Why Companies May Need One Message, Not Two, After the Midterms
A Fox News opinion piece argues companies risk misjudging Washington if they assume a Democratic Congress means a weakened Trump administration, pointing to data center permitting fights and hotel chain controversies in Minneapolis and Manhattan as cautionary examples.
Wabi on Rose, Venice Beach Sushi Spot, Closes After Six Years
Wabi on Rose, a Venice Beach sushi restaurant known for its pink takeout boxes, has closed after six years, with customers saying they received little to no notice.
US Group Pushes for Tariffs and Contract Reviews Over EU Tech Fines
A Washington advocacy group has launched a campaign urging President Trump to open a Section 301 investigation into EU tech regulations and fines, and to review US federal contracts with European companies.
Starbucks Sued Over ‘Sugar-Free’ Protein Drinks That Contain Up to 21 Grams of Sugar
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Washington state alleges that several Starbucks drinks marketed as ‘sugar-free’ actually contain up to 21 grams of sugar, while Starbucks says the sugar comes naturally from milk, not added ingredients.
New state law raises farmworker minimum wage to $19.75 an hour, Fresno County farmers warn of higher food prices
A new California law raising the farmworker minimum wage to $19.75 an hour has Fresno County grower Joe Del Bosque and farm industry groups warning the added labor costs could push up food prices and even cost jobs.
Bessent and Warren Clash Over Dueling Inflation Trackers
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused Sen. Elizabeth Warren of cherry-picking data in her new inflation tracker, releasing a competing chart that credits the Trump administration with stronger wage growth and lower inflation than under President Biden.
Costco Cuts Peppermint Bark Price to $12.99 After Shoppers Revolted Over Last Year’s Hike
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark is back on shelves at $12.99 for a 21-ounce container at some stores, down from $16.99 last year after shoppers complained about the price hike.
HUD Launches Investigation Into Wells Fargo Over Race-Based Lending Programs
HUD has launched an investigation into whether Wells Fargo’s lending programs aimed at minority homeowners violated the Fair Housing Act, with officials warning the matter could be referred to the Justice Department.
New York Fed Survey Finds Americans Less Worried About Losing Their Jobs
A New York Fed survey released Wednesday found Americans felt more secure about their jobs in September even as they braced for higher near-term inflation and reported worsening views of their own finances.
14 Million Homes Could Hit the Market as Boomers Age, But Starter Homes Will Stay Scarce
A new Realtor.com analysis finds nearly 14 million homes owned by baby boomers and the Silent Generation could hit the market over the next decade, but only a small fraction will be starter homes suited to first-time buyers.
AI Data Center Boom Is Quietly Driving Up Demand for Gold
The buildout of AI data centers and semiconductors is quietly boosting demand for gold, with tech-sector use rising even as prices sit near historic highs, according to the World Gold Council.
Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Will Operate Under New Name: Skydance
David Ellison announced on X that the combined company formed by the Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger will be named “Skydance,” days ahead of the deal’s completion.
China Hits Brazil With 55% Beef Tariff Despite BRICS Partnership, and Lula Stays Quiet
China imposed a 55-percent tariff on Brazilian beef after Brazil hit its import quota, pushing the effective rate to 67 percent, while Brazilian President Lula has raised no public objection to the move by his BRICS partner.
AI Billing Tools Added Nearly $1 Billion to Hospital Costs, Blue Cross Says
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis found AI-assisted medical coding added nearly $1 billion in costs for its health plans between 2023 and 2025, with most of the increase tied to diagnoses that didn’t change patient treatment.
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.