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"In total, home prices in September were 21 percent higher than in June 2020. Home price increases are also widespread. In September, about 90 percent of American cities had experienced rising home prices over the past three months, and the home price increases were substantial in most of these cities... The demand for housing has risen for several reasons. Interest rates are low, families have accumulated savings, and income growth in the past 18 months has been quite strong. Families are also reconsidering where, and in what kind of home, they want to live. Purchases of second homes, for example, have been somewhat high in the past 18 months. Meanwhile, the supply of new homes has been held back by shortages of materials, labor, and developed lots." more »

"Despite acting swiftly to assist Americans abroad, State did not follow some of its policies and lacked guidance for certain aspects of its repatriation effort. For example, as of May 2021, an interagency group State established to coordinate plans to evacuate U.S. citizens abroad in emergencies had not met since April 2019, hampering interagency communication early in the crisis. Also, incomplete guidance for calculating and documenting actual costs of State-chartered flights led to missing or inconsistent documentation and limited State's ability to show that the prices it charged passengers complied with its fare policy." more »

Ferida Wolff Writes: "Creepy as they may be, spider webs are pretty amazing. They have an artistic quality about them, and a variety of purposes. Not only do they catch insects for food but they provide help for the spider to travel from one place to another, they protect a spider’s dwelling space and also provide safety for an egg sac. Hopefully, not near my garage." more »

Hearings: Health — On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing, “Caring for America: Legislation to Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers,” to discuss several bills, including H.R. 1474, the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act. Human Trafficking — On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights will hold a hearing, “Combatting Global Human Trafficking.” Small Business — On Wednesday, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing, “Women Entrepreneurs: An Economic Growth Engine for America.” Veterans — On Tuesday, the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will hold a hearing, “A Whole of Government Approach in Support of Servicewomen.” more »