Author: Georgia McKoy

Express Inc., a prominent retailer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  With a network of nearly 530 stores, the company’s decision, announced on Monday, mirrors the widespread difficulties facing the retail industry due to increasing economic pressures. Express to Close Scores of Stores Source: Wikimedia Commons In a major restructuring move, Express will shut down about 95 of its stores and all of its UpWest locations, Forbes reports. The company revealed this in a Monday press release. Details on which specific stores will close remain under wraps for now. Business As Usual for Customers Source:…

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Biden administration’s appeal regarding its ability to regulate ghost guns—those firearms assembled from kits that bypass traditional gun sales channels.  These kits enable anyone to create weapons that are nearly impossible to trace, presenting unique legal and regulatory challenges. Escalating to the Supreme Court Source: Wikimedia Commons The need for Supreme Court intervention came after a lower court rejected the administration’s regulatory efforts.  The high court’s prior decision last August to let the rules stay in effect temporarily illustrates the pressing nature and complexity of the debate. Divided Judicial Opinions Source: Wikimedia…

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently spilled on ‘The View’ that President Biden is practically “obsessed” with lowering gas prices.  Granholm highlighted this dedication amidst concerns over rising fuel costs, indicating a strong presidential focus on the issue. Gas Prices on the Rise, What’s the Plan? Source: sippakorn yamkasikorn/Unsplash With gas prices climbing, ‘The View’ co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin pressed Granholm on the administration’s strategy.  “What is the administration doing to lower those prices, and should we be worried about the conflict contributing?” Griffin inquired, pointing to global tensions impacting costs. Global Markets and Oil Dilemmas Source: Diego Carneiro/Unsplash Granholm responded…

Bank of America is under scrutiny for allegedly discriminating against conservative and Christian groups by closing their accounts.  This action has prompted officials from twelve Republican-led states to demand clarity and accountability from the bank, seeking to understand the rationale behind these account terminations. Growing Boycott Calls Against Bank of America Source: Wikimedia Commons Bank of America is caught in a whirlwind of controversy as boycott calls mount. The issue at hand? Allegations that the bank is closing accounts based on the political views of its customers. Lately, numerous individuals linked to the MAGA movement and the Republican Party have…

Oberweis Dairy, famed for its delightful ice creams and fresh milk, has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a filing in the Northern District of Illinois reveals.  The company’s severe financial strain is evident, with outstanding debts amounting to over $4 million owed to the top 20 creditors. Job Cuts on the Horizon Source: Oberweis/Facebook In a recent WARN filing, Oberweis announced the difficult decision to lay off 127 employees, starting June 11. The bankruptcy news precedes these layoffs, emphasizing the immediate effects on the company’s workforce due to financial turmoil. Deep in Debt Source: Oberweis/Facebook The financial disclosures paint a grim…

Fast-food chains have been hiking up their prices, citing reasons like increasing food costs, labor shortages, and even global events.  As a result, customers are starting to shy away from their usual quick eats, turning instead to either home-cooked meals or dine-in restaurants that seem to offer more for their money. A Sharp Turn in Pricing Practices Source: Wikimedia Commons According to Sara Senatore, a restaurant analyst at Bank of America, there’s been a sharp pivot in how fast-food restaurants handle their pricing.  Normally, prices would tick up by about 2% each year, but come 2022 and 2023, some places…

Fast-food lovers in California have had to start paying more, as prices surged by 7% over just half a year.  This spike in prices is linked to the state’s minimum wage increase to $20 an hour, compelling many fast-food owners to rethink how they run their businesses—from slashing work hours to speeding up the shift to self-service kiosks. Leading the Nation in Price Jumps Source: Wikimedia Commons With the steepest increase in fast-food menu prices nationwide, California is feeling the effects of the minimum wage rise from $16 to $20, which began on April 1.  As Datassential’s findings show, the…

When TikTok user, shannon_montipaya went to a McDonald’s drive-thru in Southern California, she didn’t expect to kick off a nationwide conversation.  Her video showcasing a $25 McDonald’s meal — 40 nuggets and two large fries, but no drink — got people talking. “OK, so it’s $25.39 for 40-piece nuggets and two large fries. You couldn’t even throw in the Sprite?” she quipped, highlighting a surprising lack of beverages for the price. Viral Reaction to McDonald’s Pricing Source: shannon_montipaya/TikTok The video struck a chord, gaining 2 million views as viewers began sharing their reactions and recollections of more affordable times at…

Sheetz, a well-known convenience store chain, is being sued by federal officials.  The lawsuit alleges that Sheetz discriminated against Black, Native American, and multiracial job seekers by disqualifying applicants who failed a criminal background check. The Core of the Controversy Source: Wikimedia Commons Serious allegations have been leveled against Sheetz: the company is reportedly using criminal history to automatically exclude minority job applicants, CNN reports. Triggering a lawsuit under federal civil rights laws, the practice calls into question the fairness of Sheetz’s employment screening. Presidential Visit Amidst Legal Troubles Source: Wikimedia Commons President Joe Biden made a campaign stop at…

Governor Gavin Newsom is stepping up with a significant $200 million in grants, aimed squarely at moving homeless individuals from street life into a stable living environment.  Allocated as part of his broader agenda, the funds aim to tighten state control and boost the effectiveness of local efforts addressing the sprawling crisis of homelessness. Ramping Up Oversight: California’s New Strategy Source: Wikimedia Commons AP News reports that in order to better combat homelessness, Governor Newsom is redeploying 22 experts from a state housing enforcement unit.  Clear in their mission, these experts will assist and vigilantly monitor city and county projects…