>>Homebuilder Sentiment Slips As Mortgage Rates Rise
(Washington, DC) -- Homebuilder sentiment is slipping as mortgage rates rise. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell six points in August as mortgage rates approached seven percent. Builders say high construction costs and a lack of buildable lots also put a chill on sentiment. The August survey revealed more builders are now using sales incentives to attract new home buyers.
>>Apple Watch X Blood Pressure Tracking
(Cupertino, CA) -- Apple is expected to unveil a big upgrade to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its smart watch. The new device dubbed "Watch-X" will include a way for users to monitor blood pressure. It will also feature a thinner case and have a micro L-E-D display. Apple Watch-X could be released as early as next year.
>>Gas Prices On The Rise Again
(New York, NY) -- Gas prices are on the rise, inching toward the four-dollar mark across the country. According to Triple-A, the national average for regular gas has hit three-85. That's the highest it's been since last October, and hits right before Labor Day when millions of Americans will take road trips. While this summer's gas price surge has cooled down, they've still gone up by 28-cents the past month.
>>Woman Sues Aurora Bank Over Alleged Discrimination By Manager
(Aurora, CO) -- A Black woman is suing JP Morgan Chase Bank for alleged discrimination at one of its Colorado branches. Jeanetta Vaughn filed suit against the bank Friday, claiming a manager at a branch in Aurora confronted her as she sat in the bank's lobby last year. Vaughn says she was unlocking her bank card using a mobile app when she was approached by the manager. The interaction led to police intervention, though no charges were placed. The manager told police that Vaughn was being rude and disrespecting employees, while Vaughn said she felt singled out due to her race. The lawsuit accuses Chase of a pattern of discrimination against Black customers, noting that the Aurora location has had four complaints of racial discrimination since 2021.
>>Toyota Recalls Tundra Model Pickup Trucks
(Plano, TX) -- Toyota is recalling nearly 170-thousand new model Tundra pickup trucks to fix a problem with the fuel line. The company, whose U.S. operations are headquartered in Plano, says there's a potential risk of fire if a faulty fuel tube rubs against the vehicle's brake line. Owners of 2022 and 2023 Tundra and Tundra Hybrid models are urged to take their trucks to a dealership immediately for temporary repairs. Toyota says new parts will be available later this year to fix the issue.
