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Aerial video along the Swannanoa River reveals the wrath of Tropical Storm HeleneAerial video along the Swannanoa River between Black Mountain and Asheville reveals the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene.Buncombe County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes a 3.26-cent property tax increase to offset revenue shortfalls in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.The budget prioritizes essential services, including $122 million for education, though still short requests from Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.ASHEVILLE – Described as a “break-even budget” focused on essential government services and recovery in the...

Reno redevelopment agency approves GSR arena project TIF contractReno's redevelopment agency voted 5-2 to approve the GSR arena project's tax-increment financing contract.The Reno redevelopment agency, which is made up of the city council members, voted in 5-2 to approve the tax-incremental financing contract with the Grand Sierra Resort’s phase one arena project.The deal would require GSR to be reimbursed 90% of its property tax, while the redevelopment agency would keep 10% of the property taxes. It sunsets in 2035.GSR owner Alex Meruelo said he would give the lease to the...

Watch: Iowa homeowners talk property taxes with Des Moines RegisterHomeowners discuss Iowa's property taxes as Iowa legislative leaders make property tax reform their No. 1 goal this legislative session.Iowa Senate Republicans are proposing a 25% discount on home values up to $125,000 for property tax relief, changing a proposed $50,000 homestead exemption to address smaller communities' concerns.The bill also phases in the elimination of the state's rollback rate over 10 years and maintains a 2% cap on property tax growth with exceptions.The fate of property tax legislation is unclear as...

'This is a total dog and pony show. This is not anything that’s credible,' DeSantis said.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the House's late-session push for property tax cuts as ineffective.House Speaker Daniel Perez prefers sales tax cuts and formed a 37-member committee to explore property tax cut options, a move DeSantis called a "dog and pony show."The House’s push for property tax cuts will be ineffective,...

Mortgage preapproval first-time homebuyersIf you’re a first-time homebuyer, here’s how to get a mortgage preapproved.Starting earlier this month, any property listing that was publicly marketed to consumers but not listed on the local MLS within one business day no longer appears on Zillow.This step is in line with the National Association of Realtors' Clear Cooperation Policy, which aims to prevent exclusive real estate listings and increase fairness among buyers.Corrections & Clarifications: The headline on an earlier version of this story gave the wrong timing. The listing changes will happen later...

Analysis of the S&P 500, Dow Jones industrial average and Nasdaq during Donald Trump's second term in office and how it compares to the first terms of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.One hundred and one days into Donald Trump's second presidency, investors aren't as sure as they were about the short-term outlook for America's businesses as they were when he took the oath of office.In the weeks between Trump's election and inauguration, the Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 rose more than 4%, as investors expected more pro-business...

Orange Park Mall could soon be under new ownership.Washington Prime Group plans to sell its entire portfolio of 50 shopping centers, including Orange Park Mall, as it lays off employees at its corporate headquarters, as first reported by Jacksonville Daily Record.This would be the second mall in Jacksonville to recently undergo a sale after Blackwater Development finalized its purchase of Regency Square Mall earlier this month.The property purge includes 10 malls and shopping centers in Florida.The Orange Park Mall turns 50 years old this year and is the Jacksonville area's...

Tyler Shepherd  |  ContributorMore and more Americans are turning to self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) as economic volatility and inflation fears challenge traditional retirement strategies. Unlike standard IRAs—where investors are largely limited to stocks, mutual funds, and bonds—SDIRAs allow for a broader range of assets, including real estate, private loans, and even cryptocurrencies. This shift is part of a larger trend toward portfolio diversification and hands-on control over retirement savings. Breaking Away from Market Volatility  The appeal of SDIRAs often lies in their potential to shield portfolios from the ups and downs of the...

'The governor has not yet come forward with any specific answers,' House Speaker Perez said. 'If the House wanted to get this done, they would have,' a DeSantis spokesman shot back.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced a select committee to review property tax cut proposals.The move follows disagreements with Governor DeSantis on property tax cuts and other issues.The committee will consider various options, including raising homestead...

Watch: Indiana public school teachers rally at Indiana StatehouseShaina Terano, a teacher at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township, discusses what her students could lose with SB 1, the proposed property tax reform bill.Indiana's SEA 1 will provide property tax relief to homeowners and businesses, with businesses receiving the largest cuts.Local governments can offset property tax revenue by increasing income taxes. That could mean some families pay over $1,000 more per year on income taxes.Cities across Indiana are evaluating the impact of SB 1 and considering measures like hiring freezes...