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☆ Hooters closes dozens of restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Hooters is the latest chain to close dozens of locations across the United States, blaming tough economic challenges including rising food and labor costs. “Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores,” a spokesperson told CNN. In that time prices ticked up 0.2% at limited service spots, which include fast casual and fast food joints. The increases, particularly in fast food prices, have caused customers to pull back on spending and complain online, eroding the sector’s reputation for affordability. It’s not just Hooters feeling the financial brunt from cash-conscious customers: Applebee’s, TGI Fridays, Boston Market, California Pizza Kitchen and bankrupt Red Lobster have all recently closed restaurants.

Persons: Danielle Wiener, Bronner Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hooters, CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Boston Locations: New York, United States, Florida , Kentucky, Rhode Island , Texas, Virginia, Boston Market, California

☆ AI company behind viral ‘BBL Drizzy’ fake Drake diss track gets sued
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A group of major record labels is suing two AI startups, alleging they wrongfully used popular artists’ work to train their systems to produce copyrighted music without their consent. Udio is the company behind “BBL Drizzy,” the AI-generated song that went viral last month during the Kendrick Lamar and Drake spat. Udio was founded last year by former Google DeepMind researchers to make it “easy for anyone to create emotionally resonant music in an instant,” according to the company. The platform, which allows users to create songs with only a few prompts, relies on OpenAI’s ChatGPT for lyrics and title development. Udio and Suno did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Warner Records –, Udio, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Suno, Mitch Glazier, ”, Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, Jon Bon Jovi, Jonas, Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert, CNN’s Jordan Valinsky Organizations: CNN, Recording Industry Association of America, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Records, Labs, BBL, Google, RIAA, Rights Alliance

☆ Amazon will stop using those little plastic pillows in its packaging
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Amazon is eliminating the use of the puffy plastic air pillows used in delivery boxes, joining other major companies that are cutting their plastic use. The company said it was shipping 15 billion plastic pillows annually, and the changes represent its largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America. Amazon has already stopped using them in 95% of deliveries and they will stop completely by the end of the year. A new paper filler made from 100% recycled content will replace the plastic pillows. Amazon has stopped using plastic pillows in other countries, including Australia, India and nations across Europe, in recent years, which resulted the company in using nearly 12% less plastic in 2023 compared to the year prior.

Persons: ” Matt Littlejohn, Oceana’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Strategic Locations: New York, North America, Australia, India, Europe, Oceana, America

☆ Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rematch poised to be most expensive WNBA game ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —This weekend’s rematch between basketball rivals Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is breaking more records before it even begins. Ticket prices for Clark’s Indiana Fever and Reese’s Chicago Sky are the most expensive for a WNBA game ever, according to TickPick, with the average hovering at around $253 — 187% higher than the Sky’s average purchase price of $88. Currently, the cheapest seat just to see the game is around $250 with the most expensive ticket on sale going for more than $9,000. Last Sunday’s game between Fever and Sky was the most-watched WNBA game on any network in 23 years, according to CBS, averaging 2.25 million viewers and peaking at nearly 3 million. Clark is no stranger to boosting ratings: The NCAA women’s basketball tournament title game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and her Iowa Hawkeyes drew nearly 19 million viewers, shattering records to become the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever measured by Nielsen.

Persons: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Clark, Reese Organizations: New, New York CNN, Indiana, Chicago Sky, WNBA, CBS, Fever, Sky, Chicago Bulls, CNN, NCAA, South Carolina Gamecocks, Iowa Hawkeyes, Nielsen Locations: New York

☆ McDonald’s releases a new $5 value meal to combat inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —McDonald’s has revealed the details of its highly anticipated $5 value meal, which the fast food chain hopes will rev up sluggish sales and lure back customers who have cut back. Beginning June 25, McDonald’s US locations are selling a “$5 Meal Deal” for a limited time. Word of McDonald’s newest value meal was released last month in the Wall Street Journal, prompting fast food rivals to get a jumpstart on offering similar deals and attract cost-conscious eaters. Burger King, Wendy’s and even Starbucks have rolled out meal deals in recent weeks. The arrival of the McDonald’s meal deal comes at a time when the company is battling the perception that it has become too expensive.

