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Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: CFPB Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: CFPB
Equifax Fined $15M For Inaccurate Credit Scores, Mishandling Disputes: Cfpb One of the nation’s largest credit reporting agencies has been fined $15 million for issuing inaccurate credit scores and failing to properly investigate consumer disputes, officials said. Equifax will pay the fine into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's victims relief fund, the federal agency said in a news release on Friday, Jan. 17. The CFPB's investigation found Equifax ignored critical evidence submitted by consumers disputing inaccuracies in their credit reports. According to the CFPB, Equifax also allowed deleted errors to resurface and relied on flaw…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud
Cash App Users To Get Refunds In $175M Order As Feds Target Fraud Cash App's parent company will have to pay $175 million for poorly protecting its users from fraud and financial crimes on the payment platform, officials said. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Block to refund up to $120 million to users harmed by fraud, the federal agency said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The parent company of Cash App, which has more than 56 million accounts, must also pay a $55 million fine into the CFPB’s victims relief fund. The CFPB found that Block failed to properly investigate unauthorized transactions and deprived users of…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why
Microsoft 365 Raises Prices For First Time In 12 Years: Here's Why The Microsoft 365 bundle price is increasing in the U.S. for the first time in a dozen years as the tech giant adds artificial intelligence tools into longtime products like Microsoft Word. The cost of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions will rise by $3 per month, the company said in a blog post on Thursday, Jan. 16. It's the first price change since the software bundle launched in 2013 under the name "Office 365". Existing subscribers will see the adjustment at their next renewal. "We understand that our customers have a variety of needs and budgets, so we’re committ…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Spirit Airlines Slashes Jobs As It Charts Path Out Of Bankruptcy Spirit Airlines Slashes Jobs As It Charts Path Out Of Bankruptcy
Spirit Airlines Slashes Jobs As It Charts Path Out Of Bankruptcy Spirit Airlines is laying off about 200 employees as the company tries to survive amid bankruptcy proceedings. The budget carrier will eliminate the positions across various departments, a company spokesperson told Daily Voice on Thursday, Jan. 16. The move came as Spirit looks to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which it filed for in November 2024. The layoffs, which follow recent pilot furloughs, aim to align the airline's staffing with its current fleet size and level of flying while achieving $80 million in annual cost reductions. "These decisions are never made lightly, and we are c…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Inspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak: USDA Inspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak: USDA
Inspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak: USDA Inspectors found "general filth," poor sanitation practices, and structural issues at Boar’s Head facilities, including the Virginia plant linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak that killed 10 people and hospitalized 60, according to a newly released USDA report. A detailed report by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has revealed alarming findings at Boar’s Head’s Virginia facility, tied to a 2024 outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that resulted in 10 deaths and 60 hospitalizations across 19 states.  The outbreak, traced to liverwurst products f…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds
Southwest Airlines Sued, Frontier Fined For Chronic Flight Delays: Feds The federal government is suing Southwest Airlines and fined Frontier Airlines, accusing the carriers of illegally operating multiple chronically delayed flights and causing significant problems for travelers. The U.S. Department of Transportation filed a lawsuit against Southwest on Wednesday, Jan. 15, the DOT said in a news release. The suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeks maximum civil penalties against the airline. Federal regulators said they're cracking down on "unrealistic scheduling practices" by Southwest. "Airlines have a l…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Married Couple Set To Open NJ's First Capriotti's, Popular Sandwich Shop Married Couple Set To Open NJ's First Capriotti's, Popular Sandwich Shop
Married Couple Set To Open NJ's First Capriotti's, Popular Sandwich Shop A sandwich restaurant chain that started in the Little Italy neighborhood of Wilmington, Delaware, will soon have its first New Jersey location in Princeton, officials said. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop will open on North Harrison Street in the Princeton Shopping Center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the company said in a news release. The shop will introduce Garden State residents to the chain’s famous sandwiches, including its signature slow-roasted turkey subs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Capriotti's Sandwich Shop (@capriottis…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Crafting Trouble: Joann Declares Bankruptcy For Second Time In Less Than 12 Months Crafting Trouble: Joann Declares Bankruptcy For Second Time In Less Than 12 Months
