>>U.S. GDP Grew More Than Expected In Fourth Quarter
(Washington, DC) -- New government data shows the U.S. economy grew faster than expected the last quarter of 2023. The Commerce Department reported Thursday the country's gross domestic product increased by three-point-three-percent year-over-year in 2023's fourth quarter. That was more than the two-percent growth expected by Wall Street. The report comes as the race for the White House heats up. President Biden has been touting his economic policies while GOP frontrunner former President Trump has warned the country's economy will crash within the next year.
>>Biden Thanks UAW For Endorsement
(Washington, DC) -- The United Auto Workers union is endorsing President Biden's re-election campaign. Biden thanked the labor group Wednesday for the boost of support as he gears up for a likely rematch against former President Trump in November. Biden, who calls himself the "most pro-union president in history," told UAW workers he's focused on fundamentally changing the economy to give working Americans "a fair shot." UAW President Shawn Fain meanwhile didn't hold back in his criticism of Trump while announcing the Biden endorsement. He said Biden has consistently "bet on the American worker" while Trump has blamed American workers. The endorsement comes after Biden made the unprecedented move of visiting a UAW picket line during the union's strike against Detroit automakers last year.
>>Tesla Misses Revenue Estimates
(Austin, TX) -- Tesla stock dropped six percent Wednesday after the electric automaker missed fourth quarter revenue estimates. Revenue from vehicles rose just one percent, well below analyst predictions. Tesla told investors that while vehicle volume growth may be lower than last year, the company is looking towards launching a next-generation vehicle, with CEO Elon Musk predicting a "major growth wave" on the horizon.
>>Explorers Recalled For Trim Piece Problem
(Dearborn, MI) -- Approximately one-point nine million Ford Explorer SUVs are being recalled by the automaker. Officials say a piece of trim on the vehicle can break free and become an airborne hazard for other drivers. The recall is for Explorers from the 2011 to 2019 model years. Ford is telling owners to contact dealers and schedule inspection when parts become available. Documents show over 14-thousand reports of the trim parts missing or being detached but no reports of accidents or injuries were found.
>>Kia Announces Recall
(Undated) -- Federal safety regulators are putting out a recall on two Kia models. The Kia Carnival 2022-2024 and Kia Sportage 2023-2024 models may have a roof safety issue and need to be inspected and replaced. The roof of the cars can become loose and detached while driving. Kia will inspect and possibly secure the roof for free. Owners should receive letters of notification by March 15th. More than 100-thousand cars and SUVs are involved in this recall.
>>Newton, MA Schools Canceled Again As Strike Continues
(Newton, MA) -- A strike by teachers in Newton, Massachusetts continues with schools closed again today over the walkout. The Newton Teachers Association met with city officials for negotiations yesterday and emerged without a new agreement. Newton teachers have been without a contract since August, and are absorbing huge daily fines for violating the state law banning teacher strikes. Fines against the union began at 25-thousand-dollars on Monday and have increased each day, with yesterday's fine at 175-thousand-dollars.
>>Riot Games Lays Off Over 500 Employees
(Los Angeles, CA) -- Another tech company is laying off some of its staff. Riot Games, which created the game "League of Legends," is cutting over five hundred jobs. That's about eleven percent of its workforce. According to the company's CEO, the layoff is meant to "create focus and move the company toward a sustainable future." In a statement, the Los Angeles-based company says it stretched investments too much and doubled its staff in a relatively short time. The company says the layoff is a "necessity" and says it will focus on games.
>>MrBeast Says He Made Over 250-Thousand Dollars Posting Video To X
(San Francisco, CA) -- MrBeast says he made over 250-thousand dollars from one video posted to X. The influencer, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, included a screenshot in a post on the platform that appears to show his creator payment screen. MrBeast, who gained recognition for his highly produced YouTube videos, responded to owner Elon Musk last month saying he didn't think he would make enough money posting videos to X to make it worthwhile. But then he decided to test the social media platform's ad revenue sharing program by posting an old video, which garnered more than 160-million views. That could be a sign of how much money other influencers could make on X.
>>Some Eligible For Chick-Fil-A Gift Card
(Undated) -- Residents of New Jersey, California, Florida, Georgia, or New York could be eligible for a Chick-fil-A gift card worth 29-95. It's part of a settlement in a class action lawsuit over inflated delivery prices during the COVID pandemic. Customers have to submit a claim by February 15th.