Persons: New York CNN — McDonald’s, ”, Joe Erlinger, Burger, Erlinger, McDonald’s, “, they’re, John Palmaccio Organizations: New, New York CNN, McDonald’s, Street, Mac, ”, Advertising Fund Locations: New York, Memphis, Columbus , Ohio

☆ Boeing committed ‘the deadliest corporate crime in US history’ and should be fined $24 billion, victims’ families say
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Families that lost loved ones in two Boeing 737 Max crashes said on Wednesday that the company committed the “deadliest corporate crime in US history” and asked the Justice Department to fine the company the maximum $24 billion it could face in a criminal trial. The families wrote to the Department of Justice asking for the fine as the US government considers criminal prosecution of Boeing. The letter also asks the Justice Department for an independent corporate monitor to oversee Boeing’s safety measures and to direct it in its efforts to improve its quality. The 2021 deferred prosecution agreement that Boeing reached with the Justice Department was harshly criticized by the family members and some members of Congress at that time. Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion, but most of that money - $1.77 billion – was paid to the airlines that owned the grounded planes, money that Boeing had already agreed to pay.

Persons: Max, Dennis Muilenburg, ”, Paul Cassell, “, Dave Calhoun, – CNN’s Evan Perez Organizations: New, New York CNN, Boeing, Justice Department, Department of Justice, The Justice Department, Department, Alaska Airlines, DOJ, Republican, Democratic, FAA Locations: New York, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Alaska

☆ Subway is expanding its menu with more footlong snacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Subway’s footlong cookies were so popular they had a shortage. They use Subway’s flatbread, rolled up with pepperoni and cheese, chicken and cheese or double cheese, and served hot. The $3 rollups are part of its Sidekicks menu, adding to its successful lineup of giant cookies, churros and soft pretzels. Technomic data shows that Subway also lags in sales for sides and snacks compared to its competitors. Owned by Roark Capital, a privately held company, Subway doesn’t regularly release financial figures.

Persons: Dippers, Douglas Fry, ” Fry, ” Dippers, Fry, “, ”, David Henkes, ” Henkes, Auntie Anne’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Sidekicks, North America, CNN, Subway, Roark Capital, Buffalo Wild Wings Locations: New York, Technomic

☆ How Carvel’s Fudgie the Whale became a Father’s Day icon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Whiskey, steaks and ties are all typical gifts for Father’s Day, but one specifically made for the holiday takes the cake: Fudgie the Whale. Ice cream cakes quickly flew off the shelves, first created in the mid-1950s, and twenty years later he thought of making a cake for Father’s Day. Fudgie helped Father’s Day become Carvel’s busiest day of the year for buying cakes, Salerno said. Fudgie’s popularity extends beyond Father’s Day, Salerno said, popular for other occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, too. The Fudgie family expanded this year with the introduction of Fudgie Pops, which are mini Fudgie cake pops on a stick.

Persons: Father’s, Tom Carvel, Fudgie, Jim Salerno, Carvel, Salerno, ” Salerno, ”, David Henkes, Baskin Robbins, Anne’s, Cookie, “ It’s, Santa Claus, “, It’s, Guy, Kelly Ripa, Kelly, Mark ”, he’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Father’s, CNN, Dairy, Focus, “, New York Mets ’, Yankees Locations: New York, Father’s, Technomic, East Coast, Santa, Salerno

☆ Starbucks joins the value menu wars with a new discounted offer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Starbucks is the latest entrant in the value menu wars, joining its rivals in releasing new offers to lure back cash-strapped consumers. The offer, available all day, comes in two options: For $5, a customer can order a tall iced or hot coffee or an iced or hot tea paired with a croissant. For Starbucks, it’s part of broader changes rolling out this summer, which include a new iced coffee blend, updated its app with more accurate ordering times and new promotions. Starbucks is also making tweaks to its two-year-old partnership with Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles program, which lets customers earn miles on every transaction. Beginning Wednesday, customers will only earn miles on Starbucks account reloads of $25 or more rather than per dollar spent at its cafes.

Persons: There’s, ” David Henkes, Laxman Narasimhan, ” Henkes, Danielle Wiener, Bronner Organizations: New, New York CNN, Starbucks, CNN, Delta Air Locations: New York, Technomic

☆ TNT’s NBA future is up in the air. But it now has tennis
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Although the future of the NBA on TNT remains uncertain, the cable network will at least have tennis. Under the “new expansive deal,” all roughly 900 matches will air live on the streaming platform Max, with featured matches on TNT and TBS and a new whip-around show on truTV. WBD already has an existing relationship with Roland-Garros since it began broadcasting the tennis tournament across Europe on Eurosport since 1989. The Tennis Channel stepped in to air more matches in 2006, splitting the rights with NBC. Tennis has seen its popularity and ratings grow in the past few years, which could help WBD’s sport portfolio.

