Business and Economy

Starbucks Thanksgiving Hours; What You Need to Know

As Thanksgiving nears, many wonder if they can visit their local Starbucks for a holiday beverage. Starbucks locations may vary in operating hours on November 28, 2024. Customers should verify their local store hours using the Starbucks app or website before heading out. In addition to classic drinks, Starbucks introduces new items in its holiday menu, such as the Cran-Merry Orange Refresher and holiday classics like Peppermint Mocha, available alongside festive-themed food. Similar trends are seen with other major chains like McDonald's, IHOP, and Dunkin’, emphasizing the importance of checking hours in advance.

Blake Snell Joins Dodgers with $182 Million Deal

Blake Snell, a renowned Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, has finalized a groundbreaking $182 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the first nine-figure deal of the MLB offseason. Following a stellar performance with the San Francisco Giants, Snell is expected to fortify the Dodgers' pitching rotation, alongside stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. This signing not only bolsters the Dodgers' World Series aspirations but also influences the free-agent market dynamics for other elite pitchers.

Backlash Against Butterball; Allegations of Animal Abuse Resurface

The article delves into the controversy surrounding Butterball Turkeys following resurfaced allegations of animal abuse from a 2006 PETA investigation. It discusses the graphic footage shared on social media, highlighting abusive behavior at a Butterball facility in Arkansas. The piece explores the public's reaction, the company's defense of its animal welfare policies, and the potential implications for Butterball's reputation and sales as Thanksgiving approaches. The article also considers the broader discussion on animal welfare and consumer behavior within the food industry.

Macy's Unveils Disguised Delivery Costs, Delays Financial Report

Macy's recently disclosed that an ex-employee concealed delivery costs ranging from $132 million to $154 million over nearly three years, causing a postponement of its quarterly earnings report. The misconduct, which involved falsifying accounting entries related to small package delivery expenses, was discovered during preparations for the third-quarter financial results for the period ending November 2, 2024. Despite the fraud's lack of impact on cash flow or vendor payments, it sparked concerns about corporate oversight and led to an independent forensic examination. Meanwhile, Macy's recorded a 2.4% drop in quarterly sales largely due to weak digital channels and warmer weather, although its upscale brand Bloomingdale’s saw slight growth. The incident exacerbates Macy’s struggles amidst the competitive retail space, with its stock already having decreased by 20% this year. A turnaround strategy includes closing several stores and operational restructuring to realign with market shifts, with thorough financial results anticipated by December 11.

Microsoft Grapples with Widespread Outage Impacting Outlook and Teams

Microsoft faced a significant setback with a major outage affecting its Outlook and Teams services on November 25, 2024. The service disruption, which started in the morning and intensified throughout the day, was particularly problematic for professionals relying on these tools for communication ahead of Thanksgiving. With over 5,000 reports emerging, Microsoft worked to restore services, implementing fixes and communicating updates via social media. The outage stemmed from a software update change, emphasizing the vulnerabilities in cloud service dependencies.

Trump Nominates Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Secretary of Labor; A Pro-Labor Republican Choice

President-elect Donald Trump's unconventional decision to nominate Oregon Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of Labor highlights a dynamic shift in traditional Republican labor policies. Known for her pro-labor stance, Chavez-DeRemer has co-sponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, enhancing union rights. Her nomination has garnered mixed reactions, drawing praise and criticism alike, reflecting uncertainties about a potential shift in labor policies under the upcoming administration.

Scott Turner Nominated to Lead HUD in Historic Appointment

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Scott Turner, an accomplished former NFL player and Texas state representative, to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). With a distinguished career span from sports to politics, Turner has pioneered initiatives aimed at community development, making his mark as the first Black individual selected for Trump's Cabinet. Tasked with overseeing crucial housing programs amidst prospective budget cuts, Turner's nomination is heralded by many, marking a significant milestone in the administration's housing policy plans.

Moana 2 Set to Break Thanksgiving Box Office Records

Disney's Moana 2 is poised for a record-breaking debut at the Thanksgiving box office, with early projections indicating up to $135 million in sales. The animated sequel, featuring returning stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, is creating massive buzz ahead of its November 27 release. The film is making headlines with unprecedented ticket presales and potential Oscar nominations for its original songs. Competing against big releases like Wicked and Gladiator II, Moana 2 is expected to reignite cinema attendance following a dull fall season.

Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals Trade Shakes Up MLB Roster

The Cincinnati Reds have acquired pitcher Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals in a high-profile trade that includes infielder Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer. This exchange aims to address respective team needs, bolstering the Reds' rotation with Singer's reliability while adding India's on-base prowess to the Royals' lineup.

Trump Nominates Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Secretary of Labor; A Surprising Labor-Friendly Choice

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon as Secretary of Labor, a decision that has surprised many due to her labor-friendly stance. As a rare pro-union Republican, Chavez-DeRemer has received praise from union leaders but sparked some conservative criticism. With a focus on uniting business and labor, her nomination marks a potential shift in the Trump administration's labor policy.