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VOL. 47 | NO. 35 | Friday, August 25, 2023

Trying to build a winner

Like ongoing stadium improvements, the Commodores are a work in progress

Sounds of construction have been everywhere in and around Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium this summer, distinct and separate.

JOE ROGERS: MY TAKE

All self-service checkout? How about a discount?

Clarence Saunders would be pleased by the development, I suppose, but for me it’s just one more step in the wrong direction toward less and less service.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

Languishing homes, new listings weigh on prices

Prices are dropping all across the Greater Nashville area as new listings are entering the market. And that makes pricing houses even more difficult, since many of the new listings are using current (falling) prices to set their asking prices.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
42.1°F
Overcast
Wind: Southwest at 5.8 mph
Humidity: 43%

EVENTS

YP Learning Series. This quarterly YP Learning Series will be focusing on negotiation with Dr. Cate Loes. Her research focuses on negotiation, domestic and international social entrepreneurship and pedagogical practices. Belmont University Janet Ayers Academic Center. YP Organization is free, future member, $20. Wednesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Information

more events »

REAL ESTATE

Top Davidson Co. commercial real estate sales for July 2023

Top Davidson County commercial real estate sales for July 2023, as compiled by the Nashville Ledger.

Average long-term US mortgage rate jumps to 7.23%, highest since June 2001

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed further above 7% this week to its highest level since 2001, another blow to prospective homebuyers grappling with rising home prices and a stubbornly low supply of properties on the market.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Tannehill playing for future with Titans

In some ways, Ryan Tannehill spent a good part of the offseason twisting in the wind.

Vrabel encouraged by Willis’ year 2 progress

Selecting Will Levis in the second round of this year’s draft signaled to most that Ryan Tannehill’s time in Tennessee might be short and Malik Willis’ time as a Titan might be even shorter.

Rookie QB Levis in good spot to watch and learn

It didn’t appear to be a big secret that the Tennessee Titans wanted to come away with a potential future franchise quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.

UT SPORTS

Waffle House gets assist on recruitment of Campbell

Offensive linemen are often known for their love of food. John Campbell Jr. is no different.

NEWSMAKERS

Health Care partner joins Frost Brown Todd

Frost Brown Todd is expanding its health care innovation team with the addition of partner Barbara Bennett. Her practice focuses on the intersection of technology and health care, including artificial intelligence. She previously served as a partner of a top 10 global law firm and has more than a decade of in-house legal experience, including as general counsel.

BRIEFS

State unemployment hits record low

Tennessee made history in July when the state recorded its lowest unemployment rate since the federal government began tracking the statistic in 1976.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Tesla the winner in battle for EV plug standard

You’re probably familiar with previous technology format wars, whether it be VHS versus Betamax or Blu-ray versus HD DVD. Now another has quickly brewed in the way people plug in and charge their electric vehicles.

BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW

Would we lie? ‘How Trust Works’ has good elements

“Believe it or not...” Four words that, when said in a business situation, make you want to lean more toward the latter. You just know that an excuse is forthcoming, that a whopper of a tale is about to be told, and that if you weren’t so savvy, you’d be hoodwinked. In the new book “How Trust Works” by Peter H. Kim, you might learn how to avoid that mess.

CAREER CORNER

Is AI nothing more than a marketing idea?

Stating AI is a marketing tool is a bit controversial, but hear me out.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Create a care plan for older parents (or yourself)

At some point, most older people will need help getting through the day. Someone turning 65 today has a 70% chance of eventually requiring assistance with basic living activities, such as bathing, dressing and using the toilet, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports.

MILLENNIAL MONEY

Do you need a premarital agreement? Is that still a thing?

Prenuptial or premarital agreements, often called “prenups,” have a reputation for being a tool the ultra-wealthy use to protect their assets. But as marriages have evolved, so have prenups – and they might have more uses than you think.

UT SPORTS

Michigan State, Tennessee exhibition hoops game to benefit Maui wildfire charity

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State and Tennessee will meet in an exhibition basketball game to raise money for relief efforts in the aftermath of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Kicker York chooses to sign with Titans practice squad rather than stay in Cleveland

Cade York will work on his kicking aim and accuracy in Tennessee.

