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Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse
Store Closings Surge To Highest Level Since Pandemic: Why 2025 Could Be Worse Retail store closures surged in 2024, reaching their highest levels since the start of the pandemic, a new study said. A total of 7,325 U.S. stores closed in 2024, driven by inflation and an increasing shift toward online shopping, according to retail data firm Coresight Research. The closings marked the steepest decline in brick-and-mortar retail since nearly 10,000 stores closed in 2020. While 5,970 stores opened—the highest yearly number since 2012—closures outpaced openings by a net loss of 1,355 stores.  "Retailers that were unable to adapt supply chains and implement t…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Recall Issued For Popular Cookie Product: Here's What To Know Recall Issued For Popular Cookie Product: Here's What To Know
Recall Issued For Popular Cookie Product: Here's What To Know A popular cookie product has been recalled due to undeclared almonds, posing a serious risk for individuals with nut allergies. D. Coluccio & Sons is recalling its 300-gram packages of "Colussi Cantuccini Chocolate Drops" cookies. The affected cookies were sold nationwide in blue bags with UPC code 8002590006020. The recall applies to the following lot numbers: 3540152 (Best By Date: 15-01-2025) L354150 (Best By Date: 29-05-2025) The issue was flagged by the product’s Italian manufacturer, citing a temporary packaging error that omitted almonds from the ingredient label. No illnesses …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Armed Mass Man Slips Through Capitol Security, Arrested With Gun After Tour: Police Armed Mass Man Slips Through Capitol Security, Arrested With Gun After Tour: Police
Armed Mass Man Slips Through Capitol Security, Arrested With Gun After Tour: Police A man carrying a loaded handgun managed to pass through U.S. Capitol security, tour the Visitor Center, and walk through the halls of one of the nation's most secure buildings before being arrested just outside. James A. Faber, 27, believed to be from Carlisle, Massachusetts, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 21, after Capitol Police spotted him near his parked car on First Street NE, authorities said.  He was carrying a concealed 9mm handgun loaded with unregistered ammunition. Authorities said Faber, who had been flagged earlier as a person in crisis with possible suicidal thoughts, ente…

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by Josh Lanier
Politics
Trump Orders JFK, RFK, MLK Secret Assassination Files To Be Released Trump Orders JFK, RFK, MLK Secret Assassination Files To Be Released
Trump Orders JFK, RFK, MLK Secret Assassination Files To Be Released The declassification and release of all remaining federal records related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been ordered to be released by President Trump, who called it “long overdue” and in the public interest. The executive order, issued on Thursday, Jan. 23, mandates the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to present plans for the release of these secret records. Files concerning the JFK assassination on Nov. 22 1963 are to be addressed within 15 days, while records related …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get? Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get?
Purdue Pharma To Pay $7.4B In Historic Opioid Settlement: How Much Will MA Get? Purdue Pharma will pay more than $7 billion for the corporation's role in fueling the opioid epidemic that has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma reached a $7.4 billion settlement with attorneys general from 15 states on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Sacklers have owned the company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, for decades. The settlement includes $6.5 billion from the Sackler family, with $1.5 billion to be paid immediately, and nearly $900 million from Purdue Pharma. Funds will be distributed to states, local governments, and victims ov…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Grafton Man Fatally Struck Walking On I-90; Police Close Lanes For Hours Grafton Man Fatally Struck Walking On I-90; Police Close Lanes For Hours
Grafton Man Fatally Struck Walking On I-90; Police Close Lanes For Hours A 36-year-old Central Massachusetts man was hit and killed on I-90 in Worcester County this week, police said.  Jayson Bastarache, of Grafton, was struck on the eastbound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 98 around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, Massachusetts State Police said.  Police listed Bastarache as a pedestrian, but a bicycle was found near the crash site and footprints nearby. It's unclear why he entered the interstate.  State Police shut down all but one lane of I-90 for about four hours to investigate and clear the scene. The crash remains under investiga…

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by Josh Lanier
Business
Burn Hazards Cost Fitbit $12M+ After Delayed Smartwatch Recall: CPSC Burn Hazards Cost Fitbit $12M+ After Delayed Smartwatch Recall: CPSC
Burn Hazards Cost Fitbit $12M+ After Delayed Smartwatch Recall: Cpsc Fitbit will pay more than $12 million for failing to promptly report that its Ionic smartwatches posed serious burn risks, officials said. Fitbit LLC, which is now owned by Google, has been fined $12.25 million to settle claims by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 23. The defect caused the Ionic smartwatches to overheat, leading to second- and third-degree burns for some users. Between 2018 and 2020, Fitbit received multiple reports of its Ionic smartwatches overheating and injuring users, the CPSC said. In ear…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Wegmans, Uber Eats To Offer Grocery Deliveries From MA's Five Supermarkets Wegmans, Uber Eats To Offer Grocery Deliveries From MA's Five Supermarkets
Wegmans, Uber Eats To Offer Grocery Deliveries From MA's Five Supermarkets A popular supermarket chain across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic is now partnering with Uber Eats to deliver groceries. Wegmans Food Markets has teamed up with Uber Eats to offer grocery deliveries for customers, Uber said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 23. The supermarket chain based in Rochester, New York, has 111 locations along the East Coast. Uber One members can enjoy perks like free delivery and a five-percent discount on Wegmans orders of more than $35. "We're thrilled to welcome Wegmans to the Uber Eats app this January," said Hashim Amin, Uber’s Head of North American …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For This Corn Puff Product Nationwide Recall Issued For This Corn Puff Product
Nationwide Recall Issued For This Corn Puff Product A nationwide recall has been issued for a popular snack brand. Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. has issued a nationwide recall of its Shirakiku brand Curvee Puffs Corn Puff Snack Curry Flavor due to undeclared milk. The FDA announced the recall on Monday, Jan. 20 after the company discovered the allergen was not listed on the packaging.  This oversight poses a serious health risk to individuals with milk allergies, potentially leading to life-threatening allergic reactions. The affected product is packaged in 2.46 oz flexible bags and bears the UPC code 07441078512, found on the back right…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Jan. 22 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $31M Jackpot Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Jan. 22 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $31M Jackpot
Winning Numbers For Wednesday, Jan. 22 Powerball Drawing With Estimated $31M Jackpot The winning numbers have been announced for the Wednesday, Jan. 22 Powerball drawing. The estimated jackpot is $31 million with a $13.8 million cash option. If no winner wins the top prize, the jackpot will continue to roll until the next drawing at 10:59 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. The winning numbers for Wednesday's drawing were 05-06-27-40-49 with a Powerball of 05 and the Power Play was 2X. Lottery players have a 1 in 292,201,338 chance of winning a Powerball jackpot by matching all five balls plus the Powerball, according to officials. Prizes then range from $1 mill…

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by Zak Failla
News
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
High-End Brazilian Steakhouse Opening New Location On North Shore, Third In MA High-End Brazilian Steakhouse Opening New Location On North Shore, Third In MA
High-End Brazilian Steakhouse Opening New Location On North Shore, Third In MA An internationally renowned Brazilian steakhouse known for its immersive churrasco dining experience, will open its newest Massachusetts location in Peabody, officials said. Fogo de Chão will open its third Bay State steakhouse in 2025, the high-end restaurant chain said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The new location will be at 210 Andover Street near the Northshore Mall. The Peabody restaurant will join Fogo de Chão's existing spots in Boston and Burlington. "We’re excited to be opening our third location in this vibrant community," said Fogo de Chão CEO Bar…

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by Chris Spiker