Seattle’s Minimum Wage Set to Hit $22.14 an Hour in 2027 as Downtown Vacancies and Job Postings Slide
Seattle’s minimum wage will rise to $22.14 an hour in 2027, a record high nationally, as the city grapples with restaurant closures, falling job postings and rising downtown office vacancies.
Consumer Confidence Hits Lowest Point Since 2014 as Gas Prices Bite
The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 81.9 in September, its lowest level since 2014, as surging fuel costs and inflation worries dragged down Americans’ views of the economy, jobs and their own finances.
IRS Rolls Out New Mobile App as Workforce Shrinks by Nearly a Third
The IRS has launched a new mobile app offering payments, refund tracking and identity verification, even as the agency’s workforce has shrunk by about 30 percent and phone wait times have grown longer.
TikTok to Pay Alabama at Least $100 Million to Settle Child Safety Lawsuit
TikTok has agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and roll out new child safety features to settle a lawsuit over addictive platform design, just days before a scheduled trial in Montgomery.
Texas Factories Report Sharp Jump in Output and Orders for September
Texas manufacturers reported a sharp jump in output, new orders and hiring in September, according to the Dallas Fed’s monthly survey, even as rising costs and mixed sentiment tempered the outlook.
US and China Agree to Cut Tariffs on $30 Billion in Goods After Trump-Xi Summit
The U.S. and China have agreed to lower tariffs on $30 billion in goods traded between the two countries following a Trump-Xi summit in Washington, though full details of the deal won’t be released until Monday.
US and China Agree to Cut Tariffs on $30 Billion in Goods, Beijing to Buy American Coal
The U.S. and China agreed to cut tariffs on $30 billion in goods after a Trump-Xi summit, with Beijing also committing to buy 20 million metric tons of American coal over 2027 and 2028.
Bolivia’s New President Says Country Is Moving Past Socialism, Courting U.S. Investment
Bolivia’s President Paz says the country is moving away from nearly 20 years of socialist governance, pointing to rebuilt currency reserves and warmer relations with Washington while pledging that opening the economy will not mean giving away its natural resources.
Seattle Defense Startup Lands $20 Million Marine Corps Contract for Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Seattle company Overland AI has won a roughly $20 million Marine Corps contract to build fully autonomous ground vehicles for ammunition resupply and logistics, with delivery targeted for early 2027.
Rising Interest Rates Are Testing Washington’s Ability to Pay Its Debts
Long-term interest rates have climbed past levels the Congressional Budget Office projected for the entire coming decade, intensifying warnings from economists across the political spectrum about a potential federal fiscal crisis.
Record Beef Prices Push Trump Administration to Target Regulations Blamed for Squeezing Ranchers
Record ground beef prices have prompted new Trump administration executive orders aimed at cutting regulatory barriers that critics say make it harder for American ranchers to compete than for foreign beef importers.
Ken Griffin’s Helipad Plan for Miami Beach Marina Draws Fire From Condo Residents
Leaders of eight luxury condo buildings along Biscayne Bay are pushing Miami Beach officials to block Ken Griffin’s plan for a personal helipad at his private marina, despite assurances his helicopter is unusually quiet.
Opinion Piece Argues NEPA Permitting Rules Are Choking U.S. Manufacturing
An opinion column argues that outdated federal permitting rules under the National Environmental Policy Act are driving up costs and delays for American manufacturers, and calls on Congress to enact reforms.
Georgia Cattle Farmer Says Shrinking Herds Are Reshaping America’s Beef Supply
U.S. beef production and cattle slaughter numbers dropped sharply in 2026 as Georgia farmer Will Harris says years of unprofitable prices have driven farmers to shrink their herds rather than expand them.
Anthropic Confirms It’s Running a Biology Wet Lab Alongside Its AI Safety Warnings
Anthropic, which has warned repeatedly that AI could pose an existential threat, has confirmed it runs a biology wet lab as part of a growing life sciences push that includes partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies.
How a Rejected $8 Million Deal Still Made Kobe Bryant Hundreds of Millions
Sports media veteran Darren Rovell says a rejected $8 million investment in KRAVE Beef Jerky cost Kobe Bryant a $23 million payday, but the missed deal led directly to a $444 million windfall from BodyArmor.
FAA Proposal Would Override California’s Meal-Break Rules for Flight Attendants
A proposed FAA rule would let federal standards override state meal and rest-break laws for flight attendants, including California’s, drawing opposition from flight attendant unions even as an aviation consultant defends the plan on safety grounds.
Springfield-born Friendly’s shrinks to 87 restaurants, but expert says the brand isn’t done yet
Friendly’s, the ice-cream chain founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1935, has shrunk from about 850 locations to 87 across 11 states, though a marketing professor says the brand still has room to rebound.
Sen. Rick Scott Touts ‘Rescuing America’ Plan, Calls for Balanced Budget and End to ‘Socialism’
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) outlined his ‘Rescuing America’ economic plan on Breitbart News Daily, calling for a balanced budget and criticizing what he termed ‘socialism’ while touting record median household income figures.
Hawley Moves to Strip Tax Break That’s Fueling Data Center Boom
Sen. Josh Hawley plans to introduce a bill barring data centers from using an Opportunity Zone tax break, arguing tech companies are treating a program meant for low-income communities as corporate welfare.
Fed Raises Rates for First Time Since 2023, Raising Political Stakes Before Midterms
The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time since 2023 to fight persistent inflation, a move that carries real costs for consumers and political risks for Republicans heading into the midterms.
Kalshi Offers Trading Bonus Ahead of Bills-Lions Thursday Night Matchup
Kalshi is offering new users a $25 trading bonus with promo code NYPMAX ahead of Thursday’s Bills-Lions game, the first “Thursday Night Football” contest at Highmark Stadium.
Loudoun County Homeowners Save Nearly $6,000 a Year Thanks to Data Centers, Tax Group Says
A Tax Foundation analysis finds Loudoun County homeowners save roughly $5,800 a year in property taxes thanks to data center development, even as the industry’s growth fuels national debate over electricity costs and infrastructure strain.
Fed Raises Rates for First Time in Three Years, Citing Persistent Inflation
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate a quarter point Wednesday, its first hike in three years, as officials cited persistent inflation and a resilient economy.