California | October 20, 2021
Record Number of Container Ships Waiting Off Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles: Executive
California | October 20, 2021
The United States’ largest container port now has a record backlog of ships and containers, according to Gene Seroka, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.
“We have about two weeks’ worth of work sitting at anchor right now,” Seroka told CNN, adding that port workers are currently trying to prioritize the cargo that needs to move from the port as soon as possible.
Some 200,000 shipping containers remain on ships off the coast, he added.
“There’s product that needs to get out there in super-fast speed,” he said. “Think about the toys, the other Christmas product, and parts and components for factories.”…. (Excerpts from the Epoch Times)
California | October 15, 2021
Supply Chain Backlog to Last Until Summer of Next Year, Despite 24/7 Operating Hours: Officials
California | October 15, 2021
Despite President Biden’s announcement Wednesday that the severely backlogged Port of Los Angeles would expand into 24/7 operating hours—similar to the Port of Long Beach—port officials are saying the backlog will continue until the summer of 2022.
Noel Hacegaba, deputy executive director of the Port of Long Beach, said expanding the ports’ operating hours will not impact the supply chain disruptions given the continued shortage of truck drivers, chassis equipment, and warehouse operations and space.
“We think it’ll be summer of 2022 before we clear all 60 ships,” Hacegaba told The Epoch Times Oct. 14. “Of course, if we take some measures now, and everyone in the supply chain starts expanding their hours of operation … we’re going to get there sooner.”… (Excerpts from the Epoch Times)
California | June 18, 2021
San Francisco’s shoplifting spike is devastating for small businesses
California | June 18, 2021
Brazen thieves in San Francisco are undeterred by uniformed security guards, surveillance cameras or customers filming on their cellphones. And corner markets and drug stores are the hardest hit. In one recent incident at a Walgreens, the shoplifter rode in on a bike, packed a trash bag of items, and rode out the front door. All of it was caught on camera. The thief hasn’t been arrested.
Jalal Haydari, owner of Limoncello Italian Market and Deli, said his store in tony Pacific Heights is targeted day and night. His 32 cameras catch criminals in the act all the time. In one video, a thief is seen breaking through a window and making off with cash and the electronic tablets needed to take delivery orders…
(Excerpts from Yahoo News)
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont | June 2, 2021
Red States Top Those with Lowest Unemployment Rates
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont | June 2, 2021
by Bethany Blankley
Republican-led states and Vermont reported the lowest unemployment rates in April, according to a new report by the U.S. Commerce Department. States led by Democratic governors recorded the highest jobless rates, according to the report.
Unemployment rates were lower in April in 12 states and the District of Columbia and stable in 38 states, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
States with the highest unemployment rates in April were Hawaii (8.5%), California (8.3%), New Mexico and New York (both at 8.2%), and Connecticut (8.1%). All five states with the highest unemployment are run by Democratic trifectas, meaning Democrats control the governor’s office and both houses of the state legislature.
The four states with the lowest jobless rates in April were all run by Republican trifectas: Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah, with 2.8% each. Vermont, with a Republican governor and a Democratic-controlled state House and Senate, ranked fifth-best with an unemployment rate of 2.9%.
Overall, 31 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. national average of 6.1%. The majority – 26 – are Republican-led states. Of the 19 states and the District of Columbia with jobless rates higher than the national average, 14 are led by Democrats…
(Excerpts from the Tennessee Star)
California, Texas | May 11, 2021
Gas Shortage and Price Hike Expected This Summer
California, Texas | May 11, 2021
A gas shortage is expected this summer not because there won’t be enough fuel but because there aren’t enough highly trained and licensed tanker drivers to transport it.
Many tanker drivers retired last year after demand for oil and gas plummeted because fewer people were traveling during the height of the pandemic. And most driving schools where new drivers could have received their training were closed due to state-mandated shutdowns. The two factors combined is resulting in a shortage of roughly 25% of tanker truck drivers needed to transport fuel, says the National Tank Truck Carriers, the trade association representing the tanker truck industry.
“We’ve been dealing with a driver shortage for a while, but the pandemic took that issue and metastasized it,” the association’s executive vice president Ryan Streblow said in a statement.
With states now reopening and people already beginning to travel, demand for gas is increasing, and so is the price at the pump – because less fuel is getting there…
(Excerpts from the Virginia Star)