Opinion

A federal appeals court on Monday officially finalized the termination of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, the Biden program that significantly lowered repayment rates for millions of student loan borrowers.

The judgment, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, reverses a lower court’s February dismissal of a Republican-led legal challenge against the SAVE plan. That ruling was issued by Judge John Ross of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Originally introduced in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, the SAVE plan was hailed as the “most affordable repayment plan ever created” for federal student loan borrowers. The program was the first and only plan in history that prevented the balance from ever growing by subsidizing 100% of all unpaid monthly interest.

More than 7 million student loan borrowers reportedly remain enrolled in the SAVE plan as of the fourth quarter.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SERVES FINAL BLOW TO END BIDEN’S SAVE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

Student loan borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan have been urged to explore switching to a new repayment program.

Among alternative options, the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan sets monthly payments at 10% to 15% of discretionary income over a 20 to 25-year period.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AGREES TO SPEED UP STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS UNDER NEW COURT DEAL

Under the Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed last year under President Donald Trump, the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will become available starting July 1, 2026. RAP uses a sliding scale of 1% to 10% of a borrower’s total Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and requires 30 years of payments for all participants.

Borrowers pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a federal program that cancels remaining student debt after 10 years of qualifying public service, should verify their eligibility and file an application to reclaim credit for the months when their SAVE plan progress was effectively frozen.

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Monday’s decision has effectively resolved a years-long legal battle between Republican-led states and the federal government. The ruling comes after nearly 8 million borrowers paused payments under “litigation forbearance” following an earlier injunction, and it follows a brief period of confusion when a lower court attempted to dismiss the case after a settlement with the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced America First Refining (AFR) is opening the first new U.S. oil refinery in nearly half a century in Brownsville, Texas.

Situated in a massive deep-water foreign trade zone, the project will leverage advanced infrastructure and strategic rail and sea connections to transport low-carbon fuels and other energy products.

“America is returning to REAL ENERGY DOMINANCE!” Trump wrote in an announcement on Truth Social. “THIS IS A HISTORIC $300 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL — THE BIGGEST IN U.S. HISTORY, A MASSIVE WIN for American Workers, Energy, and the GREAT People of South Texas!”

AFR said the refinery will generate thousands of construction and permanent jobs, while offering wages that exceed market averages. 

WILL TAPPING OIL RESERVES CURB SOARING GAS PRICES?

Partners in India and their largest privately held energy company, Reliance, made a “tremendous” investment in the project, according to Trump.

AFR also signed a binding 20-year offtake term sheet with the global supermajor.

The company plans to formally break ground on the new refinery in Q2 2026.

“It is because of our America First Agenda, streamlining Permits, and lowering Taxes, that have attracted Billions of Dollars in Deals coming back to our Nation,” Trump said. “A new Refinery at the Port of Brownsville, will fuel U.S. Markets, strengthen our National Security, boost American Energy production, deliver Billions of Dollars in Economic impact, and will be THE CLEANEST REFINERY IN THE WORLD.

“It will power Global Exports, and bring THOUSANDS of long overdue Jobs and Growth to a Region that deserves it,” the president continued. “This is what AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE looks like. AMERICA FIRST, ALWAYS!”

HOW THE IRAN WAR COULD HIT AMERICANS’ GROCERY BILLS

Under the newly signed agreement, 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. light shale oil will be purchased and processed, a value of $125 billion; AFR will produce 50 billion gallons of refined products, a value of $175 billion; and the U.S. trade imbalance will improve by $300 billion, according to AFR.

The refinery is specifically engineered to process American light shale oil (47° API), which is cleaner, more efficient and less costly to process than heavier imported crude. 

Unlike many existing U.S. refineries that depend on foreign oil, the facility will not require imported crude, which strengthens U.S. national and economic security.

Key advantages of the refinery include the capacity to process 60 million barrels per year of 100% U.S. light shale oil, a strategic location at a deep-water U.S. port, enabling distribution to domestic and international markets and the production of some of the cleanest gasoline, diesel and jet fuel refined at scale in the U.S.

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

From 2014 to 2024, the U.S. exported nearly 10 billion barrels of crude, while still importing roughly 28 billion barrels, costing American consumers and workers more than $1.8 trillion. 

Once operational, the AFR refinery will redirect up to 60 million barrels of U.S. crude annually back into domestic refining, strengthening American industry, energy security and economic growth.

Beyond industrial growth, the company’s website notes it will drive community engagement through educational partnerships and apprenticeships designed to foster long-term social equity and economic stability in the area.

The executive management team collectively has more than a century of experience in the chemical and refining industries, having managed nearly $40 billion in complex capital projects. 

“This project represents a historic step forward for American energy production,” said John V. Calce, chairman and founder of America First Refining. “For the first time in half a century, the United States will build a new refinery designed specifically for American shale oil. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the resurgence of an America First energy policy, we are creating thousands of high-quality jobs while ensuring more of our nation’s energy resources are refined here at home in the cleanest, most efficient refinery on the planet.”

CEO Trey Griggs added the U.S. has a surplus of light shale oil but a shortage of refining capacity designed to process it. 

“By building this refinery at the Port of Brownsville, we’re unlocking a major expansion of American energy production while creating thousands of high-paying jobs and strengthening our domestic supply chain,” said Griggs, who previously held top leadership positions at major corporations, including Calpine and Goldman Sachs.

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Other key executives bring decades of experience from managing global operations, midstream logistics and large trading portfolios across industry heavyweights like BP, Shell Oil, ExxonMobil, Vitol and Sunoco Logistics Partners.

The strategic advisory board includes seasoned leaders who have served as CEOs and top executives for companies, including CVR Energy, YCI Methanol One and Royal Dutch Shell.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that it selected eight proposals for a new pilot program testing new advanced air mobility and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in 26 states.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA unveiled the pilot program, known as the Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (e-IPP), which will center on eight projects in 26 states.

The futuristic aircraft can run on electric or hybrid engines and may carry people or cargo, taking off and landing in relatively confined spaces. They’re often referred to as “air taxis” or “flying cars” since they represent an alternative to traditional means of transportation.

Under the pilot program, several operational concepts will be tested, including urban air taxi services and regional passenger transportation, including with short takeoff and landing aircraft.

THE FLYING TAXI: A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL

Additional concepts include cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response operations, autonomous flight technologies and offshore and energy-sector transportation.

Among the projects selected for participation in the pilot program was one involving the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which will have four industry partners participate in testing 12 operational concepts across New England.

The Texas Department of Transportation will be involved with four industry partners in supporting regional flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and eventually Houston with air taxi networks expanding from each city.

ARCHER AVIATION TEAMS UP WITH UNITED AIRLINES TO MAKE AIR TAXIS A REALITY

Four states spanning the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains and the Plains of Oklahoma will test a range of next-generation aircraft and operational concepts under the leadership of the Utah Department of Transportation.

Florida’s Department of Transportation will work with industry partners to test three phases of operations focused on cargo delivery, passenger transportation, automation and medical response with public and private investment.

Louisiana will host operations to test cargo and personnel transportation capabilities to enable flights over the high seas into the Gulf of America and energy industry locations in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi.

A NEW WAY OF COMMUTING IS CLOSER TO TAKING OFF IN THE US

Other projects detailed in the announcement include those led by the transportation departments of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, as well as the City of Albuquerque.

The program was created under an “Unleashing Drone Dominance” executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

“Thanks to President Trump, the future of aviation is here, and it’s going to dramatically improve how people and products move,” Duffy said. “Congratulations to the great American innovators behind each of these exciting pilot programs.

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“Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine and so much more.”

Companies named as participants in the pilot program include Archer, BETA, Electra, Joby, Wisk, Ampaire, Elroy Air, Reliable Robotics and others.

It wasn’t pixie dust in the air Tuesday when a backstage chemical reaction at Disneyland sent five cast members to hospitals.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon when materials being used by a contractor produced a reaction in a backstage area of the Anaheim, California, theme park, a Disneyland spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

According to the Anaheim Fire Department, firefighters responded to a report of an unknown odor in the backstage area near the Star Tours attraction in Tomorrowland around 12:30 p.m. 

The area was evaluated by first responders in hazmat suites. Aerial video from Sky Fox captured authorities responding to the theme park incident.

DISNEY LOSES $170 MILLION WITH ‘SNOW WHITE’ FLOP: REPORT

Several cast members were treated on site by paramedics and released, according to the park. Five others who experienced dizziness and shortness of breath were taken to nearby hospitals for further evaluation.

Their conditions were not immediately known.

Out of an abundance of caution, adjacent onstage areas were temporarily cleared of guests, the spokesperson said. Those areas were expected to reopen soon.

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Disneyland did not specify what materials were involved or the nature of the reaction. It was also unclear how many employees were in the area at the time.

The park remained open during the response.

Fire and emergency crews responded. The situation was contained to the backstage area, and no guests were reported to be injured, the park said.

Oil prices briefly spiked to more than $100 a barrel on Monday amid the ongoing war in Iran, before falling sharply, underscoring how initial fears of supply disruptions eased as contingency plans emerged.

Before the outbreak of war with Iran, oil was trading in the range of $60 to $70 a barrel, but prices soared after the conflict began, with crude oil futures reaching upward of $115 a barrel on Monday – the highest level since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Early headlines suggested global benchmark Brent crude could hit $150 a barrel due to the supply shock, though trading data showed the spike was short-lived. Crude prices were down 8%, while West Texas Intermediate fell nearly 9% on Tuesday afternoon.

HOW THE IRAN WAR COULD HIT AMERICANS’ GROCERY BILLS

Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group and a FOX Business contributor, said in an interview that panic buying ensued after reports of tankers and refineries being hit.

“But I think as the day went on into the overnight, the market realized that maybe things aren’t that bad – the U.S. is having incredible military victories, President Trump is saying, ‘hey, you know what, the war is probably not going to be going on that long.’ And even some signals that the world doesn’t have to just sit and stand and take it,” he said.

Leaders from the G7 nations and the International Energy Association (IEA) discussed potential releases from strategic oil reserves to respond to a potential price shock or shortage in the market on Monday and Tuesday, concluding that they weren’t immediately planning to do so while stating they’re prepared to take “necessary measures” to support the oil market if needed.

WILL TAPPING OIL RESERVES CURB SOARING GAS PRICES?

“We have the possibility of a coordinated release from the G7 and the IEA of oil reserves that could cool prices,” Flynn noted. “There’s many things happening that usually happen when prices go up that can cool prices off very quickly.”

He added that Saudi Arabia built its east-to-west pipeline to avoid threats in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz and also increased its capacity to 7 million barrels a day, with expectations it will operate at full capacity in days.

FED OFFICIALS CLOSELY MONITOR IRAN CONFLICT FOR POTENTIAL INFLATION IMPACT

Flynn added that the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a short-term outlook on Tuesday that indicated the higher oil prices are likely to prompt U.S. producers to increase their output of crude oil in 2027. 

The EIA said that while “changes in oil prices take time to affect production – moving from investment decisions to rig deployment to well completion and first oil,” which is why it sees the current price rise having a bigger impact on production in 2027 and 2028.

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

As the war in Iran continues, Flynn noted that if the conflict is able to remove the longstanding threat of Iran’s regime closing the Strait of Hormuz and fomenting conflict throughout the Middle East via proxies like the Houthis in Yemen, it could result in lower long-term oil prices with that risk mitigated.

“We’ve had an Iranian risk premium in oil since Jimmy Carter… it’s never quite gone away,” Flynn said, noting that insurance costs and the perceived risk have remained embedded in oil prices despite the market’s fluctuations over the years.

The latest price spike bears some similarities to what occurred during the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, though oil prices had gradually risen above $90 a barrel before the invasion itself prompted a spike above $115 a barrel. They remained around $100 a barrel into the summer before they gradually eased closer to $80 by the end of that year.

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Flynn said that conflict presented a different challenge than the latest oil spike amid the ongoing Iran war, explaining that the “situation there was different because it wasn’t a lack of supply that drove up prices – it was the desire to stop buying Russian oil that the market wasn’t prepared to replace, and a lot of that was bad energy policy, you know the green energy policies of Europe and Joe Biden.”

When President Trump keeps telling the press that Operation Epic Fury is almost over, and based on the information you’re looking at several more weeks before American war goals have been met, people should listen to him. You don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what a veteran legacy reporter says: “I’ve covered five presidents, I have never seen one other than Donald Trump who regularly takes phone calls from reporters. I’ve spoken to him over the phone three times since the military operation, the war against Iran started. In each of those cases, I simply called him and he answered.” There you go, Jonathan Karl, I know him well.

Ironically, while so many politicians and media people don’t listen to Mr. Trump, financial markets are listening quite carefully. For example, markets know that our war aims have nearly been met to prevent Iran from ever having nuclear weapons to destroy their long and short-term missiles and the launchers, and to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

Those are the main goals. So, because of Mr. Trump’s credibility and the credibility of the mighty U.S.-Israel military and intelligence operations, oil prices have come down a lot and stock prices have rallied because they believe what the president is telling them.

I know he’s the rare president who has credibility, but he has credibility. When he posts on Truth Social that America will provide reinsurance for oil tankers and will likely provide assistance from our Navy, we should believe him. When he says there’s not going to be boots on the ground, with a very narrow possible exception of special ops, we should believe that too.

My pal Jason Trennert is probably right to say that it would be a mistake to confuse Mr. Trump for a neo-conservative. He is no George W. Bush, and there is no Donald Rumsfeld to persuade him that it’s in America’s interest to make Iran safe for democracy.

Well, Mr. Trump will get out of Iran as soon as the war aims are met. Now, Mr. Trennert is a little harsh on Mr. Bush and Mr. Rumsfeld, but the point is that Mr. Trump is more pragmatic and does not want forever wars. His goal is to end the forever war waged by Iran on America and on civilized peoples.

Mr. Trump can achieve this with military might in a relatively short period of time. That’s exactly what he’s doing. And the job is nearly complete, as he keeps telling us, but so many political geniuses don’t want to listen. Of course, there’s always a certain fog of war, information can change, unexpected events can certainly occur. Yet if you look carefully at what’s happened, the war is basically over. That’s what I think.

To quote the commander in chief himself: “I think the war is very complete. Iran has navy, no communications, they’ve got no air force. Their missiles are down to a scatter. Their drones are being blown up all over the place.”

I think we’re really entering the mop-up stage. At this point, the way I see it, Mr. Trump is moving to win the peace after having crushed the Iranian enemy during the war. He is bending the arc of terrorism, he is changing the course of history, he is remaking the entire world’s balance of power, and oddly enough a lot of people don’t seem to understand it. They should, though, because he’s been telling it to them straight. He’s the most accessible, truth-talking president.

Listen to President Trump, he is telling the truth.

Ford is recalling more than 83,000 vehicles in two separate actions due to issues that could increase the risk of a crash, federal regulators said.

The first recall affects 35,772 model year 2025-2026 Explorer SUVs and the dynamic bending light feature, according to the notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles have an incorrect headlamp control module software calibration that results in the right headlight turning in the opposite direction of a vehicle turn.