The Titans trade draft pick to Pats for Nick Folk to try to fix kicker issue

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are trying a proven veteran in their latest move to fill a big need.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Breaking impasse, Tennessee lawmakers adjourn tumultuous session spurred by school shooting

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday abruptly ended a special session initially touted to improve public safety in the wake of a deadly elementary school shooting, but it quickly unraveled into chaos over the past week as the GOP-dominant Statehouse refused to take up gun control measures and instead spent most of the time ensnared in political infighting.

COURTS

Judge holds Giuliani liable in Georgia election workers' defamation case for withholding information

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday held Rudy Giuliani liable in a defamation lawsuit brought by two Georgia election workers who say they were falsely accused of fraud, ruling that the former New York city mayor gave "only lip service" to complying with his legal obligations while trying to portray himself as the victim in the case.

Court upholds Michael Avenatti's conviction for plotting to extort up to $25 million from Nike

NEW YORK (AP) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday upheld disgraced lawyer Michael Avenatti's conviction for plotting to extort up to $25 million from Nike – one of several legal messes that have landed him behind bars.

The only defendant in the Georgia election indictment to spend time in jail has been granted bond

ATLANTA (AP) — The only person who spent time behind bars as a result of the sweeping indictment related to efforts to overturn then-President Donald Trump 's 2020 election loss in Georgia remained in jail Wednesday after he was granted bond a day earlier.

Anti-abortion activists, including one who kept fetuses, convicted of illegally blocking DC clinic

WASHINGTON (AP) — Five anti-abortion activists, including a woman who was discovered to have five fetuses in her home, were convicted Tuesday of illegally blocking a reproductive clinic in Washington, D.C., The Washington Post reported.

Judge's illness delays sentencing for ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio in Jan. 6 case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The sentencing for former Proud Boys national leader Enrique Tarrio, who was convicted of orchestrating the far-right extremist group's attack on the U.S. Capitol after Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, has been delayed until next week because the judge hearing the case became sick.

FBI and European partners seize major malware network in blow to global cybercrime

LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. officials said Tuesday that the FBI and its European partners infiltrated and seized control of a major global malware network used for more than 15 years to commit a gamut of online crimes including crippling ransomware attacks.

Oher seeks contract and payment information related to 'The Blind Side' in conservatorship battle

MEMPHIS (AP) — Lawyers for former NFL player Michael Oher are seeking his school records and information about contracts and payouts related to the film "The Blind Side" as part of his highly publicized effort to end a legal agreement between him and Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy.

TRAVEL

For travelers who want to avoid babies and kids, one airline will test an adults-only section

DALLAS (AP) — One airline plans to find out if solitude-seeking travelers will pay a hefty extra charge to avoid sitting near babies and little kids.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Tesla is allowing no-hands driving with Autopilot for longer periods. US regulators have questions

DETROIT (AP) — Tesla is allowing some drivers to use its Autopilot driver-assist system for extended periods without making them put their hands on the steering wheel, a development that has drawn concern from U.S. safety regulators.

ENVIRONMENT

States at the forefront of fights over wetlands protections after justices slash federal rules

A month after the U.S. Supreme Court severely restricted the federal government's power to oversee wetlands, the Republican-dominated North Carolina legislature handed state agencies an order: Don't give the ecologically crucial waters any more protection than newly weakened federal rules provide.

MEDIA

CNN names Mark Thompson, former BBC and New York Times executive, as its new leader

NEW YORK (AP) — A former chief executive of the BBC and The New York Times who says he sees opportunity in times of disruption was chosen Wednesday to lead CNN, which has burned through two leaders and bled viewers over the past two years.

ECONOMY

US economic growth for last quarter is revised down to a 2.1% annual rate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.1% annual pace from April through June, showing continued resilience in the face of higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, the government said Wednesday in a downgrade from its initial estimate.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street ends higher, chipping away at losses for August

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks ended modestly higher Wednesday, extending Wall Street's recent winning streak to its fourth day in a row and chipping away more of the market's losses this month.

