Business Corpus

Grand Planetary Challenges Need a Grand Coalition to Solve Them

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:18:05 -0700

Grand Planetary Challenges Need a Grand Coalition to Solve Them

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 26 (IPS) - Several coalitions exist today to defend the territories in which people live and work. Global leaders have long understood the importance of shared responsibility for collective security and have invested significant time in establishing networks, partnerships and alliances. In 2025, global spending on defense reached a record $2.9 trillion.

Read the full story, “Grand Planetary Challenges Need a Grand Coalition to Solve Them”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/08/26/43894 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/08/Photos-highlighting_1-100x100.jpg"}

A Divided Vote for the UN’s Human Rights Chief

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:18:04 -0700

A Divided Vote for the UN’s Human Rights Chief

BRUSSELS, Belgium, August 26 (IPS) - On 24 July, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly reappointed Volker Türk as High Commissioner for Human Rights for a further four years. Only 10 states – among them Israel, Russia and the USA – opposed the decision.

Read the full story, “A Divided Vote for the UN’s Human Rights Chief”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/08/26/43893 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/08/Results-of-the-vote_-100x100.jpg"}

Colombia Declares State of Emergency Following Deadly Earthquake

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:03:17 -0700

Colombia Declares State of Emergency Following Deadly Earthquake

UNITED NATIONS, August 25 (IPS) - Over the past week, the humanitarian crisis in Colombia has deteriorated significantly following the Mw 7.4–7.5 earthquake that struck the Chocó department on August 10. With the Colombian government declaring a State of Emergency across 15 departments, the nation continues to struggle with massive civilian casualties, immense damage to critical infrastructure, and the disruption of basic services. The national government and the humanitarian community continue to coordinate lifesaving responses and monitor conditions as they evolve.

Read the full story, “Colombia Declares State of Emergency Following Deadly Earthquake”, on globalissues.org →

https://www.globalissues.org/news/2026/08/25/43889 {"url":"https://static.globalissues.org/ips/2026/08/Response-in-Colombia_-100x100.jpg"}

Investor competition for commercial real estate sees strongest growth in a yearEven though macro uncertainty and volatility continue to show up in the broader economy, bidding keeps rising, according to JLL.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:17:53 -0700

Even though macro uncertainty and volatility continue to show up in the broader economy, bidding keeps rising, according to JLL.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/cre-investor-competition-sees-strongest-growth-in-a-year.html

HHS plans new FDA deputy commissioner roles for technology and drugs, sources sayHHS plans to name two deputy commissioners for technology and drugs, said two sources familiar with the matter.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:17:52 -0700

HHS plans to name two deputy commissioners for technology and drugs, said two sources familiar with the matter.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/hhs-fda-leadership-roles-technology-drugs.html

Dick's Sporting Goods stock falls 25% as retailer misses expectations, cites 'challenging' footwear marketDick's Sporting Goods reported fiscal second-quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:32:48 -0700

Dick's Sporting Goods reported fiscal second-quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/dicks-sporting-goods-dks-earnings-q2-2026.html

Dick's Sporting Goods stock falls 20% as retailer misses expectations, cites 'challenging' footwear marketDick's Sporting Goods reported fiscal second-quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 07:22:37 -0700

Vet Tix hits incredible milestone in effort to help military veterans and their familiesVet Tix surpassed an incredible milestone, as it has now handed out 40 million free event tickets to veterans, first responders and their families.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:47:39 -0700

Vet Tix surpassed an incredible milestone, as it has now handed out 40 million free event tickets to veterans, active military members, former and current first responders, and their families across all 50 states.

Vet Tix began as a grassroots effort in a garage in Phoenix in 2008, and today, the nonprofit organization has grown into the nation’s largest Veteran Service Organization, serving more than 2.8 million members. They announced their milestone in a press release on Tuesday.

"It’s not just 40 million tickets. It’s 40 million opportunities to create memories, strengthen family bonds and give something back to those who have served our country and communities," Michael A. Focareto III, U.S. Navy veteran, CEO and founder of Vet Tix said in the press release.

