Find Your Daily Voice
Potomac
Your Local News for Potomac, Maryland
Tuesday, apr 29
79°
Follow
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Traffic
Real Estate
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Potomac
Follow
Find Your Daily Voice
News
Schools
Business
Obituaries
Police & Fire
Weather
Lifestyle
Politics
Sports
Traffic
Real Estate
Tags
Jobs
Shop
Support Us
Home
About us
All sites
Advertise with us
Contact us
Terms of use
Privacy policy
Code of ethics
Site Map
© 2025 Cantata Media
79°
Tuesday, apr 29
Business
Meta Launches AI App To Compete With ChatGPT: Here's What It Does
Meta released its first standalone artificial intelligence app that aims to compete with ChatGPT. The Meta AI app officially launched in the US and other countries on Tuesday, April 29. The app was built off the company's new Llama 4 model, giving it the ability to respond to voice or text, generate images, and remember personal details. Meta AI connects across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It also serves as the companion app for Meta's smart glasses. Inspired by social media, the app features a Discover feed where users can share how they're using AI and try popu…
Business
Economic Expectations Sink To 14-Year Low As Trump's Tariffs Crush Consumer Confidence
Consumer confidence has continued its sharp decline in 2025 as President Donald Trump's tariffs fueled Americans' pessimism about the economy, jobs, and their own incomes. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index dropped 7.9 points to 86.0 in April, the nonprofit said in a news release on Tuesday, April 29. This marked the fifth straight decline and the lowest reading since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Expectations Index, which tracks views of the next six months, plunged 12.5 points to 54.4 – its lowest level since October 2011. That's far b…
Business
UPS Slashing 20K Jobs As Amazon Deliveries Drop, Trump's Tariffs Bite
UPS will eliminate about 20,000 jobs throughout 2025 as part of a major cost-cutting plan fueled by a decline in Amazon shipments. The Atlanta-based shipping giant revealed the job cuts in a regulatory filing on Tuesday, April 29. UPS also plans to close 73 buildings by June as the company aims to save $3.5 billion by the end of 2025. CEO Carol Tomé said UPS is working to adapt to more difficult economic conditions for shippers due to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. "As a trusted leader in global logistics, we will leverage our integrated network and trade expertise to assi…
Business
Crash Risks From Engine Failure Triggers Massive Recall Of Popular GM SUVs, Pickups
General Motors is recalling hundreds of thousands of SUVs and pickups due to a critical defect that can cause sudden power loss or complete engine failure, according to federal regulators. GM issued the recall for at least 597,630 of some of its most popular vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Thursday, April 24. Auto website Car and Driver has reported that as many as 877,000 vehicles are impacted by the recall. The affected vehicles with 6.2-liter L87 V8 gas engines are from the 2021 to 2024 model years. The recall includes th…
Business
USPS Price Hike Expected This Summer: Here's What To Know
The US Postal Service is proposing a price change that would take effect in mid-summer. If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp would increase from 73 cents to 78 cents starting Sunday, July 13. The move is part of a broader 7.4 percent hike in mailing services outlined in filings by the USPS available to view here. The Postal Service also plans to eliminate marketing mail, commercial, and nonprofit automation basic carrier route categories, citing cost inefficiencies. Additionally, Bound Printed Matter would be removed from the market…
Business
Fake Facebook Ads Promote Bogus ‘Tariff Relief’ Offers, FBI Warns
Scammers are once again turning hot-button headlines into bait — this time with bogus offers of “tariff relief” payments showing up in Facebook and Instagram ads. The fraudulent posts have promised $750 in “tariff relief credit” or as much as $5,600 in “tariff relief benefits.” But the promised payouts don’t exist. Instead, these ads are believed to be attempts to gather personal information or steer unsuspecting users into marketing calls where they could be targeted by spammers. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed that it removed the ads after being alerte…
Business
New Stance On Tariffs By One Of America's Biggest Grocery Store Owners Could Protect Prices
Albertsons Companies is warning its suppliers: don't expect to pass tariff costs on to us, and definitely don't think we'll pass them on to our shoppers. In a letter sent to suppliers in March 2025, Albertsons told vendors that, with few exceptions, it "is not accepting cost increases due to tariffs," according to reporting by BoiseDev. The grocery giant further advised that any tariff-related surcharges added to invoices without prior approval could cause disputes and payment delays. Supermarket News and Grocery Nerd confirmed that suppliers seeking an exception must submit a detailed…
Business
DHL Ends High-Value Delivery Pause As Trump's Tariffs Spark Customs Backlog
