For: April 30, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed on a higher note yesterday.  Amazon shares rebounded after the company rejected a plan to list tariff surcharges on its site for discount store Amazon Haul.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 300 points to 40-527.  The S&P 500 added 32 points to 55-60.  The Nasdaq rose 95 points to 17-461.  

>>GDP, Meta Earnings On The Calendar 

(Undated)  --  Investors today will have a lot to keep an eye out for.  GDP data, personal income and spending, pending home sales and the ADP employment report are all on tap.  In addition, Facebook parent company Meta is set to report its first quarter earnings after the closing bell.

>>President Trump To Meet With Top Executives

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump will meet with executives of major companies at the White House today, promoting their investment in the United States.  The list includes Nvidia, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, GE Aerospace and SoftBank, companies that have pledged to spend money in U.S.-based expansions and projects.  The Trump administration wants to use the "Invest in America" event to tout Trumps achievements and push back on fear, uncertainty and doubt that some investors have over his global tariff policies.

>>Trump Admin Walks Back Tariffs On Some Automakers 

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump was in Michigan Tuesday, speaking in the heartland of the Big 3 U.S. automakers as he marked his first 100 days in office.  His remarks came after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik announced a deal to ease some auto tariffs.  Supporting the deal, Trump signed an executive order that allows vehicles that go through final assembly in the U.S. to qualify for partial reimbursements on parts-related levies for two years.  

>>Retail Price Hikes 

(Undated)  --  Budget retailers Temu and Shein are increasing their prices in response to new tariffs.  Both companies are known for selling inexpensive goods sourced from China, but now price changes are set to take effect. Temu and Shein informed customers of the upcoming price hikes last week, which comes due to an executive order signed by President Trump that put an end to exemptions allowing duty-free imports of goods valued under 800 dollars.  Starting May 2nd businesses will face either a 120-percent tariff or a flat 100 dollar fee per postal item, with the fee rising to 200 dollars on June 1st.  Both companies have released statements explaining the tariffs have increased their operating expenses, necessitating price adjustments to maintain product quality.

>>UPS To Cut 20k Jobs 

(Atlanta, GA)  --  UPS will be laying off 20-thousand workers over the remainder of 2025. This follows 12-thousand job cuts in 2024. UPS operates in more than 200 countries.  The cuts are reportedly linked to a drastic drops in Amazon deliveries, which is their largest customer.  As part of an operational consolidation plan, UPS will also be closing 73 of it's distribution locations. 

>>Job Openings Fall To 6-Month Low In March

(Washington, DC)  --  The number of job openings fell to a six-month low in March.  The Labor Department says seven-point-two million jobs were available last month which is down by 901-thousand for the year.  Federal government saw the largest drop in job openings.  Total separations increased in state and local government excluding education.  According to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS report, the number and rate of hires held steady in all industries in March.

>>Big Lots Stores Reopening

(Westerville, OH)  --  Big Lots stores are reopening in several states this week.  More than 130 stores are expected to return, with the first set of stores reopening their doors on Thursday.  Earlier this month, nine Big Lots stores reopened as part of a deal the retailer previously reached with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners.  The deal stipulated that Variety Wholesalers would acquire hundreds of Big Lots stores, while allowing the company to retain original branding.  The reopening stores are primarily in the southern and eastern portions of the U.S., and a second wave of stores are expected to open on May 15th.  Several former Big Lots storefronts have been taken over by other retailers, including Ocean State Job Lot and Ollie's Bargain Market, though it's unclear when those new stores may open. 

>>Meta Creating Standalone AI Assistant

(Undated)  --  Meta is launching a standalone artificial intelligence assistant app.  Their application uses its Llama-Four coding model to collect information across its platforms including Facebook and Instagram.  The AI app will merge with the Meta View companion app for Ray-Ban Meta glasses.  The company says the feature serves as a place to "share and explore" the way others use AI.  The app will also include a discover feed.

For: April 29, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning on Wall Street after stocks got off to a mixed start this week.  Big tech shares including Amazon, Apple and Microsoft came under pressure early in the session ahead of their quarterly results.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 114 points to 40-227.  The S&P 500 added three points to 55-28.  The Nasdaq lost 16 points to 17-366.

>>A Look At Consumer Confidence 

(Undated)  --  Consumer confidence, job openings and the S&P Case-Shiller home price index are due out today.  Come Wednesday, the focus will be on first quarter GDP along with ADP's employment report, pending home sales plus personal income and spending.  Thursday brings weekly jobless claims and auto sales data.  The week wraps up Friday with the always highly-anticipated monthly employment report.  

>>L.A. County Workers On Strike

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Some 55-thousand Los Angeles County employees are on strike.  They walked off the jobs ranging from healthcare and libraries to parks and debris pickup Monday night.  The union says the strike, set to last through Wednesday night, was called over failure by the county to negotiate a new contract.  Organizers say the county has been contracting out work that's supposed to be done by union members and that pay offers have been insultingly low.  The county says it will have a hard time with raises because of the recent wildfires, loss of federal money and a huge sex abuse settlement.  

>>Realtor.com's Housing Report Card Gives The U.S. A "C"

(Undated)  --  A new report from Realtor.com says affordable housing and homebuilding is hard to come by in the U.S.  The online real estate marketplace graded all 50 states on criteria including housing affordability and new construction.  The five states with the highest grades were South Carolina, Iowa, Texas, Indiana and North Carolina, which all got a B-plus or better.  A majority of states got a "C" from Realtor.com for affordable housing.

>>Joann Fabrics Closes Stores 

(Undated)  --  Over a third of all Joann Fabric stores are closed.  The company filed for bankruptcy back in January, its second filing in eleven months, and has now been bought by a retail liquidator.  More than 250 locations were set to permanently close by the 30th, and 500 more will be closed by the end of May.  

For: April 28, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning as Wall Street kicks off a fresh trading week.  As things wrapped up Friday, the major averages all posted weekly advances with the tech-heavy Nasdaq up more than six percent despite tariff uncertainty.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20 points to 40-113.  The S&P 500 rose 40 points to 55-25.  The Nasdaq gained 216 points to 17-382.  Investors this week will be keeping an eye out for earnings results from a trio of heavy-hitters: Amazon, Facebook parent company Meta and Apple. 

>>Busy Week Ahead With Notable Economic Reports Due  

(Undated)  --  The week starts off with no major economic reports on the calendar for today.  Things will pick up tomorrow with word on consumer confidence, job openings and the S&P Case-Shiller home price index.  The focus in on first quarter GDP the following day along with ADP's employment report, pending home sales plus personal income and spending.  Thursday brings weekly jobless claims with most analysts expecting an increase of at least a few thousand from the previous week.  Also, look for auto sales data to be released throughout the day.  The week wraps up Friday with the always highly-anticipated monthly employment report.  

>>Consumer Sentiment Falls 8% In April

(Ann Arbor, MI)  --  Consumer sentiment is down for the fourth straight month.  The University of Michigan's final reading for April plunged eight percent from March with across the board declines among all age and income groups.  Inflation expectations for the year ahead surged to their highest level since 1981.  The survey noted the uncertainty over trade policy and the potential for a resurgence in inflation has many consumers worried.  The survey's chief economist predicted consumer spending is "unlikely to remain strong" given all the warning signs.     

>>Poll: Most Americans Disapprove Of Trump's Tariffs

(Undated)  --  Nearly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of President Trump's tariffs.  A new ABC News-Washington Post-Ipsos poll released Friday reveals seven-in-ten think the tariffs will increase U.S. inflation.  Nearly half of Republicans polled think the tariffs will have a negative impact on inflation.  The number rises to 75 percent among independents.  Fifty-nine percent think President Trump's tariffs will have a positive impact on creating manufacturing jobs in the U.S. -- that includes 90 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of independents. 

>>Survey Finds Financing Groceries On The Rise 

(Undated)  --  New data from Lending Tree shows a growing number of Americans relying on loans to buy groceries.  A survey of two-thousand consumers ages 18 to 79 found that half reported using credit to help cover the cost of food.  Lending Tree said 25-percent of those surveyed said they used buy now, pay later loans to buy groceries.   The survey also found a seven-percent increase in those who made late payments on a buy now, pay later loans in the last year.   