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"We’re grateful to the thousands of donors, including sports teams, venues, artists, ticketing organizations and individuals, who make these experiences possible. Every ticket helps us move closer to our goal of reaching veterans, service members and first responders in every community across the country. We also work to create opportunities for the family members and friends who support them by securing ticket donations that appeal to a wide range of interests."

Vet Tix said that the Arizona Diamondbacks were its first major donor in 2008. About 40% of its tickets are sports-related.

Through Vet Tix and 1st Tix, recipients gain access to sporting events, concerts, family attractions, comedy performances and performing arts events. A study conducted by IMPCT Group found that attending live events has significant benefits for the wellness and social engagement of veterans, first responders and their families.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

The study showed that 90% of respondents reported that attending events positively affected their well-being, while 86% of respondents reported stronger family bonds.

The tickets distributed have a combined face value exceeding $2.6 billion, while additional event-related spending has generated an estimated $3.75 billion in economic activity. The total estimated economic impact exceeds $6.5 billion.

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On average, Vet Tix distributes 25,000 to 30,000 tickets a day.

"The act of service to our country and communities is something most Americans will never have to experience," Focareto said. "In addition to enduring the impacts of military deployments or long shifts while on duty, many veterans, service members and first responders endure invisible emotional challenges. These events are much more than a way to pass the time. They create space for moments of joy that are an important part of recovery, rehabilitation, reintegration and reconnection."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/vet-tix-hits-incredible-milestone-effort-help-military-veterans-families

Dick's Sporting Goods stock falls 20% as retailer misses expectations, cites 'challenging' footwear marketDick's Sporting Goods reported second fiscal quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:37:38 -0700

Dick's Sporting Goods reported second fiscal quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/dicks-sporting-goods-dks-earnings-q2-2026.html

United Airlines adds 2027 flights spanning Sardinia to Okinawa. Here's what it says about travel todayUnited is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:22:40 -0700

United is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/united-airlines-2027-international-routes.html

United's next decision: What to do with all those Boeing 737 Max 10 seats it ordered years agoUnited Airlines wanted to put lie-flat premium seats on its Max 10 planes once they were certified, but that has been delayed by years.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:07:42 -0700

United Airlines wanted to put lie-flat premium seats on its Max 10 planes once they were certified, but that has been delayed by years.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/23/united-airlines-boeing-737-max-10-seats.html

United Airlines adds 2027 flights spanning Sardinia to Okinawa. Here's what it says about travel todayUnited is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 06:07:41 -0700

United is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/united-airlines-2027-international-routes.html

Walmart launches new fashion brand with most items priced under $25The retailer is expanding its fashion push with an affordable bohemian collection designed to win over younger, style-conscious women.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:17:36 -0700

Walmart is making a new play for younger, style-conscious shoppers with a women’s fashion brand offering most items for less than $25.

The retail giant is rolling out Scenario, a modern bohemian collection featuring apparel, shoes, jewelry, handbags and other accessories, at all of its stores.

The launch includes 280 styles, according to Walmart.

"We’ve been on a journey to democratize fashion by focusing on expanding our assortment, elevating the experience in-store and online, reaching new customers and changing [the] perception [of] Walmart fashion," a spokesperson for the retailer told FOX Business in an email.

The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

WALMART SAYS IT WILL USE BILLIONS IN TARIFF REFUNDS TO KEEP PRICES LOW

Scenario is designed to appeal to women around age 35 who want trendier details than Walmart’s existing brands traditionally offer, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The line includes embroidered blouses, pintuck denim shirts and faux leather bags, with a focus on natural fabrics such as cotton, the outlet reported.

Walmart said it developed the brand after research found nearly one in five women ranked bohemian fashion among their preferred styles, even though none of its existing private labels were perceived as directly catering to that look.

WALMART E-COMMERCE SALES SURGE AS CEO TOUTS 'PRICE, SPEED AND CONVENIENCE'

Scenario will take over some space previously devoted to Time and Tru, Walmart’s women’s brand focused on classic wardrobe staples, according to the Journal.

The retailer tested elements of the bohemian aesthetic within its Time and Tru assortment before deciding to build a dedicated lifestyle brand, the company said.

The existing brand will continue with a smaller selection focused on its most popular items, the outlet reported.

