DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Takeaways from the Ohio special election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Abortion rights advocates on Tuesday won a critical victory in Ohio, beating back a measure that would have made their push to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution more difficult. It was widely seen as a proxy battle over the proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights that will be on Ohio’s ballots in November. Here are four takeaways from Ohio’s election:Abortion remains a major driving forceOhio’s August election would ordinarily have been a sleepy, low-turnout affair. Mail-in and early voting for this election had already surpassed 2022 primary voting before Election Day even began. However, the November vote could settle the issue of abortion rights in Ohio for good, raising questions about how effective those Democratic attacks would be a year later.

Persons: Frank LaRose, Ohio’s, Roe, Wade, Gretchen Whitmer, Donald Trump, SSRS, Dobbs, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown, Brown Organizations: CNN, Tuesday, Ohio’s Republican, State, GOP, Republican, Michigan Gov, Buckeye State, Republicans, Democratic Locations: Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Michigan , California, Vermont, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio’s

☆ White House downplays CNN poll showing majority of Americans oppose more US aid for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Nikki Carvajal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The White House on Wednesday downplayed CNN polling showing most Americans oppose Congress providing additional funding to support Ukraine in its war with Russia ahead of a reported administration request for more aid. Last week, a CNN poll showed that overall, 55% say Congress should not authorize additional funding to support Ukraine vs. 45% who say Congress should authorize such funding. And 51% say that the US has already done enough to help Ukraine while 48% say it should do more. The administration requested this kind of additional funding to help support Ukraine four times last year, in March, May, September and December. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday called for continued support for Ukraine during an event in Louisville, Kentucky.

Persons: Strategic Communications John Kirby, “ It’s, ” Kirby, Putin, Biden, Doug Bush, ”, Mitch McConnell, Republicans –, haven’t, ” McConnell, it’s, Sen, Josh Hawley, you’ve, “ There’s, Xi, ’ ” McConnell Organizations: CNN, Wednesday, National Security, Strategic Communications, NATO, Republicans, Management, White, Pentagon, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Louisville , Kentucky, American, China, Asia, Japan

☆ Political violence in polarized U.S. at its worst since 1970s
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +26 min

Three academics who reviewed the cases say they add to growing evidence that America is grappling with the biggest and most sustained increase in political violence since the 1970s. Political violence surged for nearly a decade starting in the late-1960s – 1970 alone saw more than 450 cases, LaFree said. In contrast, much of today’s political violence is aimed at people – and most of the deadly outbursts tracked by Reuters have come from the right. “Political warfare”There’s no official tally of how many Americans die each year from political violence. Most of the fatal political violence identified by Reuters was carried out by people who embraced far-right views.

Persons: Kristen King’s, King, “, Austin Combs, ”, “ He’s, wailed, Anthony King, Donald Trump, Gary LaFree, LaFree, Rachel Kleinfeld, Carnegie’s Kleinfeld, Trump, Christopher Wray’s, Combs, Let’s, Joe Biden, Dave Spurrier, ” Combs, Wayne Staton, gaunt, Bri Smith, “ honk, Bubba, Ross, Cody Lee Harbaum, ” Harbaum, Edgar, Floyd Rockwell, Terry B’s, “ Hillary, Kim Jenkins, Patti Betz, “ Austin, Betz, Miss Patti, ‘, ” Betz, Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, Paul, Nancy Pelosi’s, Katie Pridemore, Shawn Popp, Popp, Donald Henry, Henry, ’, Craig Greenberg, Quintez Brown, Greenberg, Brown, ” Brown, Robert Telles, Telles, Benjamin Smith, Dajah Beck, Beck, Smith, Allie Bradley, “ You’re, Bradley, Kristine Christenson, Ben Smiths, rightwing hecklers, ” Bradley, Knightly’s, Katherine Knapp, King’s, Kristen, Pridemore Organizations: Democrat, Reuters, U.S . Capitol, University of Maryland criminologist, Oklahoma, Federal Bureau of, Carnegie Endowment, International, Democratic, Trump, U.S . Department of Homeland Security, Republican, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Miss, . House, San, U.S, Capitol, Media, Attorney’s Office, Judicial, Las, Veterans, Pridemore Locations: OKEANA, Ohio, Okeana, America, Florida, Portland, Buffalo, Washington, Butler County, Brandon, Butler, Hamilton, San Francisco, Wisconsin, New Mexico, U.S, Louisville , Kentucky, China, Taiwan, California, Clark County , Nevada, Las Vegas, Normandale, Portland , Oregon, ”

