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SEC proposes eliminating equities trade-through rule

Business / Business News /

The Securities and Exchange Commission proposed eliminating a rule that aims to ensure investors get better prices for their transactions.

The current version of the so-called trade-through rule has been in place since 2005. It prohibits exchanges, alternative trading systems and wholesalers like Citadel Securities or Virtu Financial Inc. from...Read more

Luke Johnson/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS

Gas prices in California vary from one station to another -- and the differences are stark

Business / Business News /

A recent committee hearing in Sacramento about gasoline prices offered more specifics about something many California drivers know all too well — that prices vary widely from one gas station to the next.

It’s not unusual to see striking differences, even when the stations are practically, or literally, right around the corner from each ...Read more

Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS

SpaceX is poised to make history with record $75 billion stock IPO

Business / Business News /

SpaceX is poised to make history on Friday with a record-setting IPO that will catapult the once fledgling aerospace startup into one of the most valuable companies on Earth.

The company, founded in El Segundo in 2002, is selling at least 555 million shares at $135 apiece, which could raise $75 billion or more. That could give Elon Musk's ...Read more

Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/TNS

Bay Area downtowns aren't dying – they're changing

Business / Business News /

For years, headlines have warned of downtown “doom loops” and “death spirals,” focusing on the office vacancies that have piled up since the pandemic. Take a walk through downtown San Jose, for instance, and you’ll see many once-bustling buildings quiet and mostly empty.

But while they’ve been slow to recover, the streets below them...Read more

John Konstantaras/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Illinois is one step closer to banning 'junk fees' and hidden charges on renters

Business / Business News /

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois — Sharon Gardner was paying her rent. But her Hanover Park apartment owner continued to pile up charges against her.

With eviction threats mounting, Gardner was told she owed more than $3,300 in unexpected fees — a $50 monthly charge for cable internet she never received, $5 a month for pest control, a $300 move-in fee...Read more

Real estate Q&A: How can we still close home sale after low appraisal?

Business / Business News /

Q: We are selling our home, and the buyer’s appraisal just came back $30,000 below the price we agreed on. Now the buyer is demanding that we drop the price to match the appraisal. We priced the house fairly and had multiple offers. Do we have to give in? — Carol

A: Few things deflate the excitement of an accepted offer faster than a low ...Read more

JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO/Bay Area News Group/TNS

Has Palo Alto unlocked the secret to downtown vibrancy?

Business / Business News /

On a stroll down University Avenue in Palo Alto, California, on a spring Saturday evening, one can see parklets that were once parking spaces packed with well-heeled diners elegantly swirling wine glasses or digging into their meals inspired by culinary traditions from around the world.

Families line up down the block to order ice cream at Salt...Read more

Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS

Downtown LA businesses are in crisis. Owners want politicians to deal with it

Business / Business News /

Cemal Clik was rinsing some strawberries for lunch when he felt a gun on his temple.

The 61-year-old was sitting near his gift shop in downtown Los Angeles this month when two men threatened to kill him if he didn’t give up the gold chain hanging from his neck. They grabbed the chain and disappeared down South Broadway.

It took 45 minutes ...Read more

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty/TNS

Where can Seattle ultrawealthy store their toys? Condos

Business / Business News /

In a city infamous for its high housing costs, Seattle’s ultrawealthy will soon be able to buy condos for their luxury cars and yachts.

Nearly 9 acres of a former industrial fuel terminal on Salmon Bay waterfront near the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will undergo a transformation into an extravagant car collector garage, superyacht ...Read more

California Department of Food and Agriculture/California Department of Food and Agriculture/TNS

This creepy insect has been found on grapevines. What it could mean for California's wine industry

Business / Business News /

A pest that is considered a major threat to California’s vineyards and its $73-billion wine industry has been found on grapevines sold at Northern and Central California Costco stores between April 21 and May 21, according to authorities.

