Water Damage Restoration in Erie, PA

News

Análisis de Germán Padinger, CNN en Español

Hasta la década de 1980, Estados Unidos era uno de los países con mejor distribución del ingreso entre las economías desarrolladas y dentro del mundo capitalista.

El índice GINI, comúnmente usado para medir la distribución de los ingresos en una economía, alcanzaba 34,7 (en una escala en la que a mayor número mayor la desigualdad) en 1980, similar al de Canadá (33, en 1981), Reino Unido (28,5) o Francia (34, en 1979), según el Banco Mundial.

Pero luego, todo cambió.

Con la presidencia de Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) llegó una ola de liberalizaciones, recortes de impuestos y desregulación —una política apodada “reaganomics”—, con el objetivo de quebrar el estancamiento en el que la economía estadounidense, afectada por el desempleo y la inflación, había entrado tras la crisis del petróleo.

La desregulación pareció funcionar: la economía estadounidense dio un salto, superó a todos sus rivales y se instaló en el lugar que aún ocupa como la más grande del mundo.

Pero ese crecimiento tuvo un costo: en las últimas décadas la desigualdad en la distribución de los ingresos en Estados Unidos no ha parado de crecer. Según datos de 2022, el GINI alcanzaba 41,3 en la primera economía global. Mientras que, en las grandes economías europeas, además de Canadá y Japón se ha incluso reducido desde la década de 1980 y se mantiene en torno a 30.

Durante este proceso de concentración de la riqueza, sin embargo, las clases medias y bajas de Estados Unidos pudieron aferrarse a un consuelo único en el mundo: su capacidad de consumo, la más alta del mundo según el Banco Mundial.

Estados Unidos es un país de gran belleza natural, vasta cultura y emocionante historia. Pero para los extranjeros que visitaron el país —o lo observaron a través de Hollywood— en las últimas décadas nada quizás llamó más la atención que los grandes centros comerciales donde artículos considerados como un lujo en buena parte del mundo —desde zapatillas deportivas a aparatos electrónicos— se vendían a precios bajos.

Y ese es quizás el mayor error de cálculo del Gobierno de Trump al imponer los aranceles más altos en un siglo contra casi todos los países del mundo –ahora parcialmente pausados para algunos países, pero manteniendo un gravamen del 10%, con excepción de China–: desestimar el impacto en un creciente número de estadounidenses que se han quedado atrás del crecimiento económico y que solo cuentan con el consumo.

Mientras, asoma el fantasma de una recesión global, que para Jamie Dimon, CEO de JPMorgan Chase, “es un resultado probable” de la escalada de la guerra comercial.

Prácticamente no hay economista que no anticipe un aumento de precios de la gran cantidad de bienes que Estados Unidos importa, y que se venden a precios bajos relativos dentro del país. Entre los principales artículos que se espera que suban en una primera etapa están las computadoras, el calzado, los juguetes y la ropa. Cualquier otro bien que venga del extranjero, como muchos medicamentos, le seguirá eventualmente.

Trump ha dicho que espera que los aranceles se traduzcan en mayor producción y empleo en EE.UU., pero no hay garantías de ello en un mundo que avanza hacia los servicios y la tecnología de punta, como la Inteligencia Artificial (IA). Sí hay garantías de un encarecimiento de la vida, que se calcula en un gasto promedio adicional y anual de US$ 2.100 para cada hogar estadounidense solo en esta etapa, según estimaciones de Tax Foundation, una organización no partidista, mientras China, la UE y otros lanzan sus propios aranceles recíprocos a productos de Estados Unidos, que podrían afectar a su vez a los empleos existentes.

Los estadounidenses más ricos podrán afrontar estos aumentos sin mayores problemas. Pero la mayoría de los estadounidenses, aunque cuentan con un gran poder de consumo en comparación al resto del mundo, no son ricos.

“Trump y sus asesores ven el mundo desde una perspectiva del siglo XIX, con el deseo de regresar a una economía manufacturera”, dijo a CNN Susan Ariel Aaronson, profesora de investigación de asuntos internacionales en la Universidad George Washington. “La IA ahora sustenta muchas otras tecnologías que podrían ser aún más importantes, y Estados Unidos realmente necesita invertir en eso”, agregó.

En estas décadas de ascenso de la economía de EE.UU., muchos estadounidenses se contentaron con un gran poder de consumo mientras la riqueza real se concentraba en menos manos. Si este contrato se rompe, Trump podría tener problemas que, a juzgar por sus políticas arancelarias, no está anticipando.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

A familiar name in discount retailing is making a comeback in both Erie and Meadville.

Signs outside of Big Lots stores at 2215 W. 12th St. in Erie and at 820 Water Street in the Downtown Mall in Meadville, announce: "The Comeback Starts Soon."

Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy protection in September, closed most of 800-plus stores in recent months.

Variety Wholesalers, which purchased 219 of those Big Lots locations out of bankruptcy, recently announced plans to begin reopening those locations.

Nine stores in six states, including stores in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, were expected to reopen by Thursday.

