Apr 12 How migrant workers have contributed to strong U.S. job growth By Paul Wiseman, Gisela Salomon, Associated Press It turns out that the influx of foreign-born adults vastly raised the supply of available workers at a time when a labor shortage had left many companies unable to fill jobs. Over the past year, in fact, immigrants have accounted… Continue reading
Apr 12 Oil and gas companies must pay more to drill on public lands under new Biden administration rule By Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Interior Department rule finalized Friday raises royalty rates for oil drilling by more than one-third, to 16.67 percent, in accordance with the sweeping 2002 climate law approved by Congress. Continue reading
Apr 11 Environmentalists protest Biden administration approval of huge oil export terminal off Texas coast By Matthew Daly, Associated Press Environmentalists have called the move a betrayal of President Joe Biden's climate agenda and say it would lead to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to nearly 90 coal-fired power plants. Continue reading
Apr 11 Freight railroads ask courts to throw out new rule requiring 2-person crews on trains By Josh Funk, Associated Press Four railroads have asked federal appeals courts to throw out a new rule that would require two-person train crews in most circumstances. The identical challenges were filed this week in appellate courts across the country. Continue reading
Apr 11 Vietnam sentences real estate tycoon Truong My Lan to death in massive fraud case By Aniruddha Ghosal, Associated Press The 67-year-old chair of real estate company Van Thinh Phat was accused of fraud amounting to $12.5 billion — nearly 3 percent of the country's 2022 GDP. Continue reading
Apr 10 Internet providers must now be more transparent about fees, pricing, FCC says By Cora Lewis, Associated Press The new required pricing labels are modeled on nutritional labels and are meant to help consumers comparison shop and avoid junk fees. Continue reading
Apr 10 Two days after $1.3 billion Powerball drawing, the winning Oregon ticket holder remains unknown By Claire Rush, Mead Gruver, Associated Press Oregon lottery officials say the winner of the eighth-biggest lottery prize in U.S. history won't be announced for at least a couple more weeks while the win is verified and arrangements for the massive payment are made. Continue reading
Apr 10 Inflation remains raised largely due to high gas and rents By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The March figures, the third straight month of inflation readings well above the Fed's 2 percent target, threaten to torpedo the prospect of multiple interest rate cuts this year. Continue reading
Apr 09 Court upholds California’s authority to set nation-leading vehicle emission rules By Sophie Austin, Associated Press/Report for America Tuesday's ruling comes after President Joe Biden's administration restored the state's ability to set vehicle emission rules that are stricter than standards from the federal government. Continue reading
Apr 09 How effective are California’s homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn’t kept track well By Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press The report released Tuesday attempts to assess how effective the state and municipalities have been spending billions of dollars to address the ongoing homelessness crisis in California. Continue reading