>>Worst-Paying College Majors, 5 Years After Graduation 

(New York, NY)  --  A college education does not equal high pay in the working world, especially for students in the arts.  A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that graduates who major in education, social work or the arts usually earn the lowest median incomes five years after finishing school.  The report included only full-time workers with a bachelor's degree and excludes those still enrolled.  

>>Jack In The Box Closing 200 'Underperforming' Locations

(San Diego, CA)  --  Jack in the Box is set to close up to 200 locations.  The fast-food company says the restaurants involved in its planned closure program are ones that were underperforming.  Jack in the Box said nearly 80 to 120 of the restaurants it plans to shut down will close for good before the end of the year.   

For: April 25, 2025

>>Trading Week Winding Down 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after a higher close on Wall Street Thursday.  Stocks were boosted by big tech companies like Nvidia, Tesla and Amazon.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 486 points to 40-093.  The S&P 500 rose by 108 points to 54-84.  The Nasdaq gained 457 points to 17-166.

>>Housing Sales Slump In March

(Undated)  --  High mortgage rates and worries over the economy are fueling a slowdown in the housing market.  March sales of previously owned homes fell nearly six percent to just over four million, the slowest March since 2009.  Numbers from the National Association of Realtors showed that sales were down across all parts of the country except for the West, thanks to strong job growth.

>>Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Are Sold Out

(Kyoto)  --  The Nintendo Switch 2 is selling out.  Pre-orders for the new video game console began at midnight Thursday at retailers including Best Buy, Target and Walmart.  By Thursday afternoon, it was sold out at most retailers while Amazon had not yet listed the Switch 2 for sale.  Updates are available at nintendo.com.  

>>China Cancels Major Pork Shipments To U.S.

(Undated)  --  China is canceling a massive shipment of pork that was meant for the U.S.  On Thursday, the USDA noted that 12-thousand metric tons of pork shipments were canceled amid the ongoing trade wars between the two countries.  It's the biggest cancellation of pork orders since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains around the world.

>>NJ Transit Rescinds Offer to Train Engineers as Strike Deadline Nears

(Newark, NJ)  --  New Jersey Transit is rescinding its previous contract offer to its railroad engineers, just weeks away from a potential strike in the middle of next month.  NorthJersey-dot-com reports a letter sent to the general chairman of the railroad engineers union, Tom Haas, says the agency is prepared to re-engage in negotiations and proposes meeting on Monday.  Last week, the voting members of the engineers' union voted down the latest contract offer.  The New Jersey Business and Industry Association released a statement urging that the strike be averted.  It is warning that if salary demands by the union are met, there would be a huge increase in the corporate transit fee.  That is a tax paid by large corporations in New Jersey.       

>>Saks Fifth Avenue Closing Iconic SF Union Square Location

(San Francisco, CA)  ---  San Francisco's Union Square is losing another iconic shop.  Saks Fifth Avenue has announced it plans to close its Union Square location for good on May 10th.  It was less than a year ago that Saks laid off dozens of employees at the store at went to "appointment-only" operations.  Saks becomes the latest major retailer to close its Union Square location in recent years, joining Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

For: April 24, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher on Wall Street Wednesday.  This, as President Trump said the current 145-percent tariff against China is very high and will likely eventually come down.  At yesterday's closing bell, the Dow gained 419 points to 39-606.  The S&P 500 gained 88 points to 53-75.  The Nasdaq rose by 407 points to 16-708.  

>>Alphabet Results Due Today 

(Undated)  --  Google parent company Alphabet is set to release first-quarter earnings after the closing bell on Wall Street today.  Also of note, the latest data on existing home sales will be released along with weekly jobless claims.  Most analysts are expecting only a slight uptick in the number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits.  

>>A Dozen States Sue Over Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  A dozen states are suing the Trump administration over the president's sweeping tariffs.  Attorneys general from New York, Arizona, Illinois, Colorado and Minnesota are among those who joined the lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in Washington, DC on Wednesday.  In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that's exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs."  The states are seeking a court order declaring the tariffs illegal.  Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called the tariffs "economically reckless" and "illegal."

>>Gamers Report Issues Pre-Ordering Switch 2

(Tokyo)  --  Gamers have reported problems with pre-ordering the new Nintendo Switch 2.  Pre-orders opened at midnight for the much-anticipated video game console.  The Switch 2 comes out June 5th, but pre-orders are selling fast through third-party retailers including Best Buy, Walmart and Target.  Some gamers, however, have reported technical issues while placing their order, including being told their orders were canceled, waiting in long lines, and retailers saying they're running out of stock.  On Wednesday, Nintendo's president said the company has already received more pre-orders in Japan for the Switch 2 than it can deliver by June 5th.

>>Eli Lilly Suing Over Copycat Drugs

(Indianapolis, IN)  --  Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is suing four telehealth companies, accusing them of selling copycat versions of the weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro.  The lawsuits, filed Wednesday, argue Mochi Health, Fella Health, Willow Health and Henry Meds have been deceiving customers with untested and unapproved drugs.  Companies were allowed to offer some versions of drugs when there were shortages in 2022.  That was supposed to stop last month after the FDA declared the shortage over, but some companies have tried to get around that by offering slightly different versions of popular drugs.  

>>California Economy Now 4th Largest In The World 

(Sacramento, CA)  --  California's economy is growing.  Governor Gavin Newsom says his state's economy has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy.  Newsom cites new reports from the International Monetary Fund and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which say the state's GDP reached over four-trillion dollars, slightly surpassing Japan's total.  California is now only behind the United States, China, and Germany in global rankings.

>>FBI: Internet Scams Hit All-Time High

(Washington, DC)  --  Americans are being ripped off by cybercriminals at record amounts.  A new report from the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center says scammers and cybercriminals stole a record 16-point-six-billion dollars from Americans last year.  That's a 33-percent increase from 2023.  A spokesperson for the FBI's Cyber Division says they received over 850-thousand claims of scams, fraud and internet crimes in 2024, and over 80 percent of those victims reported losses due to theft of money, data or identity.  Victims age 60 or older were the most impacted.  

>>Billy McFarland Puts Fyre Festival Up For Sale

(New York, NY)  --  The founder of Fyre Festival is putting the brand up for sale.  This comes just a week after a sequel to the failed event that was set to take place in Mexico was indefinitely postponed.  In a statement, Billy McFarland said the brand is now bigger that what he's able to lead on his own.  He also claimed a new location for Fyre Festival 2 has been found, but said it's clear in order for it to succeed he will need to step back and allow a new team to move forward independently.  McFarland pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges related to the first Fyre Festival in 2018.

>>NYC To Host Crypto Summit 

(New York, NY)  --  The Big Apple is gearing up to host its first crypto summit next month.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams says those expected to attend include founders, CEOs and investors from the cryptocurrency, blockchain and fintech industries.  Adams says attendees manage more than one-trillion-dollars in assets that he's looking to attract to the Big Apple.  In 2022, Adams became the first U.S.mayor to have his first three paychecks converted into Bitcoin and Ethereum.

For: April 23, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning on Wall Street after stocks closed out yesterday's trading session in positive territory.  Stocks rallied with the Dow gaining over a thousand points on reports Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects a de-escalation in the tariff fight with China.  The major averages surged more than two percent, erasing Monday's steep losses.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1,016 points to 39-186.  The S&P 500 rose 129 points to 52-87.  The Nasdaq climbed 429 points to 16-300.  Investors today will be keeping an eye out for earnings results from Boeing as well as the latest data on new home sales.  

>>IMF Cuts U.S. Growth Forecast Due To Trade Tensions

(Washington, DC)  --  The International Monetary Fund is lowering its U.S. economic growth projections to one-point-eight percent for 2025.  The IMF cited President Trump's tariffs as the reason for cutting its January forecast by nearly one percent.  While not yet calling for a recession in the U.S., the IMF's chief economist said the group now views the odds at 40 percent due to the "negative shock" of reciprocal tariffs.  The IMF also cut back its global growth forecast to two-point-eight percent from its previous estimate. 

