Small businesses say they're having a good summer as Americans travel closer to home
NEW YORK (AP) — Small business owners in U.S. tourist destinations say they’re seeing more Americans sticking closer to home this summer. Businesses around Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada, and in Asheville, North Carolina, and World Cup host Kansas City in Missouri say they've noticed customers trading in overseas vacations for road trips and day excursions. Though anecdotal, the reported boost to domestic tourism comes as higher airfares and gasoline prices have made vacations more expensive. The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and celebrations of the nation’s 250th birthday have given some U.S. residents additional incentives to create summer memories without going far.
A California farmer is giving away tons of nectarines that he's not allowed to sell
A California farmer has been giving away free nectarines this week amid a legal dispute with a food market and distributing company claiming exclusive rights over the variety of white nectarine he grows. Cesar Mora has been unable to sell his nectarine crop for the second year in a row due to the lawsuit. Giumarra Brothers Fruit Co. filed the suit against Mora in 2023. It centers on the company's claims of exclusivity over a variety of white nectarine called “Monalise” and accusations that Mora broke their contract by selling the fruit to other packers. Mora has accused the company of unfair and fraudulent business practices. A trial is scheduled for later this month.
US employers still reluctant to add many jobs as hiring slows in June
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers pulled back on hiring last month and added only 57,000 jobs, less than half the previous month’s total and a sign companies still have a cautious economic outlook. The Labor Department said Thursday that the unemployment rate declined to a low 4.2% from 4.3% in May, though the decline mostly occurred because many people out of work gave up looking and were no longer counted as unemployed. The figures suggest companies remain wary of the economy’s health, with inflation at a three-year high and consumer confidence near post-pandemic lows.
Trump Accounts launch July 4, giving newborns $1,000. Here's what to know
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is launching Trump Accounts on July 4, aiming to boost financial independence for children born during his second term. Parents can open accounts for these children, receiving $1,000 from the government and potentially more from billionaires who've pledged funds. The funds are managed by private firms and are invested in the stock market. Children can access the money at age 18 for specific purposes, such as education or home buying. The program has faced criticism for failing to address kids’ immediate needs and for potentially widening the wealth gap. Affluent families that can afford to put their own money in the accounts will realize the greatest benefits.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donate $26M to charities ahead of wedding
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated $26 million to charities this week ahead of their Friday wedding at Madison Square Garden. According to Swift's publicist, the donations were spread out across 20 local and national charities. The announcement did not include any mention of Swift and Kelce’s wedding, but a law enforcement official briefed on security plans has told AP that the wedding will be held Friday, with a smaller rehearsal dinner Thursday night. Nine of the selected organizations are based in New York, ranging from the Food Bank For NYC, City Harvest, to Musical Mentors, a nonprofit that connects music teachers with students in need.
World shares are mixed after Dow hits a new record, as some AI shares bounce back
BANGKOK (AP) — Shares are mixed in Europe after a rally in Asia following the Dow Jones Industrial Average's latest record. U.S. futures wavered ahead of Friday's holiday, with markets due to remain closed on Wall Street for Independence Day. On Thursday, the S&P 500 finished basically unchanged, though seven out of every 10 stocks within the index rose. The Dow rallied 1.1%, while the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.8%, erasing an early gain. Stocks broadly got help from data showing U.S. hiring slowed last month. That pushed traders to trim bets on a possible hike to interest rates later this month.
Australian prime minister condemns delay of changes to child social media ban
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned senators who blocked changes to the social media ban for children. The government recently introduced to Parliament amendments aimed at increasing the powers of the eSafety Commissioner to enforce the ban that took effect last December. But the conservative opposition Liberal Party and minor Australian Greens party referred the draft legislation to an eight-week Senate inquiry. Australia was the first nation to ban children younger than 16 from holding accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Albanese said Friday that tech giants would use the delay to destroy evidence.
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that's falling back to Earth
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A three-armed spacecraft is rushing to the rescue of a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth. Northrop Grumman launched Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft on Friday from the Marshall Islands in the Pacific. The Pegasus rocket blasted off from the belly of a modified airplane, putting Link on course to reach NASA’s Swift Observatory in about a month. Launched in 2004, Swift is sinking faster than ever because of recent solar storms. NASA is paying $30 million for Katalyst to capture the telescope and boost its orbit so it can continue tracking the universe’s biggest explosions.
Tribes hope Farm Bill can feed more people and preserve Indigenous culture
HOPKINTON, R.I. (AP) — Dawn and Cassius Spears would like to expand their farm’s reach beyond their farm stand, but it’s challenging. Like many small food producers, the Spears have sought financial assistance through federal programs. Some have been cut or significantly scaled back under the Trump Administration, including U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that helped Indigenous farmers like the Spears. Tribes have used these programs to distribute culturally-significant foods produced locally. Some legislators are working to reinstate programs as part of the Farm Bill that would help state and tribal governments purchase local food.
A grim job outlook meets a scrappy workforce as administrative assistants harness AI
Employment data offers a grim outlook for secretaries and administrative assistants in the age of artificial intelligence, but workers in the women-dominated occupation say the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Administrative professionals say adapting is a key part of their day-to-day. By tasking AI with the more repetitive items and freeing up time for more strategic work, some say they are using these tools as a launchpad for career growth. But according to a Brookings Institution report they may be more exposed to AI-induced displacement than other professionals.
