DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Amazon just turned up the heat in the grocery wars with Walmart and Target
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon Prime members can now get unlimited grocery deliveries for $9.99 per month. Shoppers can get free delivery on orders over $35 from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, and more. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSummer is approaching, and the competition for same-day grocery delivery is heating up. Amazon is now the latest major retailer to enter the fray with a new subscription option for Prime members to get unlimited delivery on orders over $35 from stores, including Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, and other local shops.

Persons: — Organizations: Amazon, Foods, Walmart, Target, Service, Whole Foods, Business

They eat a lot.”Many states have rejected federal funds on principle or for technical reasons. Twenty-two states have turned down the mostly federally funded expansion of Medicaid eligibility to provide health insurance to more lower-income adults. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe Summer EBT program, a response to increased child hunger when school is out, involves much less money. Bill Lee's office said the initiative is a pandemic-era benefit and that other food programs already exist. But Crystal FitzSimons, director of school programs at Food Research and Action Center, cited research that families buy more nutritional food when their grocery subsidies increase.

Persons: Otibehia Allen, ” Allen, “, aren't, Thomas Vazquez, Bill Lee's, Megan Degenfelder, ”, Defenfelder, Allen's, Tate Reeves, Reeves, you’re, Jim Pillen, Lisa Davis, Kim Reynolds, Crystal FitzSimons, It's, ___ Mattise, Sean Murphy, James Pollard, Pollard Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Texas Health, Human Services Commission, Texas, Republican Gov, Food Research, Action Center, Associated Press, “, Republican, Washington D.C, Democratic, Action, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Clarksdale , Mississippi, States, Vermont, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Louisiana, In Mississippi, Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska , Florida, Georgia , Idaho , Iowa, Louisiana , Mississippi , Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota , Texas , Vermont, Nashville , Tennessee, Cherry Hill , New Jersey, Oklahoma City, Columbia , South Carolina

Jim Pillen reversed course on Monday and announced that the state will accept roughly $18 million in federal funding to help feed hungry children over the summer break. “They talked about being hungry, and they talked about the summer USDA program and, depending upon access, when they'd get a sack of food,” Pillen said. A bill from state Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, would have forced the state to accept the federal funding. Kim Reynolds criticized the federal food program as doing “nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic." Pillen said Monday that Nebraska officials had already reached out to the USDA to confirm that the state would participate this year.

Persons: LINCOLN, Jim Pillen, Pillen, “, they'd, ” Pillen, ”, —, Sen, Jen, Ray Aguilar, Aguilar, Kim Reynolds, Reynolds, State Sen, Megan Hunt, ” Hunt Organizations: —, — Nebraska Gov, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Capitol, SNAP, Summer Food Service, Democrat, Republican, Nebraska, State, USDA Locations: Neb, — Nebraska, Nebraska, Pillen's, Omaha, Grand, Iowa

Tennessee is among 35 states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes that have opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, for this summer. "Established during the pandemic, Summer EBT was intended to supplement existing food assistance programs in extraordinary circumstances. “I think it is a mistake to not continue with Summer EBT in 2025 and beyond,” Anderson said in an interview. Under the federal program, some 644,000 Tennessee children can receive $77.3 million more in aid this summer, creating a multiplied economic impact, according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. All 50 states administer the existing Summer Food Service Program, which provides sites where kids can eat for free.

Persons: won’t, Joe Biden's, Bill Lee's, ”, Elizabeth Johnson, Lee, EBT, Signe Anderson, she's, ” Anderson, Jim Pillen, Tom Vilsack, he’s Organizations: —, . Tennessee, Republican, Republican Gov, “ Tennessee, Tennessee Justice Center, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USDA, Assistance, Nebraska Gov, USDA Food, Nutrition Service, Food Service Program, Associated Locations: Tenn, — Tennessee, ., Tennessee, “, Nebraska, ” Tennessee

Nebraska is among more than a dozen states — all with Republican governors — that have opted out of receiving the funding. Kim Reynolds criticized the federal food program as doing “nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing a steady increase in food insecurity among Nebraska families could help explain that flood of calls, Day said. “This places Nebraska above the national average and gives us the 11th highest food insecurity in the nation,” she said. “As many of you know, food is more expensive than ever, and it’s squeezing low-income Nebraska residents hardest."