>>Tesla Q1 Results Show Drop In Auto Revenue

(Austin, TX)  --  Tesla says its first-quarter financial numbers missed expectations, with automotive revenue dropping 20 percent.   Overall profits fell 71 percent in the first three months of the year.  The automaker and energy company says total revenue dropped nine percent.  Tesla points to updating assembly lines at its vehicle factories for the new Model Y as a reason for the decline.  Tesla stock, which has tumbled 41 percent this year, was little changed in extended trading. 

>>Musk Says Time at DOGE Will Drop 'Significantly'

(Austin, TX)  --  Elon Musk says he'll be spending a lot less time at DOGE starting in May.  The Tesla CEO and world's richest man opened his company's earnings call Tuesday saying his time allocation with the department will drop significantly.  He added he'll spend a day or two per week working on DOGE -- for as long as President Trump would like him to.  

>>Instagram Launches Video Creation App

(Menlo Park, CA)  --  Instagram is launching a standalone video creation app.  Edits allows users to shoot and edit video using features like background replacement and automatic captioning.  Instagram had announced Edits back in January.  Edits' features are similar to TikTok's sister app, CapCut.  TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain as it's parent company Byte Dance faces a mid-June deadline to sell the app or have it be banned in the country.

>>Countdown To Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders 

(Undated)  --  Pre-orders of Nintendo's newest gaming console are about to begin.  The video game giant says advanced sales of the Switch 2 will start tomorrow.  The company pushed back the original date by a couple weeks in order to assess recent tariffs announced by President Trump earlier this month.  Nintendo notes that the cost of the system will remain unchanged with an around 450 dollar price tag, or a bundle package with Mario Kart World for nearly 500 bucks.  However, accessories for the Switch 2 will see some price adjustments.

For: April 22, 2025

>>Stocks Fall, Dow Drops Over 950 Points On Investor Concerns

(New York, NY)  --   The opening bell rings Tuesday after stocks plunged, closing sharply lower to start the week on Wall Street.  Markets began the day in the red and extended losses after President Trump called Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell a "loser" and demanded immediate interest rate cuts.  Big tech added to the pressure with Tesla, Nvidia [[ in-VID-ee-uh ]] and Amazon falling in a broad sell-off.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 971 points to 38-170.  The S&P 500 fell 124 points to 51-58.  The Nasdaq dropped 415 points to 15-870. 

>>FTC Sues Uber Over Uber One Subscriptions

(Washington, DC)  --  The Federal Trade Commission is suing Uber over its subscription program.  The agency accuses the ride-sharing and delivery company of deceptive billing practices tied to Uber One subscriptions.  The FTC's lawsuit alleges Uber One doesn't give subscribers a simple way to cancel their membership and charges them without their consent.  FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson says Americans are tired of getting signed up for unwanted subscriptions that seem impossible to cancel.  He adds the Trump-Vance FTC is fighting back on behalf of the American people.

>>Google, U.S. Gov. Face-Off In Court

(Nashville, TN)  --  Google continues to defend itself in court after a federal court ruled the tech giant operates a monopoly.  The Department of Justice is proposing a package of remedies to end the tech giant's illegal monopoly and restore competition.  The hearing, which started Monday, will determine if the company can remain in its current form or will have to face penalties like selling off its Chrome web browser.  Google argues it's being punished for innovation.  The hearing is expected to last three weeks.

>>Economic Optimism Low Among Midwest Bankers, Supply Managers

(Bismarck, ND)  --  Economic optimism is low among bankers and supply managers in the Plains and the Midwest.  That's according to multiple surveys from Creighton University.  Recently announced tariffs are reportedly hurting the economic outlook for supply managers.  Meanwhile, bankers in the region are bracing for an underperforming season in the agriculture industry.

>>Instagram Cracking Down On Teens Lying About Age

(Menlo Park, CA)  --  Instagram is using artificial intelligence in order crack down on teens lying about their age. Its parent company Meta announced Monday that it's currently in the testing phase in the U.S.  The software is designed to find accounts that are believed be teenage profiles, which would then put them into the Teen Account settings.  The tech giant says it's been using AI to verify ages for a while, but this is the first time this specific method is being used. Last year, Instagram launched teen specific accounts with beefed up protections as well as parental controls. 

>>Americans Pickers' Store In Nashville Set To Close

(Nashville, TN)  --  The Nashville Antique Archaeology store owned by "American Pickers" star Mike Wolfe is set to close after this week.  The retail shop's last day of business is this coming Saturday.  Wolfe, whose expected to make an appearance at the store, says the original Antique Archaeology store in LeClaire, Iowa will remain open.  Wolfe launched the "American Pickers" series with co-star Frank Fritz back in 2010.  Fritz passed away last September.

For: April 21, 2025

>>Wall Street Welcomes Fresh Trading Week 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after an abbreviated trading week on Wall Street due to Good Friday.  Stocks closed mixed on the final trading with the Dow Jones Industrial Average suffering sharp losses driven by UnitedHealth shares falling more than 22 percent.  Nvidia [[ in-VID-ee-uh ]] stock also tumbled which weighed on the tech-heavy Nasdaq.  At the closing bell, the Dow fell by 527 points to 39-142.  The S&P 500 gained seven points to 52-82.  The Nasdaq shed 20 points to 16-286. 

>>DHL Suspending Global Shipments Over $800 To U.S. Consumers

(Bonn, Germany)  --  The international courier firm DHL Express is suspending global shipments worth over 800-dollars to American consumers.  DHL said the suspension of shipments will start today and that the move is temporary.  The company says the shipment suspension is in response to new U.S. customs rules.  The German-based courier said business-to-business shipments will continue but could face delays.  Shipments worth less than 800-dollars will not be impacted.

>>Sam's Club Phasing Out Checkouts For 'Scan & Go' Tech

(Undated)  --  Sam's Club is phasing out its in-person checkouts at all of its six-hundred locations.  The retail giant will replace its checkouts with "Scan & Go" and "Just Walk"  technology so customers will have to scan their goods on the Sam's Club mobile app.  Then, an AI scanner will check the goods when a customer leaves the store.

>>Archer Aviation Partners With United Airlines To Develop Electric Air Taxis 

(New York, NY)  --  Air taxis are in the works at United Airlines.  Archer Aviation shared last week that it's partnering with United Airlines to develop an air taxi network in New York City.   Passengers will be taken from Manhattan to nearby airports by piloted "Midnight" electric air taxis that can carry up to four passengers.  The service will eventually be available to book as an add-on to regular airline tickets or through Archer's app. 

>>Capital One Approved To Acquire Discover In $35 Billion Deal

(Undated)  --  Capital One is getting approval to acquire Discover.  Regulators announced the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approved the more than 35-billion-dollar deal on Friday.   The merger was approved by the Justice Department earlier this month.  The deal would give Capital One a major advantage against other credit card bank issuers like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, that don't process transactions themselves.  In a joint statement, Discover and Capital One said they expect to close the deal on May 18th.

>>Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Back On

(Undated)  --  Pre-orders of Nintendo's newest gaming console are set to resume.  The video game giant revealed Friday that advanced sales of the Switch 2 will happen April 24th. The company pushed back the original date by a couple weeks in order to assess recent tariffs announced by President Trump earlier this month. Nintendo also notes that the cost of the system will remain unchanged with an around 450 dollar price tag, or a bundle package with Mario Kart World for nearly 500 bucks. However, accessories for the Switch 2 will see price adjustments, with the company pointing at market conditions for the reason. 

>>Major Theater Chains Offers Discounts For A24's Warfare

(Undated)  --  Military veterans going to see A24's "Warfare" are being offered a discount.  Over the weekend, AMC, Cinemark and Regal offered discounted tickets for anyone with a military ID.  The film is about a surveillance mission that went wrong during the war in Iraq.  In its second weekend in theaters, "Warfare" grossed just under five million dollars.

>>Gerber Warning Consumers Teething Sticks Still On Shelves After Recall 

(Undated)  --  Gerber is warning parents that a baby snack it recalled and discontinued is still available on shelves and online.  The company issued a reminder that all of its strawberry apple and banana Gerber Soothe'n' Chew teething sticks were recalled in January after choking cases were reported.   The Teething sticks were distributed nationally in stores and online.   Shoppers who purchased the affected snacks should not feed their children the product and can make a return to the retailer for a full refund.  