Millions more workers would be entitled to overtime pay under a proposed Biden administration rule

NEW YORK (AP) — The Biden administration proposed a new rule Wednesday that would make 3.6 million more U.S. workers eligible for overtime pay, the most generous such increase in decades.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appears to freeze up again, this time at a Kentucky event

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to briefly freeze up and was unable to answer a question from a reporter at an event in Kentucky on Wednesday, weeks after he had a similar episode in Washington.

White House says Putin and Kim Jong Un traded letters as Russia looks for munitions from North Korea

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Wednesday said that it has new intelligence that shows Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have swapped letters as Russia looks to North Korea for munitions for the war in Ukraine.

As Trump, Republicans target Georgia's Fani Willis for retribution, the state's governor opts out

ATLANTA (AP) — Some Republicans in Washington and Georgia began attacking Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis immediately after she announced the Aug. 14 indictment of former President Donald Trump for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. But others, including Gov. Brian Kemp, have been conspicuous in their unwillingness to pile on.

US commerce secretary warns China will be 'uninvestable' without action on raids, fines

SHANGHAI (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Wednesday said she warned Chinese leaders that U.S. businesses might stop investing in their country without prompt action to address complaints about worsening conditions due to raids on firms, unexplained fines and unpredictable official behavior.

Russia earns less from oil and spends more on war. So far, sanctions are working like a slow poison

The Russian ruble's wobble in value has exposed a crack in President Vladimir Putin's fortress economy, a vulnerability quickly plastered over by the Kremlin's economic team in a move that allowed the currency to regain its footing, at least for now.


TUESDAY, AUGUST 29
TENNESSEE TITANS

McCaffrey claims the top spot in the AP's NFL running back rankings

The value of running backs in the NFL has dropped precipitously in recent years as teams more and more rely on the passing game to succeed.

STATE GOVERNMENT

GOP silences 'Tennessee Three' Democrat on House floor for day on 'out of order' rule; crowd erupts

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican lawmakers voted Monday to temporarily silence a Democratic member of the so-called Tennessee Three during an already tense House floor session after determining the young Black member violated newly enacted rules designed to punish disruptive members.

COURTS

Lawyers indicted with Trump say they were doing their jobs. But that may be a tough argument to make

WASHINGTON (AP) — As John Eastman prepared to surrender to Georgia authorities last week for an indictment related to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, he issued a statement denouncing the criminal case as targeting attorneys "for their zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients."

3M agrees to pay $6 billion to settle earplug lawsuits from U.S. service members

NEW YORK (AP) — Chemical and consumer product manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay $6 billion to settle numerous lawsuits from U.S. service members who say they experienced hearing loss or other serious injuries after using faulty earplugs made by the company.

Trump chief of staff Meadows says actions laid out in Georgia indictment were part of his job

ATLANTA (AP) — Mark Meadows testified in court Monday that actions detailed in a sweeping indictment that accuses him of participating in an illegal conspiracy to overturn then-President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss were all part of his job as White House chief of staff.

March 4 trial date set for Trump in federal case charging him with plotting to overturn election

WASHINGTON (AP) — A judge on Monday set a March 4, 2024, trial date for Donald Trump in the federal case in Washington charging the former president with trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election, rejecting a defense request to push back the case by years.

HEALTH CARE

Biden targets diabetes drug Jardiance, blood thinner Eliquis and 8 others for Medicare price talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is targeting the blood thinner Eliquis, diabetes treatment Jardiance and eight other medications for Medicare's first-ever drug price negotiations as it seeks to lower medical costs for Americans.

TECHNOLOGY

Google to invest another $1.7 billion into Ohio data centers

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (AP) — Google will invest an additional $1.7 billion to support three data center campuses in central Ohio, the company announced Monday.

ENVIRONMENT

After Supreme Court curtails federal power, Biden administration weakens water protections

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration weakened regulations protecting millions of acres of wetlands Tuesday, saying it had no choice after the Supreme Court sharply limited the federal government's jurisdiction over them.