FORD RECALLS 1.74 MILLION VEHICLES DUE TO REARVIEW CAMERA BLACKOUTS, ISSUES

“When turning the steering wheel on a left curve, the driver’s side (LHS) bending light correctly follows the turn, while the passenger side (RHS) light bends away from the curve,” the recall report said. “Conversely, when turning on a right curve, the left-hand light follows the steering wheel and bends to the right, while the right-hand light bends inward towards the left.”

The report said a headlight that turns incorrectly could result in increased glare to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.

FORD IN DEEP WATER AFTER SWEEPING RECALLS HIT EVERY MODEL SINCE 2020 – WITH ONE EXCEPTION

Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.

Updates to fix the headline control module software will be available over the air (OTA) or through dealerships, at no charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 23.

In a separate action, Ford is recalling 47,804 vehicles due to issues with the engine gas recirculation (EGR) valve that could lead to a loss of motive power, most likely at low speeds, which Ford said increases the risk of a crash.

FORD BUILDS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPLORER FOR POPE LEO XIV

The recall affects certain model year 2025 Ranger, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles with 1.5-liter, 2.0-liter or 2.3-liter engines.

Ford said it is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to the condition.

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The automaker said a fix is still under development. Owners will be notified by mail once a remedy is available, and will need to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for the repair, free of charge.

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Holly Swan, Allspring’s expert on taxes, recently wrote about 10 techniques for diversifying a concentrated position in a tax-efficient manner. She thinks about tax-management diversification strategies as being in one of these three buckets: avoid, defer, or offset.

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Tax strategies may focus on reducing or eliminating capital gains exposure altogether. The first example of this is when investors may choose to hold certain highly appreciated assets so they can pass through a taxable estate and receive a step-up in basis.

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Certain tax strategies may help investors defer when taxes are recognized, often smoothing the impact over time. One example is systematic diversification, where investors, such as public company executives, sell portions of a concentrated position gradually.

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Investors have many options for tax-efficient diversification, each of which can be a powerful step in moving away from a concentrated position that may be adding unnecessary risk to portfolios. Allspring Global Investments can offer insights into this and more as investors prepare for their financial future.

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Allspring Global Investments does not provide accounting, legal, or tax advice or investment recommendations. Any tax or legal information in this brochure is merely a summary of our understanding and interpretations of some of the current income tax regulations and is not exhaustive. Investors should consult their tax advisor or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Allspring does not offer options. Options involve significant risks and are not suitable for all investors.

Diversification does not ensure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.

This material is provided for informational purposes only. This content and the information within do not constitute an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where or to any person to whom it would be unauthorized or unlawful to do so and should not be considered investment advice, an investment recommendation, or investment research in any jurisdiction.

INVESTMENT RISKS: All investments contain risk. Your capital may be at risk. The value, price, or income of investments or financial instruments can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed.

You may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future results.

Allspring Global Investments™ (Allspring) is the trade name for the asset management firms of Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC, a holding company indirectly owned by certain private funds of GTCR LLC and Reverence Capital Partners, L.P. These firms include but are not limited to Allspring Funds Management, LLC, and Allspring Global Investments, LLC. Unless otherwise stated, Allspring is the source of all data (which is current or as of the date stated). Content is provided for informational purposes only. Views, opinions, assumptions, or estimates are not necessarily those of Allspring or their affiliates and there is no representation regarding their adequacy, accuracy, or completeness. They should not be relied upon and may be subject to change without notice.

© 2026 Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved.

Oil giant ExxonMobil announced it intends to drop its New Jersey corporate registration and redomicile in Texas, citing the Lone Star State’s business-friendly legal environment and after years of shareholder and climate-related legal battles.

The company on Tuesday said its board of directors unanimously recommended shareholders approve changing the company’s legal domicile from New Jersey to Texas, saying aligning ExxonMobil’s legal home with where its leadership and core operations have been based since 1989 will benefit shareholders.

“Over the past several years, Texas has made a noticeable effort to embrace the business community. In doing so, it has created a policy and regulatory environment that can allow the company to maximize shareholder value,” Darren Woods, ExxonMobil chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

TRUMP MAY KEEP EXXONMOBIL OUT OF VENEZUELA AFTER CEO COMMENTS: ‘I DIDN’T LIKE THEIR RESPONSE’

“Aligning our legal home with our operating home, in a state that understands our business and has a stake in the company’s success, is important,” Woods said.

If approved by shareholders, Exxon would become the latest high-profile company — including SpaceX, Tesla and Coinbase — to register in Texas as the state markets itself as a corporate-friendly alternative to traditional incorporation hubs.

In recommending the move, Exxon said its board considered Texas’ legal and regulatory environment, including its modernized business statutes and the Texas Business Court, which is designed to resolve complex disputes efficiently. When corporate decisions are challenged, Texas courts are required to apply clear, statute-based standards, the company said.

The move comes after years of high-profile clashes with activist investors and climate-focused shareholder campaigns.

New Jersey officials sued Exxon, Chevron and other fossil-fuel companies in 2022, alleging they contributed to climate change and forced the state to spend billions cleaning up after major natural disasters such as Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida. The suit was dismissed last year.

Exxon has also faced years of high-profile clashes with activist investors and climate-focused shareholder campaigns.

EXXON TO SLASH THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN MAJOR CORPORATE OVERHAUL AND COMPREHENSIVE RESTRUCTURING PLAN

In 2021, activist hedge fund Engine No. 1 won three seats on Exxon’s board in a proxy fight centered on the company’s climate strategy. Exxon later sued activist investors in 2024 over climate-related shareholder proposals, arguing they were attempting to abuse SEC rules governing proxy resolutions. The company has repeatedly pushed back against shareholder proposals seeking stricter climate disclosures, emissions targets and changes to its long-term fossil fuel strategy.

Exxon said the proposed redomiciliation will not affect business operations, management, strategy, assets or employee locations.

Around 30% of ExxonMobil’s global employees are located in Texas, while approximately 75% of its U.S. workforce is based there.

ExxonMobil’s legal domicile change will also not reduce shareholder rights, the company said, noting that the board determined that shareholder rights under Texas law are largely comparable to those under New Jersey law, and in some areas, stronger.

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ExxonMobil said it has no plans to adopt elective provisions under Texas law that would diminish shareholder rights currently in place.

ExxonMobil’s connection to New Jersey is largely historical, dating back to the 1882 incorporation of Standard Oil of New Jersey. The company’s board has not held a meeting in New Jersey for more than 40 years.

Reuters contributed to this report.

It touts the cleanest restrooms in America and a brisket sandwich that built a cult following, but Buc-ee’s received the worst possible grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

The BBB recently gave the Texas-based convenience store brand an “F” rating, citing a failure to respond to nearly 90 complaints filed against the business. The BBB assigns a rating between A+ and F, and although customer reviews do not impact the final grade, the company’s interaction and responsiveness to complaints are considered.

According to the BBB’s website, many recent complaints cite overpriced items, various product issues, poor or rude customer service, and the inability to return certain items.

BUC-EE’S PLANS TO OPEN THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONVENIENCE STORE

“Bought the chicken, bacon, avocado ranch wrap, it was so disgusting that I had to throw it out the window,” a complaint from Feb. 4 to the BBB reads. “There was no bacon, or ranch, and only a few pieces of chicken… [asked] my husband if he wanted some and he tried it too, and said it was the worst thing he’s ever ate. It tasted like the most flavorless mush, and on top of it it was $9.49.”

“Buc-cee’s has TERRIBLE customer service,” a January complaint says, referencing a lost or stolen gift card. “They have no phone number for you to call, only email. I have filled out their form with all of the information multiple times and have yet to hear back from them. I just want my gift card that I paid for and want them to treat their customers better.”

Buc-ee’s did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Despite the recent failing grade, Buc-ee’s has not dampened its expansion momentum. The company currently has 54 U.S. locations across 11 states, with plans to expand into Ohio, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Buc-ee’s large-format stores span tens of thousands of square feet, featuring 120 gas pumps on average and 700 to 1,000 parking spaces. Signature items like Beaver Nuggets and “fresh brisket on the board” have become regular road trip staples.

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The company ranked No. 5 in the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index for convenience stores, beating out major brands like Shell and ExxonMobil. In late 2025, Buc-ee’s earned America’s No. 1 quick-service restaurant spot in dunnhumby rankings, outperforming fast-food giants like In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A for customer preference.

The chain has also gained notoriety for its transparency in wages – starting pay can range from $16 to $20 per hour and full-time managers may earn $100,000 to $225,000, according to large hiring signs often posted at store entrances. Employee benefits include 401(k) plans with 100% company matching and three weeks of paid time off.

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The Panama Canal administrator touted the canal’s logistical capabilities and plans to improve supply chain readiness as the Strait of Hormuz reaches a near standstill due to the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. 

Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the authority administrator for the Panama Canal, sat down during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital and noted the canal’s anticipated improvements as the world’s busiest commercial shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, has seen little to no traffic over the past few days. 

“We have been through the years a major channel to move LNG from the U.S. to Asia,” Morales told Fox News Digital. “Qatar usually supplies Asia, and after the Ukraine war, most of the American LNG has gone to Europe to replace the Russian LNG.”

“What we see is that probably prices are going to go up for LNG, which means that the current cost of the inventory on the vessel is going to increase,” he continued. “Fuel prices are going to go up.”

HEGSETH ONCE WARNED AGAINST ENDLESS WARS. NOW HE’S LEADING TRUMP’S STRIKE-FIRST DOCTRINE

Morales predicts that transit will increase in the Panama Canal as restraints in the Strait of Hormuz have continued to hold.

“The Panama Canal should get one or two transits a day, which is, in the old days, we had about three transits per day,” Morales added. “So it’s gonna come up a little bit and moving from the East Coast of the United States to Asia.”

The Strait of Hormuz normally facilitates the transit of roughly 20–21 million barrels of oil per day. Since last Friday, only four cargo ships have successfully traveled through the strait, and one of those ships was carrying corn.

TRUMP ADMIN TURNS VENEZUELA INTO MAJOR US OIL SUPPLIER AS GLOBAL SHIPPING CRISIS EASES

By comparison, approximately 2.3 million barrels move through the Panama Canal each day. 

Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and a quarter of the world’s total seaborne oil trade travels through the Strait of Hormuz.

As for the Panama Canal, the administrator said that they have plenty of water and a maximum draft that will allow more vessels to pass through.

THE UNLIKELY TOOL TRUMP IS EYEING TO TACKLE RISING OIL PRICES AMID THE IRAN CONFLICT

The administrator also addressed the threat of tariffs that has shocked global trade with the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office, noting an increase in traffic due to tariff threats. 

“Over the last 12 months, it increased volumes through the Panama Canal because people were anticipating tariffs, and they tried to front load the cargoes, especially for the later part of the year for Christmas demand in the states,” the administrator told Fox News Digital. “Now what we have is that essentially with the Lunar Year, they clear up all the inventories in Asia, so some of that has been moved into final destinations.”

President Donald Trump signaled his willingness to reopen the strait while speaking with reporters on Monday, pointing to Chinese reliance on the route, saying he wants to keep the passageway open.

IRANIAN DRONE STRIKES SHUT DOWN QATAR LNG PRODUCTION FACILITIES, AS ENERGY PRICES SURGE

“We’re really helping China here and other countries because they get a lot of their energy from the Straits,” Trump said. “We have a good relationship with China. It’s my honor to do it.”

“I mean, we’re doing this for the other parts of the world, including countries like China,” Trump added. “They get a lot of their oil through the straits.”

The president posted to Truth Social on Monday night that the U.S. would retaliate “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” against Iran should they take any actions that stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. 

“Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen! This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait,” Trump posted. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly grounded all JetBlue flights early Tuesday morning at the airline’s request, according to an advisory posted by the agency’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center.

The nationwide ground stop, which applied to all destinations and facilities, was in effect from 12:35 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET, the FAA advisory shows.

“Operations are normal after JetBlue asked the FAA to pause flights nationwide overnight because of an internal IT issue,” the FAA said in a statement.

JetBlue told FOX Business in a statement: “A brief system outage has been resolved and we have resumed operations.”

‘SECURITY-RELATED SITUATION’ GROUNDS FLIGHT TO VACATION HOT SPOT, PASSENGERS CONFINED FOR HOURS

Ground stops temporarily prevent flights from departing while an issue is addressed, though aircraft already in the air are typically allowed to continue to their destinations. 

The brief grounding comes as airlines have grappled with technology-related disruptions in recent years.

JETBLUE FLIGHT RETURNS TO NEWARK AFTER ENGINE FAILURE, SMOKE PROMPTS EVACUATION

In October, Alaska Airlines issued a systemwide ground stop for Alaska and Horizon Air flights after a failure at its primary data center triggered a significant IT outage, leading to hundreds of cancellations over two days and disrupting travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers.

The carrier later said it was bringing in outside technical experts to strengthen its systems and “diagnose our entire IT infrastructure to ensure we are as resilient as we need to be. ”

In June, American Airlines experienced a “technology issue” that disrupted operations and led to widespread delays.

SOUTHWEST FLIGHT DIVERTED AFTER PASSENGER SCARE AS SECURITY INCIDENTS RATTLE US AIRPORTS

Some travelers reported lengthy wait times on the tarmac as the carrier worked to resolve the problem.

The airline said a connectivity issue had affected certain systems but that it worked with partners to restore the impacted applications and return operations to normal.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced a recall for clams and raw oysters over concerns that they may be contaminated with norovirus, a contagious infection commonly known as the stomach flu.

The recall affects Manila clams harvested by Lummi Indian Business Council that were distributed to restaurants and food retailers in nine states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. The FDA said the clams may have been distributed to other states as well.

The oysters were harvested by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company and distributed in Washington state.

Both food items were harvested between February 13 and March 3 in Drayton Harbor, Washington.

FRITO-LAY RECALLS MISS VICKIE’S CHIPS OVER POTENTIALLY ‘LIFE THREATENING’ ALLERGEN RISK

The Washington State Department of Health notified the FDA of the recall on Wednesday.

The FDA urged restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell the clams or oysters and for consumers not to eat the foods.

The agency said restaurants and retailers “should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or contacting their distributor to arrange for destruction.”

MAJOR FROZEN FOOD RECALL EXPANDS TO 37M POUNDS OF TRADER JOE’S, KROGER PRODUCTS OVER GLASS CONCERNS

“Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment,” the alert added.

The FDA warned that food containing norovirus may “look, smell and taste normal” but can cause serious illness if eaten. 

Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of illness are urged to contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local health department.

Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache and body ache. A person typically develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to Norovirus and one to three days to recover.

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People of all ages can become infected with Norovirus, although people who are immunocompromised can potentially suffer from severe illness, the FDA said.

The FDA said it is awaiting further information on distribution of the clams and oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation.

The federal budget deficit topped $1 trillion in the first five months of fiscal year 2026, as the U.S. government is on pace to record another massive deficit.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the federal budget deficit was just over $1 trillion through five months of fiscal year 2026, with the size of the deficit down $142 billion or 14% when compared with the same period in fiscal year 2025.

CBO noted that federal spending was just over $3.1 trillion in the first five months of fiscal year 2026, up $64 billion, or 2%, from the same period a year ago. Federal tax revenue collected jumped $206 billion, or 11%, when compared with last year and totaled nearly $2.1 trillion.