>>Stocks Close Mixed To End Short Week

(New York, NY) -- Stocks closed mixed on the final trading day of the week. The Dow suffered sharp losses driven by UnitedHealth shares falling more than 22 percent. Nvidia [[ in-VID-ee-uh ]] stock also tumbled which weighed on the tech-heavy Nasdaq. Wall Street will be dark for Good Friday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 527 points to 39-142. The S&P 500 gained seven points to 52-82. The Nasdaq shed 20 points to 16-286.

>>Judge Rules Google Holds Illegal Online Ad Tech Monopolies

(Alexandria, VA) -- A judge is ruling Google illegally dominated two different markets for online advertising technology. A U.S. District judge in Virginia made the ruling on Thursday and it could allow prosecutors to push towards a breakup of the company's advertising products. The Department of Justice said Google should be forced to sell-off at the very least its Google Ad Manager that includes its ad exchange and ad server. Elsewhere, a judge is holding a trial next week on the DOJ's request for Google to sell its Chrome browser. Reuters reported in September that the company had mulled selling of its ad exchange to appease antitrust regulators in Europe.

>>Trump Floats Terminating Fed Chair Powell

(Washington, DC) -- President Trump is hinting he may fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, Trump said he could remove Powell if he wanted to, adding he's "not happy with him." Trump added he doesn't think Powell is doing a good job, calling him "too late" and "a little slow." Powell, a fellow Republican whose term ends in 2026, has previously said he would not step down if Trump asked him to, and that it's "not permitted under the law" for a president to fire or demote him.

>>Trump Speaks With Italian Prime Minister

(Washington, DC) -- President Trump believes progress will be made on trade deals. Speaking during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump said he has immense respect for Meloni and the U.S is going to have little problems making deals with Europe. Meloni told reporters she believes Italy and the U.S should be able to come to terms. Trump said the previous administration allowed other countries to "rip off" the U.S. and he's here to stop that. The President added that no country can compete with the U.S.

>>CFPB Lays Off Most Of Its Employees

(Washington, DC) -- A federal agency that protects U.S. consumers from financial fraud and abuse is losing about 90 percent of its employees. Multiple news outlets say the Trump administration is laying off around 15-hundred workers at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, leaving only 200 still employed. In the layoff notices that went out Thursday, CFPB director Russ Vought said the cuts were necessary "to restructure the bureau's operations to better reflect the agency's priorities and mission." The watchdog agency was created in 2008 in response to the financial collapse of the Great Recession.

>>Weekly Jobless Claims Fall

(Washington, DC) -- Far fewer Americans than expected filed first-time claims for unemployment benefits last week. The Labor Department reports receiving 215-thousand initial requests in the week ending April 12th. That's a decrease of about nine-thousand from the prior week's revised total. Most analysts had been expecting today's number to come in right around 225-thousand.

For: April 17, 2025  

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning on Wall Street after stocks closed sharply lower Wednesday.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 699 points to 39-669.  The S&P 500 dropped by 120 points to 52-75.  The Nasdaq dropped by 516 points to 16-307.  Coming up today, we'll be keeping an eye out for weekly jobless claims.  Most analysts expect today's numbers to be little changed, coming in at right around 225-thousand versus the previous week's 223-thousand initial requests.  

>>Fed Chair: Hints Tariffs Could Impact Inflation, Growth

(Chicago, IL)  --  The chairman of the Federal Reserve says he expects inflation to rise and economic growth to slow due to tariffs.  Speaking yesterday at the Economic Club of Chicago, Jerome Powell said the Fed may find themselves in a tough situation where their goals to control inflation and support growth in the economy "are in tension."  

>>Temu, Shein Warn Of Price Hikes

(Undated)  --  Chinese retail sites Shein [[ SHE - in ]] and Temu say their prices are going up next week thanks to President Trump's tariffs.  Trump has also ended a duty-free exemption for goods worth less than 800-dollars, which helped bring in some one-point-four billion packages to the U.S. last year.  The companies have built an American customer base in the millions because of their low prices.  

>>Former COO On The Stand As Meta Anti-Trust Trial Rolls On 

(Washington, DC)  --  The closely-watched anti-trust trial against Facebook parent company Meta continues today in Washington, DC.  After two days of testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission called Meta's former COO Sheryl Sandberg to the stand yesterday.  The FTC alleges Meta, under the leadership of Zuckerberg, bought Instagram and WhatsApp to block competition.  The outcome of the trial could reshape how big tech companies operate in the future. 

>>NYC Beer Delivery Workers Go On Strike

(New York, NY)  --  It looks like trouble could be brewing as beer deliveries may be delayed for some time in New York City.  Hundreds of unionized beer delivery workers went on strike Tuesday when their union couldn't come to terms on a new contract.  The strike could ultimately stall deliveries to thousands of bars and restaurants around New York City.  The workers say their big issue is increasing pension benefits.

>>Lyft Agrees To Buy FreeNow

(San Francisco, CA)  --  Lyft is venturing over to Europe.  The ride-hailing service announced Wednesday that it's acquiring FreeNow.  t's a European taxi app which serves nine countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy.  The company is currently owned by German automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz.  Lyft says the deal is worth nearly 200-million dollars and is hoping to close on it later this year. 

For: April 16, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell will ring on Wall Street this morning as investors are still searching for clarity in President Trump's tariff policy.  Yesterday stocks closed lower, but without much of the volatility seen recently.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 155 points to 40-368.  The S&P 500 lost 9 points to 53-96.  The Nasdaq fell 8 points to 16-823.  In addition to keeping an eye on stocks, the focus shifts today to retail sales along with the home builder confidence index.  Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is also set to deliver remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago in the afternoon.  

>>Day 3 Of Meta Anti-Trust Trial Set For Today

(Washington, DC)  --  The major anti-trust trial against Meta continues today in Washington, DC.  Yesterday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed back on claims he bought Instagram and WhatsApp to block competition.  He said he purchased Instagram because it was easier than building a new app from scratch.  Zuckerberg has spent two days on the witness stand but it's unclear if he'll return today.  FTC lawyers say they also plan to call Meta's former COO Sheryl Sandberg to testify, among others.  The outcome of the trial could reshape how big tech companies operate in the future. 

>>Report: OpenAI Looking At Building Social Media Platform

(San Francisco, CA)  --  OpenAI is apparently getting into the social media game. That's according to The Verge which reports that it's in the early stages of development and would be based on ChatGPT's image generation. Whether the network would be a separate app or be a part of ChatGPT is unclear. This comes after X owner Elon Musk made a bid to purchase OpenAI for around 97-billion dollars earlier this year. The AI research group's co-founder, Sam Altman, declined and instead made a counter offer for Musk's platform for the same price.  

>>Johnson & Johnson CEO Warns Tariffs Could Cause Drug Shortages

(New Brunswick, NJ)  --  Johnson and Johnson's CEO says tariffs on pharmaceuticals could cause supply chain disruptions and shortages.  Joaquin Duato [[ Wah-Keen  Du-ah-toe ]] told investors Tuesday that healthcare companies should work with the Trump administration to try and get ahead of the problem.  He recommends using tax policy instead of tariffs like the heavy ones imposed on China, where a lot of raw ingredients for pharmaceuticals are sourced. 

>>Feds Pull Funding For Transit Project

(Washington, DC)  --  A proposed bullet train that would connect Dallas and Houston is hitting a roadblock.  The Federal Government has pulled its financial support.  The Department of Transportation cited the estimated cost, which is now believed to be more than 40-billion dollars.  They called it an "unrealistic" and "risky" venture for taxpayers.  Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says, if the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should pay for it. 

>>American Airlines To Offer Free Wi-Fi in 2026

(Dallas, TX)  --  American Airlines is planning to offer free inflight Wi-Fi in 2026.  The Dallas-based carrier announced today the complimentary service will be offered on about 90 percent of its fleet starting in January.  It follows similar moves by JetBlue Airways, Delta and United Airlines.  American noted its free Wi-Fi service will be sponsored by AT&T and available for members of its AAdvantage loyalty program.