Persons: “ Roland, Garros, ”, Luis Silberwasser, WBD, Roland Organizations: New, New York CNN, NBA, TNT, Warner Bros, French, TBS, Variety, TNT Sports, CNN, Eurosport, Roland, Garros, NBC, Tennis, NHL, MLB, Amazon, Wall Street, ESPN Locations: New York, Europe, Paris

☆ National Doughnut Day: Free doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’ and other chains
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | Emily Smith | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The first Dutch doughnuts didn’t have a hole, but they were fried in hot oil and the dough was sweet. Enough of the boring stuff, here’s where to get free doughnuts:Dunkin’Customers can get a free doughnut with a purchase of a beverage on Friday. Krispy KremeThe chain is making it easy to celebrate: Any of its regular doughnuts, like glazed or cake, are free with no purchase necessary. Plus, it’s selling a dozen of its glazed doughnuts for just $2 with the purchase of a regularly priced dozen of doughnuts. Shipley Do-NutsThe chain, with more than 300 locations primarily in Texas, is giving out free glazed doughnuts with any purchase.

Persons: ”, Dunkin ’, Jelly Roll, It’s, Krispy, Dolly Parton, Shipley Organizations: New, New York CNN, “, Salvation Army, Taco John’s, Speedway Locations: New York, Chicago, Texas

☆ Today is Melinda French Gates’ last day at the Gates Foundation. Here’s what she told her staff
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Friday marks the last day of Melinda French Gates’ more than two-decade run as the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation she ran with her ex-husband. Bill Gates and French Gates announced their divorce in May 2021. As part of her separation agreement from former husband Bill, French Gates said she will receive an additional $12.5 billion for her charitable work. French Gates said she will donate $1 billion through 2026 to advance women’s rights around the world through her organization, Pivotal Ventures. That will include $200 million in grants to organizations that are fighting for women’s reproductive rights.

Persons: Melinda French Gates, Melinda Gates, “, ”, French Gates, Bill Gates, Gates, Bill, Dobbs, ” – CNN’s David Goldman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Melinda Gates Foundation, New York Times Locations: New York

☆ Red Lobster closings: These are the locations it wants to shut down
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Red Lobster wants to close several dozen more restaurants following its bankruptcy, and it has identified which ones are in danger of shutting down if the court approves its plan. The chain, which brought affordable shrimp and lobster to middle-class America and grew to become the largest seafood restaurant chain in the world, filed for bankruptcy last month. Red Lobster said that it had more than $1 billion in debt and less than $30 million in cash on hand. Part of its plan is to close some locations of its nearly 600 restaurants in the meantime. A few weeks prior to its bankruptcy, it abruptly closed around 50 locations across the United States.

