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VOL. 45 | NO. 19 | Friday, May 7, 2021

What now for retailers?

Consumers say they want to buy in-person but have grown used to delivery convenience

When Tennessee communities shuttered in March 2020, small businesses with a model that relies on heavy in-person traffic – restaurants, retail stores, etc. – were hit particularly hard. Now some of them are cautiously pursuing more normal operations and putting into place the hard lessons learned over the last 13 months.

JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE

As other states legalize weed, Tennessee passes to right

What are the chances Tennessee will become the first Southern state to legalize marijuana for recreational use? Trick question! The answer, technically, is zero, because Virginia has already taken that step.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

Congratulations, your home sale has fallen through

The negative side of the current residential real estate market, other than the fact that, on average, 90% of the offers that are submitted are rejected, is that an inordinately number of the accepted offers are eventually terminated.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
41.0°F
Overcast
Wind: Southwest at 4.6 mph
Humidity: 47%

EVENTS

IBC Insider Series: Support for TN Exporters and using Hong Kong as a Gateway to Asia. The Nashville Chamber’s International Business Council in partnership with Baker Donelson hosts the IBC Insider Series. Learn more about the support offered to Tennessee exporters and ways to enter the Asia market via Hong Kong. Panelists include: Leslee Alexander, Tennessee International Trade Center; Brie Knox, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce; Bridget Lee, Hong Kong Trade and Development Council; and John Scannapieco, Baker Donelson (moderator). Join online or by phone. Wednesday, 9-10 a.m. Information

more events »

REAL ESTATE

Davidson County real estate trends for April 2021

April 2021 real estate trends for Davidson County, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

US average mortgage rates down slightly; 30-year at 2.96%

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mortgage rates fell slightly this week, marking their third straight week below 3% amid signs of the recovering economy's strength.

NEWSMAKERS

Gresham Smith names new owners in Nashville

Gresham Smith has named 14 new firm owners, including six from Nashville. Nashvillians selected are:

BRIEFS

HCA honored by LinkedIn as top company

Nashville’s HCA Healthcare has been recognized on the 2021 LinkedIn Top Companies ranking, an annual guide that identifies the best places for professionals to grow their careers and develop skills.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Five new EVs you might want to wait for in 2021

Electric vehicle shoppers have an increasing number of models to choose from. There are nearly two dozen EVs on the market today, and that selection will only grow over the next eight months. Here are five upcoming EVs – organized by price – that the experts at Edmunds are most excited to see in 2021.

PERSONAL FINANCE

These 8½ birthdays can affect your financial viability

You hit many milestone birthdays when you’re young. There’s your first birthday, of course, and also the one when you turn 10 (finally, double digits!). At 13, you’re a teenager. At 16, you’re probably thinking about driving. At 18, you can vote. At 21, you can get into bars.

CAREER CORNER

Is the pandemic helping level workplace hierarchy?

The past 14 months have changed the nature of work, especially for remote workers. Many no longer spend hours in the car, making their way to one shared office building. They’re waking up and joining their colleagues via Zoom. And, this remote environment is transforming more than just our morning commute.

MILLENNIAL MONEY

Get acquainted with your money, reap the benefits

What’s your relationship with money? Maybe your personal finances are like a distant cousin you barely think about or an unsettling stranger you avoid. Or perhaps money feels like your enemy, frustrating you and rarely doing what you want.

STATEWIDE

Official: Repairs to interstate bridge could take months

MEMPHIS (AP) — Repairs to the Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee could take months after a crack was found in the span, forcing thousands of trucks and cars to detour and shutting down shipping on a section of the Mississippi River, a transportation official said Wednesday.

Tennessee waiting to administer vaccine to young teens

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's health agency says the state will wait for a recommendation from a federal vaccine advisory committee before administering the COVID-19 vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds.

Tennessee sports betting tops $18M in taxes in 1st 6 months

NASHVILLE (AP) — Mobile-only sports betting in Tennessee has brought in $18.5 million in privilege tax revenue over the first six months that wagers have been accepted, a regulator said Tuesday.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee to end federal pandemic unemployment aid in July

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee announced Tuesday that the extra federal unemployment aid offered amid the COVID-19 pandemic won't be available in Tennessee starting July 3, including the end of $300 weekly additional payments.