☆ GOP attempt to stymie abortion in Ohio backfires spectacularly
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ohio is much redder now, but Tuesday's results in an early face-off over abortion rights illustrate a much more troubling bellwether for the GOP. Ohioans did not explicitly vote on abortion rights on Tuesday. Specifically, conservatives wanted to deal a potentially lethal blow to an abortion rights amendment before voters even consider it this November. The Ohio results illustrate that more than a year later, Americans remain animated over the Supreme Court gutting abortion rights. Abortion rights activists have been left to fight a bevy of court battles with limited successes in often heavily conservative courts.

Persons: Ohioans, they've, Roe, ender, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Voters, GOP, Service, White House, Columbus Dispatch, Democratic Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ohio, White House . Ohio, Kansas , Kentucky, Montana, Michigan . Ohio, Florida, Arizona

☆ House Oversight GOP claims they don’t need to find direct payments to Joe Biden to prove corruption in Hunter Biden business dealings memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

“President Biden’s defenders purport a weak defense by asserting the Committee must show payments directly to the President to show corruption,” the House Oversight Republicans wrote. “It appears no real services were provided other than access to the Biden network, including Joe Biden himself. Even though Hunter Biden was not directly involved, House Oversight Republicans are attempting to show how a portion of the $3.5 million was transferred into multiple accounts until it entered an account connected to Hunter Biden. In a 2020 Senate report, Republicans revealed the existence of the payment from Baturina to a company tied to Hunter Biden’s business associates. The memo focuses on deals and transactions Hunter Biden made with foreign oligarchs and leaders in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, Biden’s, ” Hunter Biden, Republicans –, Donald Trump –, Biden, “, Ian Sams, ”, Jamie Raskin, Trump’s, Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, James Comer, Devon Archer, Archer, Yelena Baturina, Café, –, ” Archer, Hunter Biden’s, Comer Organizations: CNN, “, Republicans, Biden Administration, White, House Republicans, Democrat, Democratic, “ Republicans, Republican, Burisma, Café Milano Locations: Maryland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Kentucky, Ukrainian, Burisma

☆ As drinkers shift to spirits, Molson Coors acquires a bourbon maker
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Molson Coors, best known for brewing Coors Light and Miller Lite, is acquiring Blue Run Spirits, a cult favorite high-end bourbon and rye whiskey brand, for an undisclosed price, exclusively told to CNN. It’s part of the company’s pivot to becoming a broader beverage company focusing on drinks beyond beer, especially since US spirit sales surpassed beer sales last year for the first time ever. Blue Run is a Kentucky-based startup that makes premium bourbon whiskeys with prices ranging from $100 to $250 for a bottle. Molson Coors is buying buzzy bourbon brand Blue Run for an undisclosed price. Molson Coors' whiskey and bourbon portfolio now consists of three brands.

Persons: Mike Montgomery, Molson, Devon McKinney, ” Montgomery, “, ”, it’s, Molson’s, Michelle St, Jacques, David Coors, Molson Coors, Blue, Lisa Hawkins Organizations: New, New York CNN, Molson Coors, Coors, CNN, Blue, Nike’s Air Force, Molson, Topo, Co, bourbons, Molson Coors Montgomery, Coors Spirits Co, “ Beer Locations: New York, Kentucky, Topo Chico, Montgomery, United States

☆ Ohio voters reject ballot measure in win for abortion rights advocates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The results in the special election were a crucial victory for abortion rights advocates, who would have faced the daunting prospect of securing a super-majority of voters this fall if the measure had passed. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. On Tuesday, abortion rights groups in Arizona, a key presidential swing state, launched an effort to put the issue before voters in November 2024. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent. Other groups supporting Tuesday's referendum collected funds from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and The Concord Fund, a conservative dark-money group.