Persons: Fort Smith, Callaghan Lane, Fort, Elizabeth, Merritt, Port Richey, Dale Mabry, Ames, Charles Rock, Noland, Pike, Miller, Monroe, King of Prussia, Knox Abbott, Sam Rittenburg, Anderson Lane, Michael, Van Dorn, Murdock Organizations: New, New York CNN, Beulah, Bell, Oracle, Yuma Palms, Hospitality, College, Run, Fort Myers, Fort Walton, Biscayne, , Michigan City, Charles, Bartow, Pittsburgh, Lamar, Fairfax Locations: New York, America, United States, . Alabama, E, Tuscaloosa Arizona, Flagstaff, Peoria, Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma Arkansas, Shiloh, Fayetteville, Springs, Little Rock California, Citrus Heights, Calaveras, Milpitas, Ave, Monrovia, Pittsburg, Salinas, Hospitality Lane, San Bernardino, San Jose, Lane, Stockton, Vallejo Colorado, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Pueblo Connecticut, North Haven Delaware, Talleyville Florida, Altamonte Springs, Clermont, North, Clearwater, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Cleveland, Fort, Fort Walton Beach, Hwy, Kissimmee, Worth, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Haven Ave, Melbourne, Merritt, St, Miami, North Miami, Orange, Alafaya, Orlando, Pensacola, Port, Petersburg, Tampa, The, West Palm Beach Georgia, Columbus, Jonesboro, Rome, Smyrna Illinois, Bourbonnais, Champaign Indiana, Kokomo, , Michigan, Richmond Iowa, Ames Kansas, Topeka Kentucky, Louisville, Paducah Maryland, Salisbury, Salisbury Michigan, Bay City, Waterford Minnesota, West, Bloomington, Golden Valley Mississippi, Tupelo Missouri, Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, Independence, Joplin New Jersey, Delran, Paramus New York, Bartow Ave ., Bronx, Copiague, Lakewood, Manhattan, Glen Street, Queensbury, Stony Brook North Carolina, Cary, Jacksonville Ohio, Dayton, Findlay, Maumee, S.E, , New Philadelphia, Parma, Strongsville, Monroe St, Toledo Pennsylvania, Chambersburg, DeKalb Pike, Pittsburgh South Carolina, Cayce, Charleston Tennessee, Chattanooga Texas, Austin, Padre, Corpus Christi, Duncanville, Frisco, Houston, Lubbock, Bedford, Richland Hills, San Antonio, San Marcos, Shenandoah, Texarkana, Wichita Falls Virginia, Alexandria, Blvd, Chesapeake, Fairfax, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Broad, Virginia Beach, Pkwy, Virginia Beach Washington, Lynwood, Randall Way, Silverdale West Virginia, Parkersburg

☆ Black workers sue, claiming White racists run a General Mills plant in Georgia
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —General Mills, the manufacturer of Cheerios and other well-known cereals, is being sued by eight Black employees working at a Georgia plant who say it’s rampant with racism under the control of its White managers. In the federal lawsuit filed June 2, the employees accuse the managers at the Covington plant with favoring White employees for promotions over Black workers, issuing more disciplinary actions against Black employees and a manager calling them “colored,” a racist term. The lawsuit points to two White managers who “formed an organization of white employees in management and human resources called the ‘Good Ole Boys’” favoring White workers over their Black counterparts and going back as far as the 1980s. General Mills did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment. The plaintiffs are seeking a trial by jury and compensatory and punitive damages for hundreds of Black employees who have worked at the Covington plant.

Persons: Mills, “, General Mills, Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, White Organizations: New, New York CNN, White, Boys, Ku Klux, General Locations: New York, Georgia, Covington

☆ Columbia Law Review website is down after publishing a story criticizing Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The website for the Columbia Law Review is no longer accessible following the publication of an article critical of Israel that the publication’s board said did not go through the proper review process. At issue is the publication of an article that said Palestinians are living under a “brutally sophisticated structure of oppression” by Israel. The Columbia Law Review Association is an independent nonprofit organization with its own board of directors, and it is not governed by Columbia University or its law school. The piece was published Monday, despite the board saying it had asked for a delay in publishing until June 7 pending more review. “The attempt to silence my legal scholarship on the Nakba by shutting down the entire Columbia Law Review website is not only reflective of a pervasive and anti-intellectual Palestine exception to academic freedom but is also a testament to a culture of Nakba denialism,” Eghbariah said in a statement to CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Rabea Eghbariah, ” Eghbariah Organizations: New, New York CNN, Columbia, CNN, Association, Columbia University, Harvard University Locations: New York, Israel, ”, Gaza

☆ Lionel Messi is taking on Prime with a new sports drink
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Logan Paul’s Prime drink has some new competition in the form of the G.O.A.T. And the drink is also a new foray into non-alcoholic drinks for Mark Anthony Brands, as Americans consume less alcohol. Más+ by Messi is a low-sugar drink containing electrolytes and vitamins without artificial sweeteners, colors or caffeine. Hydration and energy drinks are projected to be a $60 billion market by 2032, growing roughly 6% annually, according to Precedence Research. “Gen Alpha is up for grabs, and that is who these new generation energy drinks are aiming to capture especially as they enter teenage years.”

