>>McCarthy: Deal Could Be Reached By End Of Week

(Washington, DC)  --  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says negotiations with the White House over raising the debt ceiling are improving.  The Republican told reporters the president changed the scope of who's negotiating, as the White House has now designated officials to communicate directly with the Speaker's staff.  He said while the two sides remain far apart, a deal may be possible by the end of the week as it's not a very complicated agreement.  Congress needs to pass a debt limit increase by June 1st or risk a default. 

 

>>Silicon Valley, Signature Bank CEOs Testify Before Senate

(Washington, DC)  --  The former CEO of collapsed Silicon Valley Bank says he's "truly sorry" for the bank's failure and the crisis it triggered.  Greg Becker testified before the Senate banking committee on Tuesday.  He said the collapse was a shock to him and added that he worked closely with advisors and the bank was actively responding to concerns from regulators.  The Senate Committee's chairman, Ohio lawmaker Sherrod Brown, blamed the financial institution for ignoring warnings from government officials.  He said both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank were "fatally mismanaged."  The Democrat ripped them for pushing up stock prices and executive salaries while ignoring the risks for customers and putting customer money at stake.  Becker appeared alongside two signature bank executives, all in their first public appearance since the fall of their firms.

 

>>Jeep Recalls Cherokee Models Due To Possible Fire Risk

(Detroit, MI)  --  A new recall has been issued by Stellantis the maker of Jeep vehicles.  The automaker says 2014 to 2016 Jeep Cherokees equipped with a power lift gate could catch fire even if the vehicle is off. The problem is water can get into the control computer causing an electrical short.  A repair is under development and owners are expected to receive a letter about the issue by June 30th. Stellantis says owners should not park their vehicles inside a garage and keep them away from other vehicles.   This recall overrides two previous recalls issued for tail gate problems. 

 

>>Taco Bell Wants To Cancel "Taco Tuesday" Trademark

(Irvine, CA)  --  Taco Bell wants to cancel the trademark "Taco Tuesday."  The trademark has been owned by rival Taco John's for 34 years.  Taco Bell argues the phrase should be freely available to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos.  The fast food chain added nobody should have exclusive rights in a common phrase.  Taco Bell filed a petition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board and it can take up to two years before a decision is made.  Taco John's has a little over a month to respond and if the two sides can't reach an agreement, a trial could come into play.

 

>>University Of Vermont Faculty Allege Unfair Labor Practices

(Burlington, VT)  --  Faculty at the University of Vermont are accusing the college of unfair labor practices.  The union representing around 700 full and part time faculty members says UVM is increasing their workloads with the change to a new educational software system.  The union has also filed a grievance claiming the college is refusing to provide compensation for the additional work caused by the new system.  The college is not commenting, saying it will present its position to the state labor relations board at the appropriate time.

 

>>Tonys To Move Ahead With Unscripted Broadcast

(New York, NY)  --  Next month's Tony Awards will go on as an unscripted, televised broadcast on CBS.  That's according to the Hollywood Reporter, which added actress Ariana DeBose is still expected to host the show in some capacity.  The fate of the Tonys was up in the air due to the ongoing writers strike.  The Writers Guild of America twice denied the Tonys' request for a waiver or exception for the awards show.  However, the WGA said they will not picket the event after the Tonys said they will "conform with specific requests" from the union.