Persons: Read, Ohioans, Joe Biden, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Dan Whitcomb, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Republican, Associated Press, U.S, Supreme, Republican Ohio, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Illinois, California, Lincoln

☆ Ohio Issue 1 results: Voters reject effort that would make it harder to amend state constitution, CNN projects
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ohio voters rejected Tuesday an effort to raise the threshold to amend the state’s constitution ahead of a November referendum on whether to constitutionally guarantee abortion rights there, handing abortion rights advocates a critical victory. The measure was a GOP-led effort targeting an upcoming November referendum in which voters will decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution. Already, voters in two deep-red states, Kansas and Kentucky, have rejected efforts to limit abortion rights (though abortion is still banned in Kentucky). The Democratic push to enshrine abortion rights in Michigan’s constitution played a key role in the party’s victories there in the 2022 midterm elections. Among his Republican challengers is Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the state’s elections chief and the highest-profile proponent of Issue 1.

Persons: Ohioans, ”, Dennis Willard, Marcela Azevedo, we’ve, ” Azevedo, Roe, Wade, Joe Biden, ’, “ Ohioans, Mike DeWine, ” DeWine, John Kasich, Bob Taft, Kasich, “ I’ve, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown, Frank LaRose, LaRose Organizations: CNN, Ohio, GOP, Ohioans United, Reproductive Rights, Democratic, Ohio Republican, Republicans, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Buckeye Firearms Association, Twitter, Protect, Senate, Republican Locations: Ohio, Columbus, “ Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio Chamber of Commerce , Ohio, Protect Women Ohio

☆ Once Rare, Impeachments and Censures Have Become the Norm in Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Carl Hulse | More About Carl Hulse | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

After sidestepping Ms. Boebert, House Republicans are now conducting what they characterize as an “inquiry” into a potential impeachment, one that is likely to gain steam in the G.O.P. The censure, brought forward by Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, a strong supporter of Mr. Trump, accused Mr. Schiff of lying and spreading distortions in his investigation of the president. Some Republicans were clearly uncomfortable with the idea of censuring Mr. Schiff, and the move failed on its first attempt. But after Ms. Luna dropped a proposed $16 million fine from her resolution, Republicans pushed through the censure on a party-line vote in June. Far from hanging his head in ignominy, Mr. Schiff said he welcomed the vote as a badge of honor that proved he was effective.

Persons: Ms, Boebert, Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas, General Merrick B, Garland, “, ”, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, meting, Adam B, Schiff, Trump, Anna Paulina Luna of, Mr, Luna, Dianne Feinstein Organizations: Republicans, Democratic, Lawmakers, Capitol, Republican, censures, California Democrat, Intelligence Locations: Kentucky, California, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, ignominy

☆ Ohio special election could determine future of abortion rights in the state
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Joseph Ax | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

If it passes, a super-majority of voters would be required to approve a November referendum that seeks to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. Political groups on both sides of the abortion issue have poured millions of dollars into the state ahead of the vote. Ballot initiatives have become powerful tools for abortion rights activists in states where abortion opponents, usually Republicans, control the legislature or hold the governor's office. Voters in Kansas and Kentucky, both solidly conservative states, rejected measures last year that would have declared that their state constitutions do not protect abortion rights. Abortion rights opponents have called the November referendum extreme, claiming its vague language would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgery without parental consent.

