Business category, Page 53
New York state government to monitor its use of AI under a new law
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York state government agencies will have to conduct reviews and publish reports that detail how they’re using artificial intelligence software under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul. Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after it was passed by state lawmakers this year....
Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices
Sales rose this year during the holiday shopping season even as Americans wrestled with elevated prices for many groceries and other necessities, according to new data. Holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, outpacing the 3.1% increase from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse,...
How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers
NEW YORK — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger...
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high
WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 223,000...
Fueled by anger and caffeine, 200 Starbucks workers strike in Pittsburgh area
In Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood on Tuesday, the sound of holiday songs filled the air outside the closed Starbucks at Forbes Avenue and Atwood Street. But the carolers weren’t fueled by holiday cheer. They were actually striking baristas from various stores in the Pittsburgh area demanding a union contract alongside their...
Walmart, fintech partner accused of illegally opening costly bank accounts for drivers
Walmart Inc. and one of its financial technology partners allegedly opened expensive bank accounts for delivery drivers of the world’s largest retailer without their consent, a U.S. consumer protection agency said Monday. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Walmart and Branch Messenger Inc., claiming they required those in the Spark...
Egg shortage expected to ease in 2025, USDA says
As avian flu scrambles the nationwide egg supply, consumers often face limited availability of the breakfast staple, with shortages expected to persist until mid-2025, according to U.S. agriculture officials. Some supermarkets report empty shelves, and others are rationing purchases to ensure eggs remain available to all customers. Since early November,...
Local business owner joins prestigious Spark 10 for women in manufacturing
A local Black business owner is getting a place on the national stage. Nisha Blackwell, CEO, designer and founder of Knotzland, was nominated by a long-time customer to be part of Recast City’s inaugural Spark 10, which focuses on women in manufacturing — specifically, small business owners with brick-and-mortar retail...
Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group for $6.25 billion
Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal with the industry being squeezed by discount chains and other competition. Public companies are under a lot more scrutiny and if private, the Nordstroms...
The Container Store, buffeted by rough housing market and competition, seeks bankruptcy protection
NEW YORK — The Container Store has filed for bankruptcy protection as the storage and organizational goods retailer with roots dating back to 1978 grapples with mounting losses and cash flow shortages. The Texas company has faced increasing competition from retailers like Target and Walmart at the same time that...
What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for automakers and the industry
BANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance...
U.S. Steel, Nippon, Mon Valley mayors urge Biden to approve $14.9B deal
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States told the White House on Monday it is deadlocked on the proposed $14.9 billion sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel Co., teeing up President Joe Biden to block the deal. The decision, or lack thereof, was first reported by...
Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy
LOS ANGELES — For nearly 40 years, customers flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Now, the go-to shop for everything from cartoon-themed balloons to Super Bowl decor is closing stores. Party City announced Saturday that it would...
From teen CEO to entrepreneur: Lani Lazzari grows Simple Sugars into skincare powerhouse
Entrepreneur Lani Lazzari continues to stir things up in the skincare world. She was just 11 when she began experimenting with sugar and other all-natural ingredients in an attempt to cure her eczema and other related skin issues in the basement of her parents’ Fox Chapel home. Her mother, Gina...
NLRB seeks injunction for striking Post-Gazette newsroom workers
The National Labor Relations Board on Friday requested an injunction in federal court on behalf of striking newsroom workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. If the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals fully grants the request, the Post-Gazette would be required to restore the terms of the expired contract with the...
Starbucks workers plan strikes that could spread to hundreds of U.S. stores by Christmas Eve
Workers at Starbucks stores plan to go on a five-day strike starting Friday to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations with the company. The strikes by baristas and other workers were scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle and could spread to hundreds of stores across...
Tesla recalling almost 700,000 vehicles due to tire pressure monitoring system issue
Tesla is recalling almost 700,000 vehicles because of an issue with the warning light on the tire pressure monitoring system. According to a letter Thursday from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall includes certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The issue is that...
Bargain shoppers in Harrison, Unity and beyond lament Big Lots closure, anticipate steeper discounts
Bargain shoppers across the region said they were disappointed that Big Lots is going out of business. Some were on the lookout for better bargains as the Columbus, Ohio-based chains liquidates its inventory. “We’ll be looking for the 90% sales,” Betty Ferringer said. She’s in the process of moving to...
Lender demands $143M from Station Square owners in mortgage foreclosure suit
The owners of Station Square must pony up nearly $143 million in overdue loan payments or face foreclosure amid a challenging year for the popular tourist spot on Pittsburgh’s South Side. In a lawsuit filed Nov. 4 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, Delaware-based lender Wilmington Trust demanded the remainder...
U.S. applications for unemployment benefits come back down after recent big rise
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell markedly last week following a big increase the week before. Jobless claim applications declined by 22,000 to 220,000 for the week of Dec. 14, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 229,000 analysts were forecasting. Continuing claims, the total...
U.S. economy grows at 3.1% pace in 3rd quarter, an upgrade from previous estimate
WASHINGTON — The American economy grew at a healthy 3.1% annual clip from July through September, propelled by vigorous consumer spending and an uptick in exports, the government said in an upgrade to its previous estimate. Third-quarter growth in U.S. gross domestic product — the economy’s output of goods and...
Harp and Hound Jewelry brings Celtic-inspired designs to Blawnox
A professional metalsmith and jeweler with more than 22 years of custom jewelry experience has opened a studio in Blawnox. Dan Jacko of Verona opened Harp and Hound Jewelry on Dec. 7 at 238½ Freeport Road, the former site of Marlene Harris Collection. Jacko designs and creates artisan and handcrafted...
Amazon workers strike at multiple facilities as Teamsters seek labor contract
Workers at seven Amazon facilities went on strike Thursday, an effort by the Teamsters to pressure the e-commerce company for a labor agreement during a key shopping period. The Teamsters say the workers, who authorized strikes in the past few days, are joining the picket line after Amazon ignored a...
Upper Burrell data center to be company’s ‘U.S. flagship,’ founder says
A new data center in Upper Burrell could hold 3 gigawatts of power — about three times more than the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant can generate — and employ hundreds if plans come to fruition at the vacant portion of the Alcoa Technical Center. TECfusions, a Florida-based data...
Philip Morris boss sees no easy way to keep minors from nicotine
Just a year after he became chief executive officer of Philip Morris International Inc., Jacek Olczak swooped on rival nicotine pouch maker Swedish Match in a $16 billion deal. Olczak wanted the company’s vast U.S. distribution network and popular Zyn nicotine pouches, which are about the size of a chiclet...
