his 2022 acquisition of the social media company for $44 billion. But it absolved him of some fraud allegations, finding that he did not “scheme” to mislead investors. The civil trial in San Francisco centered on a class-action lawsuit filed just before Musk took control of Twitter, which he later renamed X. Jurors were asked to decide if two tweets and comments Musk made on a podcast in May 2022 amounted to ...