The Business Journal

A Wall Street Journal profile examines how a lawyer with a background in business litigation became the Justice Department's leading figure in its legal campaign against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The report traces his career path and role in shaping federal policy, drawing attention to the Justice Department's expanding involvement in one of the most contested issues in American law and politics.

The Wall Street Journal reports that borrowing costs in the United States have surged, yet the economy continues to show robust growth. Despite higher interest rates raising costs for businesses and consumers, economic activity has remained resilient, defying expectations that tighter financial conditions would significantly slow growth.

The Wall Street Journal published its Basic Materials Roundup in its Market Talk section, collecting commentary and analysis on commodity, mining and chemicals sectors for business readers. The item is circulating lightly among finance and markets followers, who use such roundups to track commodity price movements and sector developments in one place.

A1A Solar, a Jacksonville-based solar installer, has found growth opportunities amid a shakeout that is pushing weaker competitors out of the solar industry. Rising costs and shifting policy have strained many installers nationwide, and the company is positioning itself to capture customers and market share as rivals retrench, according to The Business Journals.

American Express has rolled out artificial intelligence and expense tracking features for its corporate card products, in a move reported by the Wall Street Journal. The upgrade is aimed at competing with fintech firms that offer automated spend management tools to businesses. The story is drawing attention from finance and technology readers tracking how legacy card companies respond to software-driven rivals.

The Wall Street Journal has published its regular Tech, Media & Telecom Roundup in its Market Talk series, compiling the day's notable developments and commentary across the technology, media and telecommunications sectors. The digest, part of the Journal's markets coverage, is being shared among finance and business readers tracking sector news.

Tepper Sports & Entertainment, the company owned by David Tepper that runs the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, has signed HVAC company Trane as a major sponsor. The partnership was reported by Sports Business Journal. Financial terms and the exact scope of the deal were not disclosed, but it is described as a significant sponsorship agreement across the organization's properties.

SLR Business Credit has provided Gourmet Mushrooms with a $1.2 million senior secured asset-based credit facility. The financing gives the specialty mushroom producer working capital backed by its assets. Details on how the funds will be used or the terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the transaction was announced via ABF Journal.

Larry Ellison has chosen HBO's content chief to run the streaming business that would result from a combination of Paramount and Warner Bros., according to the Wall Street Journal. The appointment signals how seriously the Ellison camp is planning for a merged streaming operation, putting a veteran programming executive in charge of what would be one of the largest streaming portfolios in the industry should the Paramount-Warner deal move forward.

Creditors have filed a lawsuit against Optimum and its founder, French telecom billionaire Patrick Drahi, alleging fraudulent transfers, according to the Wall Street Journal. The suit, reported in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, accuses the company and Drahi of moving assets in a way that disadvantaged creditors, who are now seeking to claw back value through the courts.

Drake University is hosting a Bucksbaum Business Lecture featuring prominent journalists who will discuss the evolution of technology and artificial intelligence. The event forms part of the university's business lecture series, which brings notable figures to campus to talk with students and the public. Details on the speakers and date are expected from the university newsroom.

The finance committee of MCE, the Marin Clean Energy electricity provider in the San Francisco Bay Area, has recommended cutting rates for its customers. The recommendation was reported by the Marin Independent Journal but no further details on the size of the cuts or their timing were given in the initial report. The move would mean lower electricity bills for households and businesses served by the community choice aggregator.