Author: Michael Erst

Russ Wiles  |  Arizona RepublicIRS unveils new income tax brackets and deductions for 2025The IRS has announced key tax changes for 2025 due to inflation, including adjustments to income tax brackets, deductions, and capital gains.Straight Arrow NewsThe income-tax season is underway.Individuals are expected to file more than 160 million federal returns for tax year 2024. Most will come in by the regular April 15 deadline, with automatic extensions to Oct. 15 available to people who submit a Form 4868 to the IRS by April 15.The IRS said this filing season will be reflected in service upgrades and modernization efforts, along…

Negotiations between Nissan and Honda are reportedly shaky after the two Japanese automakers previously announced they would merge by 2026.Nissan’s board has decided that Honda’s terms for a merger are unacceptable, according to the Wall Street Journal. Honda reportedly proposed making Nissan one of its subsidiaries rather than the following through with the initial more equal structure.The talks between the two have become complicated by “growing differences” making the state of the merger uncertain, Reuters reported.Neither of the two companies have yet to make an official announcement on the state of the conversations.A Honda spokesperson told USA TODAY that discussions between…

The Federal Trade Commission announced that it will be sending refunds to some Fashion Nova customers after it said the fast fashion retailer engaged in “deceptive review practices.”According to a press release from Jan. 28, the FTC says it would be sending a total of almost $2.4 million to affected customers as part of a settlement. The FTC alleged that Fashion Nova had “blocked negative reviews of its products from being posted on its website.”“Fashion Nova misrepresented that the product reviews on its website reflected the views of all customers who submitted reviews, when in fact it suppressed reviews with…

Big U.S. companies taper or abandon diversity pledgesSome of the biggest companies in the U.S. from Walmart to Meta Platforms have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, known as DEI.Walmart is eliminating several jobs and closing its Charlotte, North Carolina office as it relocates employees to its main hubs in California and Arkansas, according to multiple reports citing an internal memo.The multinational retail corporation is asking staffers based in Hoboken, New Jersey, and other smaller offices, to relocate to its newly opened headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas and its office in Sunnyvale, California, Donna Morris, Walmart’s chief people officer,…

If there were any fears that spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure was about to slow down, that was put to rest when President Donald Trump announced the new Stargate AI project last week. Backed by OpenAI, Oracle (ORCL -0.42%), and Japan’s Softbank, the consortium plans to spend $500 billion over the next four years building out data centers to help handle the growing AI workload. The consortium plans to initially construct 10 data centers and then expand to 20. Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison said data center construction was already underway, with the first set to be built in Abilene,…

Chandni Shah  |  ReutersChina reacts to President Trump’s tariffs with their own on the USChina reacted to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs with levies of their own against the U.S.The U.S. Postal Service will temporarily suspend accepting inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts until further notice, the USPS website showed.The change, effective from Feb. 4, will not impact the flow of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong, according to the website. USPS did not immediately comment on whether this was tied to President Donald Trump’s change to ending “de minimis” shipments from China and other countries.Trump’s…

It can be difficult to find great stocks. After all, there are more than 4,000 public companies listed on just the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq. But occasionally, you come across a stock that is simply too good to ignore. Netflix (NFLX 1.63%) is hardly an unknown stock. Yet, its familiarity can work against it by obscuring its excellent performance. Case in point: Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos just delivered an outstanding report that should remind everyone of what a juggernaut Netflix has become. Here’s what he said. Image source: Getty Images. Netflix is running at full steam Every…

Starbucks will now require customers to buy something to use bathroomsIt reverses a rule change the coffee chain made in 2018, after a store manager called the police on two Black men in a Philadelphia location.Straight Arrow NewsValentine’s Day is right around the corner and Starbucks is celebrating with two new limited-time beverages.The coffee chain announced Monday the drinks would be available beginning Feb. 4 a limited time while supplies last.The drinks include:Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Créme Frappuccino: A blend of strawberry puree, Frappuccino chips, milk and ice, which is then layered on top of a splash of strawberry puree and finished…

“That’s hot!” Nah. “That’s red hot!”Paris Hilton is turning up the heat in a new collaboration with Frank’s RedHot for Super Bowl 59 and encouraging fans to “put that (expletive) on everything.”“Whether you’re rooting for a team, the commercials or the halftime show—I’m here to make sure all football foods are full-flavored and totally slay,” Hilton said in a statement. “That’s why I’m collaborating with Frank’s RedHot to shake up game day spreads with unmatched flavor. The real MVP is the host… now that’s RedHot.”Under the partnership, in collaboration with Hilton’s media company, 11:11 Media, Hilton is sharing her favorite…

White House press secretary opens press credentials to ‘new media’White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced new media members like bloggers and podcasters can apply for press credentials.Portnoy grew up in Swampscott, MassachusettsHe founded Barstool Sports in 2004He’s only given one perfect 10 One Bite Pizza Review, and it was in Lynn, MassachusettsBarstool Sports has become its own media empire.From One Bite Pizza Reviews to wildly successful podcasts like Pardon My Take, the media company has flourished under the longtime leadership of its founder.Dave Portnoy, known as “El Presidente,” founded Barstool Sports, and is the public face of the company.…