COURTS

Suit challenges restaurant aid priority to women, minorities

NASHVILLE (AP) — A conservative legal outfit on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden's administration for its prioritization of restaurants and bars owned by women and certain minorities in its COVID-19 relief package, arguing white men are being "pushed to the back of the line" for aid for their eateries.

Hospitals want documents public in case against opioid maker

NASHVILLE (AP) — More than 20 hospitals want a slew of documents from a drug manufacturer made public after a Tennessee judge ruled against the company without a trial in a lawsuit over the opioid epidemic, saying the company intentionally withheld records and lied at least a dozen times.

Judge sentences co-founder of 'Students for Trump' to prison

NEW YORK (AP) — A co-founder of "Students for Trump" during the 2016 presidential campaign was sentenced to 13 months in prison Tuesday for posing as a lawyer to cheat people he found on the internet out of thousands of dollars.

Judge dismisses NRA bankruptcy case in blow to gun group

DALLAS (AP) — A federal judge dismissed the National Rifle Association's bankruptcy case Tuesday, leaving the powerful gun-rights group to face a New York state lawsuit that accuses it of financial abuses and aims to put it out of business.

Amazon wins EU court fight over $300 million tax ruling

BRUSSELS (AP) — In the latest setback to European Union efforts to tackle corporate tax avoidance, a court on Wednesday annulled a ruling by the European Commission that a tax deal between Amazon and Luxembourg's government amounted to illegal state support.

AUTO INDUSTRY

As chip shortage goes on, cars are scarce and prices are up

DETROIT (AP) — For the next few months, Charlie Gilchrist figures his 11 car dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will sell just about every new vehicle they can get from the factories — and at increased prices.

American tells Japan court he worked for Nissan's interests

TOKYO (AP) — An American lawyer on trial in Japan on charges related to reporting of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn's compensation asserted his innocence Wednesday, testifying he acted legally and in Nissan's best interests.

Japan's Toyota says profit soared in Jan-March amid pandemic

TOKYO (AP) — Toyota reported Wednesday its profit more than doubled in January-March from a year earlier to 777 billion yen ($7 billion), as the Japanese automaker's sales recovered from the pandemic.

TECHNOLOGY

Emergency program to give people $50 off internet bill

Americans can begin applying for $50 off their monthly internet bill on Wednesday as part of an emergency government program to keep people connected during the pandemic.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

Panel suggests WHO should have more power to stop pandemics

GENEVA (AP) — A panel of independent experts who reviewed the World Health Organization's response to the coronavirus pandemic says the U.N. health agency should be granted "guaranteed rights of access" in countries to investigate emerging outbreaks, a contentious idea that would give it more powers and require member states to give up some of theirs.

Frustration in Japan as leader pushes Olympics despite virus

TOKYO (AP) — A full-page newspaper ad says Japanese will be "killed by politics" because the government is forcing them to endure the pandemic without vaccines. More than 300,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Tokyo Olympics to be canceled. And a swimming star has faced pressure to drop out of the games.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US budget deficit hits record $1.9 trillion so far this year

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. budget deficit surged to a record of $1.9 trillion for the first seven months of this budget year, bloated by the billions of dollars being spent in coronavirus relief packages.

Rising commodities costs hit Americans at home and on road

NEW YORK (AP) — Rising prices for a variety of commodities are contributing to a jump in prices at the consumer level, with Americans paying more for meat, gasoline, items they keep in their homes and even the homes themselves.

EXPLAINER: Why are fears of high inflation getting worse?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Gas prices are rising. Auto prices are soaring. Consumer goods companies are charging more for household basics like toilet paper, peanut butter and soft drinks.

Consumer prices jump 0.8% in April as worries escalate

WASHINGTON (AP) — A worrisome bout of inflation struck the economy in April, with U.S. consumer prices for goods and services surging 0.8%, the largest monthly jump in in more than a decade, and the year-over-year increase reaching its fastest rate since 2008.

UN raises global economic forecast to 5.4% growth in 2021

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations on Tuesday responded to the rebounding Chinese and U.S. economies by revising its global economic forecast upward to 5.4% growth for 2021, but it warned that surging COVID-19 cases and inadequate availability of vaccines in many countries threaten a broad-based recovery.