A major global shipping company has lifted its pause on high-value shipments to the US after stopping them for a week due to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. DHL has resumed business-to-consumer deliveries for packages with declared values of $800 or more. The company made the announcement in a website update on Monday, April 28. The German shipping giant paused high-value shipments on Monday, April 21. DHL warned customers that the latest tariff-driven rule changes to inspections had overwhelmed its clearance systems, triggering multi-day delays. The re…
Business
Big Lots Reopening 130+ More Stores In Discount Chain's Revival: See The Full List
Big Lots is ramping up its comeback plans under new ownership by opening more than 130 stores, including nearly two dozen in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The discount chain plans to reopen 132 stores across 14 states in May, Variety Wholesalers announced in a news release on Monday, April 28. Pennsylvania (13 stores) and Virginia (10 stores) are among the top states for returning locations. Big Lots will reopen 54 stores on Thursday, May 1, and 78 locations on Thursday, May 15. "The customer response to the newly expanded assortment of fresh inventory and great deals has been overw…
Business
KFC Brings Back Sweet, Savory Favorite After Five Years: Here's What's On The Menu
For the first time in more than five years, a sweet fan-favorite is back on KFC's menus nationwide. KFC is bringing back chicken and waffles on Monday, April 28, the fast-food chain announced in a news release. The sweet and savory pairing features KFC's famous crispy fried chicken, Liège-style waffles, and Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The limited-time return marks the first nationwide offering of the item since its brief comeback in 2019. "We believe chicken and waffles is an American icon, said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, KFC's US president. "Flavorful, juicy and freshly fried s…
Business
Earn Miles On Major Airline With Uber Rides, Food Orders: Here's How
Delta SkyMiles members can now earn miles every time they ride with Uber or order from Uber Eats under a new partnership. The program officially launched on Tuesday, April 22, giving early access to SkyMiles members who had signed up for a waitlist. All other customers can start linking their accounts on Thursday, April 24, according to a news release. The move ends the airline's longtime partnership with Lyft and marks a new chapter for the SkyMiles loyalty program as Delta celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. "SkyMiles membership is about giving Delta's loyal customers more ways to …
Business
Airbnb Just Made Booking Less Annoying: Here's What Changed
Airbnb guests around the world will now see the full price – including all fees before taxes – right in search results. The vacation rental company announced the change on Monday, April 21. Airbnb's optional toggle feature to see full pricing is now standard for all users worldwide. The company said nearly 17 million guests had used the toggle since it launched in 2022. "With the global rollout of total price display, we're making it easier for guests to better understand the price they'll pay, and for hosts to succeed in a more transparent marketplace," Airbnb said. Airbnb first tes…
Business
Dunkin’ Opens High-Tech ‘Next Gen’ Restaurant In Chevy Chase With Cold Brew On Tap
Coffee and donut lovers in Maryland will soon have a new reason to "run on Dunkin’" with the grand opening of its Next Generation restaurant in Montgomery County. The new business is scheduled to host a grand opening celebration on Thursday, April 24, complete with discounted coffee at 8500 Connecticut Ave. in Chevy Chase. The 1,500-square-foot restaurant now employs 12 crew members and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be operated by local franchisee Jesse Luis, who will also be on hand for the celebration on Thursday morning. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is expected to be h…
Business
Uber One Trapped Users In Subscriptions They Didn't Want, FTC Claims In Lawsuit
Uber promised convenience, but federal regulators say the company trapped users in subscriptions they never asked for and made it nearly impossible to leave. The Federal Trade Commission accused Uber of secretly enrolling customers in its Uber One program, which launched in 2021. The FTC filed the lawsuit and announced it on Monday, April 21. The agency said Uber charged customers before trials ended, and buried cancellation behind up to 32 steps – despite a "cancel anytime" pledge. "Americans are tired of getting signed up for unwanted subscriptions that seem impossible to …
Business
Tesla Accused Of Rigging Odometers As Stock Plummets, Musk Calls Lawsuit 'Idiotic'
Tesla is facing more legal trouble as a lawsuit accuses the controversial automaker of inflating odometers to end vehicles' warranty coverage early. The class action lawsuit claims Tesla manipulates mileage readings on its electric vehicles to show longer distances than were actually driven, potentially reducing or avoiding costly repairs. The suit was originally filed in California in February. The 30-page filing says the odometer system used in Teslas doesn't measure physical distance directly. Instead, the complaint claims it relies on predictive algorithms and data like energy usag…
Business
Major Shipping Company Halts High-Value US Deliveries Due To Trump's Tariff Rules
