Fair 15°
Business
Catch 'Em All: Pokémon Cards Return To McDonald's In New Happy Meals Catch 'Em All: Pokémon Cards Return To McDonald's In New Happy Meals
Catch 'Em All: Pokémon Cards Return To McDonald's In New Happy Meals For those who want to be the very best like no one ever was, McDonald's may be the place to go in early 2025. McDonald's officially launched a new Happy Meal partnership with Pokémon on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the fast food chain announced in a news release. The nationwide promotion includes exclusive trading cards, digital rewards, collectibles, and fun activities. Each Happy Meal contains a Pokémon Trading Card Game booster pack featuring four of 15 collectible cards, a Pokémon-themed poster, and a sticker sheet to decorate the poster, The Pokémon Company said. "There's nothing more excit…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
'Wawa Has Disgusting Pizza:' Portnoy Pitches Ad Idea Outside Gas Station 'Wawa Has Disgusting Pizza:' Portnoy Pitches Ad Idea Outside Gas Station
'Wawa Has Disgusting Pizza:' Portnoy Pitches Ad Idea Outside Gas Station Following a series of mostly positive pizzeria reviews in Maryland, things took a turn for Dave Portnoy during a visit to Wawa in Anne Arundel County. "One Bite" was pretty much all the Barstool CEO needed before giving Wawa in Glen Burnie a 2.8 out of 10 while musing that he was once considered for an advertising campaign with the company (instead turned to cast members from the "Jersey Shore"). @djpaulyd Wawa Has Pizza 🍕 #wawapartner ♬ original sound - djpaulyd After having to wait until 4 p.m., when Wawa begins serving pizza, much to El Presidente's chagrin, Portnoy had a pitc…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
Splitting A Flight: Venmo Payments Now Accepted For Bookings On This Airline Splitting A Flight: Venmo Payments Now Accepted For Bookings On This Airline
Splitting A Flight: Venmo Payments Now Accepted For Bookings On This Airline An app used by many to pay back friends for meals or event tickets has another new purpose: booking a flight. JetBlue now accepts payments through Venmo for flights, the airline said in a news release on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The company also said it's the first airline to accept Venmo payments for airfare. The option is currently only available on JetBlue.com but will be on the mobile app "in the coming months." "We're continually looking for ways to make it easier to book a JetBlue flight on our website and mobile app," said Carol Clements, JetBlue's chief digital and technology officer. "Ad…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
18K+ Costco Workers Approve Strike Over Wholesaler's 'Greed': 'We Are The Backbone' 18K+ Costco Workers Approve Strike Over Wholesaler's 'Greed': 'We Are The Backbone'
18K+ Costco Workers Approve Strike Over Wholesaler's 'Greed': 'We Are The Backbone' Workers at America's largest wholesale retailer may soon go on strike as the corporation has seen profits skyrocket in recent years, union officials said. Costco workers nationwide voted by an overwhelming 85-percent margin to authorize a strike, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said in a news release on Monday, Jan. 20. The Teamsters cited the retail giant's dramatic surge in net profits and refusal to offer a fair contract. More than 18,000 union-member employees are set to strike if a new agreement isn't reached by the time the current one expires on Friday, Jan.…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown
Rise In Food Prices Goes Beyond Eggs: Here’s Rundown Eggs are not the only food product seeing a sharp increase in prices. December grocery prices were nearly 28 percent higher than five years ago, reflecting how much harder families are finding it to manage their everyday expenses, The Wall Street Journal reports.  According to Labor Department data, grocery prices surged 1.8 percent year-over-year in December, marking the fastest increase in over a year, The trend started just after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, mainly due to pandemic-related supply chain issues. According to a Trace One analysis of US Bureau of Labo…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Walgreens Knowingly Filled Millions Of Prescriptions Lacking Legit Medical Purpose, DOJ Says Walgreens Knowingly Filled Millions Of Prescriptions Lacking Legit Medical Purpose, DOJ Says
Walgreens Knowingly Filled Millions Of Prescriptions Lacking Legit Medical Purpose, DOJ Says The Justice Department has filed a nationwide lawsuit against Walgreens, alleging the pharmacy chain filled millions of prescriptions without legitimate medical purposes, particularly involving dangerous opioid combinations, over more than a decade. Filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the civil complaint contends Walgreens violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and False Claims Act (FCA) by dispensing prescriptions despite clear red flags and seeking federal reimbursements for these drugs. “This lawsuit seeks to hold Walgreens accountable for the many…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Inside Electric Bull: Chef Behind Popular Taco Spot Brings Steakhouse To Virginia Hometown Inside Electric Bull: Chef Behind Popular Taco Spot Brings Steakhouse To Virginia Hometown
Inside Electric Bull: Chef Behind Popular Taco Spot Brings Steakhouse To Virginia Hometown An award-winning chef is coming back home to bring a new steakhouse in Virginia. Chef Victor Albisu, the man behind the wildly popular Taco Bamba, is bringing Electric Bull, a boutique steakhouse, to his hometown this summer, doors down from Taco Bamba, the "cult favorite taqueria and mezcal bar." Taco Bamba Google Maps street view The new location will open at 176 Maple Ave. in Vienna this summer. "Electric Bull will build on Albisu’s legacy as an award-winning steakhouse chef as the former executive chef of BLT Steak and the chef/owner of Del Campo, his Argentine grill named…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
nspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At VA Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak: USDA nspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At VA Boar’s Head Plant Tied To Deadly Listeria Outbreak: USDA
nspectors Found ‘General Filth’ At VA 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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
Winning $1M 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Wegmans In Fredericksburg Winning $1M 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Wegmans In Fredericksburg
Winning $1M 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Wegmans In Fredericksburg No one took home the $285 million Powerball jackpot on Monday, but one lucky lotto player in Virginia cashed in on a seven-figure prize sold at an area grocery store. Officials say that a second-tier winning ticket worth a whopping $1 million prize was sold at the Wegmans on Carl D. Silver Parkway in Fredericksburg, the largest win out of thousands statewide starting at $4.  The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Monday, Jan. 13 were 04-06-16-39-66 with a Powerball of 09 and the Power Play multiplier was X2.  With no winner, the jackpot will roll to $303 …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
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…

SHARE

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,…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
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…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Business
'One-Of-A-Kind' Development Opportunity In Prime I-270 Location Heading To Auction 'One-Of-A-Kind' Development Opportunity In Prime I-270 Location Heading To Auction
'One-Of-a-kind' Development Opportunity In Prime I-270 Location Heading To Auction A highly sought-after 2.09-acre parcel of land with unmatched visibility along I-270 is set to hit the auction block on in the coming days.  Located off Exit 8 at Redland Road in Rockville, Maryland, this property is a developer’s dream, offering extensive frontage in one of the busiest and most lucrative corridors in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Boasting Mixed-Use Employment (MXE) zoning, the site allows for a wide range of potential uses, including hotels, restaurants, retail stores, medical or dental facilities, offices, indoor entertainment, and private education centers.…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In VA Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In VA
Kohl’s Closing 27 Stores Across The US Including In VA 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…

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Business
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In VA Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In VA
Macy’s Closing 66 Stores Including Locations In VA 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…

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Business
Portnoy’s Latest DMV Pizza Review Brings Surprises With Every Bite Portnoy’s Latest DMV Pizza Review Brings Surprises With Every Bite
Portnoy’s Latest DMV Pizza Review Brings Surprises With Every Bite Dave Portnoy’s ongoing tour of Maryland pizzerias continues to serve up surprises, and his latest stop at Matthew’s Pizza in Baltimore was no exception. Barstool Sports' El Presidente has been posting daily reviews recently, highlighting some of his stops at eateries across the state, which has featured some highs, and some lows for both he and the restaurant owners. His latest stop brought him to Matthew's Pizza, which has been a staple on Eastern Avenue in Baltimore for nearly a century. "So we've been on this Baltimore trip, but I've been confused ... It hasn't felt like we've been in t…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
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…

SHARE

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 …

SHARE

by Chris Spiker