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☆ These are the top Senate races to watch in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

They have reason to be hopeful: Democrats face a daunting 2024 Senate map that puts them on defense in 23 of the cycle's 34 races, including multiple seats considered ripe for GOP challenges. The grim outlook has some Senate Democrats considering retirement, even after the caucus expanded to a 51-49 majority following a better-than-expected showing in the midterms. Jim Justice, reportedly the state's richest man and one of its favored contenders for the Senate race. But the 2024 Senate race in Ohio is currently considered a toss-up, as Republicans have made significant gains in the state in the last two election cycles. Sabato's Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report both say the Michigan Senate race leans Democratic.

When Thiel spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention, he had more hope that the party would concentrate on economic issues, his business associate said. Four political sources also told Reuters that Thiel is taking a step back from U.S. politics. In 2012, Thiel backed libertarian lawmaker Ron Paul, and in 2016 he donated some $1.25 million to the campaign efforts of Trump, who is the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination. In the 2022 election cycle, however, Thiel emerged as a potential Republican kingmaker, contributing more than $35 million to 16 federal-level Republican candidates, according to OpenSecrets. The business associate said he was not aware of any special proviso for former employees.

☆ MLB roundup: Braves' Spencer Strider flirts with no-no vs. Marlins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

He has pitched 16 consecutive scoreless innings and has allowed three hits during that span. Joe Jimenez pitched a scoreless ninth inning to finish the game. Yennier Cano pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first career save. Three relievers completed the Blue Jays' three-hitter, with Jordan Romano earning his eighth save by tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Alex Lange fanned two in a perfect ninth inning for his second save.

☆ Groceries, gas, or Netflix? Gen Zers are dropping their streaming subscriptions as inflation hits.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Nearly two-thirds of millennial and Gen Z consumers have canceled a streaming subscription in the prior six months, a Deloitte survey found. Insider spoke with five millennial and Gen Z consumers who blamed soaring inflation for driving them to cut subscriptions in favor of essentials like gas or groceries. On average, consumers spend $48 per month on streamers, Deloitte said. From Deloitte's 2023 Digital Media Trends survey: 32% of millennials and 30% of Gen Zers said they canceled a streaming subscription within the past six months in order to save money. Gen Z-ers, born between 1997 and 2009, were the runners-up with a 57% churn rate over the same period.

☆ The Best Book Judy Blume Ever Got as a Gift? ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover.’
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

I’m about to start Rebecca Makkai’s “I Have Some Questions for You.” I just finished “Still Pictures,” by Janet Malcolm. Yesterday afternoon I read a graphic memoir, “Gender Queer,” by Maia Kobabe, the most banned book in the country right now. Books I’ve finished but still in the pile: “Ms. A train is good but how often am I on a train these days? So maybe the best place for reading is sitting on my balcony overlooking the ocean (I know, right?).

☆ The Best Travel Card for Beginners
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

By Ana StaplesThe Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a solid pick for cardholders who want valuable travel benefits without a high annual fee. At $95 per year, the card offers strong travel protections usually found on travel cards with annual fees north of $400. Plus, it earns high rewards rates on purchases in dining and online grocery categories, which is why Buy Side from WSJ named it Best Travel Card for Beginners. Sapphire Preferred’s closest competitor—and our pick for the Best Travel Card—is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. What to know about Chase credit cardsJPMorgan Chase is the largest credit card issuer in the market, according to market tracker Nilson.

☆ MLB roundup: Clayton Kershaw blanks Mets, gets 200th win
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

Martinez hit two home runs in his first multi-homer game with the Dodgers and the 19th of his career. In addition to his milestone win, Kershaw (3-1) also improved to 11-0 in 17 career regular-season starts against the Mets. Mets starter Tylor Megill (3-1) gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings. Bassitt (2-2) allowed three hits and walked one batter while notching five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. Philadelphia chased Lance Lynn (0-2) with one out in the sixth; he allowed five runs on 10 hits, fanning seven.

☆ Streamers have a Gen Z problem: New data reveals why younger subscribers are more likely to cancel as inflation forces them to choose between Netflix and necessities
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Nearly two-thirds of millennial and Gen Z consumers have canceled a streaming subscription in the past six months, a Deloitte survey found. Canceling the subscriptions meant sacrificing entertainment that provided "comfort" and staved off monotony during the coronavirus pandemic, McMiller said. Insider spoke with five millennial and Gen Z consumers who blamed soaring inflation for driving them to cut subscriptions in favor of essentials like gas or groceries. Overall, 44% of total respondents canceled a paid entertainment subscription within the past six months, including for reasons unrelated to cost savings. Millennials, born between 1983 and 1996, spend an average of $54 per month on streaming subscriptions — the most of any demographic, Deloitte said.

☆ 3 reasons why we hate the process of boarding planes according to an airline satisfaction expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Bianca Giacobone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Power, the speed of boarding has only a partial impact on passengers' satisfaction. "Most economy passengers like Southwest boarding process the best, because it seems more egalitarian," Taylor explained. "There's a high correlation between the people skills of an airline and how people like their boarding process," Taylor said. "It's the deadline pressure that reduces satisfaction," Taylor explained. Customer satisfaction, Taylor said, is rarely about how fast you can get something done.