EU economy to expand, bouncing back from pandemic crisis

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union economy is set to bounce back strongly this year after the deep coronavirus recession and member states are forecast to regain the ground lost by the end of next year.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Gasoline pipeline shutdown tests Biden administration

The cyberattack last week on a primary gasoline pipeline has created new political and economic risks for the Biden administration, which is working to keep the fuel flowing as prices spike.

US looking at how to weed out extremists in law enforcement

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has begun an internal review to determine how to remove any extremists from within federal law enforcement following the arrest of current and former police officers for their involvement in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Wednesday.

GOP leaders push back as Biden seeks big infrastructure deal

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden met Wednesday with the four congressional leaders at the White House for the first time and said he wants to reach a compromise on an infrastructure plan, but expectations for a quick deal remain slim despite his history of working with Republicans.

Hearing on Jan. 6 violence exposes stark partisan divisions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans sought to shift the narrative on the violent Jan. 6 insurrection during a congressional hearing Wednesday, with some painting the Trump supporters who stormed the building as patriots who have been unfairly harassed, as Democrats clashed with the former Pentagon chief while drilling into the government's unprepared response.

Democrats press for broader voter access as GOP resists

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans in the U.S. Senate mounted an aggressive case against Democrats' sweeping election and voter-access legislation, pushing to roll back proposals for automatic registration, 24-hour ballot drop boxes and other changes in an increasingly charged national debate.

Biden and McConnell may be friends, but can they cut a deal?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The two players in the most important relationship in Washington finally are ready for a face-to-face meeting.

House GOP ousts Trump critic Liz Cheney from top post

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her post as the chamber's No. 3 GOP leader on Wednesday, punishing her after she repeatedly rebuked former President Donald Trump for his false claims of election fraud and his role in fomenting the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.


TUESDAY, MAY 11
PREDATORS

Pekka Rinne notches shutout as Preds beat Hurricanes 5-0

NASHVILLE (AP) — Pekka Rinne took a lap around the ice as teammates watched, tapping their sticks against the boards. The Nashville Predators surrounded their 38-year-old goalie for a group hug, and he was the last to leave the ice.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee to require fetal remains be buried or cremated

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee will soon become the latest state to require certain medical providers to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions under legislation recently signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee.

Tennessee to rebid $123M contract amid rigging accusations

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Department of Correction on Monday said it will rebid a $123 million contract for behavioral health services after a lawsuit accused a state official of rigging the bidding process.

STATEWIDE

Federal officials approve Tennessee disaster declaration

NASHVILLE (AP) — Federal officials have approved a major disaster declaration for Tennessee's severe weather and flooding in March.

ENVIRONMENT

Offshore wind project seen as key to clean energy gets OK

An offshore wind project off Massachusetts that would create enough electricity to power 400,000 homes and is touted by backers as a key piece of America's transition to renewable energy was approved Tuesday by the federal government.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Ex-UAW leader gets nearly 2 years in prison for corruption

DETROIT (AP) — A welder who rose from the factory floor to become president of a venerable U.S. labor union was sentenced Tuesday to 21 months in prison for luxurious winter stays in the California sun covered by dues paid by his blue-collar members.

Japan's Nissan sees smaller loss, promises sales recovery

TOKYO (AP) — Nissan reduced its losses in the January-March quarter as restructuring efforts kicked in, despite damage to sales from the coronavirus pandemic, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

Japan prosecutors say Ghosn said Nissan pay plan was not set

TOKYO (AP) — Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn told prosecutors during questioning on financial misconduct charges before he fled Japan that his compensation was never decided upon, according to records presented in Tokyo District Court on Tuesday.

US opens probe of steering problems in Honda Accord sedans

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government's auto safety agency is investigating multiple complaints about steering failures that could affect more than 1.1 million Honda Accord sedans.

TECHNOLOGY

Pentagon reconsidering huge JEDI cloud-computing contract

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is reconsidering how to make a massive shift to cloud computing, officials said Monday, suggesting it could scrap the so-called JEDI contract potentially worth $10 billion that was awarded to Microsoft Corp. but is mired in legal challenges.

EDUCATION

US schools fight to keep students amid fear of dropout surge

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — U.S. educators are doing everything they can to track down high school students who stopped showing up to classes and to help them get the credits needed to graduate, amid an anticipated surge in the country's dropout rate during the coronavirus pandemic.

