Lance Pelky and Associates, Inc.

05/30/2026

[Video] Agent Jane Bond wants you to know about the basics of the bond market.

Agent Jane Bond is on the case, cracking the code on bonds.

05/27/2026

Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.

Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.

A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.

For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.

A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.

05/26/2026

Stocks bounced back last week as enthusiasm for the AI trade continued and rumors of a Middle East peace agreement bolstered investor optimism. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.88 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is so much more than a long weekend.

It is a chance for us to remember those who gave all for this great nation and the freedoms it offers.

This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our country, and we honor their courage.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful Memorial Day.

05/23/2026

What every parent needs to know about insuring his or her teen driver.

Tips on insuring your teen driver.

05/20/2026

A rare wildlife moment is drawing attention in Chicago.

Two bald eagle hatchlings were recently spotted in a nest at Park 597 along the Calumet River on the city’s Southeast Side. Officials believe this may be Chicago’s first successful wild bald eagle breeding in more than a century.

The discovery is especially meaningful given the bald eagle’s long recovery story. Habitat loss and insecticide contamination once caused the species’ population to decline sharply, but conservation efforts helped support its comeback over the past several decades.

Park 597 has also gone through its own transformation. The site was previously home to a city water treatment plant, but restoration work improved the natural habitat.

Now, the appearance of two eaglets offers a hopeful reminder of how restored green spaces can support wildlife, even in the middle of a major city.

Two bald eagle hatchlings have been spotted in a Chicago park in what experts believe is a first for the Windy City in more than a century.

05/18/2026

Stocks were mixed last week as investors fretted over hot inflation reports, which offset the move in chipmaker stocks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0.08 percent. The...

05/16/2026

Are you on the fence about working with a financial professional? This video will give you some food for thought. Watch here:

A financial professional is an invaluable resource to help you untangle the complexities of whatever life throws at you.

05/15/2026

When stock prices drop, some investors start asking "shoulda, woulda, coulda” questions about whether to remain invested. But as 2025 illustrates, market timing can be very expensive even if it means missing just a few days.

05/13/2026

Trees can play an important role in cooling cities, especially in areas where pavement and buildings absorb heat.

A new study found that tree cover offsets nearly half of the additional heating caused by the urban heat island effect across the world’s cities.

On average, trees cool cities by about 0.27 degrees Fahrenheit, largely by providing shade and releasing water v***r. Without that tree cover, researchers estimate that global cities would warm by about 0.56 degrees Fahrenheit due to urban heating.

But the benefits are not evenly distributed. Hotter and lower-income cities often have less tree cover, meaning the places most exposed to extreme heat may receive less cooling relief.

Researchers noted that while planting trees can help, it is not a complete solution. Water access, available land, local climate, and long-term maintenance all affect how much tree cover can realistically expand.

Still, the findings show how urban design, green space, and local environmental conditions can shape how people experience heat in cities.

Tree cover globally cools nearly half the warming from built-up cities, but it’s doing it more in richer, cooler areas and less in hotter poorer areas where it’s needed most.