Persons: Weeks, Jim Pillen, “, Omaha Sen, Jen Day, —, Kim Reynolds, Sen, Ray Aguilar, Aguilar, Day, Pillen Organizations: Republican Gov, Legislature's, Human Services Committee, SNAP, Democrat, Nebraska Legislature, Republican, Statistics, U.S . Department, Agriculture, Summer Food Service Program, U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Nebraska, Omaha, Iowa, Grand, U.S

☆ 15 states mostly led by Republicans refuse federal funds to feed hungry children during the summer months
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Katie Balevic | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Biden Administration has launched a permanent Summer EBT program to feed hungry children. AdvertisementFifteen states, all currently led by Republican governors, were notably absent from the Summer EBT announcement. AdvertisementIn Mississippi and Oklahoma, spokespersons from their respective health departments told BI their states have existing summer food assistance programs. A spokesperson from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said there is a budget request in its state legislature to approve funding for the Summer EBT program in 2025. Some who declined to participate in the Summer EBT program, however, were more direct.

Persons: —, Tom Vilsack, John Bel Edwards, Jeff Landry, South Carolina –, Jim Pillen Organizations: Biden Administration, Republicans, Service, Administration, Republican, US Department of Agriculture, USDA, Former Louisiana Gov, Democrat, Republican Gov, Iowa Department of Health, Human Services, Idaho Department of Health, Welfare, Vermont Public Radio, Lincoln Journal Star Locations: Alabama, Alaska , Florida, Georgia , Idaho , Iowa, Louisiana , Mississippi , Nebraska , Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota , Texas , Vermont, Wyoming, Texas , Oklahoma , Louisiana , Mississippi, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Vermont, Nebraska

☆ Craft beer, marriages and air travel: The collateral damage of a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Alex Seitz-Wald | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Staff, meanwhile, have been forced to put their real jobs on hold to prepare for the looming shutdown. National parksThe National Park Service plans to close its parks and furlough park rangers if the government shuts down on Sunday. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the parks themselves remained accessible, but without most services. Some presidential libraries would remain open as long as they have sufficient funds, but others would close and research services would be reduced. A shutdown would result in a "data blackout" of critical economic statistics that influence markets and businesses around the globe.

Persons: Donald Trump, that's, Biden, Joshua, Armando L, Sanchez, Pete Buttigieg, they're, White, Treasury Department furloughed, shutdowns Organizations: Yosemite, Fresno Bee, Tribune, Service, Getty, White House Council, Economic Advisers, Management, Staff, National Park Service, Park Service, Department of Interior, NBC, Congressional Research Service, National Zoo, U.S . Holocaust, Museum, National, Science, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, FBI Agents Association, FBI, Air, Transportation Security, LaGuardia, TSA, O'Hare International, State Department, Consular, Education Department, AmeriCorps, Agriculture Department, Assistance, Women, Small Business Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Social, Consumer, Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety, Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety, Health Administration, Labor, —, Social Security, Medicare, Treasury Department, Foreign Assets Control, Russia Locations: El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, Washington, Civil, U.S, Europe, Southeast Asia, New Mexico, shutdowns, New York, Chicago, Russia, Iran, Ukraine

☆ There's been a spike in Americans skipping meals since the end of pandemic-era benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Over half of Americans on SNAP benefits are eating less, a new report found. More Americans are skipping meals six months after the end of pandemic SNAP expansions. AdvertisementAdvertisementMany Americans are eating less and attending food pantries more frequently six months after the end of pandemic-era Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamp, expansions. As many as 16 million households received reductions to their SNAP benefits starting in March. Over 80% of those receiving SNAP benefits are elderly Americans, working families, or people with disabilities, the USDA said.

Persons: Biden, —, Tom Vilsack Organizations: SNAP, Service, Nutrition Assistance, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Food Research, Action Center, Social, Women, USDA Locations: —

☆ Walmart is discounting its Walmart+ membership for customers on government assistance. Here's how to apply.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Yeji Jesse Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart said on Thursday that it would offer its Walmart+ membership at half price to some customers. The number of Amazon Prime memberships dropped for the first time last year, according to one estimate. Amazon still had around 168 million Prime members in the US and 200 million members globally at the end of 2022. A Walmart spokesperson declined to provide membership statistics for Walmart+ or to comment on projected enrollments in the half-price program but said that about a quarter of its current Walmart+ members rely on EBT payments. Here's how to applyBoth current and new Walmart+ members can apply for the discounted rate by verifying their eligibility on Walmart's website.

