For: December 29, 2025
>>Ahead Of The Bell
(New York, NY) -- Another holiday-shortened trading week is here. The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed slightly lower on Friday with investors holding out hope for a Santa Claus rally during the last days of this year and the first two days of the new year. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 20 points to 48-710. The S&P 500 went down two points to 69-29. The Nasdaq dropped 20 points to 23-593. The stock market will be closed this Thursday in observance of New Year's Day with trading resuming as normal on Friday.
>>Return Season Underway (Undated) -- With Christmas now in the rearview mirror, it's time to let the season of returns begin. The National Retail Federation estimates nearly 15-percent of all purchased holiday items will be returned this year. And that's costing consumers. Seventy-two percent of retailers will be hitting folks with charges for returns - up from 66-percent last year.
>>Bank Of America CEO Brian Moynihan Speaks On Fed
(Washington, DC) -- Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan says the market will punish people if the Federal Reserve dosen't remain independent. Moynihan made the comment during an apperance on CBS' "Face the Nation." His comments come as President Trump is weighing who will take over the role of Fed chair when Jerome Powell's term ends in May. Trump has strongly suggested National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett is his top choice for the job.
>>Bernie Sanders Speaks On A.I.
(Washington, DC) -- Senator Bernie Sanders is warning of the dangers of artificial intelligence as the new year approaches. During an interview with CNN's "State of the Union," Sanders called for serious considerations on imposing a "moratorium" on data centers. The Vermont Independent said it's time to "slow the process down." He said "it's not good enough" to take the word of tech billionaires that everyone will just have to adapt. Sanders also cautioned about the relationship between the growing technology and kids, saying that the trend of kids getting most of their emotional support from A.I. could have a dangerous impact on humanity.
>>ECHL And Players Reach Deal On New CBA
(Glens Falls, NY) -- In mid-level professional, minor league hockey news, the ECHL and Professional Hockey Players' Association have reached a tentative deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The association ended up going on strike Friday, which led to a number of games being postponed. Players are now cleared to report to their teams, and the agreement is expected to be ratified without further issues.
