Classic toys such as Lincoln Logs and My Little Pony bring children smiles every holiday season. But for the company that makes them, Florida-based Basic Fun! Toys, President Donald Trump's trade war with China promised to make this December a decidedly less joyful time. The company's president and chief executive, Jay Foreman, had to lay off a dozen workers recently, in part on fears that another round of China tariffs would take effect Sunday and hit his business hard. Foreman won a reprieve Friday when Trump canceled those tariffs and announced the details of a "phase one" China trade deal that would ease economic hostilities. But he's not breathing a full sigh of relief amid anxiety that the truce with China could prove fleeting. "In relation to tariffs, it's really been like Mr. Trump's wild ride," Foreman said. "It's like somebody is holding a stone over your head. Please don't ask me to thank you for not dropping it on my head. You shouldn't be holding the rock over my head to … [Read more...] about From Lincoln Logs to luggage, U.S.-China trade deal still leaves huge cloud over American business
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Raiders vs. Jaguars: Oakland’s defense seeks an ‘identity’
The end of the Raiders’ tenure in Oakland was a much-discussed topic this week. Just not among the Raiders. On Friday, head coach Jon Gruden said the likelihood of Sunday being the last game the Raiders play at the Coliseum before moving to Las Vegas next season had “not really” been a part of the team’s preparation for playing the Jaguars. “At the end of the game we’ll show our respects, no doubt,” Gruden said. “But we’ve got to get ready to play a good football team … Nobody gives you anything in this league. So, we’ve got to play better football and we’ve got to concentrate on getting a win.” Their playoff hopes all but extinguished by a three-game losing streak, the Raiders had plenty of issues to address before hosting the Jaguars, who are riding their own five-game losing skid. Chief among them, Gruden said this week: “We’ve got to find our identity on defense.” Since the arrival of … [Read more...] about Raiders vs. Jaguars: Oakland’s defense seeks an ‘identity’
Felony charge dropped against Denver attorney and Airbnb host
Charges against a Denver immigration attorney who was accused of falsifying a document on his Airbnb application was dismissed Thursday, Denver District Attorney spokeswoman Carolyn Tyler said. Aaron Elinoff, 35, had been charged in July with felony attempting to influence a public servant. “As the investigation continued, we no longer believed that we could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Tyler said said in an email. Elinoff applied for a short-term rental license in March for a residence on the 600 block of Raleigh Street, but prosecutors believed the home was not where he lived full-time. Under Denver Municipal Code, a property owner can only use their primary residence as a short-term rental.Elinoff listed the Raleigh Street address as his primary residence in the application but authorities had seen him at a home Tennyson Street. Neighbors also said that he lived on Tennyson with his wife. Elinoff and his wife were having marital problems so he actually was … [Read more...] about Felony charge dropped against Denver attorney and Airbnb host
Thousands face risk because of aging U.S. dams, including some in Colorado, AP finds
On a cold morning last March, Kenny Angel got a frantic knock on his door. Two workers from a utility company in northern Nebraska had come with a stark warning: Get out of your house. Just a little over a quarter-mile upstream, the 92-year-old Spencer Dam was straining to contain the swollen, ice-covered Niobrara River after an unusually intense snow and rainstorm. The workers had tried but failed to force open the dam’s frozen wooden spillway gates. So, fearing the worst, they fled in their truck, stopping to warn Angel before driving away without him. Minutes later, the dam came crashing down, unleashing a wave of water carrying ice chunks the size of cars. Angel’s home was wiped away; his body was never found. “He had about a 5-minute notice, with no prior warning the day before,” Scott Angel, one of Kenny’s brothers, said.State inspectors had given the dam a “fair” rating less than a year earlier. Until it failed, it looked little … [Read more...] about Thousands face risk because of aging U.S. dams, including some in Colorado, AP finds
The Sports Report: Lakers are unstoppable on the road
Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Let’s get right to the news.LAKERSThe Lakers beat the Miami Heat 113-110 on Friday, handing Miami its first home loss of the season. The Lakers (23-3) have now won 13 consecutive road games, the most the franchise has had since the 1971-72 championship season.After a sloppy first half in which he turned the ball over seven times, LeBron James more than atoned in the second half, scoring 17 and making three three-pointers. He finished with 28 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Advertisement Anthony Davis finished with 33 points, 18 of them in the second half, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. JaVale McGee blocked five shots and grabbed 10 rebounds despite playing only 17 minutes.The Lakers had a one-point lead after the first quarter, but in the second quarter Miami went on a 12-2 run and eventually led by 14 points. The Lakers cut the Heat’s lead to eight by halftime, giving themselves hope for the second half.Although … [Read more...] about The Sports Report: Lakers are unstoppable on the road