>>United Airlines To Cut Domestic Flights This Summer

(Chicago, IL)  --  United Airlines is planning to cut flights this summer as domestic travel demand falls.  The Chicago-based carrier says it plans to trim domestic capacity by about four percent starting in the third quarter.  For the first quarter, United posted a 387-million-dollar profit, while projecting strong demand for premium cabin bookings and international travel.  Unit revenue for domestic flights fell nearly four percent from last year during the first quarter.

>>Atlanta Again Lays Claim To World's Busiest Airport

(Chicago, IL)  --  The list of the ten busiest airports in the world is out, and Atlanta holds on to top spot yet again. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is number one, according to the Airports Council International World's rankings.  It had over 108 million passengers in 2024.  That's a three-percent jump from 2023.  

>>Hermes Ranked World's Most Valuable Luxury Company

(Paris)  --  Hermes is now the world's most valuable luxury company.  The French fashion house, which sells ten-thousand-dollar Birkin and Kelly handbags, is overtaking LVHM for the title.  The position swap comes after disappointing first-quarter revenue from LVHM.  Hermes has seen a steady six-to-seven-percent increase in value annually.  LVHM suffered a seven-percent decrease in their market capitalization.

For: April 15, 2025

>>Ahead Of The Bell

(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher Monday to start the week on Wall Street. Tech stocks bounced as investors cheered President Trump's exemption of smart phones and computers along with other electronic devices from reciprocal tariffs. Apple shares rose four-percent on the news, while Dell gained more than three percent. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 312 points to 40-524. The S&P 500 rose 42 points to 54-05. The Nasdaq climbed 107 points to 16-831

>>Today Is Tax Day

(Undated) -- Your taxes are due today, but if you haven't even started or aren't done yet, there's still hope. If you're in a crunch, you need to file for an extension. The key thing to keep in mind is to file your extension today. If you file for an extension, you need to fill out form 4868 on IRS.gov, which gives you an automatic extension for six more months. Tax payers impacted by natural disasters in 12 states have automatic tax extensions to file and pay their 2024 taxes. Some extensions only apply to certain areas within those states.

>>Zuckerberg Testifies As Part Of Major Anti-Trust Trial

(Menlo Park, CA) -- Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Monday as a major anti-trust trial involving Facebook parent company Meta got underway in Washington, DC. The Federal Trade Commission accuses the social media giant of creating a monopoly by buying up rivals Instagram and WhatsApp to keep a lid on competition. If the FTC is successful in convincing the district judge hearing the case that the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were illegal, the agency's next move will be to try and force Meta to breakup, spinning off both platforms.

>>Economic Reports On The Horizon

(Undated) -- Ahead on this week's calendar, we'll get the latest reading on the import price index today. The focus shifts Wednesday to retail sales along with the home builder confidence index. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is also set to deliver remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago in the afternoon.

>>Domestic Manufacturing On The Rise

(Santa Clara, CA) -- Tech giant Nvidia is out with plans to build manufacturing plants in Texas that will, for the first time, produce domestically-made Artificial Intelligence supercomputers. They will be in Houston and Dallas. Production at both plants, they say, is expected to ramp up in the next year. And, they say, it will create hundreds of thousands of jobs and drive trillions of dollars in economic security over the coming decades.

>>Zillow Will Stop Listing Homes Unless They Are Broadly Marketed First

(Seattle, WA) -- Zillow is going to stop listing homes for sale on its website if they are first marketed only to a small group of potential buyers. The move takes effect next month and will require homes to be broadly listed if sellers also want it to be listed on Zillow. Zillow claims it will help sellers get better prices while those who oppose the decision argue it limits seller choice.

>>Brooklyn Neighborhood Ranked Most In-Demand In America

(Seattle, WA) -- A Brooklyn neighborhood is the most in-demand in the country. Redfin puts the Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill area on top of its 2025 list of hot neighborhoods following a 105-percent spike in home sales from a year ago. Rounding out the top three hottest neighborhoods were Jenison, Michigan, and Campton Hills and St. Charles in Illinois. 

For Monday, April 14th, 2024

>>Stocks Close Higher To End Volatile Week

(New York, NY)  --  Stocks closed sharply higher Friday to end a historic week on Wall Street.  The major averages climbed as the White House signaled it's open to a trade deal with China.  Stocks began the day in the red after China raised tariffs to 125 percent on U.S. imports but noted it would not take any further action.  Meanwhile, the European Union said it's sending its trade representative to Washington, DC on Sunday to "try and sign deals."  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 619 points to 40-212.  The S&P 500 rose 95 points to 53-63.  The Nasdaq climbed 337 points to 16-724.

>>Consumer Sentiment Drops 11% In April

(Ann Arbor, MI)  --  Consumer sentiment fell more than expected In April as inflation fears surge.  The University of Michigan's mid-month reading dropped eleven percent from March with declines across all age and income groups.  The survey noted consumers report "multiple warning signs that raise the risk of recession."  The results point to growing concerns that President Trump's tariffs will raise inflation and slow growth.  Unemployment fears also hit their highest level since 2009.   

>>Cell Phones, Other Tech Devices Exempt From Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  There's good news for American tech companies regarding President Trump's tariffs against China.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection says certain tech devices will be exempt from tariffs.  The CBP issued official guidance Friday night that exempts electronic items such as computers, smartphones, flat panel TV displays, flash drives, and memory cards.  This could especially benefit tech giant Apple, which has a large percentage of iPads and Mac computers made in China.  Trump imposed 145-percent tariffs on China.  Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the exemption is not permanent.

>>Trump Says He'll Announce Semiconductor Tariffs This Week

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump says he'll be announcing tariff rates on imported semiconductors this week. Trump made the announcement Sunday on board Air Force One, adding there will be a certain amount of flexibility for some companies.  Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also said Sunday that semiconductors wouldn't be included in certain tariff exemptions announced Friday for electronics like phones and computers. 

>>Cost Of Raising Children Increasing

(Undated)  --  The cost of raising children in the U.S. is on the rise.  A new study estimates it costs nearly 300-thousand dollars to raise a child from birth to the age of 18 in 2025, a 25-percent jump from 2023's projections.  The Department of Health considers child care affordable if it takes less than seven-percent of a family's income, but there are currently no states where the average cost of child care is within that threshold for median-income families. 

>>IRS 2025 Tax Deadline Fast Approaching 

(Washington, DC)  --  The tax filing deadline is fast approaching.  For most Americans it's Tuesday, April 15th.  However, the IRS says citizens impacted by natural disasters in 12 states have automatic tax extensions to file and pay their 2024 taxes.   Some extensions only apply to certain areas within those states.   To find out whether or not you qualify for an extension the IRS website has a page listing the delayed deadlines.   

For: April 11, 2025

>>Trading Week Winding Down 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning as a volatile trading week winds down.  Stocks closed sharply lower Thursday, one day after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on some tariffs.  Investors are concerned about economic activity being slowed by the tariff on China.  It all comes after the CPI report was released yesterday and showed inflation slowed last month.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by one-thousand-and-14 points to 39-593.  The S&P 500 lost 188 points to 52-68.  The Nasdaq dropped 737 points to 16-387.

>>White House: Tariffs On China At 145%

(Washington, DC)  --  The White House says goods coming from China now have at least a 145-percent tariff on them.  The Trump administration made the clarification Thursday and said the 125-percent tariff against China announced earlier by President Trump is on top of a 20-percent tariff that was already in place.  Trump has said the original 20-percent tariff was put in effect because China was playing a role in fentanyl coming into the U.S. and illegal immigration.  

>>Poll: Most Americans Feel Financially Stressed

(Undated)  --  Nearly three-quarters of Americans say they are "financially stressed," with a majority of those blaming ongoing trade wars brought on by the Trump administration's tariffs.  The CNBC/Survey Monkey poll found that the stress was felt even by 30 percent of those earning more than 100-thousand-dollars a year.  Inflation was by far the biggest concern and while rates have cooled, prices are still high.  

>>China To Reduce U.S. Film Imports

(Beijing)  --  China says it will allow less U.S. films to be imported in response to tariffs.  The Chinese Film Administration announced Thursday it will "moderately reduce the number of American films imported."  Thirty-four foreign films are permitted to be released in China each year.  The Chinese Film Administration said tariffs imposed by President Trump "will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience's favorability towards American films."  The Marvel film "Thunderbolts" had reportedly just been approved to be released on April 30th, but it's not clear whether or not it will go forward.