☆ MLB roundup: Rays crush A's, run opening win streak to 9
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

The Rays' matched the 2003 Kansas City Royals for the hottest streak to start a season in baseball's wild-card era. The Rays' plus-57 run differential through nine games is the largest ever in MLB since 1900. Padres starter Seth Lugo (2-0) gave up one run on five hits and four walks with five strikeouts over six innings to earn the win. Chicago starter Michael Kopech (0-2) gave up one run and two hits in six innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. Rangers starter Jon Gray (1-1) allowed Edwin Rios' two-run homer in the second inning.

☆ Cheap new cars are going extinct while $60,000 SUVs and trucks flood the market
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The $60,000 car is having a moment — and may be here to stayIn 2018, 44% of new vehicles sold were under $30,000, per an Edmunds release. Some of this has been going on since before COVID, especially as many automakers discontinued sedans several years earlier. Profit, as Jominy pointed out, is also a key factor — and automakers are even willing to sacrifice market share for it. "There is definitely a void happening in the market for those vehicles," Kunes added. "If they focus purely on luxury cars and high-end SUVs that cost $100,000, there are only so many people that can afford those."

☆ Car dealers reveal the 9 questions you should always ask before buying
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Many of the car brands with more inventory on lots than others might also have higher loan payments. "The role of a dealer isn't just to sell them a car, it's to help them find the lowest interest rate possible, and that's both new car dealers and used car dealers. "Even based on the specific car, one bank may provide a lower interest rate on a specific sort of make and model." The used car market might be even more complicated for car shoppers than the new market right now. As a result, far fewer car shoppers have opted to lease a car in recent years.

JPMorgan is moving to the sidelines on Comerica ahead of its first earnings announcement following the banking sector crisis. The bank lowered its rating on Comerica shares to neutral from overweight. However, he notes that if the Fed decides not to cut rates, Comerica could have increased revenue growth potential and see its stock outperform the sector. Comerica shares were up 1% during premarket trading Thursday. CMA YTD mountain Comerica shares —CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

☆ US first-quarter auto sales set to rise on better inventory
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But rising interest rates and fears of a recession may play spoilsport in an industry where most vehicle purchases are financed with loans, analysts say. "Consumers are facing credit uncertainty as rapidly rising interest rates have created barriers to entry for even the most qualified buyers," said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at auto research firm Edmunds. The automaker is set to post a 15% rise in first-quarter U.S. sales, while Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T) sales are likely to fall nearly 10%, when they publish data beginning Monday, according to consultant Cox Automotive. Toyota has continued to struggle with inventory shortages sparked by supply constraints, losing its crown as the top selling U.S. automaker to GM. Trucks and crossover SUVs are expected to account for majority of new retail sales in the quarter, according to automotive data company J.D.

☆ MLB roundup: Kodai Senga shines in debut as Mets down Marlins
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +12 min

[1/2] Apr 2, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. /Rhona Wise-USA TODAY SportsApril 3 - Right-hander Kodai Senga struck out eight batters in his major league debut, leading the New York Mets to a 5-1 win over the host Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon. Marlins starter Trevor Rogers (0-1) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, two walks and four runs, three earned. He allowed one run on three hits while walking two and striking out six in his first start of the season. Two of Houck's five hits allowed were home runs by Baltimore's Adam Frazier (3-for-4, two RBIs, two runs) and Cedric Mullins (2-for-5, run, three RBIs).

☆ MLB roundup: Trayce Thompson's 3 HRs power Dodgers' rout
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Rangers 16, Phillies 3Mitch Garver hit a pair of three-run home runs in Texas' rout of Philadelphia in Arlington, Texas. Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (0-1) struck out seven and walked one in six innings. Nationals starter Josiah Gray (0-1) allowed five runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- in five innings. Gray (1-0) allowed three hits, struck out one and walked four in the second game of the three-game series. The Rays scored the seven runs on six hits, and Yandy Diaz added two runs with a home run the following inning.

☆ After school shooting, some trans Tennesseans face backlash
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Mykul Coscia, who performs drag as Eazy Love at Play, a night club, poses for a portrait after a deadly shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. March 29, 2023. Even before the shooting, many transgender Tennesseans felt villainized by their state's efforts to regulate the lives of gay and trans people, and were increasingly fearful for their safety. Police identified the Nashville shooter as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, and initially referred to Hale as female. Every time there is a school shooting, Story VanNess said she has sleepless nights: she was a special education teacher in a Knoxville school for several years before becoming the director of trans and non-binary programs at Knox Pride. "We've had another school shooting but, because this shooter was trans, that's taken a back seat so politicians can demonize trans people.