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, which was first identified and detected May 19 from grapevines sold at a ...Read more

Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times/TNS

Fight over housing in Seattle's Sodo neighborhood enters a new phase

Business / Business News /

Many people thought the long fight over whether the city can or should build housing near the baseball stadium was done in May. But it will now stretch out even longer, after an appeal filed last month that could also delay the city’s broader plans for growth in Seattle.

The city is in the midst of updating its plan to manage growth over the ...Read more

Robin Buckson/The Detroit News/TNS

UAW reaches tentative agreement to end strike at key GM axle supplier

Business / Business News /

The United Auto Workers union on Wednesday said it had struck a tentative contract agreement with Dauch Corp. to end a 10-day strike at the axle supplier's Three Rivers plant that had threatened to disrupt General Motors Co. truck production.

Nearly 1,000 workers at the plant in southwest Michigan walked out at the start of last week, demanding...Read more

John T. Greilick/The Detroit News/TNS

Future of Mackinac Island ferry service heads to mediation

Business / Business News /

The city of Mackinac Island, Michigan, Hoffmann Family of Companies' Arnold Transit Company and Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry have agreed to enter mediation regarding ferry service in 2027 and beyond, according to the Fair Access to Mackinac Island coalition.

The coalition praised the decision to pursue mediation, saying it is encouraged that...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

CFTC floats prediction market rule to crack down on war bets

Business / Business News /

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission unveiled a proposal for prediction markets Wednesday that would crack down on bets related to war, terrorism and assassination.

The CFTC plan also proposed narrowly defining some “gaming” — the category that helped launch the surge of sports-related prediction markets 18 months ago - to be games ...Read more

Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images North America/TNS

Anthropic CEO says government should be able to block new models

Business / Business News /

Anthropic PBC Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei said the government should have the power to block artificial intelligence developers from deploying new AI models if they present certain risks.

In a lengthy essay on Wednesday, Amodei argued that AI models should undergo mandatory testing by third parties to assess the risk they pose across ...Read more

Stellantis/TNS/TNS

Chrysler recalls Pacificas for battery fire risk, says to park outside

Business / Business News /

Thousands of Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans are being recalled because of a battery that can catch fire even when the minivan is turned off.

The recall affects 17,277 Pacificas made between Aug. 5, 2020 and May 2, 2022. Until a repair is finalized, and "out of an abundance of caution," Chrysler owner Stellantis NV warns owners to ...Read more

Andy Morrison/The Detroit News/TNS

Jeep says 1 injury and 72 fires linked to Wrangler, Gladiator recall

Business / Business News /

One injury and 72 fires have been linked to a recall of more than 1 million of Jeep's best-selling Wrangler and Gladiator models, according to the automaker and national safety officials.

Owners of Wrangler and Gladiators from model years 2021 through 2025 should park their vehicles outside and away from buildings in case of fires, federal ...Read more

Maya Wilkins/Chicago Tribune/TNS

BP, USW contract negotiations conclude Wednesday without end to refinery lockout

Business / Business News /

WHITING, Indiana — United Steelworkers Local 7-1 workers will have to spend more time without work at the BP Whiting refinery after an unsuccessful return to negotiations Wednesday.

However, union members are prepared to continue picketing outside the refinery.

“I hope we’re going back soon, but they keep stalling,” said Steven Kallies...Read more

Jim Rossman/Jim Rossman/TNS

Tech review: Let the robots take over ... your lawn care

Business / Business News /

My last review was a robot vacuum. This week, we let the robots outside to let it cut the grass.

Years ago, my first experience with robot mowers required a wire to be buried around the perimeter of the yard. When the manufacturer offered to come have a wire buried at my house for testing, it was more than I wanted to deal with, as I’m a ...Read more

Drew A. Kelley/The Orange County Register/TNS

Kaiser spent $1 billion to withstand a major strike. What did it cost?

Business / Business News /

When confronted with an enormous labor strike this January in California and Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente spent an additional $1 billion to buck union demands and operate its facilities with temporary workers, a spokesperson said.

While Kaiser management and striking workers with the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care ...Read more