BUSINESS

May 14 2026BUSINESS

Dutch Bros makes its first Chicago stop in Melrose Park

A coffee chain famous for its high-energy crews and custom drinks is opening its first Illinois location outside the college towns it usually targets. Dutch Bros picked Melrose Park, a mostly residential suburb west of the city, to launch its Chicago-area push. More shops are planned for Oak Park an

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May 14 2026BUSINESS

New faces take over Glenview Corner Bakery as Chicago chain grows

A suburban Chicago café just got a fresh start under new owners Chad and Brittany Moore, who now run the Glenview Corner Bakery location. The couple brings years of food service experience to the job, including stints in a family-run business and a busy deli in Los Angeles. Their connection to the b

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May 14 2026BUSINESS

Walmart’s Tech Shake-Up: Why 1, 000 Jobs Are on the Move

Walmart is reshuffling about 1, 000 tech and AI workers, but don’t blame the robots—at least not directly. The cuts aren’t about AI replacing human roles. Instead, the retail giant spent the past year merging three separate tech teams (for U. S. stores, Sam’s Club, and international operations) into

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

AI Queries Can Turn Into Legal Traps

A CFO might ask an AI about antitrust risks before a board meeting, thinking it’s just a quick check. But the answer could become evidence against her company if regulators step in. The issue comes from a recent court case involving Bradley Heppner, a former Texas finance chief. In 2023 he was char

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Why AI’s Efficiency Makes Real Trust Even More Valuable

AI tools can now write emails, posts, and ads in seconds, making every brand sound polished. But when everything looks perfect, nothing stands out. People start to suspect they’re just seeing another bot behind the curtain. The brands that win aren’t the ones with the fastest typing fingers—they’re

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Plans for a vacant site: balancing progress and concerns

Churchill’s empty Westinghouse site has been a blank canvas for decades, ever since the tech company downsized there in the late '90s. Now, plans are in motion to turn the 150-acre property into a busy hub of homes, shops, and services. Developers want to add everything from daycare centers to gas s

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Two Tech Titans Clash: What the OpenAI Court Battle Reveals About Power and Trust

The courtroom drama between two of Silicon Valley’s most recognizable figures—one known for flashy rockets and electric cars, the other for a chatbot that took the world by storm—has exposed deep divides over how artificial intelligence should be shaped and who gets to control it. At the heart of th

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Why Roller Rabbit Got Away with Staying in Nantucket

Nantucket has a rule to protect its small-town charm: no big chain stores. But Roller Rabbit, a trendy sleepwear brand, found a loophole. Instead of closing up, it rebranded as a "general store, " selling other brands alongside its own. Now, locals are frustrated because this seems like a sneaky way

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May 13 2026BUSINESS

Why Iran’s Strait Shut-Down Is Making Gas Prices Jump

For weeks, ships carrying oil from the biggest producers in the Middle East have been stuck near Iran. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that normally moves one in every five barrels of world oil, has been blocked since fighting flared up. Because so much supply is stuck, countries are racing

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May 12 2026BUSINESS

BuzzFeed sells to Byron Allen in major shake-up

A major digital media player is changing hands. BuzzFeed Inc. , once a high-flying online powerhouse, is selling its majority stake to entertainment entrepreneur Byron Allen for $120 million. The deal covers 52% of the company, with Allen acquiring 40 million shares at $3 each. He kicks off the deal

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