GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars
GM Axes Robotaxis, Refocuses On Personal Cars General Motors (GM) has announced a major shift in its autonomous vehicle strategy, discontinuing the development of robotaxis through its subsidiary Cruise LLC.  The company will instead focus on integrating autonomous and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) into personal vehicles. The decision, announced this week, comes as GM evaluates the time, costs, and competitive challenges associated with scaling a robotaxi business.  “GM is committed to delivering the best driving experiences to our customers in a disciplined and capital-efficient manner,” said Mary Barra, GM Chai…
Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items
Shoplifting Costs Retailers Billions: These Are Most Frequently Stolen Items Shoplifting in the US is a costly epidemic, with retailers losing over $120 billion last year. The trend focuses on easily concealed, high-demand products at major retailers like Walmart and Target, posing a nationwide challenge for store owners and law enforcement. Electronics, health and beauty products, and food items are among the most commonly stolen goods, Capital One Shopping reports.  Small gadgets such as headphones and phone chargers, alongside over-the-counter medications and cosmetics, are frequent targets.  Alcohol, baby formula, and packaged meats are also popular …
Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads
Just Released New iOS Update Brings AI, Custom Emoji Access To iPhones, iPads Apple has unveiled new updates that bring advanced AI and emoji tools to its iPhone and iPad devices.  Released on Wednesday, Dec. 11, iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 expand Apple Intelligence with features like ChatGPT integration, custom emoji creation, and visual design tools. Key Updates ChatGPT Integration: Siri and Writing Tools now support ChatGPT for generating content, solving problems, and enhancing productivity. Privacy settings ensure user control over data. Image Playground: This tool allows users to design custom visuals by inputting text descriptions, wit…
Hundreds Of Jobs On The Table As Wegmans Expands With New Location In Montgomery County Hundreds Of Jobs On The Table As Wegmans Expands With New Location In Montgomery County
Hundreds Of Jobs On The Table As Wegmans Expands With New Location In Montgomery County Progress is rolling right along in Montgomery County as Wegmans prepares to open its ninth Maryland location next year.  Applications are now being accepted for the new Rockville store, which is slated to open in late summer 2025 near Rockville Pike and Halpine Road in the Twinbrook Quarter neighborhood. The 80,000-square-foot grocery store is expected to bring upwards of 500 full- and part-time jobs to the community and will be part of the new Twinbrook Quarter development.  For those worried about parking in the area, fear not—Wegmans officials confirmed the location will inclu…
Popular Baltimore Mexican Restaurant Nacho Mama's Closing After 30 Years Popular Baltimore Mexican Restaurant Nacho Mama's Closing After 30 Years
Popular Baltimore Mexican Restaurant Nacho Mama's Closing After 30 Years Nacho Mama’s, a Baltimore staple famous for its hubcap margaritas, Natty Bohs, and Maryland-Mex fare, will soon close the doors of its Canton and Towson locations after more than 30 years of serving the community. The McCusker family, a cherished part of the region for decades, announced this week that both restaurants will serve their final meals on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. “Although this decision has not been easy for us, our family is grateful to our community that we have been blessed to serve for over three decades,” they wrote in a letter to the community. Jackie McCusker, wife of the …
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms
Meta Outages: Thousands Experiencing Issues With Facebook, Instagram, Other Platforms Tens of thousands of Meta users are experiencing outages across its platforms. Just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, there were numerous reports of outages on Downdetector.com, including 69,000 on Instagram, over 1,000 on Facebook, and 10,000 on WhatsApp. Meta issued a statement on the outages on X at around 1:45 p.m. "We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some users’ ability to access our apps," the statement said. "We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience." We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some use…
Wawa Jackpot: Maryland Store Serves Up Winning $1M Mega Millions Prize Wawa Jackpot: Maryland Store Serves Up Winning $1M Mega Millions Prize
Wawa Jackpot: Maryland Store Serves Up Winning $1M Mega Millions Prize Someone in Maryland just went from coffee runs to cash runs after buying a $1 million Mega Millions ticket at a local Wawa, Lottery officials announced. The lucky ticket was sold in Harford County at Wawa on Belair Road in Bel Air, making the retailer $2,500 richer with a Lottery bonus, and putting the winner in a new tax bracket.  The Tuesday, Dec. 10 drawing numbers—12-14-26-48-52, and Mega Ball 21—didn’t deliver the $670 million jackpot, but they certainly delivered joy to one Marylander who can come claim a seven-figure prize. This marks the second $1 million Mega Millions winner …
Krispy Kreme Serves Up $1 Dozens For This One Day Only Krispy Kreme Serves Up $1 Dozens For This One Day Only
Krispy Kreme Serves Up $1 Dozens For This One Day Only Krispy Kreme is bringing back its annual “Day of the Dozens” promotion, offering a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $1 with the purchase of any dozen doughnuts or a 16-count of Minis at regular price.  The offer is available for in-shop and drive-thru purchases, as well as online orders. The promotion will take place on Thursday, Dec. 12, at participating locations.  Customers can redeem the offer twice in-store or via drive-thru, while online orders are limited to one redemption using the promo code “DOZEN.” The promotion coincides with Krispy Kreme’s “Elf” Holiday Collectio…
Montgomery County Restaurant Manager Charged After Using Customer’s Forgotten Credit Card: PD Montgomery County Restaurant Manager Charged After Using Customer’s Forgotten Credit Card: PD