☆ Senators unveil new rail safety bill in wake of toxic Ohio derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

John Fetterman and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Sherrod Brown of Ohio – would build on provisions of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act. Brown and his fellow senator from Ohio, Republican J.D. Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw endorsed parts of the bipartisan bill. The Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, released toxic chemicals into the environment. Shaw said Norfolk Southern would continue to support cleanup efforts in the area.

☆ Car companies and dealers are so desperate to demystify electric cars that they'll let you drive one for a month before buying
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hyundai launched Evolve+ in February, a program that lets the "EV curious" try driving an electric car for a flat monthly rate. Brad Sowers, president at Jim Butler Auto Group in Fenton, Missouri, offers DriveBLACKTIE, a way to help customers try an EV without a major commitment. But automakers and dealers are desperate to speed up EV adoption, as they spend trillions of dollars to develop and launch new electric cars. EV adoption in the US has been slower than elsewhere across the globe due to a lack of public charging infrastructure, inventory availability, cost, and more. Allowing drivers to take home EVs and try them out could help increase education and familiarity with electric cars, with relatively little effort on the part of automakers and dealers.

☆ Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's ties to billionaire George Soros are not as close as Republicans claim
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

As Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg moves to bring an expected indictment against Donald Trump, Republicans lawmakers leaping to the former president's defense have fixated on what they call Bragg's ties to billionaire George Soros. There is also no indication the Open Society Policy Center's donation was directed toward an eventual Color of Change campaign to influence Bragg. The funding from Soros' nonprofit was not targeted toward the campaign to support McCarter, the Color of Change official told CNBC. Open Society's website says the group's donation was intended "to support [Color of Change]'s social welfare activities" over the course of five years. Months before Bragg won a 2021 Democratic primary on his way to becoming Manhattan DA, George Soros' son, Jonathan, and his wife, combined to donate $20,000 to Bragg's campaign, state records show.

☆ Norfolk Southern CEO says he supports parts of new rail safety bills
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw on Wednesday told senators that his railroad company supports parts of two bipartisan rail safety bills that came in the wake of a derailment last month of a train carrying toxic materials in Ohio. Shaw did not fully endorse the Railway Safety Act, which includes provisions calling for two-person crews on all railroad locomotives. "We're not aware of any data that links crew size with safety," Shaw said Wednesday. "There are significant opportunities for advanced technology to enhance rail safety, and we encourage Congress to consider additional research into on-board rail car defect detection technology." Ohio sued Norfolk Southern last week, seeking damages, civil penalties and a "declaratory judgement that Norfolk Southern is responsible," Attorney General Dave Yost said.

☆ Norfolk Southern CEO told that railroads' planned voluntary safety improvements aren't enough
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw returns to Capitol Hill Wednesday facing pressure to support rail safety legislation proposed in the wake of his railroad’s massive toxic spill from a February 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. “We support legislative efforts to enhance the safety of the freight rail industry,” was the only discussion of the legislation in his prepared remarks. Shaw said the railroad would support increasing fines and penalties for people found tampering with railroad facilities and safety equipment, without endorsing proposals for potential fines on railroads found guilty of safety violations. They said residents who live near freight rail tracks can’t depend on the railroad’s voluntary measures to improve safety. Vance said it is important to raise the maximum fine for rail safety violations from the current limit of $225,455.

☆ Spring training roundup: Max Fried stays unbeaten, Braves blank Twins
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Ozuna's home run -- his first of the spring -- came in the third inning and completed the scoring. Twins starter Kenta Maeda (0-1) gave up five runs (all earned) and five hits in four innings. For the Blue Jays, starter Alek Manoah (1-2) gave up one run and five hits in six innings. Rockies 7, Royals (split squad) 0 (six innings)German Marquez tossed five shutout innings as visiting Colorado blanked Kansas City in Las Vegas. Elehuris Montero and Michael Toglia went deep for the Rockies, while Matt Beaty doubled for the Royals' only extra-base hit.

☆ Spring training roundup: Nats score 8 in ninth to beat Astros
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Blake Rutherford hit an RBI single, Cody Wilson -- who pinch-ran for Arcia -- hit a two-run double and Vargas singled home Wilson. The Yankees had 15 hits, led by Wilmer Difo (2-for-4, home run), Benjamin Cowles (homer) and Estevan Florial (2-for-4, three RBIs). Cardinals 16, Marlins 2Masyn Winn went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Willson Contreras doubled and went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as St. Louis throttled Miami in Sarasota, Fla. The Cardinals collected 17 hits, with Dylan Carlson contributing two hits, two RBIs and two runs. The Marlins' Jerar Encarnacion went 2-for-3 with one RBI.

☆ Your car probably isn't worth as much as you think. Here's how to know what it's really worth.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

During the peak of car inventory problems, drivers could have traded in used cars for thousands. Meanwhile, the average transaction price for a used vehicle peaked at $31,300 in April 2022, J.D. But, "These used car values have been dropping over the last year. Car buying won't ever revert to normal, but that's all to say, it's no longer the best environment to get thousands of dollars for your used car that's probably worth a lot less (no offense). "While we've seen some cooling since their peak, used prices remain extremely elevated still," Paris said.

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