Crafting Trouble: Joann Declares Bankruptcy For Second Time In Less Than 12 Months Arts and crafts retailer Joann is declaring bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, officials said. Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a Delaware court, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The chain known for sewing and other craft materials said the move will help facilitate a sale to maximize the business's value. Interim CEO Michael Prendergast said the bankruptcy declaration was necessary despite the chain's efforts to drastically improve its financial health. "Since becoming a private company in April [2024], the Board and management team h…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports
Meta To Cut 5% Of Lowest-Performing Workers, Zuckerberg Braces For 'Intense Year': Reports Meta will cut thousands of employees in the latest move for the controversial company that owns platforms like Facebook and Instagram, according to reports. An internal memo sent to Meta workers said five percent of low-performing employees will be terminated, Bloomberg News reported. The company that also owns WhatsApp and Threads has more than 72,000 employees, according to Meta's most recent quarterly report. A five-percent reduction would mean about 3,600 people could lose their jobs. "I've decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low-performers faster,…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, CFPB Suit Says
Capital One Kept $2B In Savings Account Interest From Banking Customers, Cfpb Suit Says The federal government is suing Captial One, accusing the banking giant of deceiving consumers and withholding more than $2 billion in interest payments on savings accounts. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against Capital One and its parent company, the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 14. The CFPB accused Capital One of marketing its "360 Savings" accounts as offering some of the nation's highest interest rates but froze those rates while competitors' rates climbed. Simultaneously, the bank introduced a nearly identical product, "360 …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers
No Coffee, No Bathroom: Starbucks Ends Open-Door Policy For Non-Customers Starbucks is ending its open-door policy, prioritizing access for paying customers and employees. The coffeehouse chain will no longer allow just anyone to hang out in its cafes or use its bathrooms. Starbucks has created a new Coffeehouse Code of Conduct, requiring people to buy something to use the cafe, patio, or restrooms. Starbucks said it hopes the change will improve the overall coffeehouse experience. "We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores," company spokesperson Sam Jefferies said in a statement to Daily Voice. "Implementing a Coffeehouse Code of Conduct i…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings
These Jobs Will Dominate Nationally In 2025, According To U.S. News Rankings U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its 2025 Best Jobs rankings, highlighting the top careers across various sectors to guide job seekers in making informed decisions. For the second consecutive year, the health care sector leads the list, with Nurse Practitioner securing the No. 1 position. The top five jobs for 2025 are: Nurse Practitioner IT Manager Physician Assistant Financial Manager Software Developer These rankings consider factors such as growth potential, work-life balance, job safety, employment rate, and salary.  The prominence of health care and STEM (Science, Tec…

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years
See What Inspired Walmart's First Rebranding, Logo Change In 17 Years Walmart is making a subtle yet noticeable tweak to its logo for the first time in nearly two decades. The retail chain announced "a comprehensive brand refresh" in a news release on Monday, Jan. 13. It's the first logo change for the 63-year-old company since it removed the star between "Wal" and "Mart" in 2008. Walmart said its fresh new look combines a nod to its rich history with a bold, modern design. "Walmart’s brand identity has evolved to reflect what the retailer offers today, while honoring what has always been special about the one-stop shopping destination," the chain …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Tesla Recalls 239,000+ Cars For Rearview Camera Glitch In Automaker's Latest Safety Issue Tesla Recalls 239,000+ Cars For Rearview Camera Glitch In Automaker's Latest Safety Issue
Tesla Recalls 239,000+ Cars For Rearview Camera Glitch In Automaker's Latest Safety Issue Tesla is recalling nearly 240,000 vehicles after a defect was discovered that could cause rearview cameras to fail, increasing the risk of crashes, officials said. Tesla issued a recall for 239,382 cars across its 2023-25 Model X and Model Y vehicles, along with its 2024-25 Model S and Model 3 lineup, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A defect in the cars' computer circuit boards can result in losing rearview camera functionality. The issue violates the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for rear visibility and could compromise dri…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years
AI Workforce Shake-Up: Nearly Half Of Companies Plan Job Cuts Within Years Nearly half of companies worldwide are planning to cut jobs within the next few years as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and automates millions of positions, according to a new global report. The World Economic Forum’s "Future of Jobs Report 2025" outlines the seismic shifts AI will bring to the global workforce, revealing both challenges and opportunities: Job Displacement: The report says 41 percent of companies intent to downsize their workforce globally between 2025 and 2030, particularly in industries reliant on routine and manual tasks such as manufacturing, customer …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Frozen Chicken Product Recalled Over Metal Contamination Frozen Chicken Product Recalled Over Metal Contamination