"This is an ‘and’ strategy," Denise Incandela, executive vice president of fashion for Walmart U.S., told the Journal. "We’re still going to cover those big-volume driving socks and underwear and denim and Ts."

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Walmart said it has launched or relaunched 15 private brands over the past five years as it works to modernize its fashion business.

The retailer said it has also expanded its selection of premium brands through its online marketplace.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/walmart-launches-new-fashion-brand-most-items-priced-under-25

Dick's Sporting Goods stock falls 15% as retailer misses expectations, cites 'challenging' footwear marketDick's Sporting Goods reported second fiscal quarter earnings on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:52:40 -0700

United Airlines adds 2027 flights spanning Sardinia to Okinawa. Here's what it says about travel todayUnited is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:37:38 -0700

United is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/united-airlines-2027-international-routes.html

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac says the future of supercars is old-school combustion enginesBugatti CEO Mate Rimac told CNBC he thinks high-end sports cars will continue to have combustion engines "for a very long time" even with the rise of EVs.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:37:37 -0700

Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac told CNBC he thinks high-end sports cars will continue to have combustion engines "for a very long time" even with the rise of EVs.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/bugatti-ceo-mate-rimac-supercars-gas-engines.html

Dick's Sporting Goods misses revenue expectations, citing 'challenging' footwear marketDick's Sporting Goods reported second fiscal quarter revenue on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:07:41 -0700

Dick's Sporting Goods reported second fiscal quarter revenue on Tuesday that missed Wall Street expectations amid what it called a "challenging" environment.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/dicks-sporting-goods-dks-earnings-q2-2026.html

United Airlines adds 2027 flights spanning Sardinia to Okinawa. Here's what it says about travel todayUnited is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.{}

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:07:40 -0700

United is betting big on premium, international travel with a host of new routes.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/25/united-airlines-2027-international-routes.html

Canada plans tariff retaliation after Trump warns its leaders to 'fall in line'Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will match new U.S. tariffs "dollar for dollar" as President Donald Trump orders 50% duties on Canadian goods.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:32:43 -0700

Canada is set to announce details of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. on Tuesday after relations between the two countries deteriorated sharply Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Canadian leaders on Monday to "fall in line" or face consequences "far WORSE" than existing tariffs and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the U.S. government of attempting to subordinate Canada.

The U.S. imposed new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods such as wine, furniture and dairy products, while Carney said U.S. trade demands proved Washington wanted to "destroy our major industries," including autos, steel and aluminum.

The U.S. president also threatened new 50% tariffs said tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks, auto parts and steel would rise to 50% beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

TRUMP SAYS 50% TARIFFS ON CANADIAN VEHICLE, STEEL IMPORTS TO HIT JAN 1

"Without the United States, Canada couldn’t survive — It’s where they get all of their money and, because of their current bad leadership, primarily Governor Carney, and his Flunky, Ford, they will not be allowed to keep taking advantage of the United States — Their key to survival," Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who had discussed the tariffs during a Monday afternoon news conference.

"Remember, much of the Electricity, Oil, and Gas that Canada gets is transported through the U.S.A. Someone should get these clowns to 'fall in line' or, the consequences for Canada will be far WORSE!" he added.

Carney suggested that Canada was ready to find a solution to the trade war, but only if the U.S. approached the talks as between two sovereign nations.

"An attitude at the negotiation table that Canada is a subsidiary of the United States is not something we are going to accept," he said.

The forceful words from both sides show how relations have deteriorated since suspended negotiations late Friday, after Canada and the United States blamed one another for the collapse in talks. The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs the following day on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.

The prime minister had also said over the weekend that Canada "will match Washington's new tariffs dollar for dollar in order to protect Canadian workers, farmers, families, and businesses."

CANADA'S CARNEY SAYS US MADE LAST-MINUTE ‘POWER PLAY’ AS TRADE TALKS COLLAPSE; RETALIATORY TARIFFS IN PLACE

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"You're at war when you get attacked. We got attacked," Carney said when asked if Canada was engaged in a trade war.

The "dollar for dollar" tariffs on imports of U.S. steel, electronics and other products are expected to take effect on September 8.

