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Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

How existential fears are shaping the debate over AI

Business / Business News /

The current round of panic over artificial intelligence is based on the conviction that the technology has slipped out of human control to do its own bidding in several recent incidents. To some disillusioned AI researchers — and some senior employees at leading AI companies — this is an early sign of a true threat to human civilization. But...Read more

GMC/GMC/TNS

General Motors 'very confident' in new V-8 pickup truck engine design

Business / Business News /

FLINT, Michigan — General Motors Co. is "very confident" in newly designed V-8 engines for its reimagined light-duty pickup truck lineup after being dogged by engine recalls last year.

GM's new L76 5.7-liter and L78 6.6-liter V-8 engines will outfit the light-duty versions of the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, high-selling...Read more

Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/TNS

As Microsoft charts AI spending, Wall Street and workers keep watch

Business / Business News /

Microsoft has rarely seen a wipeout like it.

At one point this summer, the Redmond, Washington-based tech giant saw its stock price plummet 35% from its all-time high.

The company wasn’t on the ropes financially. In fact, Microsoft was more profitable than ever, with a growing cloud computing business that propelled the company to earn $133 ...Read more

Marc Grasso/Boston Herald/TNS

Auto review: Lexus ES goes hybrid with 2026 refresh

Business / Business News /

The newly refreshed 2026 Lexus ES 350h Hybrid proves that a family vehicle with a lasting history can be luxurious.

While its fresh hybrid powertrain provides the modern tech upgrades that vehicles in 2026 deserve, it’s the traditional low-key Lexus accouterments that ensure the ES will be here for years to come. The 2026 ES increases ...Read more

Henry Payne/The Detroit News/TNS

Auto review: Road trippin' in Telluride Jr., the 2027 Kia Seltos

Business / Business News /

CHARLEVOIX, Michigan — Boeing sells a 747 jumbo jet and a little 717. Cheesecake Factory’s menu offers a Double Smash Cheeseburger and Cheeseburger Bites. Austin Powers has Mini Me.

Kia Telluride has the Kia Seltos.

Following the runaway success of the three-row Telluride, the Korean automaker has produced a wee doppelganger for the 2027 ...Read more

Lamborghini/TNS

Larry Printz: Lamborghini Revuelto SV is the fastest and most extreme Super Veloce yet

Business / Business News /

MONTEREY, California — There are worse problems for an automaker than having more customers than cars. Most automakers would regard this as a champagne problem. Lamborghini regards it as a business problem.

That was evident during Lamborghini’s unveiling of the Revuelto SV, the latest, loudest and most gloriously unnecessary version of its ...Read more

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Apple, OpenAI and Qualcomm leaders to attend Trump-Xi dinner

Business / Business News /

Apple Inc. Executive Chairman Tim Cook, OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman and Qualcomm Inc. head Cristiano Amon are poised to attend a White House state dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

A person familiar with the matter said that Cook would be at the event, which U.S. President Donald Trump is holding in Washington. ...Read more

Jonas Roosens/Getty Images North America/TNS

More Amazon Prime customers may qualify for FTC settlement refunds

Business / Business News /

After doling out more than $845 million to former Amazon Prime customers, Amazon is expanding the qualifications needed for refunds stemming from its settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

Three days into a trial last year, Amazon and the regulatory agency reached a settlement in which the e-commerce giant agreed to pay $2.5 billion to ...Read more

Noam Galai/Getty Images North America/TNS

FCC approves foreign owners for a merged Paramount-Warner Bros.

Business / Business News /

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday granted Paramount Skydance's request to allow Middle Eastern royal families to hold a substantial stake in a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery.

The sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are slated to indirectly own nearly 50% of the equity in David Ellison's proposed ...Read more

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America/TNS

California newsrooms await grants, Newsom's decision on tax credits

Business / Business News /

California’s beleaguered news industry — which has seen its advertising decline steadily over the past 20 years due to competition from online giants like Google and Meta, resulting in layoffs, smaller newsrooms and less oversight of government — may be thrown two modest lifelines in the coming weeks.