The rise in federal tax receipts was attributed to higher collections from individual income taxes and payroll taxes, with CBO noting those accounted for about two-thirds of the increase, while higher tariff rates also increased the amount of import taxes collected.

US DEBT SET TO CRUSH WORLD WAR II RECORD AS ANNUAL DEFICITS EXPLODE TO $3T WITHIN DECADE

CBO said that from October through February, individual income tax collections were up $99 billion, or 10%, when compared with the same period in the prior fiscal year, while payroll tax collections rose $34 billion, or 5%.

Customs duties, a category which includes tariffs, totaled $144 billion in the first five months of fiscal year 2026 – up $109 billion, or 308%, from the same period in the prior fiscal year. 

Some of those tariffs collected may ultimately be refunded to the businesses and individuals who paid them after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s tariffs imposed under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) were unconstitutional. 

Tariff refunds would lower federal tax revenue and thereby increase the deficit, and while the Trump administration has moved to implement replacement tariffs, those may face similar legal challenges and collections could face delays.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST BUDGET DEFICITS IN US HISTORY?

Corporate income tax collections were down $33 billion, or 23%, in the first five months of the year due to provisions in the 2025 reconciliation bill that increased the tax deductions available to companies making certain eligible investments.

Federal spending increased the most for Social Security and Medicare, the mandatory spending programs that have seen enrollment surge in recent years amid the aging of America’s population.

Spending on Social Security totaled $676 billion in the first five months of fiscal year 2026 – an increase of $48 billion, or 8%, from the same period last year. CBO noted the annual cost-of-living adjustment boosted benefit amounts, while the Social Security Fairness Act’s expansion of benefits eligibility to previously non-covered professions accounted for about $7 billion of the increase.

Medicare spending jumped $34 billion, or 9%, from a year ago to a total of $475 billion in that period, which CBO attributed to higher enrollment and increased payment rates for services.

SOCIAL SECURITY’S MAIN TRUST FUND FACES DEPLETION IN 2032, TRIGGERING BENEFIT CUTS

Another significant mandatory program saw a similar rise in spending as outlays on Medicaid also increased by $22 billion, a rise of 8%, to a total of $285 billion in the five-month period.

Interest expenses on the national debt also saw a notable jump, with net interest costs totaling $433 billion in the first five months of the fiscal year. That’s a jump of $31 billion, or 8%, from the previous year and was due to the larger national debt and higher interest rates.

While spending on the Department of War rose $14 billion, or 4%, and the Department of Veterans Affairs increased $11 billion, or 7%, in the first five months of fiscal year 2026 compared with last year, several agencies saw notable decreases.

Spending by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decreased by $20 billion, or 74%, though that decrease was due to a $20 billion expenditure in November and December 2024 under a clean energy grant program and no comparable outlay was made in 2025.

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A similar dynamic played out with the Department of Homeland Security, which saw spending decline by $12 billion, or 23%, due to a relative decrease in spending on disasters when compared with the prior year despite being partially offset by higher spending on immigration enforcement.

For those wondering about the state of play for oil prices, gasoline, and stocks, here’s what President Trump said this afternoon: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they’ve got no Air Force.” And that America is “very far” ahead of his initial four-week to five-week estimated time frame.

Soon after the President’s statement, oil fell to $85 a barrel after topping $100 a barrel earlier in the day and stocks ended up rising more than 200 points.

And I have faith in him and his initial judgements, which have been superb. And I also have faith in the American people to stand behind Mr. Trump’s epic fury in order to change the course of history, and completely shift the international landscape and change the world’s balance of power in favor of America, the Western democracies, of course Israel, and our friends in the Middle East. I even saw a 52 percent favorable Rasmussen poll.  

As I’ve said before, this is like the Berlin Wall coming down with President Reagan ending Soviet Communism. Or FDR ending fascism in World War II. And Mr. Trump ending ISIS in the first term, and now ending the barbaric terror state Iran, to finally conclude Iran’s 47-year forever war against America. A temporary blip in gasoline prices is a very small price to pay to achieve literally world-shattering results.

Mr. Trump is bending the arc of history toward freedom and prosperity. If you’re looking for economic impact estimates, there are a dime a dozen, and I wouldn’t put any confidence in any of them right now. Inflation, recession, stagflation.

I suppose it all depends on the duration of the war, which is unknowable, but it’s not going to be six months or twelve months or longer. Therefore, why bother to guesstimate?

We can say this factually, through the third quarter of 2025, according to OPEC, world oil production was 106.3 million barrels per day, more than world oil demand which was 105.5 million barrels per day.

If you take out a fifth of oil production because the Strait of Hormuz is not functioning, of course you have a dire Strait. But Mr. Trump is moving rapidly to reopen Hormuz with reinsurance guarantees and United States Navy protection. When? Probably a week or two, maybe less.

Iran will never stop this. And if they dare, it will make matters even more catastrophic for them. Hormuz will not stop history. Investors should look through this war and see the enormous prosperity that lies on the other side. And ordinary American working folks should celebrate the greatness of America.

Federal Reserve policymakers are monitoring the conflict with Iran for its potential impact on inflation and consumer prices, as energy prices have jumped since the outbreak of hostilities.

Oil prices briefly surged over $100 a barrel amid fears of supply disruptions caused by the conflict with Iran, which threatens to stem the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Gasoline prices at the pump have also risen for consumers since the outset of the conflict, which could push inflation data higher and complicate potential interest rate cuts by Federal Reserve policymakers.

New York Fed President John Williams said last week that while there is uncertainty over the impact of the war on the U.S. economy and inflation, past instances in which oil prices surged didn’t lead to a fundamental shift in the outlook.

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

“Nobody can be sure how long this will last or the broader implications… Past experience has shown that movements in oil prices that we’ve seen so far don’t fundamentally shift the economy, but we’ll wait and see,” Williams told reporters after a conference hosted by America’s Credit Unions.

He noted that the war with Iran is “one of those developments that can hit both of our mandated goals in a kind of opposing way in the short term – raise inflation and maybe slow global growth,” but added that the transmission through financial markets had been “reasonably muted.”

Williams added that interest rate cuts will “eventually” be warranted if inflation eases in line with his expectations.

GAS PRICES SURGE AS IRAN CONFLICT RATTLES GLOBAL OIL MARKETS, PUSHING US CRUDE ABOVE $90

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said at an event hosted by Bloomberg last week that “it’s just too soon to know what imprint this has on inflation and for how long.”

Kashkari also told Bloomberg that he’s now less confident about his original forecast for one interest rate cut this year, saying that “with the geopolitical events, we need to get a lot more data in.”

Boston Fed President Susan Collins said in the text of a speech to be delivered Friday that “I do not see an urgency for additional policy adjustments” and intends to take a “patient, deliberate approach as appropriate” as she considers her outlook for inflation, jobs and rate cuts.

US WEIGHS ASKING CHINA TO CURB RUSSIAN, IRANIAN OIL PURCHASES

“My baseline features a still-uncertain inflation picture, with continued upside risks,” Collins said, adding that “this, combined with recent evidence suggesting a relatively stable labor market, in my view argues for maintaining policy rates at their current, mildly restrictive levels for some time.”

Collins added that in her outlook, “considerable economic uncertainty remains, exacerbated by recent geopolitical developments like the hostilities in the Middle East.”

The Fed’s monetary policy panel, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), will hold its next meeting to determine interest rate policy on March 17-18.

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The market expects the FOMC will leave interest rates unchanged at their current target range of 3.5% to 3.75%, with the CME FedWatch tool showing a 97.4% of no cut in March.

Reuters contributed to this report.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring and has prompted G7 leaders to consider the potential release of emergency oil reserves to provide relief to consumers facing higher gasoline prices.

Gas prices have risen in response to the rapid increase in oil prices, with the national average price of gas rising from $3 a gallon last week to $3.48 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA data. Oil futures have surged over 48% in the last month after trading in the range of $60-70 a barrel during February to over $95 on Monday, when futures prices were briefly above $115 before declining.

French finance minister Roland Lescure on Monday told reporters after a meeting of G7 finance ministers that leaders “are not there yet” on deciding whether to conduct an emergency release, as there aren’t current supply problems in the U.S. or Europe.

“What we’ve agreed upon is to use any necessary tools if need be to stabilize the market, including the potential release of necessary stockpiles,” Lescure added.

AMID IRAN WAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SUGGESTS SHORT-TERM OIL PRICE SPIKE IS ‘SMALL PRICE TO PAY’ FOR PEACE

Western economies develop strategic oil reserves in response to the 1970s oil crisis, with stockpiles like the U.S. government’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve serving as a backstop to address disruptions in the energy market that would otherwise harm the economy or imperil national security.

Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group and FOX Business contributor, said that the “mere mention” of strategic releases was enough to pull oil prices down off of their highs, as such releases of reserves “would ease markets’ concerns of tightness of supply.”

“Historically, releases from the strategic reserve, especially in coordination with other countries, have always been successful in cooling down fear in the market place,” Flynn said. “The market has to be convinced that the transportation of that oil is going to be safe, because even if you release oil from the reserve, it’s still going to take time to get to its destination, such as the refineries.”

G7 FINANCE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS EMERGENCY OIL RESERVE RELEASE AMID PRICE SURGE: REPORT

Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, told FOX Business that he expects “countries in the G7 will be forced to release oil reserves to show their public that they are taking some action to mitigate the rapid rise in prices.”

He added that he anticipates the releases will occur within the next two weeks if the conflict hasn’t reached a resolution by that time.

“Whether or not the release will have an impact will depend on if the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact oil tanker loadings and if additional oil infrastructure is damaged.”

CRUDE OIL PRICES EXCEED $100 A BARREL AS WAR IN IRAN DISRUPTS PRODUCTION, SHIPPING

The Treasury Department in 2022 analyzed the impact of SPR releases carried out by the Biden-era Energy Department in response to oil disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on gas prices. 

The U.S. released 180 million barrels from the SPR over six months in 2022, while International Energy Administration partners released an additional 60 million barrels.

It found that the U.S. SPR releases alone lowered gas prices by a range of $0.13 to $0.31 per gallon, whereas the oil reserve releases done by the U.S. in tandem with IEA partners had a larger effect by reducing prices $0.17 to $0.42 per gallon.

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The findings of Treasury’s analysis were similar to those from a 2017 study by Richard Newell and Brian Priest, who found that a U.S. only release would lower gas prices by $0.33 per gallon while releases by the U.S. and IEA partners would yield a larger reduction of $0.38 a gallon.

Reuters contributed to this report.

The IRS and Treasury Department on Friday put forward new proposed rules and processes that cover the implementation of Trump Accounts for parents and guardians who want to use the savings accounts for their children.

Trump Accounts were created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was enacted last year and is expected to open for contributions after July 4, 2026. Ahead of the official launch of the accounts – which may be opened for children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, as well as those born before 2025 who are under the age of 18 – the IRS and Treasury Department have to finalize regulations for the accounts.

The newly proposed rules include processes for opening an initial Trump Account using Form 4547, which allows an authorized individual to make an election opening the initial Trump Account. The election to open a Trump Account must be made on or before Dec. 31 of the calendar year in which the eligible individual turns 17. 

Instructions for Form 4547 are currently available on the IRS website and the agency plans to allow individuals to file a one-page version of the form either at the same time they file their tax return or on a separate online portal.

HERE’S HOW MUCH TRUMP ACCOUNT BALANCES COULD GROW OVER TIME

The form also gives the individual the option of requesting the $1,000 contribution from the Treasury’s pilot program for an eligible child’s Trump Account. While children born between the start of 2025 and the end of 2028 are eligible for the federal contribution, those born before 2025 are ineligible for the seed money.

If an election for the $1,000 pilot program is made at the same time as the decision to open an initial Trump Account, the authorized individual is able to make the election for a contribution. 

If no election is made for the pilot program at the time the election to open a Trump Account is made, a different process would be used for determining an authorized individual. The proposed rule for priority ordering would be a legal guardian, parent, adult sibling and then the grandparent of the eligible individual.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILD QUALIFIES FOR A TRUMP ACCOUNT: ‘A FINANCIAL STAKE IN THE FUTURE’

Additionally, the proposed rules state that the individual who makes the election to open a Trump Account will be the responsible party who has authority to make investment choices among the options available while the account beneficiary is below the age of legal capacity. 

The responsible party may also request a qualified rollover contribution to a rollover Trump Account, request a transfer for a qualified ABLE rollover contribution under certain rules or select a successor responsible party for the account.

BANK OF AMERICA TO MATCH $1,000 GOVERNMENT DEPOSITS FOR TRUMP ACCOUNTS

“Trump Accounts are a pro-family initiative that will help millions of Americans harness the strength of our economy to lift up this generation and generations to follow and unlock the American dream,” said IRS CEO Frank Bisignano. 

“Creating Trump Accounts was one of the most important provisions in President Trump’s historic One Big Beautiful Bill, and these regulations are an example of the hard work of Treasury and the IRS in developing the guidance needed to ensure that eligible families can take advantage of Trump Accounts,” Bisignano added.

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GE Aerospace is pouring $1 billion into its U.S. manufacturing footprint as the company races to meet what CEO Larry Culp calls “tremendous demand,” with nearly $200 billion in backlog and engine orders accelerating across commercial aviation and defense.

“People are flying, airlines [are] looking to expand and modernize, as is the U.S. Military and our allies around the world and, given the install base that we have, both in commercial and on the military side of things, we could not be busier,” Culp said in a FOX Business exclusive, “but happily so.”

Culp joined “Mornings with Maria” on Monday to discuss the company’s sweeping investment, which will span 30 communities across 17 states and include $275 million dedicated to ramping up defense production.

Roughly one-third of GE Aerospace’s business is tied to defense, and the company powers two-thirds of U.S. military aircraft, including combat jets, helicopters and training platforms, Culp shared.

LABOR DEPT LAUNCHES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR SHIPBUILDING TRAINING PLAN AS US RACES TO CLOSE CHINA GAP

He said a significant portion of the investment is aimed at strengthening GE’s defense footprint, calling support for the U.S. warfighter and allied forces a “no-fail mission” for the company.

“We’ve got a role to play, and part of this multi-year investment effort that we’ve made, it’ll be $600 million that we will have invested in our defense footprint over the last three years, is very much geared toward not only raising production, but quickening the pace of what we’re doing for the U.S. warfighter,” he said.

“That’s a no-fail mission for us at GE Aerospace, and we’re proud to be on board.”

GE APPLIANCES INVESTS $3B IN US MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS

As part of the expansion, Culp said GE Aerospace plans to hire another 5,000 workers in 2026, matching the same number added in 2025, to build the expertise and capacity needed to increase production not just next year, but annually into the 2030s.

On the commercial side, Culp underscored GE Aerospace’s massive global footprint, noting the company is scaling up production to support an already dominant installed base that powers the majority of the world’s flights.

“We power the better part of three quarters of all the commercial departures around the world on a daily basis,” he said.

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“We have a million people in the air currently with GE Technology underwing. It’s an incredible responsibility we all take very seriously… We’ll need to continue to invest to support our commercial customers. But again, we’re doing the same thing to support the U.S. warfighters and our allies around the world.”