>>Open AI Countersues Elon Musk

(San Francisco, CA)  --  Open AI is countersuing Elon Musk.  Musk filed for an injunction to stop Open AI from going fully for-profit.  Open AI is now countersuing the tech billionaire and presidential adviser, claiming harassment.  The suit filed Wednesday asks the court to enjoin Musk from unlawful or unfair actions and hold the former co-founder responsible for any damage he has already done. 

>>WeightWatchers Preparing To File For Bankruptcy After Launching In 1963

(New York, NY)  --  WeightWatchers is preparing to file for bankruptcy over the next few months after launching its business in 1963.  The health and wellness company, based in New York City, is working with lenders and bondholders on restructuring.  WeightWatchers' preparation for bankruptcy is reportedly unrelated to Wall Street's volatility over tariffs. Shares of the company fell 59-percent on Wednesday, despite the stock market having its best day in five years.  WeightWatchers has struggled with relevancy over the past few years with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound as quick fixes for obesity.    

>>Prada To Buy Versace

(Milan)  --  Prada is buying Versace in a deal valued at one-point-four-billion-dollars.  In a statement, Prada said adding Versace's "highly recognizable" fashion brand gives Italian-based Prada "significant untapped growth potential." Versace was founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace  --  who was murdered by a serial killer in 1997.  It has been owned since 2018 by Capri Holdings, which includes fashion giants Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo.

For: April 10, 2025 

>>All Eyes On Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The Wall Street opening bell will be watched closely after the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged nearly three-thousand points Wednesday.  This, after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on some tariffs.  Stocks rose immediately after Trump unveiled the news on Truth Social.  Following the news, the Dow kicked into overdrive and ended up having its biggest rally in five years.  The S&P 500 posted its biggest gain since 2008.  At the closing bell, the Dow gained two-thousand-and-962 to 40-608.  The S&P 500 rose by 474 points to 54-56.  The Nasdaq gained one-thousand-and-857 points to 17-124.

>>Trump Announces 90 Day Pause

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump's 90-day pause on some tariffs is in effect.  White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says the move is due to countries calling to negotiate trade deals.  At the same time Trump confirmed the pause yesterday he also said he's raising the tariff charged against China to 125-percent.   

>>Bessent Doesn't Rule Out Delisting Chinese Stocks

(Washington, DC)  --  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says he won't rule out the possibility of delisting Chinese stocks on U.S. exchanges.  In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Bessent said everything is on the table when it comes to ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S., as Washington and Beijing exchange retaliatory and exorbitant tariffs.  He said ultimately it's President Trump's decision.

>>Consumer Price Index Released Today  

(Undated)  --  The closely-watched consumer price index - a key measure of inflation - comes out this morning.  Most analysts are saying the month-on-month CPI is expected to have risen zero-point-one percent in March, slowing from February's zero-point-two percent.  Weekly jobless claims are also due today.  That number is forecast to come in at right around 223-thousand, versus the previous week's 219-thousand.    

>>Whistleblower: Meta Provided User Data To China

(Washington, DC)  --  A whistleblower is claiming Meta provided user data to the Chinese government.  In a Wednesday Senate hearing Sarah Wynn-Williams said she witnessed executives "repeatedly undermine U.S. national security and betray American values."  She also alleged that the company lied to shareholders, employees and Congress about what it was doing with the Chinese Communist Party.  According to Wynn-Williams, this was part of an effort to win favor with the Chinese government.  Meta has denied Wynn-Williams' allegations, calling them "divorced from reality."

>>Delta Announces Bag Rule Change

(Atlanta, GA)  --  Delta is implementing a change on its checked bag policies.  The Atlanta-based airline says bags must now be dropped off at least 45 minutes before a domestic flight.  The company doesn't anticipate any major problems with the policy since most bags are already checked in ahead of that time.  Travelers are already encouraged to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of a domestic flight.

>>USPS To Raise Stamp Prices By Five Cents

(Undated)  --  The United States Postal Service is preparing to raise the price of stamps.  On Wednesday, USPS announced the price of first class main stamps will go up from 73 to 78 cents.  Domestic postcards will also increase from 56 to 62 cents.  The agency says the increases are necessary to achieve financial stability, adding that USPS prices are still "among the most affordable in the world."
 

For: April 9, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed sharply lower on Tuesday.  The major averages turned red after surging to start the day on news the U.S. was in tariff talks with trading partners.  Stocks later plunged in late trading.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 320 points to 37-645.  The S&P 500 lost 79 points to 49-82.  The Nasdaq dropped 335 points to 15-267.

>>Tariffs In Effect

(Undated)  --  President Donald Trump's 104-percent tariffs on China have officially taken effect, along with tariffs impacting dozens of other countries.  The average tariff is 29-percent, with some as high as 40.  China faces the steep number due to new tariffs imposed by Trump, on top of levies from his first term.  

>>Fed Meeting Minutes Out Today 

(Undated)  --  Minutes from the Federal Reserve's March meeting are set to be released today.  The central bank held the federal funds rate unchanged at four-and-a-quarter to four-and-a-half percent when it last met.  We'll get further insight into the FOMC's thought process when those minutes drop at 2 pm Eastern.  Coming up tomorrow, weekly jobless claims are due along with the closely-watched consumer price index - a key measure of inflation.  

>>Report:  USDA To Make Staff Cuts, Relocate Employees To Regional Hubs

(Washington, DC)  --  The Trump Administration could fire thousands of Department of Agriculture employees.  A new report from the publication Government Executive says the USDA wants to cut about nine-thousand positions.  The cuts will reportedly be achieved through buyouts, deferred resignations and layoffs.  The report also indicates the agency is planning to sell at least one of its Washington, DC buildings and relocate some of its employees to three regional hubs in other parts of the country.

>>Keystone Pipeline Ruptures

(Fort Ransom, ND)  --  Gas prices in the Midwest could go up after the Keystone oil pipeline ruptured Tuesday in North Dakota.  The cause of the spill isn't yet known, but an employee nearby reported hearing a mechanical bang before shutting down the pipeline about two minutes later.  The spill is contained in a field in a rural area about 60 miles southwest of Fargo.  

>>Harley-Davidson CEO Stepping Down

(Milwaukee, WI)  --  The CEO of Harley-Davidson is stepping down after five years with the American motorcycle maker.  Jochen [[ Yo-ken ]] Zeitz's retirement plans were announced on Tuesday, with no word yet on who will step into the 62-year-old's shoes.  Zeitz is expected to remain on board until a successor is named.    

>>Americans Say Income Tax Amounts Are Unfair

(Undated)  --  Many Americans say the amount they will pay for federal income taxes is "unfair."  A recent poll from Gallup found 50-percent of surveyed adults remain unhappy with their income tax rates.  The poll also shows that most believe corporations and wealthy people don't pay enough.  A Gallup analyst said the decline in perceived fairness is likely tied with inflation.

>>Hollywood Giddy After "Minecraft" Bonanza

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Hollywood studios are getting optimistic about the slate of summer movies.  This comes after Warner Bros "A Minecraft Movie" made 163 million-dollars at the domestic box office during its debut last week.  Roth analyst Eric Handler says "Minecraft" looks like a positive start to a summer packed with more blockbusters.  "Thunderbolts" gets things started on May 2nd, followed by "Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning," Disney's live-action "Lilo and Stitch," "Jurassic World Rebirth," "Superman" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps."

For: April 8, 2025

>>Watching Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning as the White House's announcement of tariffs last week is still causing volatility on Wall Street.  Stocks finished mostly lower to start the week.  The major averages swung between gains and losses in wild trading as investors tried to gauge when the tariff turmoil will end.  At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 349 points to 37-965.  The S&P 500 lost 11 points to 50-62.  The Nasdaq rose 15 points to 15-603.

>>Trump Threatens To Raise Tariffs On China

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump says he will raise tariffs on China by another 50-percent if the country doesn't get rid of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.  In a post on Truth Social, Trump set a deadline of today for China to undo its 34-percent duties that were put in place to the reciprocal tariffs announced last week by the White House.  Trump said he will cancel any planned talks with China if they don't comply.  The President notes talks with other countries are staring immediately.