Frozen Chicken Product Recalled Over Metal Contamination A popular frozen chicken product being recalled due to reports of metal contamination.  Nearly 25,000 pounds of the taquitos may harm consumers, including causing injuries. The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Bestway Sandwiches Inc., a Valencia, California company, is recalling 20-ounce cartons of “Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos.”  These products were produced on July 3, 2024, and Sept. 25, 2024, and have “Best By” dates of 07/03/25 and 09/25/25 printed on the bottom panel.  They were shipped to select ALDI …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says
Cheddar Recall: NJ Distributor Pulls Cheeses Over Listeria Concerns, FDA Says A New Jersey cheese distributor is recalling two cheddar products sold in Massachusetts due to possible listeria contamination, officials said. Abbey Specialty Foods issued the recall for 5.2-ounce blocks of its Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb cheeses, the Food and Drug Administration said. The recalled cheeses have sell-by dates of Monday, June 2. The Fairfield Township, Essex County, company said its supplier Wicklow Farmhouse Cheese reported a potential listeria contamination. There have been no reported illnesse…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture
Game Over For Venu Sports: ESPN, FOX, Warner Bros. Discovery Scrap Joint Streaming Venture Three giant media companies have abandoned their plans to launch Venu Sports, a service that aimed to drastically shake up the streaming industry by bundling many sports channels together, officials said. Venu Sports has officially been discontinued, ESPN said in a news release on Friday, Jan. 10. The massive venture was a partnership between the "Worldwide Leader in Sports," FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The companies released a brief statement announcing the end of Venu Sports. "After careful consideration, we have collectively agreed to discontinue the Venu Sports joint ven…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In NJ Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In NJ
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In NJ Kohl’s announced Thursday, Jan. 9, the closure of 27 underperforming stores, including locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia, as part of its 2025 real estate changes. The closures are expected to be finalized by April 2025 and are part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its store portfolio while adapting to evolving consumer trends. Among the affected locations are stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Pennsylvania Pottstown – 351 W Schuylkill Rd. New Jersey East Windsor – 72 Princeton Hightstown Rd. Massachusetts Stoug…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In NJ Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In NJ
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In NJ Macy’s, Inc. confirmed on Thursday, Jan. 9, the closure of 16 stores across Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland as part of its "Bold New Chapter" strategy. The closures are among 66 Macy’s locations set to shutter nationwide, a move designed to return the company to "sustainable, profitable sales growth." The stores closing in these states include: Virginia Southpark Mall Pennsylvania Logan Valley Mall Exton Square Mall Wyoming Valley Mall Philadelphia Center City Store in the Wanamaker Building New Jersey Essex Green Shopping Center New York Lake Success Melv…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
400+ REI Employees Laid Off, Outdoor Retailer Ends Adventure Travel Program 400+ REI Employees Laid Off, Outdoor Retailer Ends Adventure Travel Program
400+ REI Employees Laid Off, Outdoor Retailer Ends Adventure Travel Program More than 400 employees will lose their jobs as REI closes its Experiences program, ending the adventure travel and outdoor education programs that have been part of the retailer’s identity for 40 years. REI announced the shutdown of its Experiences division in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The decision will result in 438 layoffs for 180 full-time employees and 248 part-time guides as the company shifts focus to its core business. The retail chain cited ongoing financial challenges as the reason for ending the program. Experiences included adventure travel, day to…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Mall Brand Merger: JCPenney Unites With Forever 21, Aeropostale, Brooks Brothers Operator Mall Brand Merger: JCPenney Unites With Forever 21, Aeropostale, Brooks Brothers Operator
Mall Brand Merger: JCPenney Unites With Forever 21, Aeropostale, Brooks Brothers Operator JCPenney is merging with a company that owns several other retailers that have also struggled as malls have declined in popularity across the U.S. The 123-year-old department store chain and SPARC Group have combined to form Catalyst Brands, the new company said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 8. SPARC Group is the operator of stores including Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Forever 21, Lucky Brand, and Nautica. Former JCPenney CEO Marc Rosen will become the CEO of Catalyst Brands, which boasts more than $9 billion of revenue and about 60,000 employees at …

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by Chris Spiker
Business
East Coast Ports Dodge Shutdown As Dockworkers Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal East Coast Ports Dodge Shutdown As Dockworkers Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal
East Coast Ports Dodge Shutdown As Dockworkers Reach Tentative Six-Year Deal Dockworkers and port companies have come to a tentative agreement on a new six-year deal, avoiding another work stoppage that would cause major shipping disruptions along the East Coast. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) announced the tentative agreement in a joint news release at night on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The deal aimed to avoid another potential strike on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The ILA and USMX agreed to extend the current master contract until ILA representatives can convene for a ratification vote and USMX members can final…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Retired Fire Captain's NJ Hot Dog Restaurant Up For Sale After 15 Years Retired Fire Captain's NJ Hot Dog Restaurant Up For Sale After 15 Years
