>>US GDP Rises Faster Than Expected
(Washington, DC) -- US GDP is rising faster than expected this quarter. It rose four-point-nine percent from July through September, up from only an unrevised two-point-one percent pace. That's according to the Commerce Department. Economists attribute the sharp uptick to higher consumer spending, higher inventories, exports, residential investment and government spending.
>>Jobless Claims Rise
(Washington, DC) -- Jobless claims are up this week. The Labor Department says unemployment insurance claims for the week ending October 21st are up to 210-thousand. That's slightly higher than expected, but still low. Some experts believe the uptick is a sign that the U.S. labor market is showing signs of cooling.
>>UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement With Ford
(Detroit, MI) -- The United Auto Workers union is celebrating a tentative agreement with Ford. The agreement could signal the beginning of the end of the strike against Detroit's Big Three automakers that's been ongoing since September. The tentative deal with Ford will have to be ratified by UAW members before it becomes official. Over 40-thousand workers have walked off the job since the UAW went on strike demanding higher wages and better benefits.
>>Sam Bankman-Fried Set To Testify
(New York, NY) -- Failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried [[ freed ]] is set to testify at his criminal fraud trial today. He is charged with planning a scheme that stole as much as ten-billion dollars in deposits from customers of FTX. Prosecutors say he then funneled the money through things like political contributions and heavy spending. Bankman-Fried is likely to testify after the final witness is called in the morning. He already pleaded not guilty to seven charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
>>Report: American Cardholders Paid 130 Billion Dollars In Fees And Interest
(Washington, DC) -- A new report shows Americans paid 130-billion dollars in interest and fees in 2022. That's from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which said it's the highest the agency has ever seen. Late fees continue to be the biggest penalty facing cardholders. LendingTree's chief credit analyst estimated that 2023 numbers would be even bigger.
>>Airbnb Using AI Technology To Get A Handle On Halloween Parties
(Nashville, TN) -- Short-term rental platform Airbnb is using artificial intelligence technology to help put a stop to Halloween parties. Company officials say bookings that are made for this weekend are being analyzed to check for risk factors such as the length of the stay and the distance of the rental from the user's address. If the AI system finds that a booking might be problematic, it will not allow the reservation to go through. Airbnb banned parties on its platform in 2020. Some users have still managed to book short-term rentals for parties, though, like the one in East Nashville last Halloween where a 14-year-old was injured by gunfire.
>>Taco Bell Wins "Taco Tuesday" War
(Irvine, CA) -- Taco Bell wins its fight to end the "Taco Tuesday" trademark after a little-known Jersey Shore restaurant caves in. Gregory's Restaurant and Bar in Somers Point, New Jersey owned the "Taco Tuesday" trademark in the Garden State for 40 years and was refusing to give it up. It was the only holdout in the U.S. and facing mounting legal bills brought on by California-based Taco Bell, it's forfeited the catchy slogan. So, any restaurant anywhere can now use the term "Taco Tuesday" without fear of getting a cease and desist letter. Taco Bell is thrilled, saying "Taco Tuesday" should belong to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos.
>>Box Office Previews
(Los Angeles, CA) -- "Five Nights at Freddy's" is looking to scare up 50-million-dollars in it's first few days of release. The video game adaptation will open in theaters this Friday and will also debut on Peacock the same day. The PG-13 horror will likely take the top spot at the box office this weekend, battling Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" and Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon."