Persons: New York CNN — Logan, Lionel Messi, White, Mark Anthony Brands, Messi, Miami Punch, Ballon, Seltzer, Andrea Hernández, ”, “, ” Hernández, Alpha Organizations: New, New York CNN, Soccer, Paul’s, Gatorade, Miami, Inter Miami, Orange, Major League Soccer, Messi, Beverage Co, Research, BodyArmor, CNN Locations: New York, Miami, America

☆ Anchor Brewing gets new lease on life after it finds an unexpected buyer
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Anchor Brewing, America’s oldest craft brewer, closed last summer after more than 127 years in business. Anchor closed in July 2023 and its former parent company Sapporo USA put it up for sale after facing years of declining sales. Despite Ulukaya’s excitement about reviving the 127-year-old brand, the craft beer business has been in decline as drinkers shift to spirits and cheaper alternatives. “The brand struggled because it kept relevance with longtime, committed craft beer enthusiasts, but rarely registered with young people or casual drinkers,” Roth said. “Focusing on Anchors legacy, stature, and part of American craft beer history could help the brewery form new emotional connections with drinkers.”

Persons: it’s, Hamdi Ulukaya, Brewing’s, Ulukaya, ”, Anchor’s, Jose Sarmento Matos, there’s, ” Bryan Roth, ” Roth Organizations: New, New York CNN, Brewing, LinkedIn, San, Sapporo, Bloomberg, Getty, San Francisco, Feel Goods Company, CNN Locations: New York, San Francisco, California, Sapporo USA, Sapporo, Potrero Hill

☆ Spotify is hiking its prices again
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Spotify is increasing its prices again, less than a year after it last hiked prices for most of its subscription plans. The latest price hike comes as streaming media companies face rapidly increasing costs of doing business – and customers continued to sour over rising prices of goods as inflation remains stubbornly high. The monthly cost of Duo, a plan that lets two people split a premium plan, is rising by $2, to $16.99. The family plan is increasing prices by $3 to $19.99 per month. Spotify recently increased subscription prices for international subscribers, cut costs and underwent several rounds of layoffs including drastic reductions to its podcast business.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Spotify, Paramount, Warner Bros, Netflix Locations: New York

☆ Taco Bell’s oversized Cheez-It collab is finally going nationwide
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —One of the most eagerly anticipated items ever made by Taco Bell is finally getting a nationwide release. The “Big Cheez-It Tostada” layers ground beef, reduced-fat sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce and cheddar cheese on the cheesy cracker for $3.49. Taco Bell is also adding a "Big Cheez-It Box" to menus for a limited time. Like other fast food chains, Taco Bell’s parent, Yum Brands, isn’t resistant to a slowdown in consumer spending, especially among lower-income diners. Shares of Yum Brands (YUM) have risen nearly 5% for the year.

Persons: Taco Bell, Taco, ”, Bell, nacho Organizations: New, New York CNN, Taco Bell, Bell, Yum Brands, KFC Locations: New York

☆ McDonald’s: Our prices haven’t risen as much as you think
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —McDonald’s has a message for America: Rumors of Big Mac inflation are greatly exaggerated. “The average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. was $4.39 in 2019,” he said. That’s an increase of 21% (not 100%).”What Erlinger wants customers to know is not that high-priced McDonald’s burgers don’t exist at all. Erlinger is fighting back because McDonald’s pricey burgers have become something of a symbol of elevated fast food prices. “It’s imperative that we continue to keep affordability at the forefront for our customers,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an April 30 analyst call.

Persons: New York CNN — McDonald’s, McDonald’s, Joe Erlinger, ”, “, they’re, Chris Kempczinski, NOA, Erlinger nodded, —, Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, America, McDonald’s, Mac, ”, Wall Street Journal, National Owner’s Association Locations: New York, McDonald’s USA, U.S

☆ Walgreens is cutting prices on 1,500 items, joining Target, Walmart and Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Walgreens is joining other retailers in cutting prices across the board, from snacks to toiletries and even Squishmallows, in an effort to lure back inflation-weary shoppers turned off by high prices. Prices are dropping immediately on more than 1,500 items online and at its stores, which include both name and store brands, Walgreens announced Wednesday. In the past few weeks, competitors including Target, Walmart and Amazon slashed prices on thousands of household goods to rev up consumer spending. “Walgreens understands our customers are under financial strain and struggle to purchase everyday essentials,” said Tracey D. Brown, Walgreens’ retail president and chief customer officer, in a release. Meanwhile, a host of other retailers report earnings Thursday, including Dollar General and Costco.