Ford is recalling nearly 1.74 million vehicles in the U.S. due to software problems that can affect rearview camera displays, according to notices published this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

One recall covers 849,310 2021–2026 Ford Broncos and 2021–2024 Ford Edges, which may experience overheating in its Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The issue can cause the rearview camera image not to appear when the vehicle is in reverse.

“A rear-view camera that does not display an image while in reverse gear can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash,” the NHTSA alert warned.

A separate recall impacts 889,950 vehicles, including 2020-2022 Ford Escapes, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsairs, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviators and 2020-2024 Ford Explorers.

FORD IN DEEP WATER AFTER SWEEPING RECALLS HIT EVERY MODEL SINCE 2020 – WITH ONE EXCEPTION

“On the affected vehicles, it may be possible to have the SYNC screen image on the center display flipped or inverted immediately after an ignition cycle,” a recall report from the NHTSA says. “This may result in the image displayed being inverted or flipped, this includes all buttons. While in reverse the rearview camera image, buttons, and camera guidelines may also be inverted or flipped.”

According to the NHTSA report, Ford said that they are not aware of any related crashes or injuries connected to the issue.

FORD BUILDS ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPLORER FOR POPE LEO XIV

For Bronco and Edge owners, Ford is offering a free software update to the APIM. Notification letters are scheduled to be mailed at the end of the month, and repairs can be completed at dealerships or through over-the-air updates.

A remedy for the second group of vehicles is still under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risks will be sent in the coming months.

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Drivers can check their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA website or Ford’s recall lookup tool for more information, or contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Ford recalls over rearview camera issues are a continuation of prior recall alerts. A past recall for older Ford vehicles was issued last October for 1.4 million vehicles.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google co-founder Sergey Brin have closed on sprawling Miami-area estates, underscoring the continued shift of tech wealth from the West Coast to South Florida.

“While the neighborhoods they bought in differ, their priorities are identical: safety, security and proximity,” Douglas Elliman’s Chris Wands told Fox News Digital. “These high-profile buyers are choosing waterfront properties in gated, controlled environments with easy access to private airports and Miami’s business and restaurant corridors.”

Within roughly a 20-mile radius, four of the world’s wealthiest individuals — Jeff Bezos, Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Brin — now own significant residential properties. Zuckerberg’s reported $170 million closing on Indian Creek Island would rank among the most expensive residential sales in Miami-Dade County history, according to multiple reports.

Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, reportedly closed on the property at 7 Indian Creek Island Road on March 2, snapping up the 1.84-acre waterfront lot for a bit less than the original $200 million listing price.

OVER $126M IN 60 DAYS — FLORIDA REAL ESTATE TYCOONS SAY BLUE-STATE WEALTH MIGRATION IS NOW PERMANENT

The home features nine bedrooms, 11.5 bathrooms, a “secret” library passageway, a wellness wing with a gym, professional-grade salon and massage room, a 1,500-gallon centerpiece aquarium, a jazz lounge, a 60-foot pool and more.

The home — located three doors down from Bezos in the so-called “Billionaire Bunker” — is still under construction and was designed by Canadian architect Ferris Rafauli, known for designing rapper Drake’s “Embassy” mansion in Toronto.

“From the limestone façade and grand architectural proportions to the meticulously curated interiors, every detail showcases modern artistry and exceptional craftsmanship,” the listing details read. “This classically inspired residence offers endless views, indoor-outdoor living, and a sense of privacy and sophistication.”

“South Florida has become one of the most powerful concentrations of wealth in just a few years and that signals a real confidence in the market. Ultra-luxury real estate FOMO is absolutely real,” Douglas Elliman’s No. 1 agent nationwide, Dina Goldentayer, said. “There’s a network of gravity happening behind the scenes. Billionaires talk, their advisors, family offices and security teams are all talking. And suddenly Miami becomes a strategic base that you need as a hedge.”

Brin opted for the more residential setting of 6569 Allison Road on Allison Island in northern Miami Beach. He reportedly purchased the $51 million property through a Nevada-based entity, Lagoon LLC, which has been linked to his longtime legal representatives.

The home, previously owned by LVMH Americas CEO Michael Burke and sold in an off-market deal, is a modernist, glass-walled property spanning roughly 10,000 square feet. The design includes seven bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms, with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay and architectural elements said to draw inspiration from the Guggenheim Museum.

It’s notable that both Zuckerberg and Brin’s neighborhoods include ultra-secure, private police guards who must register any guests as they come and go.

“Security will always remain paramount for the ultra-high-net worth, and they all will always have their private security detail 24/7. Their choices between Indian Creek, Coconut Grove or Allison Island would be more based on their personal preference of what lifestyle the immediate surroundings offer, and of course, the home itself,” ONE Sotheby’s International Realty’s Eddy Martinez also told Fox News Digital. “How did that home make them feel in comparison to others? All these factors come into play on the final decision.”

The real estate insiders point to Google counterpart Larry Page as the first to sound the alarm by moving to Florida, with his $173 million acquisition of two separate estates in Coconut Grove in late 2025. The timing of these billionaire relocations coincides with a California proposal that would impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of Golden State residents with assets exceeding $1 billion.

If such a proposal were to receive enough signatures and voter approval, individuals who were California residents as of Jan. 1, 2026, could be subject to the tax, according to the measure’s draft language.

Based on recent net worth estimates, Zuckerberg and Brin could hypothetically owe more than $10 billion each under such a tax structure, though the exact amount would depend on final valuations and the measure’s ultimate language.

“We believe the catalyst in the billionaire migration to South Florida from California is more about the billionaire tax taking place,” Martinez noted. “We believe these individuals didn’t get to where they are by FOMO — rather, their success can be attributed to a mindset of taking fast and decisive action on what they believe is best for them to move forward and have continued success.”

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As Miami real estate continues to surge, Goldentayer argues there’s no clear ceiling for how high property values could climb in the near future.

“I see no ceiling,” she said. “When five of the six richest people in the world are buying homes within miles of each other, it completely shifts the market, and we are seeing a recalibration of an entire asset class.”

READ MORE FROM FOX BUSINESS

As gas prices surge while the U.S. wages war against Iran, President Donald Trump suggested in a Sunday Truth Social post that the short-term rise is a “small price” for peace.

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!” the president declared in the post.

Americans have been facing rising gas prices at home as the U.S. attacks the Islamic nation..

CRUDE OIL PRICES EXCEED $100 A BARREL AS WAR IN IRAN DISRUPTS PRODUCTION, SHIPPING

The AAA national average price for a gallon of regular gas is $3.478 as of Monday, significantly higher than average one week ago of $2.997.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., highlighted rising fuel prices amid the war in a Sunday post on X, and said that “waging war costs American taxpayers about $1 billion per day,” asserting, “This isn’t America First.”

TANKERS TO RESUME NORMAL MOVEMENT IN MIDDLE EAST IN ‘A FEW WEEKS’ AT WORST, ENERGY SEC SAYS, ENDING OIL SURGE

Trump, an outspoken critic of Massie, is backing challenger Ed Gallrein in the Republican primary in Massie’s congressional district.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called for the president to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to help tackle the price surge.

TRAVEL IS ABOUT TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE AS IRAN CONFLICT SPARKS JET FUEL CRUNCH

TRAVEL IS ABOUT TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE AS IRAN CONFLICT SPARKS JET FUEL CRUNCH

“The Strategic Petroleum Reserve exists for moments exactly like this,” Schumer said in a statement. “When wars and global crises disrupt energy markets, the United States has the ability to act, but President Trump and his administration are refusing to do so. Trump should release oil from the SPR now to stabilize markets, bring prices down, and stop the price shock that American families are already feeling thanks to his reckless war.”

The U.S. reversed a five-year decline in the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom with its biggest annual increase in the index in over two decades, FOX Business can exclusively reveal.

America’s economic freedom score rose by 2.6 points from a year ago to 72.8, which ranks 22nd among the more than 176 countries that had completed scores in the index. The increase of 2.6 points was the largest annual increase since 2001 and is the second-largest jump the U.S. has had in its 32-year history in the index.

Heritage’s Index of Economic Freedom assesses 12 economic freedoms that fall into four categories including rule of law, government size, regulatory efficiency and open markets – each of which has three subcategories. 

“The U.S.’ score improvements in monetary freedom, government spending, fiscal health, and investment freedom have outpaced the relatively lower score in trade freedom, reflecting the net positive impact of major regulatory and tax reforms on economic growth, investment, and business confidence,” Heritage’s Anthony Kim, the Jay Kingham Research Fellow in International Economic Affairs, editor of the Index of Economic Freedom and manager of global engagement at the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, told FOX Business.

BURGUM SAYS US-VENEZUELA TIES MOVING AT ‘TRUMP SPEED,’ WILL HELP KEEP ENERGY COSTS DOWN FOR AMERICANS

Kim explained that the progress “is not accidental” and is reflective of the Trump administration’s initiatives that have “cut government jobs, slowed spending, and prioritized private-sector growth through proactive, bold deregulatory and tax reforms.”

While the U.S. score of 72.8 came in at 22nd in the world rankings, it ranked 3rd in the Americas, trailing only Canada (75.6) and Chile (74.3), respectively. Mexico scored 59.8 and ranked 92nd in the world, and was in 19th place among the 32 countries in the Americas region.

In the rule of law category, the U.S. ranked highly with property rights, judicial effectiveness and government integrity all scoring well above the world average.

Government size was a relative weakness for the U.S., with a roughly average tax burden score of 75.3 compared to the global average of 78.4. Government spending scored 57.9 to the global average of 66.3, while fiscal health was a significant weak point – as the U.S. score of 18.5 was well below the global average of 65.9 due to high levels of public debt and large budget deficits.

US DEBT SET TO CRUSH WORLD WAR II RECORD AS ANNUAL DEFICITS EXPLODE TO $3T WITHIN DECADE

Aspects of regulatory efficiency assessed by the report included freedom for business, labor and monetary were all well above the Index’s global average.

In terms of open markets, the U.S. scored 67.6 in trade freedom, which was below the global average of 70.2. However, investment freedom and financial freedom each scored an 80 for the U.S., well above the global averages of 53.4 and 48.1, respectively.

Kim noted that the “impact of restrictive tariffs on the global economy has been far more muted than feared, in light of increased investment in such critical sectors as energy and AI (among many others),” adding that the lack of tariff retaliation by countries other than China, Canada and the EU mitigated the potential impact of a trade war.

US WEIGHS ASKING CHINA TO CURB RUSSIAN, IRANIAN OIL PURCHASES

Countries with the highest overall scores in Heritage’s Index of Economic Freedom were Singapore (84.4), Switzerland (83.7%), Ireland (83.3), Australia (80.1) and Taiwan (79.8). 

The countries that scored the lowest were among the most repressed in the world, with North Korea (3.1) ranked last. Cuba (25.2), Venezuela (27.3), Sudan (32.5) and Zimbabwe (35.2) rounded out the bottom five countries in Heritage’s analysis.

Russia (50.3), China (48.3) and Iran (41.8) were also among the lowest scoring countries in the index due to their repressive political and economic systems.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST BUDGET DEFICITS IN US HISTORY?

Argentina’s economic freedom rating saw the largest increase from a year ago of all countries in Heritage’s index, climbing by 3.2 points relative to last year.

“October 2025’s decisive midterm election victory provided reform-minded President Javier Milei with concrete support and greater momentum for continuing to transform Argentina’s economy,” Kim said. 

Kim noted that several other countries, including Oman, The Philippines, Morocco and Paraguay, have “recorded sizable score improvements in their past two years despite challenging economic environments.”

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He added that Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña has been “unambiguously promoting economic freedom, combating corruption, and building alliances with democratic nations.”

G7 finance ministers are reportedly set to discuss a coordinated release of emergency oil reserves on Monday, as governments scramble to contain a sharp surge in crude prices triggered by the war in Iran.

Ministers will hold a call with International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol to assess the impact of the conflict and consider a joint release of petroleum from strategic reserves, according to the Financial Times.

The outlet reported that three G7 countries, including the United States, have expressed support for tapping stockpiles, with some U.S. officials viewing a potential release of 300 million to 400 million barrels, roughly a quarter to a third of the IEA system’s public reserves, as appropriate.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

TRUMP IS REALIGNING WORLD ENERGY MARKETS AND THE IRAN STRIKES ARE ACTUALLY HELPING

President Donald Trump on Sunday said rising oil prices are a “very small price” for the United States and the world to pay for “safety and peace.”

“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Oil prices on Monday morning were sharply higher in early trading, with benchmark crude posting double-digit percentage gains.

GOP SENATORS SAYS TRUMP’S STRIKES ‘SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED’ IRAN BUT EMPHASIZE ATTACKS NOT ‘FOREVER WARS’

West Texas Intermediate, the key U.S. oil benchmark, was trading at $103.80, up more than 14%, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, stood at $105.88, also up roughly 14%, according to OilPrice.com data.

Other key grades, including Murban and WTI Midland, were also solidly higher, and U.S. Mars crude showed an even steeper jump of nearly 24%.

The IEA says it was founded in 1974 in response to the 1973–1974 oil crisis, with a mandate to help countries coordinate a collective response to major disruptions in oil supply.

Since then, it has maintained a joint emergency response mechanism designed to stabilize global energy markets and protect the broader economy during periods of severe price volatility.

The agency has activated that system on five occasions, including during the First Gulf War in 1991, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, during the 2011 Libyan crisis, and twice following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Department of Justice and Live Nation have reached a settlement agreement in their antitrust case, multiple people familiar with the matter have confirmed.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated

Over the past several years, Ford has found itself in hot water, with recalls sweeping through nearly every model in its lineup between 2020 and 2026 — all but one. 

Only the Ford GT, a mid-engine two-seater sports car, escaped the issues that plagued the rest of the lineup, including problems with windshields, suspension and rearview cameras.

Discontinued after 2022, the model paid homage to the iconic Ford GT40, which dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s. While the second-generation Ford GT largely avoided recalls, both generations experienced some issues. The first faced potential airbag problems, while the second had possible hydraulic defects.

In 2025, Ford set a record for the most recalls issued by a single automaker in a single year, issuing more than 150 — nearly double the previous record of 77 set by General Motors in 2014.

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 615,000 VEHICLES OVER WIPER AND DRIVESHAFT DEFECTS

The surge was largely attributed to an aggressive strategy of initiating voluntary recalls before major incidents or widespread complaints emerged.

“The increase in recalls reflects our intensive strategy to quickly find and fix hardware and software issues and go the extra mile to help protect customers,” the company said in summer 2025. “Ford has more than doubled its team of safety and technical experts in the past two years and significantly increased testing to failure on critical systems in current Ford vehicles such as powertrains, steering and braking. Insights from this testing are being incorporated into current production.”

Over six years, 16 Ford models — spanning SUVs and crossovers, trucks and pickups, performance cars and commercial vans — were affected, totaling tens of millions of vehicles.

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 412,000 VEHICLES OVER SUSPENSION ISSUE

Among Ford’s seven SUV and crossover models — Escape, Bronco Sport, Bronco, Explorer, Expedition, Mustang Mach-E and Edge — each has been subject to at least one recall. Issues have included inverted or blank rearview camera images, cracked fuel injectors that pose fire risks, software faults that could cause brake malfunctions and electronic door latch failures that may lead to lockouts or entrapment.