Persons: Wade, Megan Jelinger, Mike DeWine, Jen Miller, Richard Uihlein, Susan B, Anthony Pro, Joseph Ax, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: United States Supreme, Women's Health Organization, REUTERS, Republican, U.S, Supreme, League of Women Voters, Ohio Republicans, Illinois Republican, America, The, Fund, Tides Foundation, Thomson Locations: Ohio, Columbus , Ohio, Dobbs, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, California

☆ Mitch McConnell Flexes Political Muscles in Kentucky After Health Scares
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Siobhan Hughes | Photographs Jon Cherry For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

FANCY FARM, Ky.—Sen. Mitch McConnell came to the state’s annual barbecue known for its hardball political speeches and raucous crowds to take shots at Democrats and tout a Republican ally. But the health of the Senate GOP leader was the main concern of many attendees after a scare at a press conference last month and little public explanation.

Persons: — Sen, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Republican, GOP Locations: Ky

☆ Mitch McConnell was heckled with chants of 'retire' at the annual Fancy Farm picnic in Kentucky days after he froze during a Capitol Hill press conference
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Mitch McConnell was heckled at the annual Fancy Farm picnic in Kentucky this past weekend. Booing is not unusual at Fancy Farm, but McConnell spoke after a much publicized health scare. The veteran GOP leader has committed to serving in his leadership role through the 2024 elections. And the reception is definitely not unusual at the Fancy Farm picnic, where Democrats and Republicans have their most fervent supporters cheer and boo candidates from opposing parties during the oft-raucous event. But during McConnell's speech at Fancy Farm, he went into attack mode against Democratic Gov.

Persons: Mitch McConnell, McConnell, jeers, Andy Beshear, who's, Daniel Cameron, haven't, Joe Biden —, Sen, Dianne Feinstein —, Biden, Gray Organizations: GOP, Service, Republicans, Republican, Hill, Senate, Democratic Gov, Republican Party, Democratic, Beshear, Bluegrass State, California Democrat Locations: Kentucky, Wall, Silicon, Georgia, Frankfort, …, California, Insider's

☆ Eastern US storm outbreak knocks out power to over 1 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A severe weather outbreak unleashed damaging winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread travel disruptions across the Eastern US. Live updates: Damaging storms hit Eastern USForecasts warned of damaging hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 80 mph in the strongest storms. A first in a decade forecastAccounting for every level of severe storm risk, around 120 million people in the Eastern US were threatened by damaging weather Monday as a potent storm system, especially for August, crossed the region. Tornadoes may spin up quickly in the same lines of storms bringing damaging winds, giving little time to get to safety. Areas at risk on Tuesday will generally be south of where Monday’s damaging storms rage.

Organizations: CNN, D.C, Washington D.C, Atlanta’s Hartsfield, Jackson International, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia International Locations: Atlanta , Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Charlotte, North Carolina, Alabama, Pennsylvania, North Carolina , Georgia, Maryland, Atlanta, Washington, FlightAware, New Jersey, LaGuardia, New York, Mississippi, Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina , Virginia, Maryland , Pennsylvania, Mississippi , Alabama, Georgia, Florida

☆ Ohio Republicans wanted to kneecap abortion activists before November. It may backfire on them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ohio Republicans want to make it harder to amend their state's constitution. Ohio Republicans who pushed the measure argued that a higher threshold was needed to keep future amendments focused only on what Ohioians want. Ohio Republicans previously banned most August elections. The GOP presidential primary race has split over candidates who back a bare-minimum nationwide abortion ban and those who do not. Polling shows that a nationwide ban is broadly unpopular, but the nomination contest provides the perfect time for anti-abortion activists to pressure candidates on the issue.

Persons: Sen, JD Vance, Vance, Frank LaRose, Brian Stewart, It's, Richard Uihlein, Uihlein, WOSU, Mike DeWine, Roe, Wade, Jackson, haven't, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis Organizations: Service, Republicans, Republican, Ohio Republicans, Columbus Dispatch, GOP, Ohio Capital, Ohio Gov, Florida Gov Locations: Wall, Silicon, Ohio, Illinois, An Ohio, Dobbs v, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohioans

☆ The top 10 most expensive states to live in based on living expenses — Hawaii is 50% above the national average
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

This amounts to 35% of the annual US household average income of $70,784. Hawaii residents, however, pay around 50% above this national average — forking out an average of $3,070 for their monthly expenses. Getty ImagesMonthly bill expense per household: $2,7274. Getty ImagesMonthly bill expense per household: $2,5696. Getty ImagesMonthly bill expense per household: $2,41310.