Persons: ”, Tracey D, Brown, “, we’ve, Alliance’s, isn’t, Sarah Wyeth, “ There’s, ” Wyeth, Parija Kavilanz Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, Dollar, Costco, Shoppers Locations: New York

☆ Subway is bringing back the footlong cookie after it disappeared for four months
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Rest easy, America: Subway’s footlong cookie is back. Following a four-month long disappearance, Subway announced Wednesday the “triumphant return” of the oversized chocolate chip cookie, which was pulled from many restaurants less than two weeks after its January debut because of massive demand. “The Footlong Cookie has delighted millions of Americans since their first bites in January, sparking unprecedented demand over the last several months,” Paul Fabre, Subway’s senior vice president of culinary and innovation, said in a press release. Subway could use a boost: Its location count continues to dwindle, closing more than 400 restaurants in the US last year. Subway finished the year with its smallest number of US restaurants (20,133) since 2005.

Persons: Auntie Anne’s, Cookie, ” Paul Fabre, Subway’s, Fabre, “, DoorDash, Uber Organizations: New, New York CNN, Subway Locations: New York, America

☆ OpenAI’s Sam Altman vows to give away most of his wealth through the Giving Pledge
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his husband have become the newest billionaires to sign the Giving Pledge, a charity that encourages the ultra-rich to donate their wealth to philanthropic causes. Bloomberg reports that Altman is worth at least $2 billion, with much of his wealth drawn from startup investments, including a sizable investment in Reddit. The pledge isn’t a legally binding contract, but more of a moral commitment. She recently resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation earlier this month following her divorce from Bill. As part of her divorce agreement, she received $12.5 billion from the Gates Foundation for her work upon her resignation.

Persons: Sam Altman, Altman, Oliver Mulherin, Warren Buffett, Melinda French Gates, Gates, Melinda Gates, Bill Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bloomberg, Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates Foundation Locations: New York, Reddit, OpenAI

☆ Tennis has a hot summer coming, fueled by Zendaya, ‘Challengers’ and luxury sponsors
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Elsa/Getty Images“We say no a lot,” admits Evan Zeder, director of global sports marketing for New Balance’s tennis and baseball units. Lacoste, the French luxury brand, was born with tennis in mind since its start in 1933. Lacoste’s polo shirts have become a major part of the “tennis aesthetic,” or the luxury athleticism #tenniscore trending on social media. Alcohol brands trying to crack the US market see the growing popularity of tennis as an opportunity to introduce themselves to drinkers. Dobel became the US Open’s official tequila sponsor last year, bringing alongs its Ace Paloma cocktail that it sells at other tennis tournaments it sponsors.

Persons: New York CNN — It’s, ”, Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Serena Williams, they’re, Bob Lynch, ” Lynch, Roger Federer, Anne Hathaway, Roland Garros, Rafael Nadal, Christophe Petit Tesson, Novak Djokovic, Williams, Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, “, outfitter, Gauff, she’s, Aryna, Elsa, Evan Zeder, Tommy Paul, it’s “, Lacoste, René Lacoste, “ Lacoste, Catherine Spindler, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, ” Novak Djokovic, Mike Stobe, ” Zendaya, ” Spindler, Maestro Dobel, Dobel, Paloma, Lander Otegui, Otegui, ” Otegui, Charlize Theron, Arthur Ashe, Katie Holmes, “ It’s, it’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, luxe, Vogue, ESPN, ABC, Tennis, United States Tennis Association, Brands, MLB, MLS, NBA, Tennis Channel, Netflix, CNN, YouTube, That’s, Wimbledon, Microsoft, Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, Australian, US, USTA Locations: New York, “, Swiss, Paris, Poland, Australia, London, Chambord, Mexico, Miami, Indian Wells, Cincinnati

☆ Peloton ‘paused the use of’ Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ music on its platform
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Peloton said it has paused the use of music recorded by Sean “Diddy” Combs on its workout class platform in response to a member of a private Facebook group for Peloton users. In the comment posted on Monday, the company said it also removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, a line of classes and workouts using music from a record label founded by Combs, on its platform. “This means our Instructors are no longer using his music in any newly produced classes,” Peloton said in the post. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs said in a video statement posted on Instagram on Sunday. In 2022, Peloton said it “indefinitely paused” playing Kanye West’s music from its streaming workout classes after he made antisemitic comments.

Persons: Sean “ Diddy ” Combs, Combs, — Cassie Ventura, ” Combs, “, Kanye, Buddy, CNN’s Jordan Valinsky, Alli Rosenbloom, Elizabeth Wagmeister Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bad Boy, CNN, Ventura Locations: New York

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