Business

The Wall Street Journal reports on how a lawyer with a background in business litigation has taken a leading role at the Justice Department in efforts against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The profile examines his career path and his position at the center of a politically charged policy fight over transgender healthcare in the United States.

OpenAI is paying influencers and sponsoring creators on platforms like Instagram to promote ChatGPT and shape a public image of the company as 'good for the world', according to Business Insider reporting on its marketing strategy. The move signals a shift toward conventional brand advertising as competition over AI users intensifies. Critics see it as image management rather than substance, while others view it as a normal step for a company reaching a mass consumer market.

Meta says it will run advertisements for a documentary about Elon Musk after initially appearing to reject or block the promotion, according to TechCrunch. The reversal means the film's marketers can now use Meta's ad platforms to reach audiences. The episode has drawn attention to how Meta handles ads touching on Musk, a frequent rival of Mark Zuckerberg's company on tech and political fronts.

Airlines are waiving change fees for travelers across the US Northeast as a nor'easter brings disruptive winter weather to the region. The waivers let passengers rebook flights without penalty, a standard move carriers make when storms threaten major hubs in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Travelers with upcoming trips are being urged to check their airline's advisories before heading to airports.

Jim Ukrop, the former CEO of Richmond-area grocery chain Ukrop's Markets, has died at the age of 89. He is being remembered as 'a true business and civic leader,' reflecting a career that combined running the family supermarket business with extensive community involvement in the Richmond, Virginia region.

A psychologist writing in Forbes says the pressure to adopt and keep up with artificial intelligence is harming business leaders' mental wellbeing. Leaders are reportedly struggling with constant demands to implement AI tools, keep pace with rapid change, and reassure staff about the technology's impact on jobs.

A Spokane man has been arrested on allegations that he ran a cocaine distribution business out of homes, selling thousands of packages of the drug. Local reporting from the Spokane area covers the arrest, though few further details about the suspect's identity, the investigation, or charges have been made public so far.

Police in Richmond, Virginia are investigating after a man was found dead inside a business on the city's North Side. Few details have been released about the circumstances or whether foul play is suspected, and local outlets are monitoring for updates from investigators.

Alabama teenagers are set to receive their own version of TikTok as part of a sweeping $100 million deal, according to Fox Business. Details about who is funding the initiative, what the app will offer, and how it will differ from the popular short-video platform have not been disclosed, but the announcement is drawing attention as states weigh responses to TikTok's prominence among young users.

American Express has introduced new business savings and payroll tools for its customers, according to a report carried by Yahoo Finance. The move expands the company's offering for small and mid-sized business clients, adding cash management and payroll capabilities alongside its existing card and payments services. Details on pricing, availability and how the tools will be bundled with current Amex business accounts were not provided in the report.

A journalist has put DraftKings' player-protection measures to the test, probing how effectively the sports betting company's safeguards detect and respond to risky gambling behavior. The reporting comes as US sportsbooks face growing scrutiny over problem gambling, self-exclusion tools, and whether operators are doing enough to protect vulnerable customers.

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com and Tumblr, has announced a new board of directors following an unsuccessful attempt to place its CEO on leave. The episode has drawn attention to internal governance tensions at the company, which has faced scrutiny in recent years over its leadership and its disputes within the WordPress ecosystem. Details about the new board members' identities remain limited.

YouTube and Meta have reversed their earlier decisions and will now accept advertising for the 'Musk' trailer, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The shift means promotional material for the film can run on both major digital platforms, and the reversal is drawing attention as a notable about-face by two of the biggest players in online advertising.

A man was shot and killed inside a business in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, according to police. Details about the victim's identity, the circumstances of the shooting, and whether any suspects are in custody have not yet been released as the investigation continues.

Jim Ukrop has died at the age of 89. He helped grow Ukrop's Super Markets into a Richmond institution that became a fixture of central Virginia life for decades. Coverage of his death is drawing reflections on the family-run grocery chain's role in the region and his place in Richmond's business community.

Meta is positioning AI agents as tools for ordinary consumers, not just corporate customers, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The move signals that conversational AI assistants are moving into everyday personal use, widening the market beyond enterprise software and putting consumer-facing agents at the center of the company's AI strategy.

Apple has been hit with a $5.7 billion verdict over allegations that it infringed a patent, according to a report by Engadget. The ruling, if it stands, would be one of the largest patent judgments against the company, and attention is turning to whether Apple will appeal.

Afognak, the Alaska Native village corporation from Kodiak's Afognak Island, has taken majority ownership of trucking and fuel companies operating in Alaska. The move expands the corporation's business portfolio and strengthens its role in the state's transportation and energy supply sectors, drawing attention as an example of Alaska Native corporate investment in core regional industries.

A Hawaiian business owner and resident is describing the difficulties facing her community this season as Hurricane Nolo approaches the islands. She highlights the strain on local businesses and residents preparing for the storm, adding a personal perspective to coverage of the hurricane's expected impact on Hawaii.

Meta has spent months working to turn Muse into a successful product, according to a Business Insider report. The story details the internal effort behind the project, though the report is new and specific claims about Muse's development and reception have not yet been widely picked up by other outlets.

Prosecutors have dropped tax theft charges against the owners of a roofing company in Pierce County, Washington. The owners described the situation as a mistake, and the case against them has been dismissed. The Tacoma News Tribune reported the development, though details on why charges were tossed remain limited in initial coverage.

Oil-field service companies are preparing to report quarterly results that are expected to show how the war has affected their business. Investors and analysts will be watching the earnings season in the energy sector for signs of how conflict-driven costs, supply disruptions and shifting demand for drilling and oilfield services have filtered through to the bottom line of major providers.

The Downtown Dova development is set to go before the Rancho Cordova planning commission for review. The project would be a significant addition to the Sacramento-area suburb's push to build out a more urban downtown core, and local business and civic observers are watching how commissioners respond to the proposal at the upcoming hearing.

Filippo Bernardini, the Italian man who posed as editors and agents to steal unpublished manuscripts from authors across the book world for years, is the subject of renewed attention over whether he is operating again. The New York Times revisits the scheme, which ensnared writers including Margaret Atwood, and asks whether the scammer, who faced US fraud charges, has resumed his activities.

OpenAI has published guidance identifying the workplace skills it considers most valuable in the AI era. The company's findings are drawing attention from businesses and workers assessing how artificial intelligence is reshaping job requirements, with details of the report carried by Business Insider.

Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein is considering opening a temporary event center at the Showboat property in Atlantic City as he looks for new ways to use the former casino complex. The proposal would bring concerts or large-scale events to the Boardwalk site while longer-term plans for the property are developed. The move fits Blatstein's broader push to redevelop the Showboat into a non-gaming attraction.