Ford, whose Progressive Conservative Party typically opposes Carney’s Liberal Party, said that "everything is on the table" if the trade war continues. He also asserted that Canadians are "in for an economic war," adding that they "know they’re going to have to sacrifice."

Reuters contributed to this report.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/canada-plans-tariff-retaliation-after-trump-warns-its-leaders-fall-line

Target pulls 'offensive' Halloween costume critics accused of evoking Blackface: 'We are deeply sorry'Target pulled a kids' circus clown Halloween costume accused of evoking Blackface and minstrel shows, with critics tying the misstep to DEI rollbacks.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:17:40 -0700

Target has apologized for a circus clown Halloween costume that critics accused of evoking Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows following online backlash.

The costume was sold as the "Kids' Glows Under ‌Blacklight Circus Clown Halloween Costume," according to the since-deleted listing. The costume was sold as part of the retailer's seasonal Hyde and EEK Boutique brand.

Target removed the "offensive" costume and said that it should never have been featured in its stores.

TARGET RECALLS 200,000 CHILDREN'S SANDALS OVER POTENTIAL CHOKING HAZARD: CPSC

"As a company, we know we got this wrong, and we are deeply sorry. The costume is offensive and should never have been part of our assortment. It is no longer available for sale," company spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo said in a statement to FOX Business.

"We know this is especially hurtful for our Black guests, team members and partners. Removing the costume is an important first step, and the company is looking closely at how this happened and what needs to change to ensure this won’t happen again," he continued.

The move to pull the costume comes after social media backlash in which critics accused the Minneapolis-based retailer of selling racist merchandise.

"You really don’t have anyone left in Minneapolis to say, 'Hey, that’s racist'? Y’all cut DEI and now you’ve got a minstrel clown costume for kids on your website," one user said on Threads.

This comes on the heels of several reputational hits for the retailer that have hurt sales in recent years, including Target’s handling of its Pride Collection in 2023 and its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Target joined a broad corporate effort to scale back diversity initiatives after Trump issued a series of executive orders aimed at rooting out DEI.

The retailer scaled back initiatives aimed at increasing representation of Black employees and supporting Black-owned businesses and suppliers, saying it needed to stay in step with "the evolving external landscape." The reversal drew backlash from some Black consumers and business owners who had supported or benefited from Target’s diversity efforts.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/target-pulls-offensive-halloween-costume-critics-accused-evoking-blackface-we-deeply-sorry

Bessent says Treasury auctions will continue as usual despite expanded buyback programScott Bessent confirmed Treasury auctions will continue as scheduled while the new buyback structure for longer-dated securities takes effect Sept. 9.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:17:39 -0700

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that the regularly scheduled Treasury auctions of U.S. debt are expected to continue per usual after his agency announced an increase in the size of buybacks of longer-dated securities.

Bessent spoke Monday at a press conference to discuss a new plan for the "economic asphyxiation" of the Iranian regime through the implementation of secondary sanctions on Iran's trading partners.

During the press conference, the Treasury secretary was asked about whether the agency may reduce the size of auctions for longer-term debt going forward or if there are other actions from the department's toolkit that may be used to help lower yields.

"We are going to continue with our regular program of auctions. So you will be hearing from us again at the beginning of next quarter," Bessent said. He added in response to a follow-up question that, "We haven't bought a single bond yet."

TREASURY YIELDS HIT MULTI-DECADE HIGHS AMID SURGING NATIONAL DEBT

Bessent noted that the next auctions of longer-dated Treasurys, such as the 10-year note and the 20- and 30-year bonds, aren't scheduled until mid-September which is the earliest the new buyback structure could come into play after the change takes effect on Sept. 9.

Under the change, which was announced on Aug. 19, the Treasury's maximum buyback authority rises from $2 billion per operation to at least $4 billion per operation, which will serve as a floor rather than a cap to allow the size of buybacks to respond to market conditions.

The change is expected to remain in effect through the rest of the quarter, or through Nov. 4, after which the Treasury will provide more information about future buyback sizes.

Treasury said in its announcement that the "increase in buyback operations reflects Treasury's desire to provide greater liquidity support in longer-dated nominal sectors where there is consistent strong sponsorship from market participants, as evidenced by the significant volume of high-quality offers Treasury routinely receives in longer-dated buyback operations."