Montgomery County Restaurant Manager Charged After Using Customer’s Forgotten Credit Card: PD A 30-year-old Montgomery County woman is facing charges after allegedly using a customer's credit card left behind at the restaurant where she worked, according to police.  Rockville resident Brooke Chambers, 30, has been charged with theft and credit card-related offenses following an incident in July at Silo Falls Restaurant in Brookeville, where she was a manager at the time, authorities announced on Tuesday. According to the Montgomery County Department of Police, the victim dined at the restaurant and mistakenly left their credit card behind.  Days later, the victim’s bank f…
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures
Drugstore Deserts On Rise Amid Nationwide Pharmacy Closures Nearly 30 percent of US pharmacies closed between 2010 and 2021, according to a new study in the health-policy publication Health Affairs. The research, led by University of California Berkeley assistant professor Jenny S. Guadamuz and colleagues, analyzed data from the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs, county health statistics, and ZIP Code demographic surveys.  Of the 88,930 retail pharmacies operating in 2010, almost one-third shuttered by 2021, with those in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods disproportionately affected, Independent pharmacies were hit ha…
Wendy’s Begins Closures Of 140 Locations Nationwide Wendy’s Begins Closures Of 140 Locations Nationwide
Wendy’s Begins Closures Of 140 Locations Nationwide Wendy’s has started planned closures of 140 restaurants across the US. The closures are part of a strategic effort to streamline operations and focus on more profitable locations amid rising operational costs and stiff competition. Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner said the restaurant selected for closure are “outdated and located in underperforming areas,” according to CEO Today. The closures are expected to end by year's end. Two Ohio locations were among the first to close, according to the Dayton Daily News. Other locations of scheduled closures have not been released. Customers voiced frustr…
Wawa Outranks Sheetz On Forbes' Top Private Companies List Wawa Outranks Sheetz On Forbes' Top Private Companies List
Wawa Outranks Sheetz On Forbes' Top Private Companies List Pennsylvania's favorite convenience store rivalry has tipped in Wawa's favor, according to Forbes' latest rankings of the top private companies. Wawa snagged a higher spot than Sheetz on Forbes' 2024 list of America’s largest private companies, underscoring its dominance in the convenience store industry. The list, released earlier this week, evaluates companies based on revenue, employee numbers, and other metrics. Wawa operates over 1,000 stores and employs about 47,000 people across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Florida. Known for its iconi…
Healthcare Companies Boost Executive Security After CEO's Manhattan Slaying Healthcare Companies Boost Executive Security After CEO's Manhattan Slaying
Healthcare Companies Boost Executive Security After CEO's Manhattan Slaying Healthcare companies are intensifying security measures for their executives following the targeted fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in midtown Manhattan this week. The incident prompted security officials at major companies to hold a conference call on Wednesday, Dec. 4, the day of the shooting, to assess risks for their senior leadership teams, according to the Financial Times. “Could this happen to us? What are we not doing today that we could be doing?" Dave Komendat, founder of a risk management service told the outlet. "These were the questions chief sec…
McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade
McComeback! Elusive Snack Wrap Returning To McDonald's Menu After Nearly Decade Get your dipping sauces ready. McDonald’s is bringing back its elusive Snack Wrap nearly a decade after the cult-favorite menu item flew the coop. “The Snack Wrap will be back in 2025,” McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger teased during an appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday, Dec. 5. “This has a cult following," he added. "I get so many emails into my inbox about this product.” When pressed for an exact date by host George Stephanopoulos, Erlinger opted to keep things under wraps, citing “competitive reasons.” The original Snack Wrap debuted in 2006, featuring a tender p…
Prime Coffee & Bakery To Celebrate Grand Opening In Montgomery County Prime Coffee & Bakery To Celebrate Grand Opening In Montgomery County
Prime Coffee & Bakery To Celebrate Grand Opening In Montgomery County A long-awaited bakery and coffee shop in downtown Silver Spring is set to open its doors this week, much to the delight of Montgomery County residents. Prime Coffee & Bakery will be hosting a grand opening celebration beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at its new location on Thayer Avenue, where they will serve freshly roasted beverages, pastries, sandwiches, soups, and salads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prime Coffee & Bakery (@primecoffee_bakery) "At Prime Coffee & Bakery, we believe in making a difference b…
Whole Foods Opens First 'Daily Shop' Store: Here's Where, What's Inside Whole Foods Opens First 'Daily Shop' Store: Here's Where, What's Inside
Whole Foods Opens First 'Daily Shop' Store: Here's Where, What's Inside Whole Foods Market has unveiled its first-ever 'Daily Shop,' a smaller-format store designed for urban convenience. The debut location is in New York City, in Manhattan’s Lenox Hill neighborhood. The 9,101-square-foot store at 1175 Third Avenue is tailored to meet the fast-paced needs of Upper East side residents with its compact size and curated offerings. “New York City has been home to Whole Foods for over 20 years, and we’re excited to expand our presence with this innovative new format,” said Christina Minardi, executive vice president of growth and development at Whole Food…
Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down