Retired Fire Captain's NJ Hot Dog Restaurant Up For Sale After 15 Years Captain Paul’s Firehouse Dogs, a cherished fixture in Mercer County, has announced it is up for sale after 15 years. Owners Paul and Janice Tweedly shared the news on Facebook on Dec. 28, 2024, citing health concerns as the reason behind the difficult decision. "Had surgery on Monday and doctor said I would have more surgeries upcoming if I didn’t slow down," Paul wrote. "Janice and I can’t thank you enough for your support over the 15 years. All the friendships we have made make this a very difficult decision." Captain Paul’s, located at 2230 Princeton Pike in Lawrence Township, opened it…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart
Health Alert Issued For Popular Chicken Product Sold At Walmart A public health alert has just been issued for a popular frozen chicken product. The product labeled as Chicken Curry Empanadas may contain Apple Cinnamon Empanadas, with milk, a known allergen, that is not declared on the product label, according to US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).  FSIS said it is issuing this alert to ensure that consumers with allergies to milk are aware that this product should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the affected product is no longer available for purchase. The frozen empanada products labeled …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC
H&R Block Fined $7M For Deceptive 'Free' Filing Ads, Must Reform Tax Services: FTC H&R Block will pay $7 million in federal fines for deceptive practices and must implement sweeping changes to its filing services in time for the 2025 tax season, officials said. H&R Block reached the settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 8. The order requires the company to revamp its services and pay $7 million to compensate its customers. The settlement stemmed from a February 2024 complaint accusing H&R Block of forcing users to contact customer service to downgrade products. The tax filer was also a…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Delta Teams Up With Uber, Ending SkyMiles Rewards Partnership With Lyft Delta Teams Up With Uber, Ending SkyMiles Rewards Partnership With Lyft
Delta Teams Up With Uber, Ending SkyMiles Rewards Partnership With Lyft Delta will enter a new partnership with Uber and allow SkyMiles customers to earn rewards on rides, ending the airline's longtime relationship with Lyft, officials said. Delta Air Lines and Uber announced their new partnership at the CES 2025 trade show in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Jan. 7. SkyMiles members will be able to earn miles for eligible Uber riders and Uber Eats orders in the spring of 2025. The heads of the companies shared their excitement about the venture, saying that about 15 percent of all Uber ride bookings either begin or end at airports. "Delta is thrilled to come together wi…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
These Two Girl Scout Cookie Flavors Will Be Retired In 2025: How You Can Buy Them These Two Girl Scout Cookie Flavors Will Be Retired In 2025: How You Can Buy Them
These Two Girl Scout Cookie Flavors Will Be Retired In 2025: How You Can Buy Them If you love Girl Scout Cookies, 2025 is the last year you can buy two special flavors. The Girl Scouts of the USA said that it will retire its S’mores and Toast-Yay! cookies after this season. The organization made the announcement in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 7 as it kicks off the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie season. S'mores cookies were introduced in 2017 and are made by Little Brownie Bakers. Just like the campfire classic, the Girl Scout version has a chocolate and marshmallow filling in between two graham sandwich cookies. The Toast-Yay! flavor was introduced in 2021 an…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
2.5+ Million Teslas Investigated For Crashes Linked To Remote Driving Feature, NHTSA Says 2.5+ Million Teslas Investigated For Crashes Linked To Remote Driving Feature, NHTSA Says
2.5+ Million Teslas Investigated For Crashes Linked To Remote Driving Feature, Nhtsa Says A federal investigation has been launched into more than 2.5 million Tesla vehicles after reports of crashes involving a system that allows vehicles to be remotely controlled through a smartphone app, officials said. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the probe into Tesla's "Actually Smart Summon" system on Monday, Jan. 6. A preliminary investigation report said the auto safety agency was looking into at least four crashes involving Teslas using the self-driving feature. The investigation includes an estimated 2,585,000 Teslas with full self-dri…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says
Meta Drops Fact-Checking Program Ahead Of Trump's White House Return, Company Says Meta is dismantling its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. and aims to bring back political content as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, the company said. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the changes in a video statement on Tuesday, Jan. 7. The company that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, will replace its fact-checking program with a Community Notes system similar to the one implemented on X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg said the new system's goal is to reduce bias and restore free expression. "Fact-checkers have be…

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by Chris Spiker