Scientists are studying the possible impact of debris from wildfires on Pacific Ocean
LOS ANGELES (AP) — On a recent Sunday, Tracy Quinn drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to assess damage wrought upon the coastline by the Palisades Fire. The water line was darkened by ash. Burnt remnants of washing machines and dryers and metal appliances were strewn about the shoreline. Sludge carpeted the water’s edge. Waves [...]
Cuts, work requirements considered for Medicaid
WASHINGTON (AP) — To whittle down the federal budget, the GOP-controlled Congress is eyeing work requirements for Medicaid. It’s also considering paying a shrunken, fixed rate to states. All told, during the next decade, lawmakers could try to siphon billions of dollars from the nearly-free health-care coverage offered to the poorest Americans. Weeks before Congress [...]
Crypto industry seeks influence, acceptance
After spending heavily to help elect President Donald Trump and other crypto-friendly lawmakers, analysts say the industry is emboldened, impatient and eager to cement its influence in politics and mainstream financial systems. “Time is critical,” said Ji Hun Kim, president and acting CEO at the Crypto Council for Innovation, at a recent House committee hearing [...]
Southwest slashing 15% of corporate workforce
Southwest Airlines is eliminating 1,750 jobs, or 15 percent of its corporate workforce, in the first major layoffs in the company’s 53-year history. The Dallas-based airline said the job cuts would be focused almost entirely on “corporate overhead and leadership positions,” including senior leadership and directors. Eleven senior leadership positions, representing 15 percent of the [...]
Ohio Senate passes bill banning college DEI programs
COLUMBUS (AP) — A bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Ohio’s public colleges and universities and stripping certain collective bargaining and tenure protections from faculty cleared the Republican-led Ohio Senate last week, over the objections of more than 1,000 students, educators and others. Senate Bill 1 would make schools promise not to influence [...]
Joann moves to close 500 stores amid bankruptcy
NEW YORK (AP) — Struggling fabric and crafts seller Joann plans to close about 500 of its stores across the country, or more than half of its current nationwide footprint. The stores targeted for closing include more than 30 in the Hudson-based company’s home state, and at least six in the Columbus area. The move [...]
Japanese automakers end talks on integration
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi said last week they are ending talks on business integration. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida said the talks had changed focus from setting up a joint holding company to making Nissan into a subsidiary of Honda. “The intent was to join forces to win in the [...]
Number of those seeking jobless benefits falls
Applications for unemployment benefits fell during the most recent period as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending Feb. 8, the Labor Department said. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. [...]