>>Federal Judge Holds Off Approval Of NCAA Anti-Trust Settlement

(Oakland, CA)  --  A federal judge is holding off approval of a settlement from three athlete-compensation antitrust cases with the NCAA and the Power Five conferences until changes are made to the agreement.  The agreement would pay some two-point-eight billion dollars to current and former athletes and their lawyers and Division One schools would be able to start paying athletes directly for use of their name, image and likeness.  The judge, during a day-long hearing Monday in Oakland, California, raised concerns over parts of the deal, including how it would affect roster limits with the end of the current team-by-team scholarship limits.  The judge was also concerned with how future athletes would be bound by the terms of the ten-year agreement.  The lawyers agreed to return with changes to the deal within a week.

>>"Stay In L.A." Aims To Keep Productions In Hollywood

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Film and television workers are calling for more investment to keep productions in Los Angeles.  Hundreds of people rallied Sunday for the "Stay in L.A." campaign, an effort to expand film and TV tax credits to make filming there affordable.  The industry has been hit by setbacks in L.A., including COVID, labor strikes and destructive wildfires.  Organizers say production workers are suffering with higher prices and note there's often not enough work in Hollywood.  State lawmakers so far are recommending bumping the tax credit up to 35 percent from the current 20 to 25 percent.

>>Elizabeth Diana Departs Deel Amid Spying Lawsuit

(San Francisco, CA)  --  The communications chief for human resources and payroll firm Deel is resigning.  TechCruch reports Elizabeth Diana's departure comes amid a lawsuit accusing Deel of planting a spy inside rival Rippling.  Among the charges alleged by Rippling is misappropriation of trade secrets. 

>>End Of Skype Nears 

(Seattle, WA)  --   Just a reminder: Skype is shutting down soon.  Microsoft is officially retiring the video calling and messaging platform.  It will shut down on May 5th as Microsoft redirects users to Teams.  Skype users can move their accounts to the Teams app, where the tech giant notes they can use many of the same features.  
 

For: April 7, 2025  

>>Ahead Of The Bell: Stock Futures Plunge

(Undated)  --  U.S. stock futures are on the decline ahead of a new trading week on Wall Street.  Dow Jones Industrial, S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures all fell roughly four percent Sunday.  This comes after the Dow saw back-to-back losses of over 15-hundred points for the first time ever last week, while the S&P took a six-percent nosedive Friday, the worst since March 2020.  The markets have been taking a steady beating over concerns President Trump has ignited a global trade war with his new tariffs.  At Friday's closing bell the Dow fell two-thousand-and-231 points to 38-314.  The S&P 500 lost 322 points to 50-74.  The Nasdaq plunged 962 points to 15-587.

>>Oil Futures Slide Over Recession Fears

(Undated)  --  Oil prices are down as fears over a recession mount.  Ongoing trade tension between the U.S. ad China are stoking fears of a reduced demand for crude oil.  At last check Brent futures were down more than two percent to 64-dollars-and 17 cents a barrel while West Texas crude futures were down about the same to 60-64 a barrel.  At one point during trading, prices fell more than three percent, hitting their lowest levels since April 2021.

>>FOMC Meeting Minutes, Weekly Unemployment, CPI All Out This Week 

(Undated)  --  There's a lot to focus on this week in business news, aside from just the stock market.  We'll start things off today with word on consumer credit.  The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index is out the following day.  Minutes from the Federal Reserve's March meeting will be released on Wednesday.  Weekly jobless claims come out Thursday along with the closely-watched consumer price index - a key measure of inflation.  The week comes to a close with the latest producer price index data on Friday.  

>>TikTok Gets Another Extension, Avoiding Ban 

(Washington, DC)  --  TikTok is getting a 75-day extension.  President Trump made the announcement on Truth Social after a finalized deal to sell TikTok to a new company fell through following his tariff announcement.  Chinese-owned ByteDance had until April 5th to divest from the app or face being banned in the U.S.  It was expected that China would approve a proposed deal that had been in the works for months.  However, it was then reported over the weekend that ByteDance told the White House China would no longer approve the deal unless there were negotiations on tariffs.  

>>Study Says NJ Least Federally Dependent State

(Trenton, NJ)  --  A study by the financial website WalletHub says New Jersey is the state that is least dependent on federal funding for areas including education, transportation and healthcare.  WalletHub analyzed all 50 states according to the return on taxes paid to the federal government, its share of federal jobs and the share of state funding that comes from the federal government.  California and Delaware come right behind New Jersey, while the states that are most dependent on federal aid are Alaska, Kentucky and West Virginia.

>>Mega Millions Raises Ticket Price, Overhauls Lottery

(Atlanta, GA)  --  The Mega Millions is making major changes.  The price of a ticket jumped to five dollars with Saturday's launch of a new version of the multi-state lottery game which now features a "built-in random multiplier."   Also, a new prize structure will begin with the April 8th drawing.  Lottery officials say the changes include bigger prizes across the board and better odds to win the jackpot.  Mega Millions estimates the average jackpot win in the new game will top 800-million-dollars.

>>Trading Week Winding Down

(New York, NY) -- The opening bell rings this morning on Wall Street after stocks suffered a brutal day Thursday, closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 after the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.

>>March Jobs Report Beats Expectations

(Washington, DC)  --  The monthly employment report is out and it shows far more jobs created in March than expected.  Today's report from the Labor Department shows employment rose by 228-thousand last month versus the 151-thousand new jobs added the month prior.  Most analysts had been expecting today's number to come in at around 140-thousand.  The unemployment rate, which was forecast to hold steady at four-point-one percent, ticked up just slightly to four-point-two percent.    

>>Nike And Apple Lose Billions In Stock Value Following Tariffs

(Beaverton, OR) -- Two of America's biggest companies are losing billions because of the new Trump administration tariffs. Nike lost 12-billion dollars in market value and its stock fell 13 percent after Trump's announcement, which includes a 34-percent tariff on goods from China and a 46-percent tariff on Vietnam, two countries where Nike shoes are made. The tariffs are also having a huge impact on Apple's supply chain. Stock in the tech company took its biggest drop in five years because of steep tariffs on goods from India and Malaysia, where Apple products are assembled. The tariffs wiped out a reported 300-billion-plus dollars in market cap for Apple.

>>Stellantis Announces Temporary Layoffs

(Detroit, MI) -- Stellantis is temporarily laying off 900 employees in response to President Trump's tariff announcement. The layoffs will impact workers at five of the automaker's U.S. facilities. Stellantis also announced it will be pausing production at two of its plants in Canada and Mexico. In a letter to employees, the company said it's assessing the medium and long-term effects of the tariffs on operations. Automakers are now facing a 25-percent import tax.

>>Trump: TikTok Deal Close

(Washington, DC) -- President Trump believes TikTok is close to being sold. Chinese-based ByteDance was granted a 75-day extension from its original January 19th deadline to divest or face a permanent U.S. ban. Speaking aboard Air Force One Thursday, Trump said he believes a sale to a "good group" will happen soon. He also floated the idea of using the new U.S. tariffs against China as a bargaining chip in an possible deal.

>>Zelle Shutting Down App

(New York, NY) -- The money transferring service Zelle is shutting down its app. Services provided by Zelle will still be available but app users will have to re-enroll through their participating bank or credit union. The move wasn't unexpected as the company had warned of the shutdown after announcing only two-percent of transactions were done through the app.

>>Automattic Lays Off 16% Of Staff

(San Francisco, CA) -- Automattic, whose online services include WordPress and Tumblr, is cutting its workforce by 16-percent. The San Francisco-headquartered company says it's a necessary restructuring due to industry competitiveness in the quickly evolving tech industry. CEO Matt Mullenweg says the move ensures a viable financial model for long-term success.

>>All Eyes On Wall Street 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed higher Wednesday, before futures dropped like a rock in pre-market trading.  Wall Street closed in positive territory as investors awaited the rollout of President Trump's tariffs.  Shares of Tesla rose more than five percent after reports emerged that Elon Musk would be leaving his post as the head of DOGE in the coming months.  At the closing bell, the Dow climbed 235 points to 42-225.  The S&P gained 37 points to 56-70, and the Nasdaq rose 151 points to 17-601.