US NATIONAL DEBT HITS $40 TRILLION MILESTONE FOR FIRST TIME EVER

Last week's announcement lowered yields on the 10-year Treasury note and on 20- and 30-year bonds for a short period of time, though they largely retraced those declines by the end of the week. Yields were down modestly on Monday.

Bessent said last week that the higher buybacks aim to support liquidity in a more thinly traded portion of the market, particularly in the 30-year sector, while the longer-dated Treasurys are also competing with heavy issuance of corporate bonds at higher yields amid the artificial intelligence (AI) buildout.

Higher yields on Treasurys can cause fiscal pressure for the federal government, which is forced to pay more interest to service the national debt. The move comes as the U.S. gross national debt topped $40 trillion for the first time ever last week.

BESSENT LAYS OUT 5 PRINCIPLES GUIDING TRUMP ADMIN'S APPROACH TO ECONOMIC STATECRAFT

The Treasury Department's announcement didn't indicate the funding source for the Treasury buybacks. A Reuters report noted that the Treasury General Account (TGA) at the Federal Reserve could serve as a source because it would negate the need to issue new, shorter-dated Treasurys – though it would eat into the nation's cash reserves.

The TGA effectively functions as the federal government's checking account, as it's used to pay for daily government operations ranging from federal worker salaries, contracts and Treasury's interest and principal obligations.

As of last Wednesday, the TGA stood at about $940 billion in funding. Treasury has beefed up the TGA this year in part to help pay for some of the $166 billion in tariff refunds owed to importers in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a key portion of President Donald Trump's tariff regime.

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In the past year, the TGA has had an average balance of around $840 billion, which was the highest ever outside its rapid run-up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reuters contributed to this report.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/scott-bessent-says-treasury-auctions-continue-usual-despite-expanded-buyback-program

Buc-ee’s CEO signals expansion shift away from blue states that ‘don’t appreciate’ chainBuc-ee’s co-founder Arch “Beaver" Aplin III said the travel center is finding a stronger fit in conservative, business-friendly communities.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:03:13 -0700

Buc-ee’s CEO suggested recently that the Texas-based travel center chain may be done looking into blue districts, saying some communities do not appreciate what the company brings while conservative states offer business-friendly and family-oriented values.

Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, the company’s president and co-founder, made the comments during the grand opening of Buc-ee’s newest location in Benton, Arkansas on August 17. The chain is known for its expansive gas stations, famously clean restrooms and in-house food offerings.

"We have a lot of opportunities. We're growing. We're building in a lot of places. But when you find a conservative business-friendly state with a phenomenal workforce, it makes a difference," Aplin said.

Aplin criticized states that he said do not appreciate what Buc-ee’s brings to their communities, suggesting the company would rather focus its expansion efforts elsewhere.

BUC-EE'S OPENS FIRST ARKANSAS LOCATION AS CHAIN EXPANDS ACROSS US

"I'm starting to realize life's too short to try to build in places that people don't appreciate what you're bringing, versus a place like this where people do appreciate what you are building," he said.

Conservative states typically promote business-friendly and family-oriented policies that align with Buc-ee’s values, Aplin said.

"That leadership, that concept, that idea of conservative, business-friendly, family-oriented concept works so much better if it trickles down from the very leadership from the top at the governor's office, at the congressman, at senator, at the mayor, the representatives," he said.

Aplin pointed to Benton as an example of the approach, saying the city’s business-friendly environment helped pave the way for Buc-ee’s newest location.

"What we found when we got here into Benton was a business-friendly town," he said.

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN CO-FOUNDER OPENS UP ABOUT FAMOUS CHAIN'S WILD RISE, BANKRUPTCY AND COMEBACK

Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates sprawling travel centers that typically feature 74,000 square feet of space and 120 fueling positions. The locations often create more than 200 jobs, according to the company.

Buc-ee’s currently has 58 locations, including 37 in Texas, according to the company’s website.

The chain has expanded to 13 other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia.

Nearly all the cities where Buc-ee’s operates are located in areas that generally lean conservative, with a few exceptions where local political dynamics are more mixed.

