Do fast-rising interest rates threaten the growing recovery in housing? Experts say prices are still low enough to attract buyers.

In the fall of 2011, fourth-grader Zachary Maxwell set out to show his parents and the world his less-than-appetizing lunch tray reality.

Budget cuts known as the sequester haven’t had the grave economic impact some had predicted. But the coming days pose a big test, as the Pentagon starts furloughing 650,000 civilian workers to save $1.8 billion.