What's the timetable for local stores?

Other stores are expected to quickly follow.

Variety Wholesalers, which also operates Roses, Roses Express and Maxway stores, expects to open a second wave of about 55 stores on May 1. Plans call for the remaining stores to open by early June.

In a response to a question from the Erie Times-News, a company spokesman said both Erie and Meadville locations are scheduled to reopen on May 15.

"We’re excited to bring exceptional bargains and famous brand to these communities," the company said in a statement.

What to expect from those locations

According to the company, former Big Lots locations will be remodeled and will feature a wider selection of merchandise, including clothing, home decor, health and beauty and closeout items

'We're thrilled to bring the Big Lots! brand back to life by offering more deals than ever, lots of famous brands and a new apparel department for the entire family,” Lisa Seigies, CEO of Variety Wholesalers, said in a statement.

She continued: "We know the stores won’t be perfect to start, but each week we’ll add more new products as we build towards the grand opening celebration in the fall. Every time a customer visits Big Lots! we want them to find something new and exciting!”

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.

It's been 20 years since the pilot of the NBC show "The Office" premiered nationwide, and a group of local fans are honoring the show's legacy with a documentary.

North East resident Brandon Soto, 31, and his team of Erie-area friends — Brian Schnieders, 41, DeAngelo Dixon, 28, Cody Exley, 25, and Madison Whitford, 20 — wondered what has Scranton been like decades after "The Office" premiered, and made it their mission to find out.

The hit sitcom aired from 2005 to 2013, and is a mockumentary-style sitcom following the workdays of the staff of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company's Scranton branch. This American version of the British sit-com of the same name boasts a cast including Steve Carrell as Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch regional manager Michael Scott, Rainn Wilson as sales representative Dwight Schrute, and John Krasinski as Jim Halpert, also a sales representative.

At the end of it's nine year run, the show had earned five Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2006.

"I’m a huge 'Office' fan," Soto said. "I (have been) watching it since it was on air and just became a bigger fan. I’ve even been to Scranton multiple times in trips related to 'The Office.'"

Soto and his friends decided to film the documentary, "Beyond Dunder Mifflin: The Electric City Documentary" focusing on the city of Scranton and how it was impacted by the show.

"I ... started planning this all out," Soto said. "We came up with an outline, figured who we could talk to from Scranton and then assembled a team. We went out to Scranton in June of 2024, did some interviews, got video and took everything back."

What is the documentary about?

The team made multiple trips to and from the Electric City to film footage for the documentary, with the goal to show viewers the impact that a major television show has when based in a city like Scranton, Pa.

Scranton is a city in northeastern Pennsylvania north of Allentown and is just under three hours away from New York City. The city was incorporated in 1886, and today is home to a growing downtown business district and several institutions of higher education including the University of Scranton.

"Just imagine if someone made a show featuring Erie and the impact it could have on the city," Soto said. "It would be pretty cool."

At the start of the fan-made documentary, the group discusses when Krasinski went to Scranton to film the intro played over the opening credits. The documentary highlights different events that took place throughout the years, including the first "The Office" convention in 2007 and The Office Wrap Party, held in 2013 at the conclusion of the series.

The latter brought upwards of 10,000 people to the city to give their favorite cast members a Scranton-sized send off.

The documentary also includes interviews from locals, including Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and co-chair of "The Office" Convention and Office Wrap Party Tim Holmes, who describe the impact the "The Office" had.

"It mostly talks about how the show put Scranton on the map," Soto said. "Scranton went from a coal town to a cool town. Throughout the years, there’s people (still) stopping by, touring it and getting a bite at Poor Richard's (Pub)."

Getting 'The Office' cast on board

Soto knew that in order for this project to take off, they would need at least one cast member.

He found a way to get in contact with Andy Buckley who played Dunder Mifflin Paper Company CEO David Wallace.

Soto anticipated it would be difficult to get Buckley involved, but to his surprise Buckley agreed and provided personal contact information.

"It didn’t work out with his and our schedule as he was filming a show last summer in Toronto," Soto said. "However, there’s this huge 'Office' convention called the Reunion Con and this year they will be on their fourth year."

It was at the reunion that they were able to interview Buckley and other cast members.

Recruiting at the Reunion

In 2024, "The Office" Reunion was held in Miami, Florida in August. Soto and his team were able to make the trip and get in contact with the individual who ran the unofficial, fan-made convention.

"We went down in August of last year and got lucky," Soto said. "We interviewed Buckley and other cast members. We talked to 'Office' fans as well. We brought all that back and threw together a trailer and went to Scranton once more for more interviews."

The team was able to get interviews with Buckley, Angela Kinsley (Angela Martin Schrute) and Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer) along with other cast members who played smaller roles in the series.

"We had our own little room where cast members could take a minute to relax and get away from fans and just chat about Scranton and the show," Soto said.

Time for a premiere party

Once the final product was finished in March of 2025, the team held a premiere party.

The documentary was released to the public on March 28, but a select group of people including friends, family members, and individuals involved in the documentary attended a private screening at the Scranton Art Haus at 301 Lackawanna Ave on March 22.