Auburn, Alabama, for example, is a college town located in a predominantly Republican county, giving it a more politically mixed environment than some surrounding communities.

Brunswick, Georgia, has a Democratic-leaning municipal base despite being located in Glynn County, which has generally leaned Republican.

Goodyear, Arizona, has become a competitive suburban area in recent election cycles and is located in the West Valley of Maricopa County, a region that has historically leaned Republican but has become increasingly politically competitive.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

More Buc-ee’s locations are slated to open in the coming years, including a travel center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Nov. 16.

Six locations are also expected to open in 2027, including sites in Ruston, Louisiana; Kansas City, Kansas; Gallaway, Tennessee; St. Lucie, Florida; Boerne, Texas; and Monroe County, Georgia.

Two additional locations are planned for 2028 in Mebane, North Carolina, and Lafayette, Louisiana.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/buc-ees-ceo-signals-expansion-shift-away-blue-states-dont-appreciate-chain

Jersey Mike’s alums look to ‘run it back’ with fast-casual chain Dog Haus targeting 300 locationsFormer Jersey Mike’s leaders are joining forces at Dog Haus as the fast-casual chain looks to grow from about 60 to 300 locations nationwide.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:03:12 -0700

Several former Jersey Mike’s executives and franchisees are reuniting at Dog Haus, betting the lessons they learned helping build the submarine sandwich giant can turn the fast-casual restaurant chain into a national powerhouse.

Dog Haus recently named former Jersey Mike’s chief innovation officer James Field as chief marketing officer. He joins President and Chief Development Officer Chris Rigassio and Chief Operating Officer Garen Khodaverdian, both former Jersey Mike’s franchisees.

The reunion follows Blackstone’s January 2025 acquisition of a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s in a deal valued at roughly $8 billion, according to SEC filings.

Field told FOX Business that the group could have pursued separate opportunities following the sale, but saw a chance to stay together and help scale Dog Haus, which currently operates roughly 60 locations.

"We all could have gone off and done different things individually after the sale of Jersey Mike's," Field said. "… I think we just thought if we stay together, it's a one plus one equals three scenarios."

Field added: "When you’ve been in the trenches with people through that type of brand growth that you saw at Jersey Mike’s, you say, ‘My gosh, let’s run it back.'"

Dog Haus CEO Michael Montagano said the company is "laser focused" on growing from roughly 60 restaurants to 300, with a $1 billion valuation serving as its "North Star."

"One major step in that success is building a team that is capable of executing to this level of scale," Montagano told FOX Business.

He said Jersey Mike’s grew systematically while maintaining strong relationships with franchisees and delivering a consistent customer experience — a model Dog Haus hopes to follow as it enters new markets.

"Ultimately, that was done very responsibly and yielded a fantastic result," Montagano said.

PIZZA HUT MAKES SURPRISING CHANGE TO ICONIC NAME AHEAD OF NFL SEASON

Founded in Pasadena, California, in 2010, Dog Haus serves hot dogs, sausages, burgers, chicken and breakfast burritos. The chain opened its first permanent international restaurant in Mérida, Mexico, in June.

Field said Dog Haus’ founders, food and early investments in delivery and digital ordering helped convince the former Jersey Mike’s leaders that the brand was ready for a larger growth push.

"When you look at the assets that it has, it’s primed for success," Field said. "… When you look at what Dog Haus has been through over the last 15 years — different economic cycles, different crazes and fads and trends in the industry — not only has it survived, but it’s thrived."

The company is now building the infrastructure it believes it will need before accelerating expansion.

Dog Haus plans to divide the country into 15 regions overseen by area directors responsible for maintaining quality and guiding local growth. The company is also building its corporate infrastructure before accelerating expansion.

PIZZA HUT MAKES SURPRISING CHANGE TO ICONIC NAME AHEAD OF NFL SEASON

"We're thinking ahead and making sure that we have the right pieces in place in order to meet that demand that we're already seeing at scale," he said.

CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Montagano said having executives who understand both the corporate and franchisee sides of the business gives Dog Haus an advantage as it pursues its expansion target.