All five major Ford truck and pickup models — Maverick, Ranger, F-150, F-150 Lightning and Super Duty — have also been affected. The most widespread problems involve electrical faults that can disable trailer brake lights, turn signals or braking functions while towing, increasing crash risks.

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Ford has largely phased out traditional sedans, leaving the Mustang as its only remaining passenger car. The coupe and convertible, produced since 2020, have faced issues including rearview camera malfunctions.

The company’s commercial vans — Transit, E-Transit and Transit Connect — have also been recalled for problems involving braking, towing, electrical systems and visibility.

Oil prices passed $100 per barrel on Sunday as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran disrupts production and shipping in the Middle East.

This is the first time in nearly four years that oil prices reached this mark.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, rose to more than $107 after trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a 16.5% jump from its Friday closing price of $92.69.

West Texas Intermediate, produced in the U.S., was up to about $106.22 a barrel, a 16.9% increase from when it closed on Friday at $90.90.

GAS PRICES SURGE AS IRAN CONFLICT RATTLES GLOBAL OIL MARKETS, PUSHING US CRUDE ABOVE $90

This comes after Brent climbed 28% and WTI rose 36% last week prior to the latest upticks.

Oil prices have jumped as the war impacts areas crucial to the production and shipping of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf.

About 15 million barrels of crude oil, which makes up about 20% of the oil around the world, are typically moved daily through the Strait of Hormuz, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.

Concerns about Iranian missile and drone strikes have stalled tankers that would otherwise be traveling through the strait, which carry oil and gas from Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE have dropped their oil production over the strained ability to export crude.

Saudi Arabia is increasing shipments from the Red Sea, but the volumes are not enough to offset the dip from the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping data.

Iran, Israel and the U.S. have attacked oil and gas facilities since the war began late last month.

The war could leave consumers and businesses around the world with weeks or even months of higher fuel prices, even if the conflict ends quickly, as suppliers deal with damaged facilities, disrupted logistics and elevated risks to shipping.

US WEIGHS ASKING CHINA TO CURB RUSSIAN, IRANIAN OIL PURCHASES

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The last time U.S. crude futures traded over $100 per barrel was the summer of 2022.

The average gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. also increased on Sunday to $3.45, representing a 47-cent jump from about a week earlier, according to AAA motor club. Diesel was also selling for an average of about $4.60 a gallon, an increase of about 83 cents from the previous week.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Enterprise software giant Oracle is reportedly planning to ax thousands of jobs due to mounting financial pressure from its aggressive push to build AI-focused data centers.

The tech powerhouse may slash 20,000 to 30,000 positions, possibly cutting 12–18% of its global workforce of roughly 162,000 employees, tech magazine CIO reported.

The layoffs could be implemented as early as March 2026, Bloomberg reported.

The move is driven by a cash crunch from massive spending on data centers, which Wall Street expects will keep Oracle’s cash flow negative for years, forcing the company to seek alternative ways to preserve liquidity, Bloomberg said.  

MAJOR TECH COMPANIES BACK TRUMP PLEDGE TO PAY MORE FOR DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY AHEAD OF SIGNING

Additionally, several U.S. banks have scaled back financing for Oracle’s massive AI data center expansion, according to investment bank TD Cowen, cited by CIO.com. Lenders have reportedly voiced growing concerns over the company’s ability to repay debt given the enormous capital required to build infrastructure for high-profile AI clients such as OpenAI.

“Both equity and debt investors have raised questions regarding Oracle’s ability to finance this buildout,” the report said.

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER TO CUT HUNDREDS OF JOBS, SHUT CONNECTICUT PLANT

The job cuts will span divisions across the company, focusing on roles Oracle expects to need less of due to AI, Bloomberg reported.

The move is also expected to free up $8 billion to $10 billion, TD Cowen said in a research report cited by CIO.

Led by Chairman Larry Ellison, Oracle is making a high-stakes, all-in bet on becoming a top-tier AI cloud provider to rival AWS, Microsoft and Salesforce.  

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The upcoming layoffs at Oracle are expected to be much larger and more extensive than the company’s usual smaller routine job cuts. 

Oracle reportedly told internal teams it would reassess many open positions in its cloud division while evaluating which roles are still necessary. However, planning for the workforce reductions is still ongoing and could change, Bloomberg reported.  

FOX Business reached out to Oracle for more information.  

Passengers endured a terrifying ordeal last Friday when SWAT teams reportedly swarmed their plane and forcibly removed a passenger at gunpoint following an emergency landing prompted by a potential security threat.

The removal occurred after 9 p.m. in Atlanta on Southwest Airlines Flight 2094, which had departed from Nashville and was bound for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport near Miami, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

“Southwest Airlines Flight 2094 landed safely at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Friday evening after diverting to respond to a possible security matter,” a Southwest spokesperson told Fox 5 Atlanta.  

According to witness reports on social media, passengers had been sitting on the plane for over an hour confused when authorities suddenly swarmed the jet and ordered everyone to put their “heads down, hands up.”

AIRLINES CANCEL FLIGHTS, ISSUE TRAVEL WAIVERS OVER MIDDLE EAST UNREST

Multiple videos that went viral showed frightened passengers raising their hands above their heads as tactical units wearing “Atlanta Police” vests swarmed the plane to arrest an individual.  

The officers were then heard yelling at the passenger, “Stand up, let’s go, stand up,” before they cuffed and dragged him away.

Authorities said multiple local and federal agencies responded to what the FAA described as a “passenger disturbance.”

ALL CAPS: UNITED AIRLINES CAN NOW REFUSE TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS WHO REFUSE TO WEAR HEADPHONES

The FBI’s Atlanta office said their agency, along with the Atlanta Police Department, investigated and interviewed the individual, but found no credible threat and confirmed that no charges will be filed.

Authorities did not explain why the passenger in question triggered a security response, but witnesses on social media said he appeared agitated when flight crews stowed his large bag in the overhead bins rather than under the seat. During the flight, fellow passengers reportedly saw him texting something that appeared to resemble a threat.

Sarah Porter, who was seated three rows behind the passenger in question, described the incident as “one of the scariest moments of my life” in a video that went viral over the weekend.

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After the passenger was removed, the remaining travelers sat on the plane on the runway for another 90 minutes before deboarding and allowing police canines to check their bags, according to Porter. 

Passengers were eventually able to board a new aircraft and arrive in Florida around 4 a.m, Porter said, adding that the short two-hour flight turned into a nine-hour nightmare. 

FOX Business reached out to Southwest Airlines for more information.

A Philadelphia food stand owner says she was left scrambling after 600 tubs of French onion dip suddenly showed up at her small Center City kiosk, a surprise shipment she never ordered.

Mac Mart owner Marti Lieberman told Fox 29 Philadelphia that she began receiving boxes of “Heluva Good! French Onion Dip” after getting a random email from what appeared to be an overseas promotions company offering the free food.

Lieberman said she never accepted the offer and was shocked when the delivery arrived.

“600 units is quite scary for a small business,” she told the local station, noting the kiosk is only about 6 feet by 11 feet.

VIRAL HACK COULD SAVE YOU FROM SPENDING ON ‘INSANELY EXPENSIVE’ AIRPORT FOOD

At first, Lieberman considered giving the dip away to customers, but after speaking with Heluva Good!, she decided to throw all of it out over safety concerns. 

“We had to get rid of it because we weren’t sure if any of the units were tainted or if we could make our customers sick,” she said.

1 IN 5 AMERICANS ADMIT TO SNEAKING IN OWN SAUCES AS HOT RESTAURANT TREND GOES VIRAL

Heluva Good! representatives told Lieberman they do not run overseas promotions involving the dip, raising questions about where the shipment came from.

“Right away, everything started to get weird. I actually got very nervous because we had tried it,” Lieberman told Fox 29.

COMMON FRUIT FOUND IN AMERICAN KITCHEN MAY SLOW DEADLY FORM OF BREAST CANCER, STUDY SAYS

The company believes the dip may have been leftover from a promotional deal with a business in Australia, but how it arrived at the Philadelphia kiosk remains unclear.

Lieberman described the ordeal as a “really weird two days,” and said the experience has left her wary of responding to unexpected promotional offers in the future.

Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, recently gifted Pope Leo XIV a new Explorer SUV.

The couple personally delivered the vehicle during a private audience with the American-born pontiff on Feb. 28.

The black Explorer Platinum, customized with a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain and 10-speed hybrid transmission, was assembled at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, located about 5 miles from Leo’s hometown of Dolton. It also features vanity license plates that read “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV.”

IN PICTURES: FROM CHICAGO PRIEST TO NEW POPE, THE HISTORIC RISE OF LEO XIV

Inside, the seat tags feature the Chicago flag and the city’s skyline is stitched into the vehicle’s center console. Engravings of the skyline and St. Peter’s Basilica are found on the scuff plates near the bottom of the SUV’s doors.

FORD CEO HAILS TRUMP FUEL STANDARDS RESET AS A ‘VICTORY’ FOR AFFORDABILITY AND COMMON SENSE

Leo plans to use the vehicle to cross the grounds of the Vatican, according to Ford.

“He noticed and appreciated the personal touches,” said Farley. “We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride. But more than anything, what stays with me is the feeling of gratitude and joy we experienced meeting him and sharing this small gesture – one that reflects the pride and care of the Ford team back home in Chicago.”

Employees were aware that they were building a vehicle for a VIP, but due to confidentiality reasons, were not told it was for the pope.

“When I found out it was the Pope, I was so excited,” said Jennifer Barilovich, lead electrical systems integration engineer for the Explorer. “I can’t believe I helped make a vehicle that the Pope is going to drive! As soon as I could, I told my family. I come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project.”

Barilovich, like other team members, sent a letter to the pontiff.

POPE LEO XIV COULD BOOST CATHOLIC CHURCH ATTENDANCE IN US, AUGUSTINIAN SAYS

 The connection for Ford pre-delivery specialist Adolphus Harper was even closer to home.

“I graduated from Saint Rita in 1986, so knowing that the Pope who once taught me is now driving something I helped assemble – it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I am proud to be part of this. To see someone connected to my own education become part of something so historic – it’s amazing.”

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Among the gifts the team sent to Leo were a special Chicago Assembly Plant recognition coin and a pizza box from Aurelio’s Pizza, one of his favorite hometown restaurants.

“Knowing a vehicle built here in Chicago is going to the Pope, it’s hard not to feel proud,” said pre-delivery specialist Danny Golubovic. “As someone with deep faith, it feels like an even greater honor. The work we do here is important – to our city, our families and people.”

A looming “silver tsunami” of retiring baby boomer business owners could dramatically reshape America’s small-business landscape.

Nearly half of U.S. small-business owners are 55 or older, yet just 54% have a succession plan in place — setting the stage for a potential retirement shock that could leave many companies vulnerable over the next decade, according to Forbes.

The stakes are high. Small businesses employ more than 62 million Americans and account for roughly 43% of U.S. GDP, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

If a significant share of those businesses close instead of transitioning to new leadership, communities nationwide could feel the effects, American Operator founder William Fry told FOX Business.

PAYCHECKS KEEP RISING FOR AMERICAN WORKERS, PROVIDING BOOST TO HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS

“They’re huge creators of wealth, and in my opinion, they’re the most pure version of the American Dream — you come to this country, and you can build a better life for yourself,” Fry told FOX Business.

Many owners have spent decades building their businesses on relationships and reputation, making succession decisions deeply personal.

After 12 years growing a painting company in Jackson, Wyoming, husband-and-wife team Erik and Kassie Hansen began considering their next chapter at Greenway Painting — whether to sell the business or step away entirely.

By 2024, 90% of the company’s revenue came from commercial clients, and 85% came from repeat customers, a testament to the loyalty they had cultivated.

“All of our clients are very important,” Erik Hansen told FOX Business. “Especially in a small town, they are like friends or family when you work with them for years and years. You want to make sure they get well taken care of. That’s important.”

SELF-DEFENSE COMPANY FINDS MAJOR BENEFITS AFTER MOVING MANUFACTURING FROM OVERSEAS TO US

Companies like American Operator aim to bridge the succession gap by pairing retiring owners with operators ready to take the reins.

In Greenway’s case, that operator was Anthony Douglas, a former U.S. Air Force combat controller who previously founded and scaled his own painting company in Tucson, Arizona.

“One of the reasons why I was attracted to Greenway Painting was that it was a relational business,” Douglas told FOX Business. “Greenway was pretty successful without having any advertising or marketing.”

In October 2025, Douglas became CEO and a day-one equity partner, acquiring a 10% stake with a structured path toward majority ownership over time.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS REMAIN ‘CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC’ HEADING INTO 2026 AMID RISING COSTS, LABOR CHALLENGES

He relocated to Jackson from Tucson to lead the company, focusing on preserving customer trust while gradually putting his own stamp on operations.

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For companies like American Operator, the coming wave of retirements also represents an opportunity to preserve local businesses that form the backbone of the American economy. 

“To open this opportunity to all that answer the call of ownership, and to let everyday Americans share in the upside, we are working toward building America’s small business stock,” its website states. “Our goal is a public offering that allows millions of Americans to have a stake in the American Dream.”

Travelers left millions of items behind in 2025, including things as eccentric as a samurai sword, as expensive as diamond earrings, and as historic as a World War II flight jacket, according to the new Unclaimed Baggage report.

Unclaimed Baggage, which calls itself the nation’s only retailer of lost luggage, released its annual Found Report on Thursday, listing its most interesting finds from luggage that airports couldn’t get back to passengers.

“Each year, I am amazed at the treasures discovered in luggage and what it reveals about our society,” Bryan Owens, the company’s CEO, said in a statement. “After more than 55 years of reclaiming the lost and rejected for good, we often believe we’ve seen it all. But then we uncover something like a matching set of Samurai swords, a fully-assembled robot, a Dolce & Gabbana jeweled jacket or gold-plated golf clubs, and we are reminded of why the annual ‘Found Report’ exists.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Unclaimed Baggage for comment.

‘FILTHY FORTUNES’ STAR SAYS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE UNKNOWINGLY SITTING ON $10K–$20K JACKPOTS IN THEIR HOMES

The report said that while 99.9% of checked bags eventually get back to their owner, “a rare few take a detour—one that ends in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Scottsboro, Alabama,” the location of the Unclaimed Baggage store.

The top 10 finds for the company’s third annual report include a robot, a bionic knee, 10K gold teeth grills, a meteorite, a pair of fire poi used for fire dancing, an Australian one-ounce pure gold bar, matching set of samurai swords, a beekeeping suit, gold-plated golf clubs and a teak didgeridoo.

The top five most expensive finds include white diamond earrings worth an estimated more than $43,000, a stainless steel Rolex watch with 18k yellow gold and diamond dial worth around $35,000, a Tosca bass clarinet worth $17,500, a Balenciaga leather jacket worth $12,500 and a T530 thermal camera valued at more than $12,000.

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What the report described as “weird” finds include a taxidermy deer form, frog purse, pre-World War I U.S. Army bayonet, a giant stuffed goose, a long bone specimen, an armadillo purse, a 12-pack case of sardines, a fake skeleton, a suitcase filled with rat poison, and a feather bow tie.

