A Lynchburg Fire Department worker is facing embezzlement charges. Police say they found evidence of recurring embezzlement activities related to the Lynchburg Progressive Firefighters Association, a non-profit organization not associated with city funds. WDBJ reports Shaquita Ford, the employee, has been charged with embezzlement and computer fraud for allegedly embezzling funds and using computer systems in the process. The employee has been placed on administrative leave while the case is being adjudicated, and the investigation is ongoing as Lynchburg Police gather more evidence.
Americans' confidence in the economy has gone up since the election. A Gallup poll shows that Americans now rank their confidence in the economy as a negative-17 after President-elect Trump's win. That's a nine-point jump since October. It's also the best it's been since a negative-12 reading in August 2021 , when the economy improved after the initial downturn of the COVID-19 pandemic.