>>Trump Announces Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  As promised, President Trump has announced his global tariffs, calling it "Liberation Day."  Trump said Wednesday that trading partners have "looted, pillaged, and raped" American industries for decades, leading to a loss of U.S. jobs and manufacturing.  He said his administration will now "Make America Wealthy Again."  Critics claim the reciprocal tariffs are unfair and could lead to hyper-inflation.  The European Union has said it's working on countermeasures and overnight Vietnam held an emergency cabinet meeting after the Southeast Asian nation was hit with a whopping 46-percent tariff on exports.

>>Report: Amazon Makes Bid For TikTok

(Seattle, WA)  --  Amazon is reportedly making a last minute bid to buy TikTok.  The New York Times broke the news that the e-commerce giant had submitted the bid via an offer letter sent to Vice President JD Vance and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick.  Saturday is the deadline for China-based ByteDance to sell TikTok or the app will face a ban in the U.S.  Lawmakers have expressed security concerns over the app's connection to China.  Tech giant Oracle and private equity firm Blackstone have reportedly been in talks possibly buying the video app.

>>UFC, Meta Sign Partnership Deal

(Menlo Park, CA)  --  The UFC is signing a multi million-dollar partnership deal with Meta.  The MMA company aims to restructure their fan experience using AI using Meta platforms.  President and CEO Dana White said in a release, "Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level."  He added that UFC and Meta are already working on a new fighter rankings system.

>>Mega Millions Ticket Price To Increase

(Atlanta, GA)  --  The cost to play the Mega Millions lottery will go up this week.  The price of a ticket is going up to five dollars following Friday's drawing.  Officials say the price increase will lead to faster growing jackpots and better odds.  Every prize will also now be worth more than the cost of a ticket.  This is the first price increase for Mega Millions since 2017.

>>Stocks Close Mixed Ahead Of Tariff Rollout 

(New York, NY)  --  Stocks closed mixed Tuesday as Wall Street braces for President Trump's tariff roll out.  Investor anxiety made for another volatile session to start the new month and quarter.  According to the White House, sweeping reciprocal tariffs will take effect immediately once they are announced today at 4 p.m. Eastern.  At the closing bell, the Dow fell 11 points to 41-989.  The S&P 500 rose 21 points to 56-33.  The Nasdaq gained 150 points to 17-449.

>>Trump Predicts U.S. Investments To Soar After Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump will hold an event today from the Rose Garden, which he has called America's "Liberation Day."  That's when new tariffs are expected to take effect against Canada, Mexico, China and the European Union.  The White House said the event dubbed "Make America Wealthy Again" will take place at 4 p.m. Eastern time.  Trump is expecting five-trillion dollars in U.S. investments after his tariffs take effect.  The White House says the tariffs will undo decades of countries "taking advantage of the U.S."  

>>Western Europeans Overwhelmingly Support Retaliatory Tariffs

(Undated)  --  Most Western Europeans support their continent's intent to respond when President Trump's tariffs go into effect this week.  A new YouGov EuroTrack poll found that the majority of citizens in seven countries in the region are in favor of imposing retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.  Danes were the most supportive at nearly eight in 10 supporting them.  The tariff announcement is set to happen this afternoon.

>>Trump To Hold WH Meeting On TikTok, Deadline Days Away

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is preparing to host a meeting about TikTok as the deadline for the ban draws near.  TikTok's Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance has until Friday to sell the app to a non-Chinese buyer or be banned in the U.S.  Trump has previously said he could extend the deadline for that ban if he wanted to.  He'll meet with Vice President Vance and other advisers today to discuss a possible offer for the app. 

>>Atlanta Fed's GDPNow Forecast Drops To Negative 3.7%

(Atlanta, GA)  --  The Atlanta Federal Reserve is cutting its first quarter GDP forecast to a negative three-point-seven percent annual rate.  That's down from the Fed's mid-March projection that 2025 would see one-point-seven percent GDP growth.  Analysts say the latest GDPNow forecast is a troubling sign the U.S. economy is weakening faster than expected ahead of new White House tariffs.  

>>Job Openings Slip In February

(Washington, DC)  --  The number of job openings fell slightly in February.  The Labor Department says seven-point-six million jobs were available at the end of the month which is down by about 900-thousand over the year.  The number of job openings decreased in finance and insurance.  Total separations increased in state and local government education along with federal government.  According to the JOLTS report, the number and rate of hires held steady in February.

>>Report: WH Studying Cost Of Controlling Greenland

(Washington, DC)  --  The White House is reportedly looking at what it would cost to control Greenland as a territory.  The Washington Post reports officials are analyzing the expense of providing services for the island's residents.  Sources say the Trump administration is also estimating how much revenue could be gained from Greenland's natural resources, such as rare earth minerals.  President Trump has said he wants to annex Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.  The Post says one plan is to offer more money than Denmark to subsidize Greenland's services.  
 

>>Ahead Of The Bell 

(New York, NY)  --  The opening bell rings this morning after stocks closed mostly higher to end a rocky month on Wall Street.  Markets shook off Monday morning losses in roller-coaster trading as investors remain on edge ahead of President Trump's tariff rollout, or what he's calling America's "liberation day."  At the closing bell, the Dow gained 417 points to 42-001.  The S&P 500 rose 30 points to 56-11. The Nasdaq lost 23 points to 17-299.

>>Trump Predicts U.S. Investments To Soar After Tariffs

(Washington, DC)  --  President Trump is expecting five-trillion dollars in U.S. investments after his tariffs take effect.  On Wednesday, new reciprocal tariffs are set to take effect against Canada, Mexico, China and the European Union.  The White House says that will undo decades of those powers "taking advantage of the U.S."  The tariffs are mainly targeted at car and car part manufactured outside the U.S.

>>Goldman Sachs Says Chance Of A Recession Rising

(New York, NY)  --  Goldman Sachs now puts the chance of a U.S. recession occurring over the next year at 35 percent -- up from its previous estimate of 20 percent.  In a note to investors, Goldman also lowered its GDP forecast and predicted a rise in unemployment.

>>United Airlines Wins FAA Approval For Starlink Internet On Jets

(Chicago, IL)  --  United Airlines will soon begin offering Starlink internet service on its regional jets.  The airline said today it has FAA approval and the first commercial flight of Starlink equipped aircraft is planned for May.  The approval comes as the Department of Government Efficiency is auditing the FAA for cuts.  The head of DOGE, billionaire Elon Musk, also owns Starlink.  United expects to equip more than 300 planes with the technology by the end of the year.

>>Hooters Files For Bankruptcy

(Atlanta, GA)  --  Hooters is filing for bankruptcy in order to enable a buyout led by its founder.  The casual restaurant chain, known for chicken wings and servers' orange shorts, filed on Monday in Texas, hoping to address an almost 400-million dollar debt.  It will sell all company-owned restaurants to a franchise group that is backed by the founders.  The company currently directly owns and operates over 150 locations, with another 154 ran by franchisees, mostly across the U.S.

>>NYSE Texas Now Open For Business

(Dallas, TX)  --  The NYSE Texas opened for business on Monday.  The first company to get a listing was Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social.  The company will be listed as "DJT," as it is on the Nasdaq, where it will continue to be offered.  The New York Stock Exchange says Texas is home to more companies listed on their trading platform than any other state.  They say the Texas companies represent three-point-seven trillion dollars in aggregate market value.  NYSE Texas will soon be facing competition in the Lone Star State, though.  In 2026, the Texas Stock Exchange is expected to come online after they get approval from the SEC, and Nasdaq has announced plans for a regional office in North Texas.  

>>Dodgers Dominate Jersey Sale Rankings

(New York, NY)  --  Shohei Ohtani's jersey is still the most popular in Major League Baseball.  The reigning National League MVP's jersey sits atop the rankings for the best selling jerseys since the end of the World Series in October.  Ohtani is joined by three other Los Angeles Dodgers players in the top ten -- Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.  New York Mets star Juan Soto ranked third while New York Yankees star Aaron Judge took the fifth spot.  The rest of the top ten includes the Mets' Francisco Lindor, the Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, the Houston Astros' Jose Altuve and the Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr.