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VOL. 47 | NO. 6 | Friday, February 3, 2023

‘Super overrated’ or best fast food ever?

Chain offers a sense of time, place that loyal fans eat up

There are no Waffle Houses in California. Should the Southern chain ever expand to the Golden State, would it be received with as much frenzied enthusiasm as In-N-Out garnered when it announced an expansion to Middle Tennessee?

Fresh beef, toppings, simplicity are keys to success

In-N-Out’s menu is sparse. It consists of burgers, a grilled cheese, french fries, sodas and milkshakes.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

Scammers selling houses they don’t actually own

The Greater Nashville Realtors recently alerted its membership of a real estate fraud associated with vacant and unencumbered properties. By unencumbered, they are referring to properties that are owned outright, free of mortgages or liens.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
44.1°F
Overcast
Wind: North at 10.4 mph
Humidity: 68%

EVENTS

Small & Diverse Business Forum. This interactive forum connects small and diverse-owned businesses with major employers and provides insight and guidance from procurement experts. This year’s event will also feature a Lunch & Learn session. Music City Center, Davison Ballroom. Wednesday, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee: $35 (includes parking, lunch and educational sessions). Registration required, deadline to register online, Monday, Feb. 6. Information

more events »

REAL ESTATE

Average long-term mortgage rate falls a fourth straight week

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate declined for the fourth week in a row, a sign of relative stability that could potentially open the door for some prospective homebuyers to get back in the market.

JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE

God’s winning in state’s license plate primary

Tennessee has had its new license plates available for a full year, and one thing is clear: God is kicking some butt.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Big names will be gone as Titans fight salary cap

Every newly hired NFL general manager wants to put his own stamp on the roster. Ran Carthon will be no exception as he comes into his role as the 14th GM in Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans history.

Formers Titans Brown, Kern get Super Bowl shot

The matchup for Super Bowl LVII is now set, and the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Old NFL QB rule could have benefitted 49ers

It has been a long time since something like what happened to the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game has taken place.

UT SPORTS

Former UCF tandem finds gold on East Tennessee hill

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel and athletic director Danny White didn’t technically arrive in Knoxville as a packaged deal. Yet both have seen their values escalate since reuniting on Rocky Top.

NEWSMAKERS

Bass, Berry & Sims elevates 5 attorneys

Bass, Berry & Sims has appointed five attorneys across its offices in Memphis, Nashville and Washington, D.C. to serve in the following leadership roles:

BRIEFS

Gov. Lee to deliver State of the State Feb. 6

Gov. Bill Lee will deliver his fifth State of the State address to the General Assembly and fellow Tennesseans Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. CST.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

The pros, cons of software running your car

Software was a big theme for automakers attending CES 2023 in January. BMW, Stellantis, Volkswagen and a joint venture between Honda and Sony showed off upcoming or concept vehicles that are significantly reliant on computers and code.

CAREER CORNER

Work numbers game to get past automated rejections

Interviewing for jobs is hard. Getting an interview is hard. This is especially true when you don’t know someone already at the company where you’re applying.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Wary of payment apps? Here’s how to use them safely

As a frequent PayPal user, I wasn’t surprised to see a payment request on the app pop up. But when I read it, I knew something was wrong.

BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW

True leadership might not be what you think

You first. March to the head of the line, grab the top plate, raise your hand before anyone else does; you’re not shy about taking charge or being first. Somebody needs to do it, to assume control, to step up and take responsibility.

MILLENNIAL MONEY

Six ways to (finally) move out of your parents’ house

Nearly a quarter of millennials (22%) are living with their parents, and more than half of those living with them (55%) made the move in 2022, a December survey from PropertyManagement.com reveals.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Phil Kessel helps Golden Knights beat Predators 5-1

NASHVILLE (AP) — Phil Kessel, William Carrier and Chandler Stephenson each had a goal and an assist, and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Tuesday night.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee House speaker mulls rejecting US education money

NASHVILLE (AP) — One of Tennessee's most influential Republican lawmakers says the state should stop accepting the nearly $1.8 billion of federal K-12 education dollars that help provide support for low-income students, English learners and students with disabilities.

WEST TENNESSEE

Tyre Nichols documents: Officer never explained stop to him

MEMPHIS (AP) — The officer who pulled Tyre Nichols from his car before police fatally beat him never explained why he was being stopped, newly released documents show, and emerging reports from Memphis residents suggest that was common.

Memphis officer took, shared photos of bloodied Tyre Nichols

MEMPHIS (AP) — Documents released Tuesday provided a scathing account of what authorities called the "blatantly unprofessional" conduct of five officers involved in the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop last month — including new revelations about how one officer took and shared pictures of the bloodied victim.

13 Memphis officers could be disciplined in Nichols case

MEMPHIS (AP) — Thirteen Memphis officers could end up being disciplined in connection with the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, officials said Tuesday, as city council members expressed frustration during a meeting with the police and fire chiefs for not moving quickly on policy reforms following the brutal beating.

COURTS

Trump ex-lawyer Cohen meets again with New York prosecutors

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen said he was meeting yet again Wednesday with New York City prosecutors who have spent years examining the former president's financial dealings.

FTX founder heads to court after judge rejects bail request

NEW YORK (AP) — FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried will head to a New York courtroom Thursday to face a federal judge who said his effort to contact a likely trial witness against him seemed designed so they would "sing out of the same hymn book."

TECHNOLOGY

Investors' query: Can Google answer Microsoft's AI threat?

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google, a company built on finding quick answers to people's questions, suddenly finds itself grappling for a response to a potential threat to its internet empire — a form of artificial intelligence that long-time rival Microsoft is now deploying to attack its dominant search engine.

AI search engines can now chat with us, but glitches abound

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Nearly a quarter-century after Google's search engine began to reshape how we use the internet, big tech companies are racing to revamp a familiar web tool into a gateway to a new form of artificial intelligence.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Another $237M granted to Honda battery plant project in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's privatized economic development office has finalized an agreement with Honda to infuse another $237 million into development of a massive battery plant project that the Japanese automaker plans to use to transform the state into its North American electric vehicle hub.

ENERGY

IEA: Asia set to use half of world's electricity by 2025

BERLIN (AP) — Asia will for the first time use half of the world's electricity by 2025, even as Africa continues to consume far less than its share of the global population, according to a new forecast released Wednesday by the International Energy Agency.

Nevada lithium mine wins ruling; green energy fights rage on

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A U.S. judge has ordered the government to revisit part of its environmental review of a lithium mine planned in Nevada, but denied opponents' efforts to block it in a ruling the developer says clears the way for construction at the nation's largest known deposit of the rare metal widely used in rechargeable batteries.

MEDIA

UK watchdog says Microsoft's Activision deal hurts gamers

LONDON (AP) — Microsoft's stalled $68.7 billion deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard has hit a fresh hurdle in the United Kingdom, where the antitrust watchdog said Wednesday that it will stifle competition and hurt gamers.

Disney cuts Simpsons 'forced labor' episode in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) — Walt Disney Co. has removed an episode from cartoon series The Simpsons that included a reference to "forced labor camps" in China from its streaming service in Hong Kong.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks fall on Wall Street, giving back some recent gains

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell on Wall Street Wednesday, giving back some of their recent gains as uncertainty about interest rates and inflation continues to reign.

Oil major TotalEnergies doubles annual profit to $36 billion

PARIS (AP) — France's TotalEnergies SE doubled its profits in 2022, joining other international oil and gas companies in fattening their bottom lines as high energy prices surged after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Shipper Maersk reports most profitable year, warns of drop

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The world's biggest shipper, Denmark's A.P. Moeller-Maersk, said Wednesday that 2022 was its most profitable year in "the history of the company" but warned that a plunge in container volumes and freight rates would lead to a drop in earnings this year.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Ex-Twitter execs deny pressure to block Hunter Biden story

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Twitter executives conceded Wednesday they made a mistake by blocking a story about Hunter Biden, the president's son, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied Republican assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story.

In new role, Sanders demands answers from Starbucks' Schultz

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders settles into his new role as chairman of the Senate committee that oversees health and labor issues, he says some corporations "should be nervous." And the longtime liberal crusader's first target is Howard Schultz, the interim CEO of Starbucks who has aggressively fought his workers' efforts to unionize.

Biden in State of Union exhorts Congress: 'Finish the job'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden exhorted Congress Tuesday night to work with him to "finish the job" of rebuilding the economy and uniting the nation as he delivered a State of the Union address aimed at reassuring a country beset by pessimism and fraught political divisions.

Biden speech takeaways: More conciliation than conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State of the Union address tends to have a ritual rhythm. Grand entrance. Applause. Platitudes. Policies. Appeals for Unity, real or imagined.

Analysis: Biden confronts doubters with State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden stepped to the rostrum for his State of the Union address at what should be a high point of his presidency. He's repeatedly beaten the odds with a string of legislative accomplishments and a historically strong midterm election where Democrats held the line against Republicans. His steadfast support for Ukraine has won praise. The cloud of the pandemic has lifted.

Biden makes Wisconsin his 1st stop after State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday was headed to Wisconsin, a battleground state he won by the slimmest of margins in 2020, to press his economic message and other themes from his State of the Union address as he prepares for an expected reelection announcement in the coming months.


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans promote Kelly to coordinator, hire 1st female coach

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel has shaken up his coaching staff and announced Tuesday that he promoted Tim Kelly to offensive coordinator from passing game coordinator.

WEST TENNESSEE

13 Memphis officers could be disciplined in Nichols case

MEMPHIS (AP) — Thirteen Memphis officers could end up being disciplined in connection with the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, officials said Tuesday, as city council members expressed frustration with the police and fire chiefs during a meeting for not moving quickly on policy reforms following the brutal beating.

Amid soaring crime, Memphis cops lowered the bar for hiring

MEMPHIS (AP) — Beyond the beating, kicking, cursing and pepper spraying, the video of Tyre Nichols' deadly arrest at the hands of young Memphis police officers is just as notable for what's missing — any experienced supervisors showing up to stop them.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee Gov. Lee proposes $100M for anti-abortion centers

NASHVILLE (AP) — Brushing aside calls to tweak one of the strictest abortion bans in the United States, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Monday unveiled plans to funnel tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to anti-abortion centers as he declared the state had a "moral obligation" to support families.

Roads, parks, tax breaks: A look at Tenn. Gov. Lee's budget

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Monday unveiled a $55.6 billion state budget proposal stocked with cash for roads, state parks, tax cuts for businesses, state employee pay boosts and more.

Full text of Gov. Bill Lee's State of the State address

Thank you very much. Lieutenant Governor McNally, Speaker Sexton, Speaker Pro Tem Haile, Speaker Pro Tem Marsh, Members of the 113th General Assembly, Justices, Constitutional Officers, cabinet members, staff members, friends, family:

MUSIC INDUSTRY

After ticket flap, Springsteen's fan magazine shutting down

NEW YORK (AP) — A magazine and website that has served Bruce Springsteen's fans for 43 years is shutting down, with its publisher writing that he's been disillusioned by the debate over ticket prices for their hero's current tour.

MEDIA

Bertelsmann subsidiary to end, sell dozens of magazines

BERLIN (AP) — German media group RTL Deutschland said Tuesday it will stop publishing 23 print magazines and seek to sell almost two dozen others, affecting about 700 jobs.

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft bakes ChatGPT-like tech into search engine Bing

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Microsoft is fusing ChatGPT-like technology into its search engine Bing, transforming an internet service that now trails far behind Google into a new way of communicating with artificial intelligence.

Google hopes 'Bard' will outsmart ChatGPT, Microsoft in AI

Google is girding for a battle of wits in the field of artificial intelligence with "Bard," a conversational service aimed at countering the popularity of the ChatGPT tool backed by Microsoft.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street rallies after swerving on Fed chair's comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street rallied Tuesday after the Federal Reserve signaled last week's stunningly strong jobs report won't by itself change where interest rates are heading, as some investors had feared.

Fed's Powell: Strong hiring could force further rate hikes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that if the U.S. job market further strengthens in the coming months or inflation readings accelerate, the Fed might have to raise its benchmark interest rate higher than it now projects.

Disney faces losing control of its kingdom with Florida bill

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney's government in Florida has been the envy of any private business, with its unprecedented powers in deciding what to build and how to build it at the Walt Disney World Resort, issuing bonds and holding the ability to build its own nuclear plant if it wanted.

Gallup: Just 2 in 10 U.S. employees have work `best friend'

NEW YORK (AP) — Crystal Powers began a new job remotely in February 2022 as a medical records supervisor. She has yet to meet two of the five people who report to her in person and has found it challenging to bond with her fellow managers online.

UK energy giant BP's profits double to $27.7 billion

LONDON (AP) — British energy firm BP reported record annual earnings Tuesday, fueling demands that the U.K. government boost taxes for companies benefiting from the high price of oil and natural gas after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Boeing plans to cut about 2,000 finance and HR jobs in 2023

SEATTLE (AP) — Boeing plans to make staffing cuts in the aerospace company's finance and human resources departments in 2023, with a loss of around 2,000 jobs, the company said.

Britcoin? UK gets closer to launching a digital currency

LONDON (AP) — Britcoin is moving closer to reality.

Japan games maker Nintendo's profit slips amid chips crunch

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese video game maker Nintendo recorded a slight drop in in profit in April to December as it maintained strong sales of its Switch console games.

Japan's SoftBank logs $5.9B loss as tech investments tumble

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese investor SoftBank Group reported Tuesday that it sank into a deep loss for the October-December quarter, slammed by the global plunge in technology shares.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Congress takes up legislation on federal aviation oversight

Congress began considering critical aviation legislation on Tuesday in the aftermath of recent close calls involving airline and cargo jets at airports in New York and Texas.

Biden aims to deliver reassurance in State of Union address

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is ready to offer a reassuring assessment of the nation's condition rather than roll out flashy policy proposals as he delivers his second State of the Union address on Tuesday night, seeking to overcome pessimism in the country and concerns about his own leadership.

Biden to focus on vets, cancer patients, others in speech

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will outline some new steps Tuesday to go after illegal drugs, help veterans and cancer patients, and provide more access to mental health care.

What to Watch: New political vibes this State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) — Look for new faces and fresh political dynamics as President Joe Biden delivers this year's State of the Union address, coupled with attention to some old problems brought back into painful focus by recent events.

How to watch President Biden's State of the Union address

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to deliver his second State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

White House: Improved surveillance caught Chinese balloon

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials said Monday that improvements ordered by President Joe Biden to strengthen defenses against Chinese espionage helped to identify last week's spy balloon — and to determine that similar flights were conducted at multiple points during the Trump administration.

Balloon bursts hopes for end to spiraling US-China tensions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Monday was supposed to be a day of modest hope in the U.S.-China relationship. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was going to be in Beijing, meeting with President Xi Jinping in a high-stakes bid to ease ever-rising tensions between the world's two largest economies.

State of the Union? Congress doesn't fully reflect diversity

WASHINGTON (AP) — When lawmakers gather for President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, the Republican side of the aisle will look slightly different than it did a few years ago.


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6
STATEWIDE

NOAA report: Tennessee drought plan lacks triggers

NASHVILLE (AP) — Drought affects everything from water quality and public health to ecosystems and infrastructure. But when does a drought become severe enough to warrant water restrictions?

COURTS

Kenya labor court rules Facebook can be sued

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A judge in Kenya has ruled that Facebook's parent company, Meta, can be sued in the East African country.

48 arrested in Europe over encrypted app used in drug trade

BERLIN (AP) — European investigators have shut down an encrypted communication service that was used as a secure channel for organized crime, particularly in the drug trade, and arrested 48 people, German authorities said Monday.

MEDIA

AMC to charge more for good seats in movie theaters

NEW YORK (AP) — Middle seats at many U.S. movie theaters just got more expensive.

Meta to buy VR startup Within after favorable court ruling

A federal judge has sided with Facebook parent Meta and cleared the way for the company to buy virtual reality startup Within Unlimited, the maker of the popular fitness app Supernatural.

National Enquirer, ensnared in "catch-and-kill" is sold

The National Enquirer, the scandal-plagued tabloid that engaged in "catch-and-kill" practices to bury stories about Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, has been sold.

Fox sells out Super Bowl ads: crypto out, alcohol in

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox says it has sold out all of its Super Bowl LVII ad space as of the end of January. The big game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles takes place on Sunday.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Nissan, Renault boards agree to equalize mutual stakes

LONDON (AP) — Automakers Renault and Nissan on Monday formalized their reboot of a relationship that had grown rocky, culminating in the spectacular fall of top executive Carlos Ghosn, who had led successful turnarounds at both companies before his arrest and daring escape.

Tesla hikes price of Model Y after US alters tax credit rule

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla has raised prices on its Model Y in the U.S., apparently due to rising demand and changes in U.S. government rules that make more versions of the small SUV eligible for tax credits.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks slip as worries about high rates weigh on Wall Street

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped again on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% Monday, its second straight fall after a stunningly strong report on the jobs market dented the market's hopes that interest rates would ease.

Retailers try to curb theft while not angering shoppers

NEW YORK (AP) — When the pandemic threat eased, Maureen Holohan was eager to scale back her online shopping and return to physical stores so she could more easily compare prices and scour ingredients on beauty and health care products for herself and her three children.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

White House: Improved surveillance caught Chinese balloon

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials said Monday that improvements ordered by President Joe Biden to strengthen defenses against Chinese espionage helped identify last week's spy balloon — and determine that similar flights were conducted at multiple points during the Trump administration.

What to Watch: New political vibes this State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) — Look for new faces and fresh political dynamics as President Joe Biden delivers this year's State of the Union address, coupled with attention to some old problems brought back into painful focus by recent events.

Biden 2024? Most Democrats say no thank you: AP-NORC poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — A majority of Democrats now think one term is plenty for President Joe Biden, despite his insistence that he plans to seek reelection in 2024.

Balloon bickering over Biden's actions, China's intentions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican lawmakers on Sunday accused China of deliberately surveilling sensitive U.S. military sites with a suspected spy balloon and said the Biden administration had given Beijing an intelligence opening by not downing the balloon during its high-altitude drift through American airspace.

US officials offer Congress briefing on Trump, Biden papers

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have offered to brief congressional leaders on their investigation into the classified documents found at former President Donald Trump's Florida residence as well as President Joe Biden's Delaware home and former private office, people familiar with the matter said Sunday.

Biden's State of the Union to tout policy wins on economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will use his second State of the Union address on Tuesday to remind Americans of how their lives have been improved over his first two years in office, as he tries to confront pessimism in the country and navigate the tricky politics of a newly divided Washington.


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
WEST TENNESSEE

Licenses suspended for 2 fired EMTs in Tyre Nichols death

NASHVILLE (AP) — A Tennessee board on Friday suspended the emergency medical technician licenses of two former Memphis Fire Department employees for failing to render critical care to Tyre Nichols after he took a beating from police that ultimately killed him.

COURTS

Elon Musk listens while vilified, hailed as tweet trial ends

SAN FRANCISO (AP) — As he sat stoically in court, Elon Musk on Friday was both vilified as a rich narcissist whose reckless behavior risks "anarchy" and hailed as a visionary looking out for the "little guy."

Activision settles another workplace suit for $35 million

Government regulators announced Friday that videogame maker Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay $35 million to settle charges that it failed to maintain controls to collect and assess workplace complaints with regard to disclosure requirements and violated a federal whistleblower protection rule.

Judge dismisses lawsuit over TVA's long-term deals

NASHVILLE (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by environmental groups that challenged how the nation's largest public utility signs up local power providers for two-decade contracts.

Gov. Lee appoints Dwight Tarwater to Tennessee Supreme Court

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday announced that he's selected his predecessor's one-time lead legal counsel, Dwight Tarwater, to serve on the state's highest court.

Sorry, not sorry: Some 1/6 rioters change tune after apology

WASHINGTON (AP) — Appearing before a federal judge after pleading guilty to a felony charge in the deadly Capitol riot, former West Virginia lawmaker Derrick Evans expressed remorse for letting down his family and his community, saying he made a "crucial mistake."

AUTO INDUSTRY

Treasury makes more electric SUVs eligible for tax credits

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department said Friday it is making more electric vehicles — including SUVs made by Tesla, Ford and General Motors — eligible for tax credits of up to $7,500 under new vehicle classification definitions.

Ford 4Q profit drops 90%, company says more cost cuts coming

DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. reported Thursday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 90% from a year earlier, leading company officials to say the automaker's costs are too high and to pledge more belt-tightening this year.

Companies pledge millions in fed effort to stem road deaths

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 50 businesses and nonprofits — including rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, industrial giant 3M and automaker Honda — are pledging millions of dollars in initiatives to stem a crisis in road fatalities under a new federal effort announced Friday.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street rally hits wall of hot jobs, cold earnings data

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street's big rally to start the year wilted on Friday after a surprisingly strong jobs report fueled worries about inflation and higher interest rates.

Google, Apple, Amazon give investors reason to fret

Wall Street had its eyes Friday on big tech after some of the biggest companies in the world posted lackluster quarterly financial performances.

Unexpected job surge confounds the Fed's economic models

WASHINGTON (AP) — Does the Federal Reserve have it wrong?

A surprising burst of US hiring in January: 517,000 jobs

WASHINGTON (AP) — For nearly a year, the Federal Reserve has been on a mission to cool down the job market to help curb the nation's worst inflation bout in four decades.

Spanish court: Amazon violated labor law with delivery app

MADRID (AP) — A Spanish court has ruled that Amazon broke labor laws by forcing more than 2,000 delivery drivers to use an app that the company controlled for scheduling work and payments and requiring them to use their own cars and cellphones on the job.

Kansas commits $304M to chip plant to lure federal funds

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas plans to give $304 million in taxpayer-funded incentives to a semiconductor company in its largest city to build a huge new factory, but the project won't go forward without funds the U.S. government has promised for rebuilding the nation's chip-making capacity.

Apple suffers 1st quarterly sales decline in nearly 4 years

Apple on Thursday posted its first quarterly revenue drop in nearly four years after pandemic-driven restrictions on its China factories curtailed sales of the latest iPhone during the holiday season.

Chill pervades China's tech firms even as crackdown eases

HONG KONG (AP) — A grinding crackdown that wiped billions of dollars of value off Chinese technology companies is easing, but the once-freewheeling industry is bracing for much slower growth ahead.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Biden, Cabinet visiting 20 states after State of the Union

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and his Cabinet will embark on a post-State of the Union "blitz" to at least 20 states next week to discuss his economic agenda after his Tuesday night address to Congress, the White House announced Friday.

Chinese balloon soars across US; Blinken scraps Beijing trip

WASHINGTON (AP) — A huge, high-altitude Chinese balloon sailed across the U.S. on Friday, drawing severe Pentagon accusations of spying despite China's firm denials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a high-stakes Beijing trip aimed at easing U..S.-China tensions.

Biden, Black caucus agree on path forward on police reform

WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of the Congressional Black Caucus left a meeting Thursday with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris with an agreement on how to address the issue of policing in America after the recent killing of Tyre Nichols.

US reunites nearly 700 kids taken from parents under Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Biden administration task force designed to reunite children separated from their families during President Trump's presidency has reconnected nearly 700 children with their families, officials said Thursday.

NATO urges Russia to respect nuclear pact with the US

BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO called Friday on Russia to respect the only treaty it has with the United States aimed at keeping a lid on nuclear weapons expansion and urged Moscow to allow on-the-ground inspections of military sites to resume.

Pentagon: Chinese spy balloon spotted over Western US

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down over concerns of hurting people on the ground, officials said Thursday. The discovery of the balloon puts a further strain on U.S.-China relations at a time of heightened tensions.


THURSDAY, February 2
REGION

Winter storm cancels flights, keeps thousands without power

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A mess of ice, sleet and snow lingered across much of the southern U.S. on Thursday as thousands in Texas endured freezing temperatures with no power, including many in the state capital of Austin, but a warming trend was forecast to bring relief from the deadly storm.

STATEWIDE

UT study: Tennessee 10th-most affordable state

The rising costs of fuel, energy, food and housing have put the pinch on consumers across the country. However, even as the U.S. inflation rate surpassed 7% in 2021, prices in Tennessee were still well below national levels.

Tennessee parks offering romantic Valentine's Day dinners

NASHVILLE (AP) — Love is in the air at Tennessee's state parks.

WEST TENNESSEE

7th Memphis officer disciplined, EMTs fired in Nichols death

MEMPHIS (AP) — Two more Memphis police officers have been disciplined and three emergency responders fired in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, officials said Monday, widening the circle of punishment for the shocking display of police brutality after video showed many more people failed to help him beyond the five officers accused of beating him to death.

After Tyre Nichols funeral, Biden faces pressure on policing

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Vice President Kamala Harris was called to the pulpit at the funeral for Tyre Nichols, she said the White House would settle for nothing less than ambitious federal legislation to crack down on police brutality.

COURTS

High court offers bonuses, debt relief to lure police hires

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court police officers last fall staffed a table at Washington's armory, where runners picked up their numbers and T-shirts for the Army 10-Miler road race. The officers were promoting an entirely different kind of competition, seeking to recruit new officers in a tight employment market.

AUTO INDUSTRY

US board clears path for mini-union vote at big Nissan plant

NASHVILLE (AP) — Fewer than 100 employees out of the thousands who work at Nissan's auto assembly plant in Tennessee can hold a vote on whether to form a small union, the federal labor board has decided.

Japan's Honda outlines hydrogen power plans to go green

TOKYO (AP) — Honda is expanding the use of hydrogen to include trucks and construction equipment, electricity for buildings and even outer space, not just cars on the roads.

Ex-aide says Elon Musk had 'handshake deal' for Tesla buyout

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Elon Musk's former chief of staff on Wednesday testified that the billionaire believed he had a "handshake deal" to take Tesla private in 2018 shortly before he tweeted he had the financing for an aborted buyout that is still haunting him in a high-profile trial.

ENVIRONMENT

Biden administration recommends major Alaska oil project

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Biden administration released a long-awaited study Wednesday that recommends allowing a major oil development on Alaska's North Slope that supporters say could boost U.S. energy security but that climate activists decry as a "carbon bomb."

TRAVEL

Biden goes after fees levied for flights, hotels, tickets

President Joe Biden took swipes at airlines and hotels Wednesday as he called on Congress to limit certain extra charges they impose on consumers.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Amazon beats Q4 revenue estimates, but profits slump

NEW York (AP) — Amazon on Thursday reported worse-than-expected profits, but its revenue beat expectations boosted by sales in North America businesses and the cloud-computing unit AWS.

Alphabet posts lower Q4 profit amid ad squeeze, competition

Google's parent company Alphabet on Thursday posted lower profit and a small revenue increase for last year's fourth quarter, as a decline in online ad spending and competition from rivals weigh on the search giant.

Starbucks misses sales, revenue estimates as China falters

Starbucks reported lower-than-expected sales in its fiscal first quarter, hurt by COVID restrictions in China and lower consumer demand in other markets.

Wall Street's rally rolls on, led by torrid tech stocks

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed higher, led by excitement around tech stocks and a surge for Facebook's parent company, Meta Platforms.

US filings for jobless aid lowest since April

U.S. applications for jobless aid fell again last week to their lowest level since April, further evidence that the job market has withstood aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve as it attempts to cool the economy and bring down inflation.

Shell profit doubles to record as war drives up energy costs

LONDON (AP) — Global energy giant Shell said Thursday that its annual profits doubled to a record high last year as oil and natural gas prices soared after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

2 rivals from factory floors facing off in race to lead UAW

DETROIT (AP) — Two men who began their careers on factory floors are competing to lead the 373,000 members of the United Auto Workers, a union that helps set standards for wages across the nation's manufacturing sector.

European Central Bank hikes rates, vows 'we are not done'

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank chugged ahead with another outsized interest rate hike Thursday and vowed more will follow, underlining its drive to subdue inflation even as the economy slows and the U.S. Federal Reserve eases its pace of increases.

Meta posts lower Q4 profit, announces huge stock buyback

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook parent company Meta posted lower fourth-quarter profit and revenue on Wednesday, hurt by a downturn in the online advertising market and competition from rivals such as TikTok.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

How the US is boosting military alliances to counter China

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is expanding it military presence in Asia, in a string of moves aimed at countering Beijing and reassuring Indo-Pacific allies that America will stand with them against threats from China and North Korea.

Biden's handwritten notes part of classified docs probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is a man who writes down his thoughts. And some of those handwritten musings over his decades of public service are now a part of a special counsel's investigation into the handling of classified documents.

House GOP votes to oust Democrat Omar from major committee

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-led House voted after raucous debate Thursday to oust Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the chamber's Foreign Affairs Committee, citing her anti-Israel comments, in a dramatic response after Democrats last session booted far-right GOP lawmakers over incendiary remarks.

Biden's top economic aide leaving White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's top economic adviser, Brian Deese, is leaving his post.

'Daily Show's' Roy Wood to headline White House press dinner

WASHINGTON (AP) — Real and fake news will collide again at this year's White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

After bitter RNC meeting, Democrats look to project unity

WASHINGTON (AP) — A week after bitter divisions dominated a national Republican gathering, Democrats holding their own meeting are eager to showcase just how much they agree on.

Biden urges unity at prayer breakfast under new management

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden delivered a message of unity at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, the first time the annual event has been held since its leadership and structure were overhauled to distance it from a controversial private religious group.

Biden, McCarthy meet face-to-face on debt crisis worries

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met face-to-face Wednesday for more than an hour of highly anticipated budget talks — "a good first meeting," the new Republican leader said — but expectations were low for quick progress as GOP lawmakers push for steep cuts in a deal to prevent a national debt limit crisis.

First sweeping federal gun crime report in 20 years released

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most expansive federal report in over two decades on guns and crime shows a shrinking turnaround between the time a gun was purchased and when it was recovered from a crime scene, indicating firearms bought legally are more quickly being used in crimes around the country.

Joe Biden, Bill Clinton mark 3 decades of family leave act

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is playing host to former President Bill Clinton to mark the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the first piece of legislation that the 42nd president signed into law after taking office in 1993.

House GOP preparing to oust Democrat from committee

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are preparing to oust Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for her past comments critical of Israel, an escalation of tensions after Democrats last session booted far-right GOP lawmakers from committees over their incendiary, violent remarks.

Biden approval steady after document discovery: AP-NORC Poll

WASHINGTON (AP) — More U.S. adults disapprove than approve of the way President Joe Biden has handled the discovery of classified documents at his home and former office, a new poll shows, but that seems to have had little impact on his overall approval rating.

Hunter Biden seeks federal probe of Trump allies over laptop

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer for President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, asked the Justice Department in a letter Wednesday to investigate close allies of former President Donald Trump and others who accessed and disseminated personal data from a laptop that a computer repair shop owner says was dropped off at his Delaware store in 2019.

High-level Kyiv visit aims to deepen EU-Ukraine ties

BRUSSELS (AP) — Senior members of the European Union's executive branch traveled to Ukraine on Thursday looking to boost relations with the war-torn country and pave the way for it to one day join the bloc, but concerns over corruption and democratic deficiencies remain.

Disney's 1Q results fueled by growth at its theme parks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Walt Disney Co.'s latest quarterly results topped Wall Street's forecasts, as solid growth at the entertainment giant's theme parks helped offset tepid performance in its video streaming and movie business.

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