Author: Michael Erst

Some “less popular beverages” are set to be retired from Starbucks menus next week.In an effort to boost sales and prioritize customers, new CEO Brian Niccol has made changes he says will help the Seattle-based coffee chain get “back to Starbucks.”Under Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks has reversed its open-door policy, unveiled new and returning coffeehouse amenities, in addition the menu overhaul and corporate layoffs coming this week.Last month, Starbucks said it would begin to “optimize” menu offerings, resulting in a 30% reduction in both beverage and food items by the end of the fiscal year.Starting March 4, a selection of “less popular” beverages, including…

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 NewsStarbucks will lay off 1,100 corporate employees as Brian Niccol, the new CEO of the Seattle-based coffee chain, plans to streamline operations.The announcement, which the company made Monday in a press release, comes after senior leaders in January began “evaluating the role, structure and size of” its global corporate divisions. Those whose positions are being eliminated will be notified by Tuesday, Niccol said…

If you’re a fan of fictional, food-inspired holidays, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has quite the promotion for you.The fast-casual restaurant chain has officially declared Feb. 24 as National Steakburger Day and is offering Freddy’s Rewards members an in-app offer for a $1 Freddy’s Original Double.According to Freddy’s, the Original Double comes standard with two patties, two slices of cheese, mustard, onion slices and pickle planks. The chain says every steakburger is cooked to order and sprinkled with Freddy’s Famous Fry Seasoning.Freddy’s, founded in Wichita, Kansas in 2002, has over 550 locations across 36 states and offers cooked-to-order steakburgers, all-beef…

Investing with a longer time horizon empowers investors to zoom out and focus on the big picture. These companies are poised to thrive over the next decade. The recent controversy around DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, has prompted investors to reconsider the AI landscape. It’s a reminder that as dynamic and rapidly growing as the AI opportunity is, it will throw investors several curve balls over the coming years. Investors who want to buy and hold AI stocks long-term must zoom out and consider where AI is today and where it might go. Here are three AI stocks with…

Fed’s Powell says US close but not there yet on inflationFederal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the US has made progress toward 2% inflation but isn’t quite there yet during a House Financial Services Committee hearing.BloombergBanks in western states are experiencing stability due to a strong economy.Bank failures are at low levels, and the banking industry is continuing to consolidate.Community bankers are advocating for fewer regulations, while Federal Reserve officials advise a balance between consumer protection and economic growth.Banks in Arizona and western states are benefitting from a generally solid economy with ongoing growth and steady employment and remain “safe and…

The Powerball jackpot rose to $219 million for Saturday’s drawing after no one won the top prize on Wednesday.If someone matches all six numbers, they can choose a one-time cash payment of $100.1 million.One lucky person from Florida won $1 million on Wednesday, according to the lottery.A lucky player in Oregon had the first jackpot-winning Powerball ticket of 2025, according to lottery officials, winning a $328.5 million jackpot on Jan. 18.Check below for the winning numbers in Saturday’s Powerball drawing, which happened just after 11 p.m. ET.Powerball winning numbers for 2/22/2025The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, Feb.…

Existing home sales fall to lowest level since 1995The latest home sales numbers painted a discouraging picture for the real estate industry as sales fell to the lowest level since 1995.Straight Arrow NewsA piece of film history is up for sale in Austin, Texas, and will only cost you just under $1 million. Paying the steep price will make you the new owner of the original house used by “Dazed and Confused” character Mitch Kramer. Officially listed at $950,000, the home is found within Austin’s Allandale neighborhood and is located at 6806 Pioneer Pl. Built in 1964, the home has been recently…

What is listeria? Here’s what you need to knowLearn about Listeria, its symptoms and essential preventive measures to safeguard against the food borne illness.Frozen nutrition shakes sold to long-term care facilities and other care institutions have been linked to a deadly listeria outbreak, prompting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce a nationwide recall.The FDA announced its investigation into the outbreak Friday, saying it is working with the CDC and local agencies to track the multistate rash of illnesses, many of which occurred in patients of hospitals and nursing homes. The manufacturer also issued a voluntary recall notice…

9/11 health program cuts: RFK Jr. urged to reconsider, reverse decisionAnthony Gardner of Essex, NJ, was fired from his job at the World Trade Center Health Program as part of the DOGE government efficiency effort.New York members of Congress called on Trump to reverse the cuts to jobs and research funding.”My colleagues and I are eager to get back to work on Monday for our 9/11 heroes who we are so honored to serve,” said Anthony Gardner, one of the WTC Health Program staff whose job had been cut.Staffing cuts at the World Trade Center Health Program were restored Friday,…

Wall Street ends lower weighed by weak Walmart guidanceU.S. stocks sold off on Thursday with the Dow dropping 1%, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both shedding just under half a percent.Costco will surpass 900 locations worldwide with the opening of several new warehouses in early March.Back in December, the Issaquah, Washington-based retailer announced plans to open 29 new locations during its 2025 fiscal year, which runs until Aug. 31, 2025. Six of those are opening next month in the U.S.Costco currently operates 897 warehouses – 617 of which are in the U.S. and Puerto Rico – and with the…