A major global shipping company will stop delivering high-value consumer packages to the US as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs trigger customs delays. DHL is pausing business-to-consumer deliveries to the US with declared values over $800 on Monday, April 21, the company said. The German shipper cited a surge in customs backlogs caused by new federal rules linked to Trump's trade wars. The impact of Trump's policies has overwhelmed DHL's clearance systems, triggering multi-day delays across the shipping network. "This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearanc…
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For Mushrooms Over Listeria Fears
Shoppers across the country are being urged to check their fridges following a health alert tied to a popular grocery item. A mushroom product sold in stores nationwide is being recalled over concerns it could carry a potentially dangerous bacteria. The warning, issued this week, advises consumers to take immediate action if they have recently purchased a certain package of mushrooms linked to possible contamination. Harvest NYC Inc, based in Brooklyn, has announced a recall of its 200-gram packages of Enoki Mushrooms due to the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Th…
Business
These Jobs Could Disappear Due To AI, Experts Say
As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, Americans and experts alike are bracing for major disruption in the workplace—but which jobs could vanish in the process? A new report from the Pew Research Center, published on Thursday, April 3, reveals a striking consensus among both US adults and AI experts: cashiers are among the likeliest occupations to be displaced by artificial intelligence over the next two decades. Roughly three-quarters of respondents in both groups expect AI to lead to fewer cashier jobs in the US by 2045. More than half also foresee job losses among factory wo…
Business
NBA Star Al Harrington Expands Cannabis Empire With New Maryland Dispensary Ahead Of 4/20
He dominated on the court—and now NBA veteran Al Harrington is lighting up the cannabis industry with another major move. Harrington, the former first-round draft pick who spent 16 seasons in the NBA, is bringing his award-winning Viola cannabis brands to Maryland, teaming up with Curio Wellness to launch a new Far & Dotter dispensary—the latest in a growing list of sleek retail outposts popping up across the country under his watch. Since launching Viola in 2011—named after his grandmother, who turned to cannabis for relief from glaucoma—Harrington has built the company into one of the…
Business
Volvo Slashing Up To 100 MD Jobs As Trump's Tariffs, Low Demand Rattle Automakers
Up to 800 workers are being laid off at Volvo plants across the mid-Atlantic as concerns grow about the US auto industry due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. Volvo Group North America will lay off 550 to 800 employees, a company spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Voice on Friday, April 18. The layoffs will happen at plants in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The Swedish automaker cited the need to adjust to worsening economic conditions. "Heavy-duty truck orders continue to be negatively affected by market uncertainty about freight rates and demand, possible regulatory chang…
Business
Here's What’s About To Cost More As Trump's China Tariffs Target Popular US Imports
Smartphones, shoes, toys, and cookware are just a few of the Chinese-made goods that could soon cost more as the Trump administration ramps up its trade war with China. A new Washington Post analysis highlights the impact of rising tariffs on consumer products widely used across the United States. China is the second-largest exporter of goods to the US, shipping nearly $439 billion in products last year. That includes a wide range of items found in everyday homes—many of which are now directly in the tariff crosshairs. Among the top targets: Smartphones ($41.3B in imports), …
Business
Switch 2 Preorder Date Set After Nintendo Hit Pause Over Trump's Tariffs: See What Costs More
Preorders will soon begin for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 console, but gamers playing as Mario and Luigi may need to spend a few more coins due to President Donald Trump's tariffs. Nintendo will open preordering on Thursday, April 24, the video game giant said in a news release on Friday, April 18. The release date of Wednesday, June 5, remains unchanged. The original Switch 2 preorder date was originally Wednesday, April 9. It was delayed two weeks in the wake of Trump's "liberation day" announcement. While the Switch 2 will still start at $449.99, Trump's tariffs will drive …
Business
Capital One's $35B Merger With Discover Approved: Here's What Customers Should Know
Capital One's $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover received its final approval, clearing the way for a megamerger that reshapes the credit card and payments industry. The Federal Reserve's board approved the deal on Friday, April 18. The merger brings together two of the country's top credit card issuers, giving Capital One control of Discover's global payments network of 70 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries. The acquisition – first announced in February 2024 – is expected to close Sunday, May 18, the companies said in a joint news release. "This is an exciting mo…
Business
Man Opens Fire On Montgomery County Dick’s Sporting Goods After Shoplifting Ejection: Police