Persons: Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders Organizations: Walmart, SNAP, Service, Privacy, Paramount, Amazon, WIC, Medicaid Locations: Wall, Silicon, Vermont

The majority of states have declined to reimburse SNAP skimming victims. If Congress’ massive $1.7 trillion funding package passes, a provision tucked inside it would require states to replace SNAP benefits stolen in October or later. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., who introduced a bill last month to help SNAP skimming victims get their benefits reinstated. Washington, D.C., also reimburses SNAP skimming victims. Current regulations prohibit federal funds from being used to replace stolen SNAP funds, according to the Agriculture Department.

If it is signed into law, the omnibus bill would address the summer food gap low-income families face in two ways. It would permit “grab-and-go” free summer meals to be distributed in rural communities as part of the nationwide Summer Food Service Program, expanding access for more children in need. The Summer EBT program would start in 2024. And so having options like Summer EBT, having options like grab-and-go, other noncongregate options, is the way to be able to do that.”The summer nutrition program expansions in the bill were championed by Sens. "We know too often children who are able to get healthy meals in school go hungry during the summer.

Federal dollars are also not an option for reimbursement because regulations prohibit federal funds from being used to replace stolen SNAP funds. SNAP participants say they cannot wait that long after a month or more of stolen benefits plunged them into financial turmoil. Washington, D.C., also reimburses SNAP skimming victims. In the meantime, anti-hunger advocates say there’s no reason states can’t fill the gap for SNAP skimming victims. How states can helpCalifornia, one state that restores stolen benefits, has a law allowing state funds to be used that dates back to 2013.

☆ A 37-year-old making $85,000 a year is struggling to find a place to rent or buy in California, and it's a sign of how hard it is to find housing that feels affordable
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Brittany Phillips made $85,000 a year in California and still struggled to find an affordable home. Her story shows how hard it can be to secure stable housing in certain areas despite a good salary. The single mom of one packed her bags for Florida and moved in with her mother in Panama City Beach, Florida, in August. Before she decamped to Florida, Phillips, 37, moved regularly to find more affordable places to live. Brittany PhillipsAs she grew tired of scratching and clawing just to stay afloat, Phillips moved in with her mother in Florida.

Check out the trailer for 'Amazon Music Live'"Amazon Music Live'' performances are filmed in front of a live audience, but tickets are by invitation only. How to watch 'Amazon Music Live'You can watch "Amazon Music Live" on Prime Video or Twitch on Thursdays at 9 p.m. PT/Fridays at 12 a.m. 'Amazon Music Live' concert scheduleAmazon has announced the performers for the first three "Amazon Music Live" concerts and will reveal more musical guests throughout the season. Here's who has been announced so far:Lil Baby - October 27Megan Thee Stallion - November 3Kane Brown - November 10Can I watch 'Amazon Music Live' for free? You can watch "Amazon Music Live" for free if you sign up for an Amazon Prime trial.

Check out the trailer for 'Amazon Music Live'"Amazon Music Live'' performances are filmed in front of a live audience, but tickets are by invitation only. How to watch 'Amazon Music Live'You can watch "Amazon Music Live" on Prime Video or Twitch on Thursdays at 9 p.m. PT/Fridays at 12 a.m. 'Amazon Music Live' concert scheduleAmazon has announced the performers for the first three "Amazon Music Live" concerts and will reveal more musical guests throughout the season. Here's who you can expect so far:Lil Baby - October 27Megan Thee Stallion - November 3Kane Brown - November 10Can I watch 'Amazon Music Live' for free? You can watch "Amazon Music Live" for free if you sign up for an Amazon Prime trial.

☆ Ford's earnings beat, significant free cash flow mean we're sticking with the auto stock
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Jeff Marks | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Cash flow from operating activities was $3.8 billion, while adjusted free cash flow came in at $3.6 billion, beating analysts' estimates of $1.4 billion. Meanwhile, what stood out to us the most in the quarter was the significant free cash flow the business is generating. Adjusted EBIT came in at $204 million, well ahead of the $31 million loss predicted by Wall Street. Adjusted EBIT came in at $229 million, also a beat on analysts' estimates of $125 million. This target has not been attained despite the more than $100 billion Ford invested in the technology.

☆ Amazon will now let users pay with Venmo at checkout
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon announced Tuesday it's adding Venmo as a payment option at checkout. The feature will begin rolling out in the Amazon app and on amazon.com starting Tuesday, before launching for U.S. users by Black Friday on Nov. 25, Amazon said. Venmo, owned by PayPal , is a popular payment service that allows users to send money to each other. Users add their Venmo account as a form of payment on their Amazon account, then select Venmo as their payment option during checkout. Amazon also announced a partnership with buy now, pay later service Affirm last year that lets users split their purchases into installments.