HEALTH CARE

Biden: 1M sign up for health care during special enrollment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that 1 million Americans had signed up for health insurance under "Obamacare" during a special enrollment period for those needing coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

Biden announces Uber, Lyft rides amid July 4 vaccine push

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is highlighting new programs from ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft to provide free rides to and from vaccination sites, as the pace of shots nationally declines and he looks to meet his July Fourth inoculation targets.

Medicare requires nursing homes to report COVID vaccinations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare will require nursing homes to report COVID-19 vaccination rates for residents and staff, the government said Tuesday, in what officials hope will be an incentive for facilities to keep giving shots even as the worst ravages of the pandemic ease.

Poll: Most in US who remain unvaccinated need convincing

Fewer Americans are reluctant to get a COVID-19 vaccine than just a few months ago, but questions about side effects and how the shots were tested still hold some back, according to a new poll that highlights the challenges at a pivotal moment in the U.S. vaccination campaign.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks pull back on Wall Street as inflation concerns grow

Stocks closed lower on Wall Street, led by banks, industrial and health care companies.

US job openings soar to highest level on record

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers posted a record number of available jobs in March, illustrating starkly the desperation of businesses trying to find new workers as the country emerges from the pandemic and the economy expands.

Victoria's Secret to be spun off a year after sale failed

A year after an agreement to sell Victoria's Secret fell apart as the pandemic emptied malls nationwide, the chain will be spun off by its owner to become a separate company.

Tyson raising pay to keep up as US chicken demand soars

Tyson Foods says it's raising wages to combat absenteeism and worker turnover at its plants as U.S. demand for chicken soars.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

McConnell leads GOP in attack on Dems' voting rights bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans launched an all-out assault Tuesday on sweeping voting rights legislation, forcing Democrats to take dozens of politically awkward votes during a committee hearing that will spotlight the increasingly charged national debate over access to the ballot.

McCarthy sets Wednesday vote on Liz Cheney leadership ouster

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy set a Wednesday vote for removing Rep. Liz Cheney from her Republican leadership post in the chamber, saying it was clear that he and his GOP colleagues "need to make a change."

AP source: Biden to tap Emanuel for ambassador to Japan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is expected to nominate former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Japan, according to a person familiar with the president's decision.


MONDAY, MAY 10
MUSIC INDUSTRY

Shelton joins drive to help feed out-of-work musicians

For more than a year now, the state of America's live music industry has been a grim one.

NASHVILLE AREA

Nashville Soccer Club, Opry to lift virus capacity restrictions

NASHVILLE (AP) — Two major Nashville venues will soon lift capacity restrictions as the city continues to reopen from implementing limitations on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

REGION

Appalachia health clinic founder Eula Hall dead at 93

CRAYNOR, Ky. (AP) — Eula Hall, who opened a clinic almost 50 years ago in Appalachia and never stopped trying to help others, has died. She was 93.

AUTO INDUSTRY

NTSB: Tesla owner got into driver's seat before deadly crash

DETROIT (AP) — Home security camera footage shows that the owner of a Tesla got into the driver's seat of the car shortly before a deadly crash in suburban Houston, according to a government report Monday.

TECHNOLOGY

Is Epic Games' showdown with Apple turning into a mismatch?

SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — If Epic Games hopes to dismantle the fortress surrounding Apple's iPhone and its app store, the video game maker probably will need to roll out some heavier artillery heading into the second week of a trial threatening Apple's $2 trillion empire.

HEALTH CARE

Reversing Trump, US restores transgender health protections

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, the Biden administration announced Monday, reversing a Trump-era policy that sought to narrow the scope of legal rights in sensitive situations involving medical care.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

Americans set another pandemic-era record for air travel

Americans set a record for pandemic-era air travel, then broke it again over the Mother's Day holiday weekend.

Publix offers walk-in COVID vaccines in Tennessee, 6 other states

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Publix pharmacies are now accepting walk-ins for the COVID-19 vaccine at all of their locations across seven states.

EU: Pandemic measures to total about $5.85 trillion

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's top economy official said Monday that the recovery measures the EU and its 27 member states have in the works to emerge from the pandemic total around $5.85 trillion.

Vaccine maker BioNTech says no need to waive patents

BERLIN (AP) — The head of German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said Monday that there is no need to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines because manufacturers will be able to produce enough shots to supply the world over the coming year.

Cautious cuddling? England to OK hugs as lockdown eases

LONDON (AP) — In England, it's going to be time to hug again.