London's plan to charge drivers of polluting cars sparks protests and stirs political passions

LONDON (AP) — London's traffic cameras are under attack. Police say hundreds of license plate-reading cameras have been damaged, disconnected or stolen by opponents of an anti-pollution charge on older vehicles that comes into force across the metropolis on Tuesday.

ECONOMY

US consumer confidence wanes with prices still high and signs of a cooling job market

Americans are feeling less confident financially as summer comes to a close and high prices and interest rates weigh on their willingness to spend.

Job vacancies, quits plunge in July in stark sign of cooling trend in the US labor market

WASHINGTON (AP) — Businesses posted far fewer open jobs in July and the number of Americans quitting their jobs fell sharply for the second straight month, clear signs that the labor market is cooling in a way that could reduce inflation.

Best Buy and the reluctant shopper. Sales fall as Americans pull back on spending

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales and profits at Best Buy slid in the second quarter as the nation's largest consumer electronics chain continues to wrestle with a pullback in spending after Americans splurged during the pandemic.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street rises following updates on consumer confidence, job openings

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as two economic reports suggested the economy is cooling enough for the Federal Reserve to pause hiking interest rates.

Amazon CEO says 'it's probably not going work out' for employees who defy return-to-office policy

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon employees have been pushing back against the company's return-to-office policy for months — and it seems CEO Andy Jassy has had enough.

The 122-year-old US Steel is reviewing "numerous" buyout offers

After receiving two buyout offers in the past month, U.S. Steel Tuesday that it is in the process of reviewing multiple offers for the storied company and symbol of American industrialization.

When it comes to the Hollywood strikes, it's not just the entertainment industry that's being hurt

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The company had struggled for years, tossed around by pandemic-induced production shutdowns that began in March 2020. Last year, though, business for Valentino's Costume Group had finally picked back up.

Amazon is raising free-shipping minimums for some customers who don't have Prime memberships

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon has been quietly raising the amount some customers must spend on its site to get free shipping.

Farmers Insurance says it is cutting 2,400 jobs in bid to ensure long-term profitability

NEW YORK (AP) — Farmers Insurance said Monday it will lay off 11% of its workforce — about 2,400 employees — as part of a corporate restructuring aimed at increasing its efficiency and long-term profitability.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Miami mayor suspends 2024 GOP presidential bid after failing to qualify for debate

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez on Tuesday suspended his bid for the presidency, dropping out of the 2024 race after failing to qualify for the first Republican debate.

No. 2 House Republican Steve Scalise diagnosed with blood cancer, undergoing treatment

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2-ranking House Republican, said Tuesday he has been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma and is undergoing treatment.

Biden says action needed against 'hate-fueled violence' after racist shooting in Florida

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden called Monday for action to end the type of "hate-fueled violence" that authorities said motivated a white man to fatally shoot three Black people at a Florida store over the weekend. Biden said people must speak out about injustice.

US commerce secretary rejects Chinese appeal to ease export controls

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she rebuffed an appeal Tuesday by Chinese leaders to reduce U.S. export controls on technology with possible military uses but the two governments agreed to have experts meet to discuss disputes over protecting trade secrets.

Biden discussing immigration and trade with Costa Rican President Chaves at the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is hosting his Costa Rican counterpart, Rodrigo Chaves, at the White House on Tuesday, discussing ways to strengthen an agreement between the two countries on possible legal pathways for the increasing numbers of Central American migrants arriving to the U.S. southern border.

Conservatives are on a mission to dismantle the US government and replace it with Trump's vision

WASHINGTON (AP) — With more than a year to go before the 2024 election, a constellation of conservative organizations is preparing for a possible second White House term for Donald Trump, recruiting thousands of Americans to come to Washington on a mission to dismantle the federal government and replace it with a vision closer to his own.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faces Black leaders' anger after racist killings in Jacksonville

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Ron DeSantis scoffed when the NAACP issued a travel advisory this spring warning Black people to use "extreme care" if traveling to Florida.