Persons: Justin Sullivan, Joseph Sohm, Barry Winiker Organizations: Service, Hawaii, Utilities, Swiet, Getty, ., Maryland, House of, New York New, Washington Housing, . Colorado Colorado, Alaska Locations: Hawaii, Doxo, Wall, Silicon, New York, California , New Jersey, Massachusetts, West Virginia , Mississippi , Arkansas , Oklahoma, Kentucky, Hawaii Lanai, California, San Francisco, . New Jersey Newark , New Jersey, . Massachusetts Pittsfield , Massachusetts, House of Annapolis , Maryland, . Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut River , Connecticut, New York New York City, Seattle , Washington, . Colorado Colorado Springs , Colorado, Alaska Anchorage , Alaska

☆ Why it's so hard to build homes in your neighborhood
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Single-family homes in Arlington, Massachusetts. Around 75% of residential land in the United States is zoned for single-family homes only. This has had the effect of encouraging ever-larger single-family homes and limiting housing options, like smaller houses. “You can’t just do it all with zoning reform,” Walla Walla City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain told CNN. The second wave of single-family zoning laws spread during the 1970s, historians say, and the policies became more restrictive.

Persons: Suzanne Kreiter, ”, Jenny Schuetz, “, —, Ben McCanna, Joe Biden’s, Richard Kahlenberg, Kathy Hochul’s, Elizabeth Chamberlain, “ It’s, Nancy Kaye, William Fischel, Fischel, Carlos Avila Gonzalez, Yonah Freemark, we’re, ” Freemark Organizations: New, New York CNN, Boston Globe, Brookings Metro, Republicans, Portland Press Herald, Getty Images, ”, CNN, Homes, “, Dartmouth University, Homeowners, San Francisco Chronicle, AP, Pew Charitable Locations: New York, Arlington , Massachusetts, United States, “, Maine, Getty Images Minneapolis, Arlington , Gainesville, Charlotte, Walla Walla , Washington, Oregon , California, Washington , Montana, Connecticut , Arizona, ” Walla Walla City, Cities, Louisville , Kentucky, Flushing , Queens, America, San Francisco, Los Angeles , New York City, Seattle, Chicago , Philadelphia, Portland, Washington, Walnut Creek , California, Minneapolis, Portland , New Rochelle , New York, , Virginia, Towns, Walla, Walla Walla

☆ Anti-Abortion Republicans Don’t Want You to Notice Ohio’s Issue 1 - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Michelle Goldberg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Ohio has been trending right for years, but gerrymandering ensures that the State Legislature is far more extreme than the population. Instead, some anti-abortion lawmakers want even stricter anti-abortion laws, and one, Representative Jean Schmidt, has said she’d consider a ban on birth control. The November ballot initiative to make abortion a constitutional right is a chance for Ohio voters to circumvent their unrepresentative representatives. With this August initiative, the Republicans are working to head off the voters by essentially asking them to disenfranchise themselves. Just last December, Ohio Republicans voted to effectively eliminate August special elections because of their expense and low turnout.