COVID-vaccine maker BioNTech reports $1.37B profit in Q1

BERLIN (AP) — German pharmaceutical company BioNTech reported a net profit of 1.13 billion euros ($1.37 billion) in the first quarter of this year on the back of strong revenues from its coronavirus vaccine.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Consumer watchdog agency rediscovers its teeth under Biden

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's consumer watchdog is signaling a more aggressive approach toward the financial services sectors after a few years of being on a tight leash.

Tech sell-off drags stocks lower, pulling market below highs

Drops in several Big Tech companies led the stock market lower Monday, pulling major indexes below the record highs they set last week.

States push jobless from virus recession to return to work

STOWE, Vt. (AP) — Eduardo Rovetto is hoping the state of Vermont's reinstated requirement that people who are collecting unemployment benefits must seek work to qualify will help him hire enough staff for his restaurant in the resort town of Stowe.

Treasury to start paying out $350B in state and local aid

The Treasury Department on Monday launched its $350 billion program to distribute aid to state and local governments, giving the U.S. economy an added boost after relatively modest hiring in April.

Job market for new grads: Much hiring but much competition

After a painful year of joblessness, the future has finally brightened for Alycia St. Germain, a 22-year-old college senior at the University of Minnesota.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

McConnell poised for starring role in voting bill fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is so determined to stop a sweeping elections overhaul  pushed by congressional Democrats that he will personally argue against it, armed with a stack of amendments at a Senate hearing this week as Democrats advance the bill toward a vote.

Watchdog says Capitol Police deficient at monitoring threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Capitol Police force was hobbled by inadequate intelligence gathering ahead of the Jan. 6 siege, a watchdog says in a new internal report, alarming lawmakers who are concerned for their own safety amid rising threats against members of Congress.

New White House panel aims to separate science, politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eager to the turn the page on the Trump years, the Biden White House is launching an effort to unearth past problems with the politicization of science within government and to tighten scientific integrity rules for the future.

Poll: Biden approval buoyed by his pandemic response

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is plunging into the next phase of his administration with the steady approval of a majority of Americans, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey shows Biden is buoyed in particular by the public's broad backing for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump's 'Big Lie' imperils Republicans who don't embrace it

WASHINGTON (AP) — Allegiance to a lie has become a test of loyalty to Donald Trump and a means of self-preservation for Republicans.

House GOP leader says he backs ousting Cheney from No. 3 job

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy publicly endorsed Rep. Elise Stefanik for the post of No. 3 leader, cementing party support of the Donald Trump loyalist over Rep. Liz Cheney, an outspoken critic of the former president for promoting discredited claims that the 2020 election was stolen.


FRIDAY, MAY 7
STATE GOVERNMENT

Gov Lee: Race shouldn't be taught in 'divisive' way

FAIRVIEW (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Friday echoed arguments in favor of a bill that would restrict what concepts on institutional racism can be taught in school, saying students should learn "the exceptionalism of our nation," not things that "inherently divide" people.

NCAA reaches a key moment as transgender laws multiply

The NCAA has reached a delicate moment: It must decide whether to punish states that have passed laws limiting the participation of transgender athletes by barring them from hosting its softball and baseball tournaments.

MIDSTATE

Tortilla equipment manufacturer plans 210 jobs in Columbia

COLUMBIA (AP) — A company that specializes in equipment to make tortillas is investing $30 million to set up shop in Tennessee and create 210 jobs.

AUTO INDUSTRY

China propels BMW to strong profits, Germany lags

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Booming sales in China helped propel German luxury carmaker BMW to stronger profits in the first three months of the year even as its home market Germany trailed the ongoing recovery in global car markets from the worst of the pandemic shutdowns.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

UK to offer under-40s alternative to AstraZeneca shot

LONDON (AP) — People under 40 in Britain will not be given the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine if another shot is available because of a link to extremely rare blood clots, the government said Friday. It said the change would not affect the goal of giving all U.K. adults at least one vaccine dose by July.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks rally to records after grim jobs data undercuts rates

Stocks are closing at record highs on Wall Street Friday as a stunningly disappointing report on the nation's job market signaled to investors that interest rates will stay low.

US consumer borrowing posts another strong showing in March

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer borrowing rose by a strong $25.8 billion in March, the second month in a row of sizable gains and a further indication that the economic recovery is picking up steam.