MONDAY, AUGUST 28
TENNESSEE TITANS

Clock ticking as the Tennessee Titans look for a new kicker once again

The clock is ticking for the Tennessee Titans to find a new kicker yet again.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Former 2-term Republican Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist dies at 87

NASHVILLE (AP) — Don Sundquist, a Republican who was twice elected governor of Tennessee and also served 12 years in Congress, died Sunday. He was 87.

COURTS

Meadows takes stand at hearing over request to move Georgia election case to federal court

ATLANTA (AP) — Mark Meadows took the witness stand Monday at a hearing in Atlanta over whether the Trump White House chief of staff should be allowed to fight the Georgia indictment accusing him of participating in an illegal scheme to overturn the 2020 election in federal court rather than in a state court.

Arraignment for Trump, 18 others charged in the Georgia election case scheduled for Sept. 6

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him in Georgia are scheduled to be arraigned next week on charges they participated in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Trump lawyers back in DC court as two sides differ over trial date in election subversion case

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump were back in court Monday as a federal judge considers radically conflicting proposals for a trial date in the case accusing him of working to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the run-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

TRAVEL

American Airlines fined $4.1M for dozens of long tarmac delays that trapped passengers

DALLAS (AP) — The federal government is fining American Airlines $4.1 million for dozens of instances in which passengers were kept on board planes without a chance to exit during long ground delays.

ENVIRONMENT

Climate activists target jets, yachts and golf in a string of global protests against luxury

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Climate activists have spraypainted a superyacht, blocked private jets from taking off and plugged holes in golf courses this summer as part of an intensifying campaign against the emissions-spewing lifestyles of the ultrawealthy.

ECONOMY

Global inflation pressures could become harder to manage in coming years, research suggests

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — Rising trade barriers. Aging populations. A broad transition from carbon-spewing fossil fuels to renewable energy.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street gains ahead of busy week of closely-watched economic reports

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as markets shift their attention from the Federal Reserve to more corporate earnings and economic reports.

As worker actions continue nationwide, White House highlights how administration is helping unions

WASHINGTON (AP) — As worker actions continue from Hollywood to Detroit, and new labor unions crop up at firms like Starbucks and Amazon, the White House on Monday was highlighting its effort to bolster worker organizing throughout the U.S.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Biden will visit Hanoi next month as he seeks to strengthen US-Vietnam relations

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is heading to Vietnam next month to meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders, the White House announced on Monday.

Trump's drumbeat of lies about the 2020 election keeps getting louder. Here are the facts

WASHINGTON (AP) — With Donald Trump facing felony charges over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, the former president is flooding the airwaves and his social media platform with distortions, misinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories about his defeat.

Biden is 'old,' Trump is 'corrupt': AP-NORC poll has ominous signs for both in possible 2024 rematch

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is "old" and "confused," and former President Donald Trump is "corrupt" and "dishonest." Those are among the top terms Americans use when they're asked to describe the Democrat in the White House and the Republican best positioned to face him in next year's election.

Biden's commerce secretary is the latest Cabinet member to visit China in a bid for improved ties

WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is the latest member of President Joe Biden's Cabinet to visit China as his administration tries to mend the deteriorating ties between the world's two largest economies. She promises to be "practical" without compromising the U.S. push to "responsibly" manage that economic relationship.

Biden, first lady head to D.C. public middle school to welcome back students

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are visiting a District of Columbia public middle school on Monday to welcome students back for the new school year.


FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
STATE GOVERNMENT

Protest this way, not that way: In statehouses, varied rules restrict public voices

NASHVILLE (AP) — Shaking violently between sobs, parent Sarah Shoop Neumann could only manage a whisper as state troopers escorted her out of a Tennessee legislative hearing where she was waiting to testify against a bill that would let teachers carry guns.

Gun control already ruled out, Tennessee GOP lawmakers hit impasse in session after school shooting

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Republican lawmakers hit an impasse Thursday just a few days into a special session sparked by a deadly school shooting in March, leaving little certainty about what they might ultimately pass, yet all but guaranteeing it won't be any significant gun control change.