The top sports find was signed boxing gloves from undefeated boxing champion Terence Crawford, the top fashion find was Miss North Dakota USA 2025’s state costume designed by Ryan Castillo, and the top find from around the world was a Tibetan singing bowl.

A 1960s Ken doll complete with carrying case was the top pop culture find, vintage cassette tapes of Elvis and Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock made the top musical find, and an 1893 commemorative coin made the top currency find.

The top historical find was a U.S. Army Air Force A-2 leather flight jacket and the top tech find was a 1900s Kellogg candlestick telephone.

The company noticed trends in the baggage of travelers packing “more pop collectibles” like Labubus “than ever, there was a “shift toward attainable luxury … without the premium price tag,” many packed books, especially “The Housemaid” author Freida McFadden, and more gold traveled than they’d seen “in years.” 

“From 24K dice to gold-plated golf clubs, this precious metal showed up in suitcases as both a statement and a store of value,” the report said. 

Last year, Owens told Fox News that the company recycles about one-third of the items, and gives another third to charity.

At the time, Owens said one of the strangest things he’d seen was a “well-traveled, almost wornout Gucci suitcase that was packed full of Egyptian artifacts that went back to 1500 BC.”

Owens added that the airlines “put a lot of effort” into reuniting bags with their owners because “it’s much more to their advantage economically to reunite you with your bag than to sell us your unclaimed bags.”

Ford Motor Company ranks as the “most American” brand in the country, earning top marks from Democrats and Republicans alike while leading across every major income bracket, according to a new survey.

The Morning Consult survey of over 11,000 U.S. adults, conducted in February and titled “America at 250: What the Nation Believes,” found the iconic automaker holds the No. 1 spot regardless of political affiliation or earnings.

Among Republicans, 21% named Ford the most American brand, well ahead of Coca-Cola at 13%, McDonald’s at 11% and Harley-Davidson at 9%.

Democrats also put Ford at the top, with 16% selecting the automaker. McDonald’s followed at 14%, Coca-Cola at 12% and Walmart at 10%.

FORD RECALLS MORE THAN 615,000 VEHICLES OVER WIPER, DRIVESHAFT DEFECTS

Ford’s strength also extended to income levels, according to the survey.

Among Americans earning less than $50,000 annually, 17% chose Ford compared with 14% for McDonald’s and 11% each for Coca-Cola and Walmart.

In the $50,000 to $100,000 range, Ford again ranked first at 17%, narrowly edging Coca-Cola at 16%. McDonald’s followed at 14%, with Levi’s placing fourth at 7%.

For those earning $100,000 or more, Ford widened its lead to 19%, followed by Coca-Cola at 15%, Apple at 10% and McDonald’s at 9%.

FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’

In a statement to FOX Business, Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford said the company’s standing reflects its long-standing role in shaping the U.S. economy.

“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, I’m proud that Ford has helped strengthen this country — not just by building great vehicles, but by expanding opportunity and improving people’s lives,” Bill Ford told FOX Business in an email.

He pointed to the company’s 1903 founding by Henry Ford, whose assembly line innovations and introduction of the $5-a-day wage expanded economic opportunity for American workers.

FORD RECALLS OVER 4.3 MILLION VEHICLES DUE TO SOFTWARE ISSUE

Bill Ford also cited the company’s role in supporting the nation during World War I and World War II and its ability to endure economic downturns.

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“That resilience and willingness to get up and keep swinging reflects the very best of America,” Bill Ford said. 

“As we look to the next 250 years, I believe the future is incredibly bright, but it hinges on us coming together as a nation. We must heal our divisions and keep pushing forward, just as we always have. Ford will be there, serving the nation and helping to build a stronger future.”

Frito-Lay is pulling select bags of potato chips from store shelves after discovering they may contain an undeclared allergen.

The recall covers certain 8-ounce bags of Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Chips that may have mistakenly included jalapeno-flavored chips containing milk, according to a Wednesday notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Those with an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the recalled product,” the notice said. 

MAJOR FROZEN FOOD RECALL EXPANDS TO 37M POUNDS OF TRADER JOE’S, KROGER PRODUCTS OVER GLASS CONCERNS

The affected bags were distributed as early as Jan. 15 to grocery, convenience and drug stores — as well as online retailers — in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

No other Miss Vickie’s flavors, sizes or variety packs are included in the recall.

OVER 650,000 BOTTLES OF WATER RECALLED AFTER BEING PACKAGED IN ‘INSANITARY CONDITIONS’

Consumers should check for 8-ounce bags of Miss Vickie’s Spicy Dill Pickle chips with a UPC of 0 28400 761772, a “Guaranteed Fresh” date of April 21, 2026, and one of two manufacturing codes: 38U301414 or 48U101514. 

The codes appear on the front of the bag along the right side.

“If consumers have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately,” the notice said.

CHEESE SOLD AT WALMART RECALLED IN 24 STATES OVER POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK

Frito-Lay said the issue came to light after a customer reached out to the company. 

No allergic reactions have been reported to date.

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“Unless a consumer has a dairy allergy or sensitivity to milk, this product is safe to consume,” Frito-Lay told FOX Business in an email.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranians are fighting on two fronts while warning when the nation will endure its next intense military operation from U.S. forces on “Kudlow” Friday.

“Tonight will be our biggest bombing campaign and we’ll do the most damage to the Iranian missile launchers, the factories that build the missiles, and we are substantially degrading them,” Bessent told FOX Business host Larry Kudlow Friday on “Kudlow.”

After failing on the military front after what Bessent described as the United States’ “overwhelming” strike campaign, Iran has been forced to play another card, the economy.

US WEIGHS ASKING CHINA TO CURB RUSSIAN, IRANIAN OIL PURCHASES 

“Having not been able to succeed there [militarily], they’re trying to create economic chaos, and I don’t think they’re going to be able to do it,” he added.

This comes as the Trump administration bolsters insurance for U.S. vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit chokepoint primarily controlled by Iran.

About 20% of the world’s crude oil and natural gas passes through the critical waterway, and Bessent said its closure could roil energy markets.

“When the conflict began, [insurers] dropped all the insurance for any vessels going in and out of the Strait of Hormuz, or generally around the Gulf,” Bessent explained.

In an effort to restore confidence in maritime trade during the conflict in Iran, the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced Wednesday that it will provide up to $20 billion in insurance to vessels traveling through the strait.

PREDICTION MARKET KALSHI SUED OVER $54M IRAN LEADER BETS AFTER ‘DEATH CARVEOUT’ INVOKED

“What this program will do is give shippers insurance, whether they are hauling oil, products, fertilizer,” Bessent shared.

Iran asserts that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but says it will not allow ships through that are connected to Israeli or U.S. interests, the Treasury secretary explained.

Bessent went on to discuss whether U.S. vessels will need protection when crossing through the Iranian-controlled waterway as tensions intensify between the nations.

“There is the willingness to go through the strait if we also provide a naval escort if needed,” he told FOX Business.

Bessent noted that Iranian and Chinese vessels have been seen successfully passing through amid the conflict and vowed to solve the issue.

“We will await to hear from CENTCOM in terms of when they think safe passage is possible…” he said. “I don’t know whether it’s a week or two weeks, but we are on track to get this solved.”

Gas prices moved higher Friday as the conflict with Iran continued to roil global energy markets, pushing crude oil sharply upward and raising concerns about fuel supplies.

The national average price for regular gasoline rose to $3.32 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.25 on Thursday and $2.98 a week ago, according to AAA. Analysts say the increase reflects a surge in crude oil prices as geopolitical tensions intensify in the Middle East.

U.S. crude settled at $90.90 per barrel on Friday, a 12.2% jump on the day.

“Gasoline prices have been following crude prices higher as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz impacts supplies,” Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, told FOX Business in an email.

BURGUM SAYS US-VENEZUELA TIES MOVING AT ‘TRUMP SPEED,’ WILL HELP KEEP ENERGY COSTS DOWN FOR AMERICANS

Oil markets have been on edge since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran last Saturday. Iran has since moved to block tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical shipping lane that handles roughly 20% of global oil flows, according to Reuters.

Lipow said the disruption has prevented tankers from loading in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, forcing some production shut-ins. 

Missile strikes have also hampered refinery operations in Israel, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, tightening global gasoline and diesel supplies. Additional pressure is coming from China, which is limiting exports of refined petroleum products, according to Lipow.

“All this is leading to higher gasoline prices and the national average is likely to hit $3.50 per gallon [very] soon,” Lipow said.

CHEVRON WARNS NEWSOM’S ‘ADVERSARIAL’ ENERGY AGENDA WILL CRIPPLE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY, SEND GAS PRICES SOARING

FOX Business contributor Phil Flynn said futures markets suggest pump prices could continue rising in the near term, depending on how events unfold.

“We’re going to probably see some increases right now,” Flynn told FOX Business. “That may slow if we get good news out of Iran.”

Flynn noted that while prices have climbed quickly, the spike has not yet reached the levels seen during past geopolitical crises.

“I’m hopeful that we see the peak of gasoline next week,” Flynn said. “The reason why I say that is I have a lot of confidence in the US military and Israel, and I really think Iran is on its last legs right now.”

MAJOR TECH COMPANIES BACK TRUMP PLEDGE TO PAY MORE FOR DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY AHEAD OF SIGNING

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President Donald Trump told Reuters on Thursday he was not concerned about the rise in prices.

“I don’t have any concern about it,” Trump told Reuters. “They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”

Kalshi is facing a $54 million class action lawsuit after traders accused the prediction market of invoking a “death carveout” clause to avoid paying bets tied to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, according to reporting from Reuters.

Kalshi was sued in federal court Thursday over contracts that asked whether Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would leave office before March 1, 2026, according to a class action complaint.

Khamenei, 85, was killed Saturday in U.S.-Israeli strikes that left hundreds dead, including top Iranian officials. The strikes occurred under Operation Epic Fury.

The lawsuit says customers were drawn to what it calls the “Khamenei Market” because of the shifting geopolitical situation with Iran’s leadership. It alleges that, after Khamenei was killed, Kalshi invoked a “death carveout” provision to avoid paying customers what they were owed.

JUDGE BLOCKS META FROM INTRODUCING ‘EXAGGERATED’ CLAIMS IN SOCIAL MEDIA TRIAL

“With an American naval armada amassed on Iran’s doorstep and military conflict not merely foreseeable but widely anticipated, consumers understood that the most likely — and in many cases the only realistic — mechanism by which an 85-year-old autocratic leader would ‘leave office’ was through his death,” the lawsuit states.

“Defendants understood this as well.”

The complaint argues the contract language was “clear, unambiguous and binary” and accuses Kalshi of “deceptive” and “predatory” conduct.

APPLE IMPLEMENTING AGE VERIFICATION TOOL TO ENSURE USERS ARE 18 AND UP FOR SOME APPS

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

The company’s CEO, Tarek Mansour, on Saturday defended the “death carveout,” saying it “keeps the rules simple.” He also said Kalshi would reimburse all fees from the Khamenei market.

Prediction markets have exploded in popularity since the 2024 U.S. election, when their real-time probabilities proved more accurate than polling in forecasting Donald Trump’s victory, according to Reuters.

Platforms like Kalshi offer tradable yes-or-no contracts tied to real-world events ranging from politics and sports to the economy. Contracts typically cost between zero and 100 cents and pay out if a specified outcome is confirmed.

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Kalshi did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

Reuters contributed to this reporting.

Finally some very good news on oil prices. America is going to give a lot of help to insure and reinsure, in other words, guarantee, oil cargo values moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The faster we safely get those ships to successfully sail through the strait, the faster oil prices are going to peak and move back down.

There are 120 tankers sitting in Persian Gulf ports at the top of the strait, paralyzed because Lloyds of London and other reinsurers have broken their contracts and jacked up insurance rates 50 percent to 100 percent — if they’ll even write a contract — because of the so-called Iranian war risk premium.

It’s mainly this problem that is driving up oil prices. There is no scarcity of oil, indeed oil is oversupplied throughout the world. For America alone, we’re now producing 13.6 million barrels per day, and 24 million barrels per day in oils and liquid fuels, more than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined.

Ever since President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” policy in his first term and continued now in his second term, the fossil fuel spigots have been turned back on. And America has become an oil exporter, as well as the world’s leading producer.

In fact, America is producing nearly as much natural gas as Russia, Iran, and Communist China combined, at a staggering 110 billion cubic feet per day. And one of the great parts of Mr. Trump’s courageous effort to end Iran’s 47-year war against America is that the power to disrupt oil in places like Iran and Venezuela will be removed.

So, today, the Trump administration announced that the International Development Finance Corporation, through Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has a detailed implementation plan, approved by Mr. Trump, to deploy maritime reinsurance, including war risk coverage, in the Gulf region. “In close coordination with” the Central Command, the announcement continued, “this plan will restore confidence in maritime trade, help stabilize international commerce, and support American and allied businesses operating in the Middle East during the conflict with Iran.”

Now, this is a major development. To be sure, the Iranian navy has basically been buried under deep water on the floor of the Persian Gulf. Not a factor. A few nitpickers actually believe that a couple of Iranian motorboats with a rifle will sink a supertanker filled with oil. I don’t believe that for a minute.

However, the great United States Navy is going to be a player here. Perhaps with ships at both ends of Hormuz. And other ships accompanying oil supertankers, as they make their way through the waterway toward their destination.

So we’d be insuring any losses and providing military protection to get oil to its proper destination.

World oil prices have basically jumped $30 in the last week because of the wartime risk premium. I don’t know where the peak is, but when America gets this packaged together, with insurance, naval protection, many ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it will be confidence inspiring. We will not be far away not only from a peak in oil prices, but a gradual descent back to normalcy, which would be something near $60 a barrel, or perhaps the mid $50s.

Little Iranian motor boats will have nothing to say about it.

The Labor Department’s latest jobs report showed that American workers’ wage gains are continuing to outpace stubbornly high inflation.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its jobs report for February on Friday, which showed that workers’ average hourly earnings rose faster than expected last month.

Employees on private nonfarm payrolls saw their average hourly earnings rise by 15 cents, or 0.4%, on a monthly basis to $37.32 an hour. That outpaced the expected increase of 0.3% that was projected by LSEG economists.

Average earnings rose 3.8% in February compared with a year ago, up from 3.7% in January. LSEG economists estimated that the annual increase in earnings would be unchanged at 3.7% in February.

US ECONOMY SHED 92K JOBS IN FEBRUARY, WELL BELOW EXPECTATIONS

The BLS data also showed that the average workweek was unchanged at 34.3 hours, in line with the estimate of LSEG economists and unchanged from January. Among workers in the manufacturing sector, the average workweek declined slightly by 0.1 hour to 40.1 hours, while overtime was unchanged at 3 hours.

The rising wages and relatively steady workweeks come as stubborn inflation has persisted above the Federal Reserve’s long-run target of 2%. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, rose to 2.9% on an annual basis in December. Core PCE, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, was up 3% from a year ago in December.

A separate inflation gauge, the consumer price index (CPI), was up just 2.4% on a year-over-year basis in January and trended down after a 2.7% reading in December. Core CPI was up 2.5% from a year ago in January.

Inflation creates severe financial pressures for households, particularly those with lower incomes who are forced to pay relatively more for essentials.