"We based it around the 20th anniversary since the pilot first aired," Soto said. "We didn’t realize it at first until someone mentioned it to us that it was 20 years, and Scranton was doing a lot of things to celebrate the show."

For Soto and the team, it was interesting seeing their dream up on the screen.

"It was kind of weird seeing it on the big screen and seeing people watch something that you created," Soto said. "I couldn’t believe it. Afterward we went to Cooper's Seafood House, which was on the show. It was a good time."

Where can I find this documentary?

The documentary can be found on the group's website theelectriccitydoc.com or on YouTube.

The team is also exploring how to get the documentary streamed on NBC's Peacock, where subscribers can stream "The Office."

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.

A billboard near the airport tells the story. So does a sign when you check in for flights at Erie International Airport. The Real ID deadline is coming up May 7th, and you must have it to board domestic flights.

Some people checking in for flights told us they already have their Real ID. Others said they still don't. That's the reason Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll is visiting cities and airports all across the state with a reminder that time is almost up. "It's up May the 7th, it's about a month away and for folks that have a commercial airline ticket purchased and if they do not have a Real ID, now is the time to get it. Otherwise they could be turned away if they don't a passport," Secretary Carroll said.

The deadline for Real ID has been extended a couple of times, so it's surprising to find out that only 26% of Pennsylvanians have their ID. Transportation and travel industry officials say there is no indication that the deadline will be extended this time. After May 7, they don't want people to show up for a vacation flights with their family and find out they're not allowed to fly.

Jim Garrity, AAA director of public affairs said, "All indications seem to be that it's going to be a strong summer for travel. A lot of people are really excited about getting out to travel - we don't want that hampered in anyway including by folks showing up at the airport just to find out they're not allowed to fly just because they don't have the proper documentation."

With proper documentation, proof of Social Security, your Birth Certificate and proof of citizenship and Pennsylvania residency, a REAL ID start can be added to your Pennsylvania Drivers License, or you can be issued a Real ID card if you don't drive. "If you go to the Erie driver's center or Meadville, yes you will leave with the Real ID in your possession. It's not too painful if your credentials are verified," Sec. Carroll said. "The biggest hassle will be waiting in the line because so many people have waited to the last minute so we have real lines at the driver's centers now."

If you simultaneously renew your driver's license early, Carroll said that's a bonus. "We'll add four years on top of whatever time you have left on your driver's license, so small benefit to the whole thing is you'll have an extended driver's license that will be valid for a longer period of time."

Tina Ferraro, co-owner for the last eight years of Dominick's Diner at 123 E. 12th St., didn't want to leave anyone to crave one more meatball omelet.

Bracing for a rush, she made 30 pounds of meatballs and five gallons of homemade sauce. And then she made more when that sauce ran low.

She expects the sauce and meatballs, along with most everything else, will be gone by the time Dominick's closes its doors for the last time Friday afternoon, ending a 68-year chapter in Erie restaurant history.

"We are just slammed," she said. "It's been more than a little crazy."

Patrons have been filling the dining room, stopping by for one more meal or to soak up the atmosphere of a restaurant that had once been a 24-hour destination.

"It's lovely. We have really shared a lot of memories with our customers," said Ferraro, 51, who went to work there as a waitress in her 20s.

The sale has been a long time coming

After putting the restaurant on the market in June of 2022, the couple announced in February that they had found a buyer. Tina Ferraro said the property is under contract, but that an official closing is still a few weeks away.

She said she's not authorized to disclose the names of the building's prospective owners.

"They are local business owners and lovely people," she said.

She doesn't know what their plans are for the building, but she's guessing they have no intention of continuing to operate as Dominick's.

"It's just a guess on my part, but I think if they were going to keep it as Dominick's they would have wanted to get the recipes," she said.

The restaurant's inventory is disappearing, one item at a time

The restaurant, which has been posting inventory updates on its Facebook page, has been running out of food by design.

Those updates warn that there's no brown gravy left for the fries, no mushrooms for omelets, a small supply of homemade sausage patties and that the supply of bacon won't last until the restaurant closes at 2 p.m. Friday.

Dominick's has been busy and it might have been tempting to order more food. Tina Ferraro resisted the urge, however.

"There is no point in putting a $1,500 order in for two days and having product left over," she said.

Owner says they're leaving on their own terms

The restaurant business is notoriously challenging and Tina Ferraro is proud to have been a part of one that lasted so long.

"I think it's the end of a 68-year-old restaurant that's a big piece of Erie history. That is not lost on me," she said.

Ferraro, who said she has needed to get out of the business to tend to some health problems, says she's happy that they weren't forced out and gratified that business has picked up in recent months.

"We are not closing because of a global pandemic shutting us down," she said. "We persevered. This is Dominick's and our overall tenacity and our will."

She admits to mixed feelings.

"It is a little bittersweet," she said. "But I am not going to miss the daily grind and I am 100% ready to pass the baton."

Contact Jim Martin at jmartin@timesnews.com.