COURTS

Appellate judges revive Jewish couple's lawsuit alleging adoption bias under Tennessee law

NASHVILLE (AP) — Appellate judges have revived a couple's lawsuit that alleges a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency wouldn't help them because they are Jewish and argues that a Tennessee law protecting such denials is unconstitutional.

Trump, all 18 others charged in Georgia election case meet the deadline to surrender at jail

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump and the 18 people indicted along with him in Georgia on charges that they participated in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election have all turned themselves in to a jail in Atlanta before the deadline at noon Friday.

Trump has surrendered for a fourth time this year. Here's where all the cases against him stand

Former President Donald Trump surrendered on Thursday for a fourth time this year, with this case focusing on his efforts to overturn his 2020 general election defeat in Georgia.

One image, one face, one American moment: The Donald Trump mug shot

A camera clicks. In a fraction of a second, the shutter opens and then closes, freezing forever the image in front of it.

Texas trial over Biden policy letting migrants from 4 countries into US to wrap up Friday

HOUSTON (AP) — An attorney with the U.S. Justice Department on Friday made his final pitch to a federal judge to keep in place a key element of President Joe Biden's immigration policy that allows a limited number of people from four countries in the Americas to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Auto workers vote overwhelmingly to let union leaders call strikes against Detroit companies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Auto workers have voted overwhelmingly to give union leaders the authority to call strikes against Detroit car companies if a contract agreement isn't reached.

Workers win raises at General Motors joint venture battery plant in Ohio as contract talks continue

DETROIT (AP) — Unionized workers at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio will see pay raises while they continue to negotiate a contract, if they ratify an interim deal announced Thursday.

TRAVEL

Lawyers suing JetBlue say the airline could raise fares on some routes after buying Spirit Airlines

JetBlue Airways could raise fares on some routes by up to 40% if it succeeds in buying Spirit Airlines and eliminating the low-fare carrier as a competitor on those routes, according to lawyers who are suing the airline to block the deal.

TRANSPORTATION

Railroads resist joining safety hotline because they want to be able to discipline workers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The major freight railroads say a disagreement over whether they will be allowed to discipline some workers who use a government hotline to report safety concerns has kept them from following through on the promise they made back in March to join the program after a fiery Ohio derailment prompted calls for reforms.

ENERGY

Environmental group suffers setback in legal fight to close California's last nuclear power plant

A California judge on Thursday rejected an environmental group's lawsuit that sought to block the state's largest utility from seeking to extend the operating life of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.

ECONOMY

Economy's solid growth could require more Fed hikes to fight inflation, Powell says at Jackson Hole

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — The continued strength of the U.S. economy could require further interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Friday in a closely watched speech that also highlighted the uncertain nature of the economic outlook.

ECB's Lagarde says interest rates to stay high as long as needed to defeat inflation

JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming (AP) — Interest rates in the European Union will need to stay high "as long as necessary" to slow still-high inflation, Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, said Friday.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street climbs to clinch its first winning week in a month

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose Friday to send Wall Street to its first winning week since July after the head of the Federal Reserve said it will "proceed carefully" as it decides what to do with interest rates.

US sues SpaceX for alleged hiring discrimination against refugees and others

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday sued SpaceX, the rocket company founded and run by Elon Musk, for alleged hiring discrimination against refugees and people seeking or already granted asylum.

Nordstrom's results reflect cautious consumer spending, echoing department store sector blues

NEW YORK (AP) — Nordstrom on Thursday reported that its sales and profits fell in its fiscal second quarter, joining itsdepartment store peers coping with shoppers' cautious spending.

Dutch brewer Heineken sells its Russian operations for 1 euro, taking a 300 million-euro hit

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch brewer Heineken has completed its withdrawal from Russia, 18 months after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, selling its business in Russia for just 1 euro, the company announced Friday.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Ukraine aid faces a stress test as some GOP 2024 presidential candidates balk at continued support

WASHINGTON (AP) — For President Joe Biden, strong backing for Ukraine's effort to repel Russia's invasion has been a rare issue where he's mustered bipartisan support.

