Gauge of U.S. economy higher in latest week - ECRI - 2007-01-05
A gauge of future U.S. economic growth was more elevated in the latest week on the back of robust housing activity and higher stock prices, a research group declared on Friday. The Economic Cycle Research Institute, an independent forecasting group, revealed in its Weekly Leading Index nudged up to 139.0 in the week ending Dec. 29 from 138.5 in the prior week.
Annualized growth rate was 3.7 percent lower from 3.8 percent in the last period.
Read the full story at Reuters

Other recent mortgage fraud charges - 2007-01-05
Thursday’s indictment of Katheryn Shields and her husband, Philip Cardarella, is the most recent high-profile local case involving public figures and mortgage fraud charges. Others include former Kansas congressional candidate Adam Taff who is serving a 15-month federal sentence for misusing campaign money to falsely getting a loan on a $1.2 million home.
Read the full story at Kansas City Star