News

Ford recalling more than 741,00 vehicles because of park system issue

Business July 3, 2026

Ford is recalling more than 741,000 vehicles in the U.S. because a transmission issue may damage the park system, which could increase the risk of a crash or injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a report that the recall includes certain Ford F-150, Lincoln Aviator, Ford Explorer, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition vehicles with model years between 2018 and 2021. The report states that impacted vehicles may experience temporary engagement of their transmission parking pawl while the vehicle is in motion when certain shifts are commanded by the ...

Connections Academy Class of 2026 graduates

Community News July 3, 2026

COLUMBUS — More than 480 graduating seniors from across the state recently received their high school diplomas as members of Ohio Connections Academy’s Class of 2026. The tuition-free online public school celebrated this year’s graduates during its commencement ceremony that was hosted June 6 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. “At Ohio Connections Academy, we know that every student’s path to success is unique,” said Superintendent Marie Hanna. “Many of the families and students we serve come to us seeking the flexibility and personalized learning environment they need ...

$46 billion ‘smart wall’ races ahead on US-Mexico border

National News July 3, 2026

PHOENIX (AP) — For decades, all that separated the U.S. from Mexico was barbed wire. Now, after a massive infusion of cash from Congress, President Donald Trump’s administration is swiftly building what it has dubbed a “smart wall,” a combination of 30-foot-tall steel fencing and an ...

Iran: Use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz, or face ‘forceful response’

National News July 3, 2026

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s joint military command warned Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a “forceful response,” ratcheting up tensions again over a waterway crucial for international energy supplies. The strait, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, has emerged as one of the top issues in negotiations seeking a permanent end to the Iran war. The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command, reported by Iranian state television, comes after both U.S. and Iranian diplomats met with ...

How to talk about money with your kids

Business July 3, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — At the grocery store, Jamie Corum sets a two-minute timer for her 10-year-old daughter to look around. Then she resets it to 10 minutes so her daughter can choose one thing to buy, making sure she considers her budget and how much tax she’ll have to pay. Corum and her ...

Average 30-year US mortgage rate falls to 6.43%, its lowest level in seven weeks

Business July 3, 2026

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell this week to its lowest level since mid-May, easing borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate fell to 6.43% from 6.49% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. One year ago, the average rate was 6.67%. The average rate has been mostly hovering around 6.5% going back to mid-May and trending higher overall in the months since the war between the U.S. and Iran began in late February, disrupting the flow of crude oil from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide. That’s sent oil ...