Dan McCue

The U.S. economy expanded by a solid 3.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter as businesses stepped up their purchasing ahead of a sharp jump in tariffs on Chinese imports scheduled to go into effect on January 1.

Consumer confidence slipped in November as expectations of softening economic growth next year began to take hold, the Conference Board said Tuesday.

Democrats on Tuesday night captured the House majority in a rebuke of President Donald Trump, ending eight years of Republican control of the chamber. The Republicans, meanwhile, have retained control of the Senate and are likely to gain seats.

All across America voters surged to polls Tuesday to support their choice for the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, governorships, and scores of other state offices and initiatives, often overwhelming their precincts and poll watchers.

The U.S. economy grew at a strong 4.2 percent annual rate in the second quarter, the best showing in nearly four years, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

The Agriculture Department is announcing a $12 billion “short-term” plan to help U.S. farmers hurt by retaliatory tariffs. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the plan will help a broad number of farmers deal with the cost of “disruptive markets” as U.S. trading partners have retaliated for President Do

Existing-home sales decreased for the third straight month in June, as declines in the South and West exceeded sales gains in the Northeast and Midwest, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.

Retail sales rose sharply in June, led by a surge in consumer spending on motor vehicles, building materials and food services, the Commerce Department said Monday. Sales increased 0.5 percent in June, while previously reported data for May was revised to show sales jump 1.3 percent that month.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned Thursday, ending a tenure dogged by unrelenting controversies overhis spending, ethics and management at the agency. In a tweet, President Donald Trump said, “I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this.”

Consumers resumed spending in March following two months of sluggishness, while their incomes continued to grow, the Commerce Department said Monday.