"We believe that going 60 to 300 over the next few years is really a layup," Montagano said. "It's really about what we can do beyond that."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jersey-mikes-alums-look-run-back-fast-casual-chain-dog-haus-targeting-300-locations

Raiders announce $25M grant to help build Nevada's first stand-alone children's hospitalMark Davis and the Las Vegas Raiders announced a $25 million gift to Intermountain Health to help build Nevada's first stand-alone children's hospital.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:47:38 -0700

The Raiders continue to impact the Las Vegas community, as they announced their largest philanthropic commitment in the franchise’s history on Monday.

The Raiders and Intermountain Health announced a $25 million gift to help build Nevada’s first-ever stand-alone children’s hospital.

The gift by the Raiders was led by owners Mark Davis, Egon Durban, and Michael Meldman, who each contributed $5 million toward the hospital’s development. The Raiders committed an additional $10 million for this game-changing gift.

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"We want this gift to remind children and families that they have our team backing them and that the support of the entire Raider Nation is in their corner," Davis said in a statement about the philanthropic achievement.

Mitch Cloward, Intermountain Health’s region president, added: "The Raiders are committed to excellence, and this gift is a generational investment that will keep families closer, strengthen our community, and give every kid every chance to thrive.

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The hospital, which will be located at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, will be the first of its kind in Nevada, "anchoring a new future for kids and families across the state and delivering comprehensive, high-acuity pediatric care."

The building will be 828,000 square feet and will rest on a 33-acre campus with 180 patient beds, with the design allowing room to grow.

The hospital will provide advanced emergency services designed specifically for children and a full-spectrum outpatient center alongside with inpatient and specialty care.

And as a result of the $25 million gift, Intermountain Health Nevada Children’s Hospital’s physical therapy and rehabilitation space, as well as its bistro, will be named in the Raiders’ honor.

It will be the Las Vegas Raiders Bistro, which will sit adjacent to the hospital’s main lobby. The press release noted this as "a space where caregivers and parents navigating the complexities of having a child in the hospital can pause," providing "a quiet meal, or seeking a moment of normalcy" where families can find support.

"Sports reminds us that we do our best when we have the right team around us," Meldman said in a statement. "Families deserve to feel supported every step of the way. In addition to the experts at Intermountain Health, the Raiders family stands with our community’s kids."

The Las Vegas Raiders Inpatient Rehab Gym will also play a vital role in helping children "heal, grow stronger, and regain confidence through movement and play." The space will provide advanced therapeutic equipment alongside some playful design elements to make therapy feel more empowering and fun.

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"When we invest in children, we invest in everything that comes next – their education, their opportunities, and their future," Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Raiders, said in a statement. "We want Nevada’s kids to know that their home team is cheering them on."

Construction on the landmark hospital is expected to start in coming months, with an anticipated opening date coming for 2030.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/raiders-announce-25m-grant-help-build-nevadas-first-stand-alone-childrens-hospital

IBM continuing to enhance fan experience with new AI-powered features for US Open, including Serve QualityIBM unveiled its AI-powered Serve Quality metric and enhanced Match Chat ahead the 2026 U.S. Open, as the technology giant continues to transform the fan experience.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:47:37 -0700

The U.S. Open is back in Queens this week, as the final Grand Slam of the year brings millions of fans together at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to witness some of the best men’s and women’s players in the world competing for glory.

As fans gear up to soak in hundreds of matches over the next couple of weeks, IBM and the United States Tennis Association announced new and enhanced AI-powered fan features within the popular U.S. Open app and USOpen.org for this year’s tournament.

For decades now, IBM has been working with the U.S. Open to truly evolve the fan experience, especially in recent years with AI-powered innovations that are designed to cut through all the noise and allow fans to personalize their tennis experience at their fingertips.

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That experience has evolved into one in which the fans demand AI-powered features because accuracy, not speed, has been shaping the digital sports realm for those consumers. According to new global research commissioned by IBM and conducted by Morning Consult, sports fans’ digital expectations are evolving as platform choices multiply, with 46% of more than 20,000 sports fans across 12 countries saying their expectations for digital sports experiences have increased in just the past one to two years. Also, 72% of surveyed fans say they use sports apps as their central hub for fandom, while 40% said having their information in one place is their leading motivation to follow along.