Chamber of Commerce seeks end to enhanced US jobless aid

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling for Washington to immediately stop paying out-of-work Americans an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits, saying the boost in government aid is giving some recipients less incentive to look for work.

Biden administration allocates $21.6B in rental assistance

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced the allocation of $21.6 billion in emergency rental assistance to help prevent evictions of people who lost jobs during the pandemic.

Yellen picks top Fed banking regulator as acting comptroller

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michael J. Hsu, a top banking regulator at the Federal Reserve, was appointed by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday as acting U.S. Comptroller of the Currency.

US job growth slows sharply in sign of hiring struggles

WASHINGTON (AP) — America's employers added just 266,000 jobs last month, sharply lower than in March and a sign that some businesses are struggling to find enough workers as the economic recovery strengthens.

Peloton expects to lose $165 million in revenue from recall

NEW YORK (AP) — Peloton said Thursday that the recall of its treadmills will shrink its revenue by $165 million in the current quarter.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Justice Dept. rule would aim to crack down on 'ghost guns'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Friday released a proposed rule that would broaden the definition of a firearm, requiring some gun-making kits to include a serial number as the Biden administration moves forward to combat so-called "ghost guns."

Some Republicans worry voting limits will hurt the GOP, too

As Republicans march ahead with their campaign to tighten voting laws in political battlegrounds, some in their party are worried the restrictions will backfire by making it harder for GOP voters to cast ballots.

GOP seeks unity, even if that means embracing election lie

WASHINGTON (AP) — There's a new buzzword among Republicans in Washington: unity.

In booting Cheney, 'My Kevin' leads GOP back to Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Kevin McCarthy is leading his party to an inflection point, preparing to dump Rep. Liz Cheney from the No. 3 House leadership position and transform what's left of the party of Lincoln more decisively into the party of Trump.

AP FACT CHECK: Yes, Trump lost election despite what he says

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to shame Republicans who are disloyal to him, former President Donald Trump distorted the Constitution's meaning in asserting widespread voter fraud and insisting that state legislatures could overturn Joe Biden's presidential win.


THURSDAY, MAY 6
PREDATORS

Predators fail to clinch playoff berth with 4-2 loss to Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Mikhail Grigorenko scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and lifted the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-2 comeback victory over Nashville, preventing the Predators from clinching a playoff spot Wednesday night.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee Legislature adjourns for the year

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday adjourned for the year after spending their final moments slashing how long the unemployed can receive benefits and banning certain concepts on race and racism from being taught in schools.

What did lawmakers pass this year? A look at the top bills

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday adjourned their annual legislative session. Here's a look at the top bills that the GOP-controlled General Assembly passed over the past five months.

No evidence '3/5 compromise' aimed to end slavery

WASHINGTON (AP) — It's a claim that has surfaced and been debunked before, but Republican lawmakers in recent days have given it new voice: the notion that the clause in the Constitution counting slaves as three-fifths of a person actually was a step toward ending slavery.

Tennessee Latino leaders form PAC to elect Latino Democrats

NASHVILLE (AP) — A group of Latino leaders in Tennessee has formed a political action committee with the goal of electing Latino Democrats in the state.

COURTS

Judge temporarily stays ruling in eviction moratorium case

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has temporarily stayed an order that found the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority when it imposed a federal eviction moratorium to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Army to put civilian in charge of criminal probes, add staff

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army is putting a civilian in charge of its criminal investigations, adding staff and freeing up more agents to work on cases, in a plan to address widespread failures that surfaced last year after a string of murders and other crimes at Fort Hood, Texas.

REAL ESTATE

Study: Residents left big metros during pandemic for family

Cece Linder was living in a 770-square-foot apartment outside Washington, D.C., last spring when the area went into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Volkswagen profits jump as China leads pandemic rebound

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Volkswagen Group's after-tax profit rebounded strongly to 3.4 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in the first three months of the year as sales rebounded in China, the company's largest single market, and as customers went for the more profitable models in the company's lineup. Sales of electrified cars more than doubled.

TECHNOLOGY

SpaceX launches, lands Starship in 1st successful flight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX launched and successfully landed its futuristic Starship on Wednesday, finally nailing a test flight of the rocketship that Elon Musk intends to use to land astronauts on the moon and send people to Mars.

