5 smart ways to diversify your portfolio

February 28, 2026

Portfolio diversification might sound like a chore, but it’s worth the effort in 2026, given how dominant the artificial intelligence trade was last year. Without some smart diversification, your “just fine” investment portfolio from 2025 may be vulnerable in 2026. “Investors don’t have to think there’s an AI bubble to be concerned about the concentration risk that AI has wrought,” says Morningstar Indexes strategist Dan Lefkovitz. “Concentration … leaves investors holding a market portfolio less diversified than in the past—by stock, sector, and theme.” Here ...

Whether it’s a gap year or a mini-sabbatical, more people are taking extended time off work

February 28, 2026

If you daydream about getting a break from work, you might picture two weeks of vacation or a long weekend getaway. But some people dare to imagine something bigger and find ways to get a substantial breather from stress or their day-to-day routines. Mini-sabbaticals. Adult gap years. ...

Business briefs

February 28, 2026

LEWIS APPOINTED: Marcus Thomas, a Cleveland-based integrated marketing communications agency, recently announced the appointment of Youngstown-native Jill Lewis to chief client officer. With more than two decades of experience guiding large-scale, integrated marketing efforts at the agency, Lewis was appointed senior vice president, interim director of client service in 2025 before being named chief client officer. She previously managed the agency’s Health & Wellness practice, leading client Dexcom’s growth from a million-dollar company to a billion-dollar global leader over the ...

Edmunds Top Rated vehicle awards for 2026

February 28, 2026

Each year, the Edmunds Top Rated Awards are bestowed on the best new cars, trucks and SUVs on sale. To win, a vehicle must rank at the top of its class based on Edmunds’ rigorous, independent testing and evaluation process. That means each winner has been tested at the Edmunds test track and thoroughly evaluated over many miles of real-world use. Edmunds divides the awards into six main categories: best car, best SUV and best truck, and electric versions of the same categories. This year’s Edmunds Top Rated Awards feature some repeat winners and newcomers, and each is a great ...

Regal Cinema property sells for $2.3 million

February 27, 2026

BOARDMAN — The Cafaro Co. purchased the Regal Cinema South property Tuesday in a $2.3 million transaction with the international theater group, according to the Mahoning County Auditor’s Office. The theater, built in 1986, will continue to operate as a Regal Cinema holding. According to Cafaro spokesman Joe Bell, Regal Cinemas is now leasing the building and 5.4-acre site. “This is part of a consideration that (Regal is) doing for their other location here at Eastwood Mall Complex,” Bell said. “They’re in the midst of an extensive renovation of the theater here in ...

More than 71,000 seek unemployment benefits last week

February 27, 2026

Staff report Ohioans filed 4,911 initial unemployment claims the week of Feb. 15-21, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported Thursday. That number was 1,994 fewer than the previous week. Approximately 1,016 of those have been flagged to ensure they are not fraudulent. Ohioans filed 66,262 continued unemployment claims last week, which was 544 fewer than the previous week. The total number of claims filed last week was 71,173. Ohio’s unemployment rate in December was 4.5%. The national unemployment rate in December was 4.4%. Ohio’s labor force participation ...