A federal judge denied the Associated Press’s request for a temporary restraining order against a White House ban restricting their access to President Trump’s events. While expressing skepticism about the ban’s legality and describing it as “discriminatory,” the judge cited a lack of “irreparable harm” to the AP and scheduled a hearing for March 20th to consider a preliminary injunction. The White House maintains its position, asserting that access to the President is a privilege, not a right. The AP, supported by numerous news organizations, argues the ban violates the First and Fifth Amendments.
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Following a government-wide email demanding weekly work reports, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advised employees not to respond, citing the risk of exposure to malign foreign actors. HHS emphasized that non-response would have no employment consequences, but cautioned that responses should be generic to protect sensitive data. This warning followed similar guidance from other agencies, while the Department of Transportation instructed its employees to respond. The email request, initiated by Elon Musk, has sparked controversy, with President Trump voicing support, while concerns remain about national security risks and the potential use of AI to evaluate employee necessity.
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Two individuals, one in Wyoming and one in Ohio, were hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, highlighting the virus’s potential severity. The Wyoming patient, exposed to infected poultry, remains hospitalized, while the Ohio patient, exposed during poultry depopulation, has recovered. These cases underscore concerns about reassortment with seasonal flu, potentially creating a pandemic-capable virus, given the current severe flu season. Prior H1N1 infection may offer some cross-protection, but its extent remains uncertain.
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Following mass firings at the FDA, numerous probationary staffers, primarily in medical device and food safety review, were unexpectedly reinstated. This reversal, impacting entire teams, followed industry lobbying efforts and resulted from the chaotic cost-cutting measures implemented by the administration. The reinstatements primarily affected those whose roles were partially funded by industry fees, unlike employees in other divisions, such as the tobacco center, which received no such reversal. The FDA has not yet released official figures on the number of employees fired or reinstated, but the situation highlights the significant disruption caused by the initial terminations and their subsequent reversal.
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DoorDash will pay $16.75 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that, between May 2017 and September 2019, the company improperly used customer tips to lower its own payments to New York delivery drivers. The Attorney General’s office claimed this practice was deceptive as it wasn’t disclosed to customers. This settlement provides restitution to affected workers, and DoorDash maintains that its past pay model was compliant, despite resolving the years-long legal dispute. The company has since abandoned this pay structure.
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Following a failed attempt to secure a buyer willing to maintain its operations, Joann Fabrics will close all 800 of its stores nationwide. A nationwide going-out-of-business sale will commence immediately, as mandated by the winning bidder in the asset auction. Despite exploring all options to remain operational, the company will now wind down its operations after more than 80 years. Founded during World War II, Joann experienced periods of both success and financial struggles, ultimately succumbing to declining sales and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection twice. The company will work to minimize the impact on its 19,000 employees and customers during this closure.
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Following online criticism of a video depicting CEO Tom Hill seemingly performing a Nazi salute at a company event, Hill resigned from Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI). In response, ESI announced internal restructuring, including a new Corporate Responsibility Task Force and the appointment of Neil Nelson as CEO. Boise State University, a past ESI client, acknowledged the incident and expressed its expectation that ESI uphold its commitments to address the situation. The company aims to move forward with a renewed focus on compassion and ethical conduct.
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User feedback revealed significant issues with video ad playback. Problems reported included slow loading, frozen or incomplete ads, and failure to initiate video content following the ad. Additionally, excessive audio volume was a common complaint. These issues highlight a need for improved video ad delivery and user experience.
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Federal employee unions have sued Elon Musk and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) over an email demanding all federal workers justify their jobs within a short timeframe or face termination. The lawsuit alleges this action violates federal workforce laws and exceeds OPM’s authority. Conflicting guidance from various agencies, including some Trump appointees instructing staff *not* to respond, further fueled confusion and worker anxieties. This latest action is part of a broader effort by Musk, under President Trump’s direction, to drastically reduce the federal workforce, leading to widespread criticism and legal challenges.
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To streamline operations and improve efficiency, Starbucks is eliminating 1,100 corporate positions globally, alongside several hundred unfilled roles. This restructuring, announced by new CEO Brian Niccol, aims to reduce complexity and improve accountability within the company’s corporate structure. The layoffs do not affect Starbucks’ store-level baristas. This action follows similar workforce reductions at other large companies and comes as Starbucks seeks to revitalize sales and enhance customer experience.
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John Q. Hosedrinker