A bill on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk ...Read more

Summer Ballentine/The Detroit News/TNS

GM delivers missile parts for defense powerhouse Lockheed Martin

Business / Business News /

General Motors Co.'s military offshoot has delivered its first shipment of parts for use in missiles made by global defense powerhouse Lockheed Martin, the Dallas-based company said Thursday, Sept. 17.

GM Defense made "housing components" for Lockheed's PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles, which are used to shoot down enemy air attacks, ...Read more

Real estate Q&A: How do I get my money out of house I co-own with my ex?

Business / Business News /

Q: My ex and I bought a house together two years ago when we were still a couple. We are both on the deed and on the mortgage. Now we have split up and moved out, and she refuses to either sell the house or buy me out. I am still paying half the mortgage on a home I cannot live in. How do I force the issue and get my money out? — Andre

A: You...Read more

Joe Hendrickson/Dreamstime/TNS

Dollywood's billionaire owners plot future without Dolly Parton

Business / Business News /

Since it opened in 1986, Dollywood has been both monument to Dolly Parton and a bustling venue where visitors can wander through a replica of the two-room log cabin where the singer-songwriter grew up and munch on loaves of her fragrant cinnamon bread between thrill rides.

Now the Tennessee theme park’s legacy rests in the hands of a low-key ...Read more

Daniel Kim/The Seattle Times/TNS

Seattle revisits plan to spur housing construction by slashing fees

Business / Business News /

Hoping to spur apartment construction, Seattle City Council members will soon consider a plan to slash fees developers of new housing pay.

The proposal from Councilmember Dionne Foster, slated for an initial hearing Friday, would temporarily offer developers a 60% to 80% break on Mandatory Housing Affordability fees the city charges on new ...Read more

Tyger Williams/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

A Philly family bought their first home thanks to reparations from Quakers in Germantown

Business / Business News /

PHILADELPHIA — Charmira and Quincy Pilgrim wanted to become homeowners a decade ago when they got married.

But over the years, job losses, jobs that didn’t pay enough, children, unpaid maternity leave, and rising costs of living made saving for homeownership impossible.

They were finally able to start putting money away late last year. And...Read more

Mario Tama/Getty Images North America/TNS

Groceries, gas, rent. Why it's so expensive to live in Los Angeles

Business / Business News /

Cheryl Palumbo was out shopping for herself and her husband last week to pick up some items she had forgotten the day before at the supermarket — and couldn’t quite believe her bill.

The 78-year-old retiree had already spent $150 and here she was back at her local Ralphs forking over another $70 for fruit, vegetables and other food crammed ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Kroger pulls Red Bull from shelves nationwide

Business / Business News /

Kroger has stopped selling Red Bull at all its stores and fuel centers nationwide, the company confirmed to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The last of the energy drink was sold in August and its coolers and displays were removed from stores as of Aug. 31, according to the Enquirer, citing company officials.

Kroger and Red Bull did not immediately ...Read more

Nick Wagner/The Seattle Times/TNS

More delays for Boeing's 777X, CEO Ortberg says

Business / Business News /

Boeing’s 777X certification could push into next year as the company continues to work through an issue with engine maker GE, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Wednesday.

Separately, the plane-maker’s wing shop in Renton, Washington, could slow Boeing’s efforts to increase its monthly Max production rate.

The wing shop has not kept up with ...Read more

Frederic J. Brown/Getty Images of North America/TNS

In reversal, California regulator says unmarried drivers should not pay more for auto insurance

Business / Business News /

For decades, single, divorced and many widowed drivers have paid more for auto insurance in California than those who are married.

That could soon change.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in a surprising decision announced Wednesday he is barring auto insurers from considering marital status in setting premiums.

While the insurance ...Read more

Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America/TNS

Oracle lays off hundreds in Seattle, part of sweeping cuts

Business / Business News /

Cloud computing giant Oracle is laying off more employees this week as it extends a multibillion-dollar restructuring plan. The job cuts include 359 in Seattle, according to a regulatory filing Wednesday.

The Austin, Texas-based company disclosed in an annual regulatory filing earlier this year that its total workforce decreased by roughly 21,...Read more