ENVIRONMENT

Biden's plan would boost conservation of US lands, waters

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday detailed steps to achieve an ambitious goal to conserve nearly one-third of America's lands and waters by 2030, relying on voluntary efforts to preserve public, private and tribal areas while also helping tackle climate change and create jobs.

Rockefeller heirs launch campaign to curb oil and gas growth

Two great-great-grandchildren of Standard Oil Co. founder John D. Rockefeller Sr. are pouring millions of dollars into an effort aimed at supporting people on the front lines fighting new oil and gas development.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

In the shadow of COVID-19, a toll on entertainment workers

NEW YORK (AP) — Like so many, the pandemic upended life for actor and dancer Rena Riffel. The Los Angeles-based performer needed help with rent, utilities and counselling when jobs suddenly dried up.

EU proposes joint approach to develop COVID-19 drugs

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission proposed Thursday that EU nations join forces to develop and deploy COVID-19 drugs across the 27-nation bloc.

More support easing vaccine patent rules, but hurdles remain

GENEVA (AP) — France joined the United States on Thursday in supporting an easing of patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines that could help poorer countries get more doses and speed the end of the pandemic. While the backing from two countries with major drugmakers is important, many obstacles remain.

CDC sets rules for trial cruises with volunteer passengers

Cruise lines can soon begin trial voyages in U.S. waters with volunteer passengers helping test whether the ships can sail safely during a pandemic.

Biden hits schools goal even as many students learn remotely

President Joe Biden has met his goal of having most elementary and middle schools open for full, in-person learning in his first 100 days, according to new survey data, but the share of students choosing to return has continued to lag far behind.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Fed warns US financial system remains vulnerable to threats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is warning that the U.S. financial system remains vulnerable to threats stemming from the global pandemic, including the possibility of a sharp rise in global interest rates that could strain developing countries.

US stocks close higher as banks, technology lead broad rally

A choppy day of trading on Wall Street ended Thursday with stocks broadly higher and another all-time high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Productivity rebounds at solid 5.4% rate in first quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. productivity posted a sharp rebound between January and March after falling in the previous quarter. Labor costs declined slightly.

US unemployment claims fall to a pandemic low of 498,000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 498,000, the lowest point since the viral pandemic struck 14 months ago and a sign of the job market's growing strength as businesses reopen and consumers step up spending.

US downplays prospect of post-Brexit trade deal with UK

LONDON (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has downplayed any prospect of an imminent trade deal with a post-Brexit Britain.

Bank of England expects best year for UK economy since 1941

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold as it forecast the fastest annual pace of growth for the British economy since early on in World War II, largely as a result of the rapid rollout of coronavirus vaccines.

Nintendo profits boom as people stuck at home play games

TOKYO (AP) — Nintendo Co.'s profit for the fiscal year that ended in March jumped 86% on healthy sales of its Switch handheld machine as people stayed home due to the pandemic, turning to video games for entertainment.

Google says 20% of workers will be remote, many more hybrid

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) — Google says it expects about 20% of its workforce to still work remotely after its offices reopen this fall, while some 60% will work a hybrid schedule that includes about three days in the office and two days "wherever they work best."

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Biden to push his big infrastructure plan in GOP stronghold

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will push the case for his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan in the reliably Republican state of Louisiana — directly challenging GOP lawmakers who say that low taxes for corporations and the wealthy will fuel economic growth.

Florida gov signs GOP voting law critics call 'un-American'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping elections bill into law Thursday that he and other Republicans said would place guardrails against fraud, even as they acknowledged there were no serious signs of voting irregularities last November. Democrats and voter rights advocates said the partisan move will make it harder for some voters to cast ballots.

Challenger hits Liz Cheney, says GOP must work with Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Elise Stefanik stated her case Thursday for replacing Rep. Liz Cheney as the No. 3 House Republican leader, implicitly lambasting Cheney's battles with former President Donald Trump by saying, "We are one team and that means working with the president."

General: China's Africa outreach poses threat from Atlantic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S general for Africa is warning that a growing threat from China may come not just from the waters of the Pacific but from the Atlantic as well.

Republicans promote pandemic relief they voted against

NEW YORK (AP) — Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said it pained her to vote against the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Stocks sink again on Wall Street as inflation worries mount

Inflation worries rattled Wall Street Wednesday, pulling the Dow Jones Industrial Average more than 680 points lower and placing the major stock indexes on track for their worst week in more than six months.

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