Persons: we’ve, “, Donald Trump, ”, David Pepper, —, Mike DeWine, Jean Schmidt, she’d Organizations: State Legislature, Statehouse News Bureau, Ohio, Ohio Democratic Party, “ Laboratories, Republican, Republicans, Ohio Republicans Locations: Kansas, state’s, Kentucky, Montana, Arizona , Florida , Missouri, Ohio . Ohio, Ohio, . Ohio, Indiana, gerrymandered

☆ Key Witness Doesn’t Back Up G.O.P.’s Biggest Allegations on Bidens
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Luke Broadwater | More About Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Republicans who for months have accused President Biden without proof of crime and corruption thought that a former business partner of his son’s could be the key to finally substantiating their most serious allegations. “Hunter’s ex-business partner, Devon Archer, could blow the lid off Joe Biden’s phony claims of innocence,” blared an email on Friday from former President Donald J. Trump’s campaign. Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky, told Fox News that Mr. Archer could become a “hero” of the House G.O.P.’s investigation into what they call the “Biden crime family,” delivering the damning evidence they need to impeach Mr. Biden. But the testimony this week of Mr. Archer, a former Yale lacrosse player who has been convicted of federal tax charges, fell well short of that, shooting down a bribery allegation Republicans have long promoted and generally rejecting the idea that the elder Mr. Biden had any material involvement in his son’s business dealings. It was the latest instance of House Republicans promising far more than they could produce in terms of proof of their allegations against the president.

Persons: Biden, “ Hunter’s, Devon Archer, Joe Biden’s, ”, Donald J, James R, Comer, Archer, Mr Organizations: Republican, Fox News, Yale, Republicans Locations: Kentucky

☆ Sen. Rand Paul says GOP's top recruit against Manchin has 'a lot of health issues,' questions his ability to serve
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Rand Paul is raising concerns over the health of his party's top Senate recruit in West Virginia. Jim Justice has "a lot of health issues" and questioned "how he'll be able to serve." Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who currently holds the seat, has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election. "The governor has got a lot of health issues and is not very mobile," Paul, who's backing Mooney in the primary, told POLITICO. The concern raised by Paul about Justice's health comes as the Senate is grappling with a series of health-related issues among senators.

Persons: Sen, Rand Paul, Jim Justice, Republican Sen, Rand Paul of, leadership's, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Alex Mooney, Paul, Mooney, POLITICO, he'll, Mitch McConnell, McConnell, Dianne Feinstein, John Fetterman of Organizations: Service, Republican, Democratic, GOP, Senate, Kentucky Republican, California, Capitol Locations: West Virginia, Wall, Silicon, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Maryland, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania

☆ Yum Brands gets a lift as KFC's cheaper options draw more customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Quarterly comparable sales at KFC jumped 13% and topped estimates for an 8.29% growth, as options like the 2-for-$5 fried chicken wrap and launches including chicken nuggets pulled in lower-income consumers struggling with high food prices. [1/2]A Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) bucket of mixed fried and grilled chicken is seen in this picture illustration taken April 6, 2017. Yum Brands' revenue rose 3% to $1.69 billion but fell short of estimates of $1.75 billion, largely due to weaker-than-expected sales at Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Excluding items, Yum Brands earned $1.41 per share, above estimates of $1.24. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Taco, David Gibbs, Edward Jones, Brian Yarbrough, Carlo Allegri, Chris Turner, Deborah Sophia, Shinjini Ganguli Organizations: KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza, Yum Brands, Wednesday, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Pizza, U.S, Kentucky, Russia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci/File PhotoAug 3 (Reuters) - Thousands of UPS workers will start voting on their tentative contract agreement with the delivery giant on Thursday after local leaders of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters endorsed the union's deal earlier this week. The tentative deal covering 340,000 Teamsters-represented workers at United Parcel Service (UPS.N) averted a threatened strike that could have wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy by disrupting about a quarter of the nation's parcel shipments. Leaders from Teamsters locals oversee messaging and "sell" the deal to members, who vote through Aug. 22. The tentative deal would raise it to $21 from the current $16.20. It remains to be seen whether the group can mobilize enough part-timers, who account for about half of UPS workers.