FED’S FAVORED INFLATION GAUGE SHOWED CONSUMER PRICE GROWTH REMAINED ELEVATED IN DECEMBER

Wage gains rising faster than inflation helps protect earners’ purchasing power by reducing the amount that’s eroded by inflation-induced price hikes, though that dynamic is limited by elevated inflation. 

They can also signal competition among employers for qualified workers, as the unemployment rate was little changed in February, rising from 4.3% to 4.4% from the prior month.

“Jobs in the private sector, along with ongoing reductions in federal government staffing, led to lower payroll employment in February. But the unemployment rate remains low because of the southern border shutdown. That is why wage growth remains healthy with a 3.8% rise,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors.

FED DISSENT GROWS AS SOME OFFICIALS WEIGH RETURN TO INTEREST RATE HIKES AMID STUBBORN INFLATION

Andy Bregenzer, head of U.S. regional and small business banking and co-head of commercial bank at TD, said it was “disappointing to see January’s hiring momentum come into question with February’s slowdown,” and emphasized that small businesses need to stay disciplined in this economic environment.

“What we continue to hear from small business owners is that while hiring pressure may ease modestly if jobs growth slows, wages and competition for skilled workers remain elevated. This is the environment where small business owners need to stay disciplined and balance growth plans with careful cost management.”

Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, noted that wage dynamics were “firmer than expected” and said the 3.8% annual wage growth underscored that “labor cost pressures remain sticky even as job growth falters.”

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He cautioned that “forward-looking indicators point to continued moderation in wage growth going forward, with the private-sector quits rate remaining near its lowest level since early 2016 outside of a recession and business surveys continue to signal restraint in compensation plans.”

Daco said that given the expectation of subdued labor demand, his firm’s outlook sees wage growth easing toward 3.5% in the second half of 2026.

A group of tech industry leaders and self-described “radical centrists” are vowing to push back on left-leaning policies in California that are causing an exodus among wealthy entrepreneurs and businesses from the Golden State.

The New York Post reported that the group held an event attended by about 350 people in Mountain View, California, that featured elected officials, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, tech industry leaders and hundreds of attendees who want to challenge the progressive tilt of the state’s policies.

The meeting comes as several prominent wealthy entrepreneurs have left California to avoid a proposed 5% one-time wealth tax on billionaires who were California residents at the start of this year, with the tax due next year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Oracle founder Larry Ellison and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel are among those who have moved assets or relocated from California. 

Business leaders who are spearheading the group urged those in attendance not to give up on California by leaving and instead push back on left-leaning policies by electing more moderate politicians.

CHEVRON WARNS NEWSOM’S ‘ADVERSARIAL’ ENERGY AGENDA WILL CRIPPLE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY, SEND GAS PRICES SOARING

“Some people have decided to leave our state as some kind of heroic thing. Like, ‘I’m going to Florida,'” Ripple Chairman Chris Larsen said at the event, according to the Post’s report. “That is not brave. That’s surrender. So, let’s get involved. Let’s take back our state.”

Larsen said the group needs to “fight on par with the unions when they’re proposing stupid job-killing ideas like the San Francisco CEO tax.” 

He also called out Democratic politicians who are competing to become the party’s nominee for California governor, including former Democratic presidential primary candidate Tom Steyer, Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter for supporting the union-backed CEO tax.

O’LEARY BLASTS CALIFORNIA WEALTH TAX AS ‘BAD MANAGEMENT,’ CALLS ON RESIDENTS TO ‘HIRE’ NEW LEADERS

He said it’s “really disappointing,” and it reflects the pressure that labor unions have put on the state’s elected officials. Larsen added that while the group isn’t anti-union, it aims to balance labor’s ability to influence elected officials.

Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan hosted the event after he launched “Garry’s List” last month to serve as a “citizen’s union” to support centrist candidates in California who are supportive of policies to improve the state’s schools and addressing issues related to housing and public safety.

Tan criticized Steyer, saying he’s attempting to “buy the governor’s mansion to raise your taxes,” and praised Mahan as the “next governor of California.”

TOP DEMS SANDERS AND REICH RAMP UP BILLIONAIRE TAX PUSH, SAY WEALTHY HAVE ‘ADDICTION’ TO GREED

The Post’s report noted that Garry’s List is focusing on voter education efforts through a blog Tan writes with the assistance of AI. Tan launched the site criticizing anti-growth policies, wealth taxes and a strike by San Francisco teachers.

Garry’s List is one of several groups that have been formed in an effort to stem the leftward lurch of California’s politics.

A group called Grow California was created by Larsen and Tim Draper, which will spend about $40 million to support “pragmatic” candidates focused on addressing issues like the cost of living.

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Another group called Building a Better California was launched by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, venture capitalist Michael Moritz and other tech leaders. It has raised over $45 million to help advance initiatives to reform tax policy and spur development.

The February jobs report revealed a loss of 92,000 jobs, but according to RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes, the real economic rot isn’t just in the numbers — it’s in the technology.

Crapuchettes warns that an invisible layoff is occurring as artificial intelligence algorithms effectively delete qualified American workers from the applicant pool, creating a massive disconnect that he says is fueling the jump to a 4.4% unemployment rate and short-term economic “pain.”

“AI is causing a lot of disruption in the job market right now,” Crapuchettes told Fox News Digital. “[Companies] are using AI effectively and therefore the worker productivity is up… part of what AI is doing is it’s driving a lot of worker productivity. Businesses don’t need to hire as quickly or they’re letting people off. And that is going to be just a significant disruption in the marketplace.”

“Overall, it’s still a very disappointing number. We’d love to see jobs report growing all the time,” he continued. “But there’s a lot of different factors that are driving this. It’s not just the headline that we’re seeing.”

MAJOR TECH COMPANIES BACK TRUMP PLEDGE TO PAY MORE FOR DATA CENTER ELECTRICITY AHEAD OF SIGNING

The Labor Department on Friday reported that employers shed 92,000 jobs in February. That figure was well below the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who estimated the economy would add 59,000 jobs. The unemployment rate was 4.4%, slightly higher than economists’ expectations of 4.3%.

There were also significant contractions in government payrolls, manufacturing, information, construction, transportation and warehousing, as well as health care employment due to strike activity.

“What’s happening is job seekers are using AI and they’re applying to maybe 100 jobs a day with their resume and their cover letter looking just perfect, and vomiting their resume out into the market,” Crapuchettes explained. “And guess what? AI likes the AI-written resumes better. And the problem is the AI-written resumes make it to the top of the stack, and then they bring those people in for interviews, and it turns out… That a perfect resume and a perfect employee are not the same thing.”

“AI is good at doing boring work, but actually having wisdom about a specific person is something that has to be distinctly human activity,” he continued. “Most of HR tech today is going to AI for everything, and that is causing this kind of wild disruption. So it’s harder and harder for people to get a job, because basically what’s happening is you’re taking a very complex human being… and whittling down to a piece of paper that we call a resume, and then AI is making decisions based on that.”

Crapuchettes admits that even at RedBalloon, AI has allowed his team to produce three times the work without adding a single person — a micro look at the macroeconomic shift.

“I basically tripled my engineering department without adding any more head count because of how we’re effectively using AI. And that’s a good thing, but in the short term, those are… a bunch of engineers that did not get hired at RedBalloon because we’re using AI effectively,” he said.

BLS data additionally showed that federal government employment is down 330,000 jobs, or 11%, from its October 2024 peak. Crapuchettes frames this as a “handcuff” being removed from the private sector, which he says has historically struggled to compete with government benefits.

“I know that I talked to employers over the last several years and they felt like they were always competing with the federal and state government for talent… Because it was their money they’re putting into the government, and then they’re hiring the people that they really needed to be able to grow their business,” the CEO noted.

“It’s going to be a short-term pain as you lose all those government jobs,” he reiterated. “They lose that income, but as they go into the private sector, it’s going to create economic activity that will long-term, I think, be very beneficial for America.”

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His best advice to American workers facing a tightening job market is to stay “AI-enabled,” arguing that even construction workers and truck drivers must adopt AI as a tool to remain unfireable.

“I hate to jump back on the AI bandwagon, but the reality is that the most common thing asked for across all jobs, all sectors at RedBalloon right now is AI enabled employees. So employers are looking for people who aren’t afraid to figure out how to use AI to be more effective and efficient in their job. And obviously that feels weird… Well, the reality is technology is allowing for productivity gains in those areas.”

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FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.

The U.S. economy shed jobs unexpectedly in February as employers pulled back to start 2026 amid economic uncertainty.

The Labor Department on Wednesday reported that employers shed 92,000 jobs in February. That figure was well below the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who estimated the economy would add 59,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate was 4.4%, slightly higher than economists’ expectations of 4.3%.

Revisions were made to the payroll numbers for the prior two months, with December’s report revised down by 65,000 jobs from a gain of 48,000 to a loss of 17,000, and January’s report revised down by 4,000 from a gain of 130,000 to 126,000.

Taken together, employment in December and January was 69,000 jobs lower than previously reported.

Private payrolls shed 86,000 jobs in February when economists expected a gain of 65,000 jobs for the month. January’s gain of 172,000 jobs was also revised down to 146,000.

Government payrolls contracted by 6,000 jobs in February. Job losses by the federal government (-10,000) and local governments (-1,000) were partially offset by job gains among state governments (+5,000). Federal government employment is down 330,000 jobs, or 11%, from its October 2024 peak.

The manufacturing sector lost 12,000 jobs in February, well below the expectations of LSEG economists, who predicted a gain of 3,000 jobs.

Healthcare employment declined by 28,000 jobs in February following an increase of 77,000 jobs for the sector in January. Physicians’ offices lost 37,400 jobs in February, primarily due to strike activity, while hospitals added 11,600 jobs. Over the last 12 months, healthcare averaged a gain of 36,000 jobs per month.

FED’S FAVORED INFLATION GAUGE SHOWED CONSUMER PRICE GROWTH REMAINED ELEVATED IN DECEMBER

The information sector lost 11,000 jobs in February, continuing a downward trend after averaging a loss of 5,000 jobs in the last 12 months.

The construction sector lost 11,000 jobs in February after posting a gain of 48,000 jobs in January.

Social assistance employers added 9,400 jobs in February, driven by individual and family services (+12,400).

Transportation and warehousing employment declined by 11,300 jobs. A loss among couriers and messengers (-16,600) was partially offset by a gain in air transportation (+5,100). Employment in the sector is down 157,000 jobs, or 2.4%, from a February 2025 peak.

US ECONOMY GREW SLOWER THAN EXPECTED IN FOURTH QUARTER

The number of long-term unemployed, defined as those who have been jobless for 27 weeks or more, was little changed at 1.9 million in February but is up from 1.5 million a year ago. The long-term unemployed accounted for 25.3% of all unemployed people in February.

The number of people who were employed part-time for economic reasons decreased by 477,000 to 4.4 million in February. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part-time because their hours were reduced or they were unable to find full-time jobs.

“There are a handful of things that may have distorted February’s data. Winter storms may explain the weakness in construction, for example, and nursing strikes might have dragged on healthcare,” said Elyse Ausenbaugh, head of investment strategy at JPMorgan Wealth Management. 

“Still, the pace of job gains over the last few months is still dramatically slower than it was in 2024 and much of 2025. This is going to make it harder for the Fed to sell the labor market stabilization narrative that’s been used to justify patience on further rate cuts. Add higher oil prices given conflict in the Middle East and renewed tariff uncertainty to the convoluted jobs market story, and you have a tricky, stagflationary mix of risks in the backdrop for the Fed,” Ausenbaugh added.

FED DISSENT GROWS AS SOME OFFICIALS WEIGH RETURN TO INTEREST RATE HIKES AMID STUBBORN INFLATION

Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial, said, “After lackluster job gains in 2025, the labor market is coming to a standstill. The three-month average is 6,000 and the six-month average is negative for the fourth time in five months.” 

“Looking ahead, we should expect the unemployment rate to rise. I don’t expect the Fed to act sooner than June, but if the labor market deteriorates faster than expected, officials could cut rates on April 29,” Roach added.

The latest jobs data did little to shift the market’s expectation that the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates unchanged when policymakers meet on March 17-18.

The CME FedWatch tool shows a 95.5% probability that the Fed will leave the benchmark federal funds rate unchanged at its current range of 3.5% to 3.75%. 

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Markets opened lower on Friday and declined further in response to the February jobs report data before paring some of those losses as the trading session progressed later into the morning.

After paring deeper losses, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.27%, while the S&P 500 was down 1.1% and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.92%.

EXCLUSIVE: New York and California are no longer just losing residents — they are losing an entire economic class.

As 2026 kicks off a fresh wave of “tax the rich” rhetoric in traditional financial hubs, top Florida developers tell Fox News Digital they are seeing a massive, permanent surge in capital migration. In just the last 60 days, two developers and one sales firm reported over $126 million in sales to buyers relocating from California and New York, signaling that the blue state exodus has moved from a temporary trickle to a flood of hundreds of millions of dollars.

“In our three projects… we saw over $60 million over the last 30 days, and I can tell you that in the last six months between the three projects combined, we sold over $200 million of product. We still see a lot of buyers coming from New York, California, New Jersey and Illinois. These are the main four markets,” BH Group CEO Isaac Toledano told Fox News Digital.

“We’re at roughly $50 million in Shoma Bay alone since the start of the year from New York and California buyers. What’s different now is the conviction,” Shoma Group CEO Masoud Shojaee also told Fox News Digital. “People aren’t just looking, they’re signing contracts, and that tells us this has staying power.”

FLORIDA CHAMBER C.E.O. SAYS HIGH-TAX STATES ARE IN A ‘DEATH SPIRAL’ AS $4M-AN-HOUR WEALTH MIGRATION ACCELERATES

“In just the first 60 days of 2026, we’ve already seen a significant increase in interest and activity at our condo projects. Based on this momentum, we anticipate total transactions this year will surpass 2025,” ISG World founder and CEO Craig Studnicky added, telling Fox News Digital they’ve seen $26 million in wealth migration from New York and California so far this year, up from $15 million the same time last year.

Based on these latest numbers, the three real estate tycoons agree that this isn’t just a slight uptick, but rather a compounding growth curve. And while Florida’s tax benefits have long been the hook for new residents, the catalysts for a new wave of high-net-worth individuals are the rise of socialist-leaning policies in New York and looming wealth taxes in California.

“We cannot ignore the fact that Mayor Mamdani, for the last few weeks, [has been] mentioning that they’re going to increase probably the real estate taxes and the wealth tax, and same in California,” Toledano said. “Here, everybody’s pushing that most likely we will see the real estate tax bills getting slashed… the mood here is completely different.”

“People are looking for simplicity… they wanna be confident. They wanna protect their business. They wanna have some clarity,” Shojaee added. “If there’s no predictability, if there is no trust, if there is no clarity, if there is no simplicity, the business is not gonna function. And that’s the issue that they have.”

The primary criticism of the Florida boom was that it was a pandemic anomaly. However, the 2026 data suggests this is a structural relocation of American wealth. Shojaee emphasized that when a CEO moves their home or headquarters, they aren’t coming for a vacation.

“If it was only just purchasing their real estate for the sake of purchasing real estate, yeah, I would say it could be a trend. But once you move your business and your wealth to Miami or Palm Beach or South Florida, that’s really permanent,” Shojaee said.

