A financial advisor in Longmeadow allegedly ran what looks like a classic scam, using client money for personal luxuries instead of investments. The U. S. regulator says John Brodacki III took $1. 8 million from at least 18 clients—mostly retirees—over several years. His estate now faces legal actio
Mukilteo’s city hall faced a bumpy ride with its financial paperwork last year. Instead of handing over its 2023 money records to state auditors by the end of May, the city took an extra seven months—a delay of 221 days. Staff changes got the blame. A lot of people left the finance team around 2022,
A company that once printed glossy books for pop stars and popes has suddenly run out of cash. The publisher behind books like a Madonna photo album and a coffee-table edition on Michelangelo’s ceiling told a judge it cannot pay its bills right now. It once got a loan from a tech legend to launch di
Big banks smell money in prediction markets—places where people bet on real-world events like election outcomes or sports results. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, casually mentioned his firm might jump in, but ruled out betting on sports or politics. Goldman Sachs is already deep in talks with leading
A Lexington County man now faces fraud charges after allegedly swapping a real lottery ticket with a fake one worth $500 back in 2022. The incident came to light when lottery officials noticed something odd about a winning ticket claimed at a local convenience store. Instead of paying out the winner
A new sports betting app wants you to try it out with a free $20 bonus. If you sign up and deposit at least $20 using the promo code WTOP, the money appears instantly in your account. The catch? You have to be in the US and at least 18 years old. The app focuses on predicting game outcomes rather th
The Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, known as XLF, is showing warning signs that many investors find unsettling. Unlike other sector funds, this one moves the U. S. economy’s heartbeat; when it falters, markets often feel the tremor. Today’s data suggest that XLF is weak and its “vital signs” are d
Dow, a major player in material science, has seen its stock climb despite a struggling wider market. The company stands out with a diverse product range and factories spread across the globe. Recently, its stock hit a fresh yearly peak of $42. 68, and it pays a steady dividend of 3. 32%. But experts
People often think gambling is just a game, but it can affect how happy they feel overall. A new study looked at this idea by asking Australians who gamble whether they enjoy it and how that relates to problems. The researchers used both surveys and interviews, gathering data from people who play in
People love to make their houses feel special, but adding new features can quietly drain money. A pool or hot tub looks great and relaxes the family, yet it raises insurance costs and forces regular cleaning, chemical buying, water use, and electric bills. A new bedroom or a guest house adds space t
