President Trump signed an executive order Friday night to keep refugees from entering the country for 120 days and immigrants from six predominantly Muslim nations out for three months while new vetting procedures are put in place. They are Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. Refugees from Syria are barred indefinitely. Despite protests, the administration is continuing with the order. He defended it over the weekend, saying it was not a Muslim ban but a move that would keep the United States safe from terrorists. The President said while there’s “compassion to those fleeing oppression,” his first priority is to keep the nation safe.
The National Association of Realtors reports its index of pending home sales rose 1.6% to 109.0. That’s 0.3% higher than a year ago. December’s gain was larger than the 0.6% rise forecast by economists. The index tracks real estate transactions in which a contract has been signed, but the deal has not yet closed. December was mixed regionally. With the Northeast down 1.6%, the Midwest down 0.8%, but the South was up 2.4%, and here in the West up 5.0%.
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for 1360 KUIK.
