Business

Saturday, May 2, 2026

WGA’s new contract goes into effect today

Business/WGA Contract— The Writers Guild of America’s unprecedented new contract takes effect today. Unlike previous agreements with the studios, instead of three years, this contract runs four years, from May 2, 2026, through May 1, 2030.  A tentative agreement was reached early last month. Then, once all the votes were counted on April 24, it was announced the rank-and-file of […]
Tuesday, April 28, 2026

‘Michael’ biopic explodes at the box office with huge opening

Movies/Box Office— “Michael” the movie easily moonwalked to the top of the box office on its opening weekend. Defying expectations and criticism about the storyline, the biopic of the “King of Pop” hauled in $97 million at the domestic box office and a total of $218 million worldwide. The movie scored the biggest opening ever for a biopic and shows […]
Thursday, April 23, 2026

Recent data shows Trump’s economy is squeezing US credit card holders

Economy/Credit Cards—   By Mark Richardson, producer, Oregon News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Consumer advocates said price increases and high interest have many Americans, including Oregonians, drowning in debt and lawmakers have failed to protect them. A new analysis of credit card holders found more than 40% of U.S. adults cannot pay off their credit card balances monthly, […]
Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Disney begins laying off hundreds of employees

ENTERTAINMENT/Layoffs— The new Disney CEO calls it “streamlining” our operations. No matter what you call it. Hundreds of employees are losing their jobs, and that’s downright painful. Some reports say the number is as high as a thousand people being let go. CEO Josh D’Amaro reportedly sent a memo to employees this morning announcing the layoffs were underway and that […]
Monday, April 6, 2026

Writers Guild of America makes a new deal with the Hollywood producers

Hollywood/New WGA Deal— A big surprise over the weekend. One that many in Hollywood are cheering. The Writers Guild of America reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Hollywood Studios and streamers. Negotiations began only a few weeks ago. Details are still sketchy, but the agreement reportedly covers four years, rather than the usual three. It’s not […]
Friday, March 6, 2026

The nation’s top low-wage employers and the affordability crisis

Labor/Low-Wages—   Eric Galatas, producer, Colorado News Connection, bureau of Public News Service.   The debate over the nation’s persistent affordability crisis has mostly focused on the rising costs of such essentials as housing, groceries, and health care. But a new report digs into the other side of that equation: low worker wages. While companies such as Amazon, FedEx, Target, […]
Monday, February 23, 2026

Hallmark Media moves to Burbank

Entertainment/Business—     Hallmark Media Moves to Burbank’s Media District   Burbank, CA (February 23, 2026) – The City of Burbank is excited to welcome Hallmark Media as the company establishes operations in the Media District at 3300 W. Olive Avenue. The company’s new office space spans approximately 60,000 square feet and adds more than 200 employees to the City’s robust […]
Saturday, January 24, 2026

Lookout for car dealer scams

Car Dealer Scams   Suzanne Potter, producer, California News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.   Experts in California consumer law are warning car buyers about “yo-yo” scams, in which people take the car home but are called back to the lot a few days later to sign new financing paperwork, often at a higher rate. Many buyers don’t realize […]