The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate eased this week, a modest relief for prospective homebuyers who have been facing higher borrowing costs as mortgage rates climbed to the highest level in nearly seven months.

The economic fallout from the war with Iran is driving up the cost of buying a home, even as other housing market trends in many parts of the country favor home shoppers this spring.

Upcoming concerts include Florence + The Machine at Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, Big Head Todd and the Monsters at The Event Center at Rivers Casino Des Plaines, BoDeans at the Paramount, Taylor Dayne at Joe’s Live in Rosemont and more.

The New Philharmonic concludes its season at the MAC, the Lyric Opera Orchestra performs the score to “Mary Poppins,” and Giordano Dance Chicago premieres three new works this week.

Oil prices plunged below $95 per barrel, and stock markets surged worldwide Wednesday after President Donald Trump pulled back from his threat to destroy Iran.

The Masters starts its 90th anniversary staging on Thursday. This major championship in Augusta, Ga. always gets world-wide attention, but this one may not get as much as most of the others – and for good reasons.

U.S. stocks swung sharply Tuesday as uncertainty about the war with Iran increased ahead of a looming deadline set by President Donald Trump to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges.The S&P 500 fell as much as 1.2%, but stocks rallied at the end of trading after Pakistan’s prime minister urged Trump to extend his deadline for another two weeks and asked Iran to open up the strait for two weeks.

U.S. stocks drifted higher in hesitant trading on Monday, ahead of a deadline that President Donald Trump has set to bomb Iranian power plants.

Make plans to see Jon Lovitz and Andrew Dice Clay performing a double-bill stand-up comedy show at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Expo Chicago at Navy Pier, BoDeans at the Paramount Theatre, the Great Midwest Train Show in Wheaton, Tommy Davidson at the Chicago Improv in Schaumburg and more.

Seven educators from Elgin Area School District U-46 received recognition through Illinois State Board of Education's Those Who Excel program, which honors teachers, administrators, and support staff making meaningful contributions to students and school communities across the state.