The mother of a 5-year- old was arrested after a staff member at a Florida school discovered a gun in the pre‑K student’s backpack on Monday morning, prompting a swift response from school resource deputies, officials said.

Hurricane Helene killed scores of people when it struck Florida late last week and then plowed through the Southeast as one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history.

Tens of thousands of students have left Florida’s public schools in recent years amid an explosive growth in school choice.

A “side hustle” can be one way to try out a new business idea before taking a full-fledged jump.

Homeowners have been spending more for renovations in recent years, as high interest rates and inflation drove up costs for everything from flooring to refrigerators.

Growth in U.S. manufacturing slowed slightly in June, as supply chain problems persist and businesses say they are still struggling to find workers.

U.S. home construction rose 3.6% in May as builders battled a surge in lumber prices that have made homes more expensive The May increase left construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.57 million units, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

U.S. construction spending rose a modest 0.2% in April as strength in housing offset further weakness in nonresidential construction.

U.S. home construction fell a surprisingly sharp 9.5% in April.

U.S. home prices rose in February at the fastest pace in nearly seven years as strong demand for housing collided with tight supplies of homes on the market.

Mortgage rates fell for a second straight week amid signs of economic improvement.

U.S. construction spending fell in February after several months of steady gains, likely because of unseasonably cold weather and winter storms in the south. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)WASHINGTON – U.S. construction spending fell in February after several months of steady gains, likely because of unseasonably cold weather and winter storms in the south. The Commerce Department said Thursday that spending on building projects slipped 0.8% in February, after a 1.2% gain in January. Public construction spending also dropped sharply, declining by 1.7%. Construction spending on homes and apartments has soared more than 21% in the past year, driving all construction spending up 5.3% since the pandemic struck.

U.S. home prices increased at the fastest pace in seven years in January as the pandemic has fueled demand for single-family houses even as the supply for such homes shrinks. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, March 20, rose 11.1% in January from a year earlier. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)WASHINGTON – U.S. home prices increased at the fastest pace in seven years in January as the pandemic has fueled demand for single-family houses even as the supply for such homes shrinks. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, rose 11.1% in January from a year earlier. Prices rose in all 20 cities, and the 12-month increase was larger for all cities in January than in the previous month.

U.S. long-term mortgage rates continued to edge higher this week as the benchmark 30-year loan stayed above the 3% mark. Rates remain near historic lows, however. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)WASHINGTON – U.S. long-term mortgage rates continued to edge higher this week as the benchmark 30-year loan stayed above the 3% mark. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate home loan rose to 3.09% from 3.05% last week. The prospect of massive pandemic aid, following Congress’ recent enactment of the nearly $2 trillion relief package, has helped lift uncertainty about the economic recovery and likely coaxed mortgage rates higher.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – An Amber Alert issued Monday morning for a missing 5-year-old Florida girl has been canceled. Madison County sheriff’s officials said deputies were called to the motel around 2 a.m. for a report of a missing child. Deputies said Naomi was last seen sleeping around 12:30 a.m. in one of the motel rooms. Officials said she was with another child who were in the care of a man. Deputies said Naomi’s mother found the motel room door closed but unlocked and discovered her daughter was missing.