Home sales highest in two years

Sales of existing homes in the United States rose to their highest level in two years, cnn.com reports. In September, sales of previously owned homes jumped 9.4%, with most of the sales going to first time buyers. First time buyers purchased roughly 45% of the new homes in the last year.

Even with all these homes being bought, prices are still down about 9% from where they were last year. A major reason for the drop in prices has been an influx of distressed properties, including foreclosures and short sales.

An $8,000 government tax credit and low prices have made this the most affordable time to buy a home since 1970.

My Take: The housing market is a huge part of the economy that needs to get back on track. It’s great to hear about young people buying homes. I can only hope they’ll still be cheap when I need to buy one

State suspends health care workers flu vaccines.

New York State has suspended a regulation that required all health care workers to get the H1N1 flu vaccine, according to Syracuse.com. Gov. Paterson made the decision because the state only received 23% of the vaccine that it had anticipated.

New York was the first state to mandate its workers to get the flu shot or face dismissal. The workers were supposed to have been given the shot by Nov. 30^th.

The vaccine is in short supply because manufacturers are having trouble producing a big enough supply.

My Take: Gov. Paterson had a good idea requiring all health care workers to get the vaccine. They are the exposed to sickness everyday and are crucial to New York’s well being. They will just have to wait a few more months until they all have the vaccine.

Yankees lose to the Angels

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim live to fight another day, rallying past the New York Yankees, espn.com reports. The Yankees had a chance to walk right into the World Series before the Angels rallied back. After overcoming a 4-0 deficit, the Yankees scored six runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead.

The Yankees looked destined to be heading back to the World Series. The Angels rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead 7-6. They would never give back the lead, even though the Yankees left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

My Take: Everybody thought the Yankees were destined to play for another championship. Now the series moves back to the Bronx were the Angels will have to win the next two games. Shaping up for an interesting end to a great series.