As a result, IBM continues to transform that experience in a way fans can enjoy one of the best tournaments in all of sports this week.

"I think we have such an incredible reputation in tennis through our two [Grand] Slam partnerships, as well as The Masters, where there’s this anticipation for the event, but also to see how we’re going to keep them connected," Kameryn Stanhouse, vice president of sports and entertainment partnerships at IBM, told Fox Business in a recent interview.

"That’s one of the things that I love about what we do in sports is that we actually leverage technology as a way to foster conversations and connection. You can talk to people whether they’re able to go to tennis matches [or not]. We’ve got 1 million people that are going to go to the [UTSA] Billie Jean Tennis Center across the two weeks, and then 14 million people are going to be engaged at home on their couch, but able to feel like they’re courtside and engage on that second-screen experience."

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What will that second-screen experience look like for the 2026 U.S. Open? First, an all-new Live Updates homepage will provide fans with a smarter and more personalized way to follow the action they care about the most. Stanhouse emphasized fans being able to choose their favorite players and quickly zero in on those matches, while getting insight and stories they care about in the process.

Another new feature Stanhouse is very excited to see in real time is the Serve Quality metric, which is a "first-to-market feature" that provides a whole new context to one of the most important aspects of tennis.

Last year, American women’s star Coco Gauff came into the U.S. Open with a new coach specifically to help with her serves. Service can be the difference between winning and losing, and those generally with superior serves win matches.

This new feature from IBM will be available across all 254 singles matches, where the AI-powered tool will use advanced limb-tracking technology developed with IBM Bob to help analyze the precise mechanics of every serve. And the continuous stream of this live data will be managed by IBM Confluent.

"We basically trained this model to look at all the historic white papers, all the research about serves. Then, we’re looking at 21 specific joint points on the body – everything from the elbow to the big toe that looks at momentum," Stanhouse explained. "The position of a serve on the court, where it lands. We have six different coordinates we’re looking at all the way to the racket positioning. Synthesizing all of that, it’s doing snapshots 50 times per second – lots of data points in this one. But overall, 1.2 billion data points that’s going to be analyzed over the tournament to give you a Serve Quality number."

Also, the new "Key Moments" feature within the app takes the popular "Likelihood to Win" feature to the next level to help fans understand why someone is winning – not just who is up in the match. The "Likelihood to Win" feature became a hit as it calculated each player’s probability of victory using an AI-powered analysis of current and historical statistics, expert opinion and match momentum.

Now, "Key Moments" will provide additional, more rich information, to summarize those momentum shifts in matches.

"We’re looking at that structured and unstructured data, taking AI to make an analysis, and then make a pre-match projection that takes into consideration not only how they’ve been playing, but what’s the media saying? What’s been said on social media? What are the broadcasters saying? Did someone get a new tennis coach? Do they have a lingering injury? So, we take all that into consideration and provide a pre-match projection," Stanhouse added.

Finally, as fans have become more accustomed to an AI experience over the years, IBM’s enhanced "Match Chat" will act as an interactive companion to help provide whatever insight is needed to help guide the user through the tournament. Everything from analysis to finding out Serve Quality, to simply figuring out how to pronounce someone’s name properly, Match Chat, powered by watsonx Orchestrate, is a collection of AI agents and fit-for-purpose models trained to give fast, accurate responses that keeps fans informed whenever they need it.

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For Stanhouse and her team, the U.S. Open is simply another opportunity to showcase what IBM can do for not just the sports world, but drive the conversation for other companies to utilize the fun, engaging technology they’ve developed for themselves.

"Everybody says my team has the best job at IBM. There’s many, many great jobs, but I think what we do is so exciting because there’s a tangible output that people actually see and people are waiting for. Each tournament that we go to is not only a learning opportunity because we’re constantly thinking about how we’re going to evolve things for the next year, but it’s such a pay-off to see everything come to life. Because what we do is not just serve the fan experience, but we’re so creating unique conversation pieces for our clients. They see how IBM technology makes all of this possible and inspire what you could do with us."

https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/ibm-continuing-enhance-fan-experience-new-ai-powered-features-us-open-including-serve-quality