Persons: Peter Lyngso, Jose Negrete, Negrete, Lyngso, Lisa Baertlein, Susan Heavey Organizations: Parcel Service, Teamsters, REUTERS, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Parcel Service, Monday, Leaders, UPS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Orange , California, Washington, Chicago, Anaheim , California, Louisville , Kentucky, Los Angeles

☆ Humana calms Wall Street's jitters with quarterly results, clearing way for stock to run higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | In Kevinstankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Humana (HUM) reported second-quarter results Wednesday that were much better than feared, sending its stock price soaring and giving us the confidence to stick with the jilted health insurer. Not only did second-quarter numbers top expectations, but management offered assuring commentary on the worrisome medical-cost trends that torpedoed its stock price in mid-June . That one-two punch explains the more-than-5% jump in Humana shares, pushing the stock to its highest levels since June 14. Outlook Humana raised its outlook for 2023 individual Medicare Advantage membership growth by 50,000 to roughly 825,000 members, representing an 18% increase compared with enrollment levels at the end of 2022. Capital allocation Humana CFO Susan Diamond said the company has capitalized on the "recent dislocation" in its stock price — i.e.

Persons: MLR —, Wall, Bruce Broussard, —, Broussard, Susan Diamond, Humana, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Ty Wright Organizations: Revenue, Humana, Club, UnitedHealth, Management, Insurance, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty Locations: Louisville , Kentucky

☆ Small businesses boost US private payrolls in July
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Lucia Mutikani | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Amira Karaoud/File photoSummary Private payrolls increase by 324,000 in JulyWage growth gradually slowingWASHINGTON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - U.S. private payrolls rose more than expected in July as small businesses boosted hiring, pointing to continued labor market resilience that could shield the economy from a recession. Private payrolls increased by 324,000 jobs last month after surging by 455,000 in June, according to ADP. MANUFACTURING DRAGHiring at small business, establishments with one to 49 employees increased 237,000, accounting for more than two-thirds of the gain in private payrolls last month. It has not been a reliable gauge in forecasting private payrolls in the BLS employment report. According to a Reuters survey of economists, the BLS is likely to report that private payrolls increased by 179,000 jobs in July.

Persons: Amira Karaoud, Christopher Rupkey, Nela Richardson, It's, Daniel Silver, Lucia Mutikani, Paul Simao Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, ADP, Reuters, Treasury, Fed, Stanford Digital Economy, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, WASHINGTON, New York

☆ Taco Bell owner Yum Brands misses revenue estimates despite soaring KFC sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported mixed quarterly results as Taco Bell's and Pizza Hut's same-store sales disappointed. Yum Brands' same-store sales grew 9% in the quarter, topping StreetAccount estimates of 6.9%. KFC's system sales in China soared 32%, while its U.S. system sales rose 5%. The pizza chain's domestic same-store sales rose just 1%. Its U.S. same-store sales increased 4%, but its international same-store sales shrank 1% in the quarter.

Persons: Yum Organizations: Brands Inc, Taco, Yum Brands, Refinitiv, U.S Locations: Taco Bell, Kentucky, Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, Russia, China, Taco Bell's

☆ Yum Brands beats quarterly results estimates on KFC boost
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) bucket of mixed fried and grilled chicken is seen in this picture illustration taken April 6, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Illustration/File PhotoAug 2 (Reuters) - Yum Brands (YUM.N) topped market estimates for quarterly results on Wednesday, as cheaper meals and promotional offers at its KFC restaurants boosted demand and overshadowed lackluster traffic at Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Quarterly comparable sales at KFC rose 13%, handily beating estimates of 8.29%, and logging the best same-store sales growth in at least seven quarters. Same-store sales at Yum Brands rose 9% in the quarter ended June 30, compared with analysts' estimates of a 7.01% increase, according to Refinitiv IBES data. Excluding items, Yum Brands earned $1.41 per share, above estimates of $1.24 per share.

Persons: Carlo Allegri, Taco Bell's, Deborah Sophia, Shinjini Organizations: REUTERS, Yum Brands, KFC, Taco Bell, Brands, Thomson Locations: Kentucky, Louisville , Kentucky, Russia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

Search resuls for: "Kentucky"

25 mentions found