Studnicky backs this up with a dramatic shift in his own sales data, moving from part-time residents to full-time Floridians.

“Two-thirds of my U.S. sales before COVID were second homes,” Studnicky revealed. “That has completely [flipped]. Two-thirds are permanent residents.”

WALL STREET SOUTH EXPANSION: MANDARIN ORIENTAL ANCHORS NEW ‘BILLIONAIRE CORRIDOR’ IN WEST PALM BEACH

This influx of 24/7 business residents is forcing a fundamental redesign of Florida’s luxury landscape as developers are moving away from traditional resort amenities and toward infrastructure that supports a high-intensity professional life. For Studnicky, that means prioritizing the garage over the pool.

“When I sit with developers today… we talk about parking as much as we talk about the swimming pool,” Studnicky said. “Everyone’s coming with two cars, and they want to park their own cars… Parking’s become a big deal.”

Toledano added that the level of scrutiny from new residents has reached an all-time high as they look meticulously for environments to best suit their lifestyle.

“The buyers [in] the last few years became more sophisticated. They want to know more about the location, more about the developer, more about the architect, the interior designer, they [are] paying for product. And they want to make sure that they’re getting the best of the best,” Toledano said.

Concerns about the “Californication” or “New York-ifying” of Florida are overplayed, as the real estate experts argued that names like Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Sergey Brin aren’t coming to “recreate what they left behind.”

“I’ve been living here for 32 years, that concern is overstating,” Studnicky said. “The folks that are moving here, they’re fiscally very conservative and they’re deeply entrepreneurial and that entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve never seen it go alive anywhere as I do here in [South Florida].”

The ISG World founder added that President Donald Trump’s presence in Palm Beach also brings influence.

“Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach is the White House South. Donald Trump spends as much time at Mar-a-Lago as he actually does in the White House. In other words, his mere presence here is telling people… that this is a conservatively fiscal location and it’s extremely safe.”

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As the “Wall Street South” matures, the question is no longer if Florida can compete with the traditional financial capitals of the world, but when it might surpass them. As Toledano puts it, the current boom is likely just the preamble. If the current trajectory holds, South Florida of 2030 won’t just be a refuge for high-tax state residents — it will be the new center of gravity for American capital.

“I believe this is an evolution. This is not a competition,” Shojaee added. “It’s a big possibility that happens… and we will see the wealth that is moving here and that they’d rather be here.”

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Target announced on Thursday it will open its 2,000th store this month in North Carolina as part of an expansion that will include dozens more stores opening this year.

The milestone 2,000th location will open in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, on March 15. It will be Target’s 55th store in North Carolina. The new 148,000-square-foot store, located near Raleigh, will include a CVS Pharmacy, Starbucks Cafe and Disney Shop inside.

The company said this location “represents the future of Target’s elevated guest experience with its open, easily navigable layout, convenient same-day services and winning team delivering a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping visit.”

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Target also plans to open 30 new stores this year and 300 by 2035 in what the company described as a new chapter in its strategy to drive long-term, sustainable growth by investing in stores.

In addition to the new store in North Carolina, other new Target stores are set to open this month in Bakersfield and Delano, California; Springfield, Missouri; Jersey City and West Orange, New Jersey; and Dallas, Texas.

“Guests tell us all the time they want a Target closer to home, and this investment helps us do exactly that,” Adrienne Costanzo, chief stores officer at Target said in a press release. “That means even more neighborhoods will get the full Target experience: trend-forward style and value, technology that makes the trip effortless and awesome teams who deliver easy, inspiring and friendly moments every single day.”

The company said there is a Target store within 10 miles of most doorsteps across the U.S.

Target has listed more than 40 additional communities across 25 states that will eventually have a new store open. Based on the future store openings Target has already confirmed, the states that will have the most new stores are Florida, North Carolina and Texas.

It also said there would be more than 130 remodels on top of the store openings. Next-day delivery will also launch in more than 20 new metro areas, which the company said reaches 60% of the U.S. population.

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The retailer said it is “making a commitment to the neighborhoods it calls home.”

“Every time we open a new Target store, we’re planting roots in that community,” Costanzo said. “That means in addition to delivering a better shopping experience that’s faster and more reliable, we’re creating growth and opportunity — through good jobs, support for local nonprofits and long-term economic investment in the neighborhoods we serve. When our teams and communities thrive, so do we.”

Wendy’s has launched a nationwide contest offering one fan the opportunity to become the company’s “Chief Tasting Officer,” a role tied to a $100,000 compensation package.

The Wendy’s Chief Tasting Officer contest began March 2 and runs through March 30, according to the contest’s official rules.

The grand prize includes “the opportunity to become Wendy’s Chief Tasting Officer and employment by Wendy’s as an independent contractor, receiving a salary equal to $100,000,” conditioned upon completing specified social media content deliverables under contract.

Wendy’s said it is looking for “one lucky fan with genuine brand love, creativity, and a personality that fits everything Wendy’s stands for.”

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“If you’re the type who cares more about fresh, never frozen beef than climbing the corporate ladder or knows more about JBCs than KPIs—we want you,” the company said. “Apply here and show us what you’ve got.”

The contest comes as fast-food brands exchange jabs online.

A recent video posted by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski reviewing the chain’s new Big Arch burger drew attention after he described the sandwich as a “delicious product.”

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“Holy cow! God, that is a big burger,” Kempczinski said. “That is so good.”

The McDonald’s website describes the limited-time burger as featuring two quarter-pound patties, three slices of cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles, along with crispy and slivered onions and a “tangy [and] creamy” sauce.

Social media users reacted in the comments.

“He acts like he’s never seen a burger before. Impressed by sesame seeds,” one Instagram user wrote.

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“That was the smallest first bite I’ve ever seen,” another said.

“It scares me when you call food ‘product,’” a third added.

Wendy’s official X account reposted a video shared by account PopCrave, writing: “This is what it looks like when you don’t have to pretend to like your ‘product’”

Popeyes’ official X account posted their own clapback, writing: “they really do need to hire someone to taste their food to be fair.”

Wendy’s responded: “Flopeyes”

According to the official rules, the contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., who are 18 years of age or older. No purchase is necessary.

Participants can enter by posting a public 60-second video on Instagram or TikTok using #WendysCTOContest and tagging @Wendys, or by uploading a submission through www.wendyschieftastingofficer.com.

Entries that feature Wendy’s products, logos, stores or branding receive five additional points during judging.

Ten finalists will be selected based on creativity, brand love, brand safety, personality and potential. Each category accounts for 20% of the judging score.

The company’s promotional listing describes the position as:

Title: Chief Tasting Officer
Pay: $100,000
Job Type: Dream

The required credentials include: “A human mouth. A pulse. Opinions. Creativity. Taste.”

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Babydog Justice, the English bulldog and beloved mascot belonging to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, also reacted on X.

“I noticed being human is a requirement for this role… @Wendys is barking up the wrong tree,” the account wrote. “This job is clearly meant for a paw-fessional taste tester like me!”

Entrants must be at least 18 years old and legal residents of the United States or Washington, D.C.

Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis contributed to this reporting.

Allstate has been ordered to face a lawsuit alleging the insurance giant tracked drivers through their cellphones without their consent and tried to cash in on the data to boost profits.

A federal judge in Chicago ruled Tuesday that drivers can move ahead with a proposed class action accusing Allstate of illegally collecting detailed cellphone data, including location, speed, braking, acceleration and phone use, Reuters reported.

The Illinois-based company is being accused of using that information to raise premiums and deny coverage, as well as selling the data to other insurers.

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Drivers may also seek to prove that Allstate’s data analytics arm, Arity, violated federal law by misreporting their driving behavior, according to Reuters.

The lawsuit alleges Arity’s tracking software was built into apps including GasBuddy, Fuel Rewards, Life360 and Routely.

The judge allowed drivers to proceed with claims under the laws of 20 states, while throwing out three of the 38 claims in the case.

Meanwhile, Allstate argued that drivers did not claim the company actually collected their data or raised their insurance rates. 

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The insurer also said its privacy policies made clear that data could be collected.

“Consumers who choose to share driving data through Arity-powered apps can access emergency assistance, track fuel efficiency and unlock personalized insurance rates after a clear notice and explicit opt-in process,” Allstate told FOX Business in an email.

The case combines 15 separate lawsuits filed against Allstate, Reuters reported.

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Insurance companies including Allstate, Progressive and Geico use telematics technology to track driving behavior, saying it can reward safe drivers with lower premiums, according to Reuters.

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In January 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a similar lawsuit accusing Allstate and Arity of unlawfully collecting, using and selling Texans’ cellphone location and movement data through software embedded in mobile apps, including Life360.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs could not be immediately reached by FOX Business for comment.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Sports fans, you now have an opportunity to be rewarded just for being yourself.

Wunderfan is a startup app with which you can watch, attend or even talk about sporting events and turn earned “Wunder” points into rewards.

From attending and watching games to participating in pick’em contests and receiving curated sports content, Wunderfan delivers a seamless experience that puts fans first and ensures they finally win.

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“Simply put, it’s a loyalty app, and it’s all based on fan engagement,” co-founder Michael Testa said in a recent interview with FOX Business.

“Anything you’re doing when you open up your phone and are checking on sports, we think that you should be rewarded for it.”

Testa said Wunderfan values “passion as a currency,” whereas major companies value “currency as a currency.”

“Spend all your money with us, lose all your money betting and we’ll give you some rewards points.’ Not us. We’re saying, ‘Hey, are you watching a football game? Snap a photo and earn rewards,” Testa said.

“Are you attending with that hard-earned money? Get some money back in rewards. Are you buying tickets? Buy tickets through our ticket marketplace, get rewarded for that or use your Wunder points to buy the tickets. Are you scrolling social media? Why don’t you do it through our app and earn rewards for it?’

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“We’re continuing to build this feature set where anytime you open your phone to check on sports, we want to be the all-in-one sports engagement app, and you’re gonna check Wunderfan when you look at your sports apps.”

Last month, Wunderfan closed on a $3.1 million investment led by Sororibus Capital. The funding will support the company’s continued growth as it builds the next generation of fan engagement and loyalty in sports.

Wunderfan also has its own ticketing platform that offers another opportunity to earn rewards like merchandise, gift cards, vouchers and additional tickets and experiences.

Testa’s long-term goal for Wunderfan is to “become the sports engagement everything app” and become the sports version of Robinhood.

“I gotta pay homage to my guy, Vlad Tenev, building Robinhood. They’re becoming the all-in-one financial app. Anytime you check your stocks, crypto, Roth IRA, anything like that, when you open anything about finances, people are now opening Robinhood. We’re gonna do the same thing for sports,” Testa said.

“Our product roadmap is so robust. Instead of going to TheScore or ESPN to check your scores — or Apple Scores soon enough — we’ll have you go to Wunderfan. Anytime you want to comment on something, why not earn rewards for messaging on the message board, right? We’ll police it. Don’t worry, you gotta be kind. Wunderfan is a kind platform. 

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“But anything you want to do related to sports that’s on your phone, Wunderfan’s gonna be the go-to place.”

If you blast a video without headphones on a United flight, you could lose your seat.

United Airlines confirmed to FOX Business that it updated its Contract of Carriage to add headphone language under Rule 21, or the airline’s “Refusal of Transport” section, giving the carrier authority to deny boarding or remove passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.

The new language places the headphone requirement alongside other behaviors that can result in removal, including refusal to follow crew instructions and disruptive conduct.

“The Contract of Carriage was updated Feb. 27 to add the headphone language,” a United spokesperson told FOX Business. “We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content – and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones. With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”

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While most airlines encourage headphone use as a courtesy, United’s decision to embed the requirement within its formal refusal policy elevates what was once considered etiquette into enforceable contract language.

The timing coincides with the airline’s rollout of Starlink satellite internet service, which is expected to increase device use during flights.

Delta Air Lines tells passengers on its website, “For the comfort of everyone around you, please use earbuds or headphones with any personal electronic device during your flight.”

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Southwest Airlines states that “Headphones are required whenever a passenger is listening to any audio,” though neither carrier publicly frames the rule within refusal-of-transport language.

United did not indicate how frequently the provision has been enforced, but its placement under its “Refusal of Transport” makes clear that passengers who refuse to comply could face denial of boarding at the gate or removal from the aircraft.

The update follows years of mounting frustration over in-flight speakerphone and video use, a tension captured in a viral 2023 clip taken on an American Airlines flight.

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In the video, an American Airlines pilot delivered a blunt pre-flight message to passengers.

“The social experiment on listening to videos on speaker mode and talking on a cellphone on speaker mode, that is over — over and done in this country,” the pilot said. “Nobody wants to hear your video. … Use your AirPods, use your headphones, whatever it is. That’s your business.”

The speech drew applause from passengers and reignited debate over basic travel courtesy in confined spaces.

Etiquette expert and author of “Was it Something I Said?” Alison Cheperdak told FOX Business the policy reflects broader calls for civility.

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“While in a perfect world people would know not to use speaker phone or listen to content without headphones in confined public spaces, this is a move in the right direction,” Cheperdak said. “The policy encourages kindness and consideration.”

United Airlines is now the first carrier to make clear that cabin courtesy is no longer just being polite, but a condition of carriage.

Cracker Barrel reported a drop in quarterly revenue and profit as the company continues to recover from last summer’s rebranding controversy, though CEO Julie Masino says early signs of a turnaround are beginning to emerge.

Speaking during the Tennessee-based restaurant and retail chain’s fiscal second-quarter 2026 earnings call on Wednesday, Masino said that the company is focused on strengthening operations, refining its menu and marketing strategy to better connect with customers, and reducing costs to improve profitability.

“We’re gaining traction and are encouraged by some important guest metrics and green shoots around traffic, and we’re energized in terms of driving improved performance,” Masino said.

Cracker Barrel posted second-quarter revenue of $874.8 million, down 7.9% from a year earlier. 

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Comparable restaurant sales fell 7.1%, largely driven by a 10.1% drop in traffic, while comparable retail sales slid 9.2%, according to chief financial officer Craig Pommells.

Net income totaled $1.3 million, a sharp decrease from $22.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Despite the declines, results topped Wall Street expectations.

Masino highlighted improving employee turnover rates and a higher Google star rating as evidence that the company’s turnaround efforts are gaining traction.

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“We view all of these metrics as important leading indicators and are confident that these gains will translate into improved traffic over time,” she said.

As part of its strategy to win back customers, Cracker Barrel has also reintroduced popular limited-time offerings, including Country Fried Turkey, and added new menu items such as a breakfast burger and Garden and Farmhouse Scrambles.

The company’s loyalty program now has more than 11 million members and accounts for over 40% of tracked sales. Masino said loyalty member traffic has held up better than nonmembers since August.

“We’re committed to operating with excellence, and we’re implementing actions to improve profitability, all to strengthen the business and to return to positive momentum,” Masino said.

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The revenue slump follows backlash last summer after Cracker Barrel announced changes to its logo and store interiors, including removing the “old timer” from its branding. 

The company reversed course less than a week later after complaints from customers.

Masino has previously cautioned that the company’s recovery will take time.

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Cracker Barrel did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.