He didn’t just leave angry — he came back with a gun. A suspected shoplifter in Maryland is behind bars days after allegedly firing several rounds into a Dick’s Sporting Goods just hours after store staff booted him for concealing merchandise, according to Montgomery County Police. Damonne Antonio Shayne Martin, 23, of Silver Spring, was arrested on Tuesday, April 15 — eight days after the shooting at the store in the 11100 block of Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. Officers were called to the scene around 9 p.m. Monday, April 7, for reports of shots fired at the popular sporting goods chain.&nb…
Business
Spirit Airlines Hires New CEO From Competitor After Flying Out Of Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines is bringing in new leadership to guide its economic reroute after emerging from bankruptcy and shedding nearly $800 million in debt. Dave Davis will take over as Spirit's new president and CEO starting Monday, April 21, the company said in a news release. Since December 2019, Davis has been the president of fellow budget carrier Sun Country Airlines. Davis will also join Spirit's board of directors. "We're excited to welcome Dave as Spirit's new president and CEO," Spirit's board chair Robert Milton said. "He brings with him a wealth of experience and a solid track rec…
Business
Google Gained 'Monopoly Power' With Online Ad Technology, Judge Rules
A federal judge ruled that Google illegally cornered the online advertising market by linking its tools together to block out competition, a major win in a broader antitrust crackdown on Big Tech. The ruling found Google liable for willfully using a series of "anticompetitive acts" to dominate how digital ads are placed across the internet. The decision was handed down in federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday, April 17. In her decision, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema said Google's ad technology blocked out competitors and hurt consumers. "For over …
Business
Taco Bell Sensation That Sold Out Fast Returns To Menu – And This Time, It's Staying
Something crispy is coming back to Taco Bell – and this time, it's not just a limited drop. Taco Bell is bringing back its highly popular Crispy Chicken Nuggets, the fast-food chain said in a news release on Thursday, April 17. After quickly selling out when they launched in December 2024, the nuggets will be available again starting Wednesday, April 24. The popular item's return marks the first step in Taco Bell's broader plan to make crispy chicken – beyond just nuggets – a permanent part of its menu by 2026. "We're a taco place doing chicken our own way and like all our best moments, it…
Business
Company Selling Toilet Paper, Napkins At Major Retailers Files For Bankruptcy
A large supplier of paper goods sold at nationwide chains has declared bankruptcy. Royal Paper has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to help sell its business to Sofidel America, the company announced in a news release on Tuesday, April 8. Royal offers products at many retailers, including Aldi, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods. The Phoenix-based company has signed an asset purchase agreement with Sofidel, a global paper manufacturer, which would take over most of Royal's assets through a court-supervised auction process. "Our team has been working diligently to strengthen …
Business
Panic Buying Shrinks US Vehicle Supply As Trump's Tariffs Set Up Summer Price Hikes
The US supply of new and used vehicles is quickly declining after car shoppers rushed to make purchases before President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs shook the auto industry, setting the stage for a costly summer. New-vehicle stock fell to 2.69 million units by Tuesday, April 1, according to auto data company Cox Automotive. That was down 10.2% from the start of March and 2.4% lower than the same time in 2024. Buyers flooded showrooms in the final week of March, driven by seasonal trends and fears of price hikes tied to Trump's rapidly changing tariffs. "With import tariffs no…
Business
Score Free Chipotle To Celebrate Start Of NHL Playoffs: Here's How
Whether you're a diehard fan or you just enjoy rocking a fashionable hockey sweater, you can welcome the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a deal at Chipotle. To mark the beginning of the chase for "Lord Stanley's Cup," Chipotle is allowing some customers to get a free meal just by wearing a hockey jersey. Anyone in a jersey can buy one entrée in-store and get another for free after 3 p.m. on Monday, April 21. The offer is good at any participating Chipotle location in the US or Canada. "Our Hockey Jersey BOGO offer, back for the fifth consecutive year, has become a yearly t…
Business
Beer-Infused Pringles Bringing Miller Lite's Taste, Summer Cookout Flavors To Snack Aisles
A new collaboration between a potato snack and a beer is aiming to be the flavor of the summer. Pringles and Miller Lite are teaming up to launch a pair of bold new flavors of the potato crisps: Beer Can Chicken and Grilled Beer Brat. Kellanova, the company that owns Pringles, announced the grill-season partnership in a news release on Wednesday, April 16. The crispy snacks promise to pack in the flavors of backyard cookouts. "At Pringles, we're dedicated to bringing new, unexpected flavors that both surprise and satisfy our fans' cravings to the market, no matter the occasion," …
Next Page
Archive
79°
