The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. job market showed unexpected strength in June 2025, with nonfarm payrolls rising by 147,000 and the unemployment rate dropping to 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report defied analyst predictions, reinforcing the resilience of the American labor force despite ongoing economic headwinds.
Continue reading June Job Growth Surges Past Expectations, Unemployment Drops to 4.1%
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New York NY, Wall Street is on fire — both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have soared to record highs, fueled by positive developments in U.S.-China trade talks, Federal Reserve rate cut speculation, and surging investor confidence in the tech sector.
Continue reading S&P 500 and Nasdaq Hit Record Highs Amid Trade Optimism, Fed Bets, and Tech Surge
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Ridgewood NJ, in a historic economic shift, blue-collar workers have experienced the largest five-month real wage increase in nearly 60 years under President Donald Trump’s second term. According to recent economic data, real wages for blue-collar Americans rose by nearly 2% in the first five months of 2025 — a sharp contrast to the 1.7% decline during the same period under President Biden, when inflation outpaced earnings.
Continue reading Blue-Collar Wages Soar Under Trump: Largest Five-Month Gain in 60 Years
All 50 States and U.S. Territories Agree to Historic Deal Supporting Addiction Treatment and Prevention
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Ridgewood NJ, In a historic agreement, all 50 U.S. states and territories have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, marking the largest deal of its kind in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
Continue reading $7.4 Billion Purdue Pharma Settlement Reached in Landmark Opioid Crisis Case
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WASHINGTON DC, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose a less than expected, 0.1% in May, following a 0.2% increase in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report signals a continued cooling of inflation, with annual consumer price growth now at 2.4%, just above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Continue reading May 2025 Inflation Update: Consumer Prices Rise Less Than Expected
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TRENTON, NJ — A 64-year-old Middlesex County man has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for operating a fraudulent commodities investment scheme that defrauded South Korean investors out of more than $1 million, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
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Washington DC, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its latest monthly jobs report, showing a modest increase of 139,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in May, while the national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%.
Imagine this: Your latest order is stuck at the port. What was supposed to be a 15-day delivery has stretched to 30 days, and you’ve missed key sales opportunities. Your customers are frustrated, and your bottom line is taking a hit. If you’re importing goods from China to the USA, shipping times aren’t just a logistical challenge—they’re a critical element of your business success.
Continue reading China to US Container Shipping: Exact Times & Key Factors
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Washington DC, After a rocky start to 2025 driven by the effects of the Trump-era tariff tensions, the American economy is showing strong signs of resilience. According to the Atlanta Federal Reserve, the estimated GDP growth for the first two months of the second quarter now sits at a robust 4.6%.
Continue reading U.S. Economy Surges in Q2 Despite Early-Year Tariff Turmoil
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WASHINGTON DC, inflation came in slightly lower than expected in April 2025, offering cautious optimism for consumers and policymakers alike. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, following a 0.1% decrease in March.
Continue reading April Inflation Cools Slightly: CPI Rises 0.2% as Food Prices Dip
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Newark NJ, the U.S. and China have just agreed to suspend most tariffs on each other’s goods for 90 days, following months of escalating trade tensions. However, the question remains: which U.S. states and sectors are most exposed to this kind of volatility?
Continue reading New Jersey Ranks 8th in the US for Imports From China
The grocery industry uses standard pallet sizes. This helps with handling, storage, and transporting products in the supply chain. Many pallet sizes vary by region, but some have become standard for grocery use. According to Repackify research – there are about two billion pallets in use today, about 80% of these are standard 48×40 wooden pallets.
Continue reading Most Common Pallet Sizes in the Grocery Industry
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Washington DC, the Federal Reserve announced yesterday that it will keep its benchmark interest rates unchanged, holding steady at a target range of 4.25% to 4.5% for the third consecutive meeting. The move comes amid mixed economic signals and ahead of critical U.S.-China trade talks set to begin later this week.
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Washington DC, U.S. equity markets took a slight breather on Monday after extended gains on Friday following a report by The Wall Street Journal suggesting that China may be preparing to address the Trump administration’s concerns over its role in the fentanyl trade—a possible move toward reviving trade negotiations between the world’s two largest economies.
Continue reading China Reads the “Art of the Deal” Moves Toward Reviving trade Negotiations With US
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OMAHA NE, legendary investor Warren Buffett has officially announced that he will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. The news broke during Berkshire’s widely watched annual shareholder meeting—often called the “Woodstock of Capitalism.” Buffett has named Greg Abel, vice chairman of non-insurance operations, as his chosen successor.
Continue reading Warren Buffett to Step Down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by End of 2025