Republicans pick Houston to host their 2028 national convention

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on Friday chose Houston to host their 2028 national convention, hoping to cement support in Texas even as Democrats are betting that a booming Hispanic population and other key demographic shifts could eventually turn the country's largest reliably red state blue.

GOP support for gun restrictions slips a year after Congress passed firearms law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican support for gun restrictions is slipping a year after Congress passed the most comprehensive firearms control legislation in decades with bipartisan support, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Biden and Harris will meet with the King family on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will observe Monday's 60th anniversary of the March on Washington by meeting with organizers of the 1963 gathering and relatives of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

Democrats accuse tax prep firms of undermining new IRS effort on electronic free file tax returns

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Democrats are accusing big tax preparation firms including Intuit and H&R Block of undermining the federal government's upcoming electronic free file tax return system and are demanding lobbying, hiring and revenue data to determine what's going on.

Fox News reaches 12.8 million viewers for GOP primary debate, despite Donald Trump's absence

NEW YORK (AP) — Even without lead contender Donald Trump, an estimated 12.8 million people watched the first Republican presidential primary debate on two Fox News television channels and its streaming service.

Taiwan's vice president accuses China of using trade curbs to influence elections

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's vice president and frontrunner in the presidential elections has accused China of using "unfair" trade practices to influence the elections.


THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
STATE GOVERNMENT

Signs return to Tennessee statehouse grounds after judge blocks new House GOP rule

NASHVILLE (AP) — A judge ruled to let people bring signs back into the Tennessee House's hearings on Wednesday, followed hours later by more disarray during a committee debate on allowing more guns into schools in a special session in reaction to a deadly Nashville school shooting in March.

MUSIC INDUSTRY

What's going on with Scooter Braun's artist roster? Here's what we know and what's still speculation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scooter Braun is one of the most recognizable names in the music business for his singular work as an executive and entrepreneur. He's managed many of your favorite artists, propelling the likes of Justin Bieber to stratospheric fame, and earned the ire of Taylor Swift and her legions of fans for his business practices.

EAST TENNESSEE

Research is growing into how best to stop gun violence. Knoxville looks to science for help

KNOXVILLE (AP) — "That's where I got shot," said Rashaad Woods, nodding toward a convenience store in Knoxville's "gun zone." There were bullet holes in a church's walls. Nearby was a shuttered nightclub where some people were killed.

COURTS

A Trump supporter indicted in Georgia is also charged with assaulting an FBI agent in Maryland

A Donald Trump supporter who surrendered to Georgia authorities Thursday on charges he conspired with the former president and other allies to overturn Trump's 2020 election loss is also facing federal charges that he assaulted an FBI agent in Maryland.

Trump is set to surrender at a Georgia jail on charges he sought to overturn his 2020 election loss

ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump was set to turn himself in Thursday to authorities in Georgia on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in that state, a county jail booking expected to yield a historic first: a mug shot of a former American president.

Biden policy allowing migrants from 4 countries into the US is praised during Texas trial

HOUSTON (AP) — During a trial Thursday on the fate of a key portion of President Joe Biden's immigration policy that allows a limited number of people from Central America and the Caribbean to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds, an American sponsoring one of the migrants in the program praised its economic benefits and credited it as a way to reciprocate kindness to a friend in need.

Justice Department announces charges against hundreds of alleged COVID-19 fraudsters

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of people have been charged with the theft of more than $830 million in COVID-19 emergency aid following a nationwide operation conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday.

Founders of crypto mixer arrested, sanctioned after US cracks down on Tornado Cash

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. government officials on Wednesday started cracking down on the co-founders of the virtual currency mixer Tornado Cash, just days after a federal judge decided that the government had the authority to sanction them.

AUTO INDUSTRY

With contracts set to expire Sept. 14, auto union chief says talks with Detroit 3 aren't going well

DETROIT (AP) — With about three weeks until contracts expire with Detroit's three automakers, the head of the United Auto Workers union says bargaining isn't going well.

TRAVEL

Southwest is limiting a service that lets passengers buy a better spot in the boarding line

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines is changing its unusual boarding system by limiting the opportunity to pay an extra fee and jump ahead of other passengers in the race for the best seats.