☆ Here are all five parts of our series on how to analyze an earnings report
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +85 min

Operating income Once we remove operating expenses from gross margin dollars , we are left with what is known as operating income. This is especially important from a cash flow perspective as many companies define free cash flow (a non-GAAP metric) as "operating cash flow less expenditures on property, plant and equipment." Part 3: Cash flow analysis The cash flow statement is the middle child in a financial report — it gets overlooked. Investors may look to use operating cash flow or free cash flow for this equation. AMC's cash flow Let's finish by taking a look at the cash flow statement.

☆ How to analyze an earnings report — Part 1: The income statement
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-03 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Part 1: Income statement In the financial statements that companies report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shareholders on a quarterly and annual basis, there are three main sections: the income statement, the balance statement and the cash flow statement. The income statement gives us our best view of management's performance. Operating income Once we remove operating expenses from gross margin dollars , we are left with what is known as operating income. Some companies will report a line item before reporting operating income referred to as "EBITDA," which stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization . Remove this from operating income or "EBIT" and we are left with "EBT" (earnings before taxes), which Apple refers to intuitively as "income before provision for income taxes."

☆ Amazon debuts new shopping portal for customers on government assistance
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-03 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN Business —Amazon on Monday launched a new shopping portal called Amazon Access that is designed for shoppers receiving government assistance. Amazon already offers some services for low-income customers, such as discounted Amazon Prime membership. It also accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits for groceries purchased through Amazon Grocery, Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods. Amazon (AMZN) also announced it has renamed its discounted Prime membership to Prime Access. Eligible customers can sign up for the service on Amazon (AMZN) Access.

Food stamps restrict shoppers to nonalcoholic beverages, cold food items, seeds and plants. Expanding payment options for low-income shoppers could help the delivery platforms lure low-income grocery shoppers away from Walmart.com WMT.N and Amazon.com , which also have food stamp payment options. Shipt shoppers will also be able to pay for orders with SNAP EBT in 2023. Target.com customers can make grocery purchases online with SNAP EBT and their deliveries are powered by Shipt. Shipt does not currently offer any WIC or TANF payment options.

☆ Amazon Prime Day 2022: What we know about the October sales event
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Zoe Malin | Zoe Malin Is The Associate Updates Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

This is the first time Amazon is hosting Prime Day twice in one year, but it’s not the first time Prime Day has been scheduled for October. Because you know another one will be around the corner soon enough.”Do I need a Prime membership to get Amazon Prime Day discounts? July 2022 Prime Day bestsellersEvery year, Amazon announces bestselling Prime Day products worldwide as well as in select countries. One of the biggest differences between July’s Prime Day and October’s Prime Day is consumer mindset. One of the biggest differences between July’s Prime Day and October’s Prime Day is consumer mindset.

But this summer, the food stamps couldn't keep up with the grocery store's rising prices, sending her in search of a food donation for the first time. Some advocates argued for spending more on food stamps or cash distribution, which give people more choice than food handouts and also benefit local businesses. He doesn't qualify for food stamps, and has noticed when the pantry runs low on some items. While food supplies shrink, inflation is pushing more Americans toward food pantries for the first time. Food stamps made up less than 2% of U.S. government spending in 2022, according to U.S. Treasury data.

Admission prices for museums, movies, concerts, theme parks and other cultural activities were 6.2% higher last month than they were in August last year, federal data show. The Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco is offering art kits to Museum Day visitors. This is the fifth year MCD is participating in Museum Day. More ways to get free or discounted museum admissionsIf you miss Museum Day this weekend, don’t worry. Some sites, like Chicago’s Field Museum, offer state residents free entry on select days.

Graham Cochrane is a millionaire business coach and author who has been self-employed for 13 years. In 2009, Graham Cochrane was struggling to put food on the table after two layoffs in one year. "I didn't think I was judgmental back then, but I learned a lot more about people that are struggling," Cochrane said. He learned to balance risk aversion and risk takingWhen Cochrane was struggling to earn money, he was under an immense amount of stress. "That made me a little risk averse," Cochrane said, adding that he developed a fear of scarcity: "What if it all goes away again?"

Search resuls for: "EBT"

25 mentions found