>>Wall Street Dark In Honor Of Former President Carter
(New York, NY) -- Today has been declared a National Day of Mourning for the late former President Jimmy Carter. As such, trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed. When trading resumes on Friday it will come after Wednesday's mixed close following the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's meeting last month. The data added to investor concerns that there may be fewer rate cuts this year than previously expected. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 106 points to 42-653. The S&P 500 rose by 9 points to 59-18. The Nasdaq fell by 10 points to 19-478.
>>Tentative Deal To Avoid Port Strike
(Undated) -- A tentative deal has been reached to avoid a strike that would have shut down major East Coast and Gulf Coast ports next week. Port terminal operators and the longshoreman's union reached a deal Wednesday that would give new protections against workers losing their jobs to automation, in addition to wage increases. The International Longshoremen's Association, which represents dock workers, and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents container carriers and port operators, called the deal a win-win. The union's members still have to vote on the agreement. Without a deal, a strike could have shut down major ports starting January 15th, costing the economy hundreds of millions of dollars a day.
>>Putting A Price Tag On CA Fires
(Los Angeles, CA) -- Wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area will carry a hefty price tag. An early estimate from J.P. Morgan Insurance says losses from the Palisades Fire alone could reach near ten-billion dollars.
>>AT&T To Credit Customers For Network Outages
(Dallas, TX) -- Customers of AT&T will start to see bill credits for network interruptions. The telecommunications company announced its "AT&T Guarantee" on Wednesday. It's aimed to give subscribers a full days worth of credit should fiber customers experience a 20 minute outage or wireless customers see a 60 minute interruption. This comes as AT&T experienced a number of outages in 2024, including one last February that lasted 12 hours and was felt across country.
>>Company Lowers Rent By Offering "Co-Living" Spaces
(Washington, DC) -- A new housing company is lowering the cost of single living by renting out properties that have dozens of roommates. The Cohabs company has been converting properties in Washington, DC to "co-living" spaces where up to 36 roommates share common areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. The company opened its first property in DC last month, two row homes in Columbia Heights that were turned into one living space with 36 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, two kitchens and six kitchenettes. The rooms rent for about 16-hundred dollars a month.
>>Girl Scout Cookie Season Kicks Off As Some Cookies Get Discontinued
(New York, NY) -- Girl Scout cookie season is starting to ramp up and two flavors are making their final run in 2025. The organization says after nine years on the market, S'mores will be retired while the final sales of Toast-Yay! cookies will be made after only four years. Girl Scouts of America says this is the first time it's warning customers that flavors are being discontinued so they can stock up before they're gone for good. All cookies will be available for sale at booths or online through local chapters across the country. Girl Scout cookie season runs through April.