BANKING

Regulator's review of over 30 Swiss banks finds shortcomings in money-laundering controls

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's financial markets authority said Thursday that an in-depth review of more than 30 banks conducted this spring found that "a large number" failed to meet basic requirements for analyzing the risk of money laundering.

ECONOMY

Fewer Americans apply for jobless benefits as labor market keeps humming along

Applications for unemployment benefits fell again last week as America's labor market continues to hum along despite attempts by the Federal Reserve to cool the economy and bring down inflation that's still higher than optimal.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Wall Street wilts as yields rise ahead of speech by Federal Reserve's Powell

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street closed lower, despite a blowout profit report from Nvidia, as bond yields rose ahead of a highly anticipated speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

T-Mobile will lay off 5,000 employees, or about 7% of its workforce, in the coming weeks

NEW YORK (AP) — Wireless carrier T-Mobile said Thursday it plans to cut 5,000 jobs, or about 7% of its workforce.

Sandwich chain Subway will be sold to Arby's owner Roark Capital

Sandwich chain Subway said Thursday it will be sold to the private equity firm Roark Capital.

Uber raises minimum age for most California drivers to 25, saying insurance costs are too high

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Uber raised the minimum age requirement for most of its new drivers in California to 25 on Thursday under rules the company said are necessary because of the rising costs of commercial auto insurance in the state.

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20, beloved by millions and despised by some

The seasonal drink that made pumpkin spice a star is turning 20. And unlike the autumn days it celebrates, there seems to be no chill in customer demand.

Nvidia's rising star gets even brighter with another stellar quarter propelled by sales of AI chips

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Computer chip maker Nvidia has rocketed into the constellation of Big Tech's brightest stars while riding the artificial intelligence craze that's fueling red-hot demand for its technology.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Scores of Trump fans gather outside Georgia jail to show support ahead of his expected surrender

ATLANTA (AP) — Hours before former President Donald Trump was expected to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail on charges related to his efforts to remain in power after his 2020 election loss, dozens of his supporters had already gathered Thursday morning outside the facility.

Democrats in Pennsylvania want to keep a Supreme Court majority. They're talking up abortion rights

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — As they try to pad their state Supreme Court majority in a presidential battleground, Democrats in Pennsylvania now hope to harness the same voter enthusiasm for protecting abortion rights that has already helped their side to a string of high-profile election victories.

Presidential debate shows how GOP candidates are struggling to address concerns about climate change

NEW YORK (AP) — The eight Republican presidential candidates on the debate stage were asked to raise their hands if they believed human behavior is causing climate change.

Donald who? Fox barely mentions Trump in first half of debate until 10-minute indictment discussion

NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel's two-hour Republican presidential debate was halfway through when moderator Bret Baier said he wanted to take a brief moment to talk about "the elephant not in the room" — Donald Trump and his four criminal indictments.

Republican candidates fight each other, mostly line up behind Trump at the first debate

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Republican presidential candidates vying to be the leading alternative to front-runner Donald Trump fought — sometimes bitterly — over abortion rights, U.S. support for Ukraine and the type of experience needed to manage an expansive federal government during the first debate of the 2024 campaign.

Trump praises Jan. 6 crowd, repeats election lies in online interview while skipping GOP debate

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump skipped the debate stage typically relished by presidential candidates on Wednesday and instead appeared in an online interview peppered with his election lies, attacks on his rivals and lavish praise for the crowd of supporters he spoke to before they stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

At March on Washington's 60th anniversary, leaders seek energy of original movement for civil rights

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sixty years ago, Andrew Young and his staff had just emerged from an exhausting campaign against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama.

US approves new $500M arms sale to Taiwan as tension from China intensifies

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a $500 million arms sale to Taiwan as it ramps up military assistance to the island despite fervent objections from China.

US intelligence says an intentional explosion brought down Wagner chief Prigozhin's plane

WASHINGTON (AP) — A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that the plane crash presumed to have killed Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was intentionally caused by an explosion as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday eulogized the man who staged the biggest challenge to his 23-year rule.

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