Moderation Mess: Meta Admits Harmless Content Often Gets Taken Down Meta is admitting that harmless content gets taken down amid criticism for its handling of moderation. “Too often, harmless content gets taken down, or restricted, and too many people get penalized unfairly,” the company's president of global affairs, Nick Glegg, told reporters on Monday, Dec. 2, according to a report in The Verge. Meta's platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp. Despite advancements in AI moderation, Clegg acknowledged there is still “work to do” in ensuring fair and accurate enforcement, the report said. Meta has promised to refine its…
Bethesda-Based Marriott Announces Plans To Lay Off Over 800 Employees Bethesda-Based Marriott Announces Plans To Lay Off Over 800 Employees
Bethesda-Based Marriott Announces Plans To Lay Off Over 800 Employees Global hotel chain Marriott International is planning to lay off hundreds of employees by the start of the new year. According to a Maryland Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing, the company, based in Bethesda, listed 833 people slated to lose their jobs by Wednesday, Jan. 3. Despite the development, Chief Executive Officer Anthony Capuano said business is solid. "Our business momentum is excellent, and as a company that embraces change, we continue to evolve our business to support our global growth," Capuano said in a third-quarter earnings call late last month,…
One Of Three Winning $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Montgomery County 7-Eleven One Of Three Winning $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Montgomery County 7-Eleven
One Of Three Winning $50K Powerball Tickets Sold At Montgomery County 7-Eleven Talk about spreading the wealth!  Maryland saw three lucky winners each score $50,000 prizes in the latest Powerball drawing on Monday, Dec. 2, making for some very happy holidays. The third-tier winning tickets were sold in Takoma Park, Pasadena, and Landover at: 7-Eleven, 900 Merrimac Drive, Takoma Park (Montgomery County); John’s Liquor & General Store, 812 Duvall Highway, Pasadena (Anne Arundel County); Landover Hills Exxon, 6579 Annapolis Road, Landover (Prince George’s County). Although no one took home the jackpot, Maryland had 9,459 winners who snagged prizes ranging fr…
Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division
Hearst Lays Off Around 200 Employees From Magazine Division Hearst Magazines has just fired around 200 employees, most of whom were assigned to the company's midtown Manhattan headquarters, according to multiple reports. Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Men's Health, Popular Mechanics, Town & Country, and Harper's Bazaar are among the titles the division of Hearts Communications publishes. Affected employees were notified in a private meeting days before Thanksgiving, according to New York Magazine. Some of the Hearst publications :were already run by a skeleton crew" after years of downsizing, the report in New York said.
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination
Cucumbers, Eggs Recalled Due To Risk Of Salmonella Contamination Cucumbers distributed throughout the US and Canada and organic eggs sold in 25 Costco stores in several states have been recalled due to the risk of Salmonella contamination. Cucumber recall SunFed Produce, LLC (SunFed) is recalling all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V." The recalled cucumbers were sold between Saturday, Oct. 12, through Thursday, Nov. 26, 2024. The whole fresh America…
End Of An Era: Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo To Close After 39 Years Leacy Of Love And Memories End Of An Era: Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo To Close After 39 Years Leacy Of Love And Memories
End Of An Era: Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo To Close After 39 Years Leacy Of Love And Memories After 39 years of helping couples say “I do” in style, Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo is closing its doors for good.  The shop, the first bridal boutique in the community, will wrap up operations on Monday, Dec. 23, owners Flavia and Dora Vasquez announced. “It’s bittersweet,” they shared, noting that the closure allows Dora to embrace retirement while Flavia spends more time with family.  Since 1986, Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo has been the go-to destination for brides and grooms, known for expert advice and impeccable service.  With their closing date set, the shop is ho…
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US
Amazon Workers Go On Strike, Protest In 20 Nations, Including US Amid the busiest shopping weekend of the holiday season, workers for Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, have gone on strike. Protesting under the banner of “Make Amazon Pay.” employees have walked off the job across six continents in 20 countries, including the United States. The strike is scheduled to last from Black Friday on Nov. 29 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, the UNI Global Union announced, saying protests will be held in majors cities in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and elsewhere. The strike could cause customers' holiday deliveries …
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving
New Update On Food Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving meals just a day away, there are concerns over the nation's food supply after multiple major recalls the last few days. Federal authorities are now saying that all products linked to the outbreaks are off the shelves and products currently being sold are safe to eat. After a deadly E. coli outbreak, a California-based company pulled bagged organic carrots from such popular retailers as Whole Foods, Walmart and Trader Joe's.  For the latest info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here. In a Listeria outbreak linked to meat and poultry pr…
Winning $50K 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Montgomery County Food Store Winning $50K 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Montgomery County Food Store
Winning $50K 'Powerball' Ticket Sold At Montgomery County Food Store No one took home the $184 million Powerball jackpot on Monday, but one lucky lotto player in Maryland also cashed in on a five-figure ticket sold at an area food store. Officials say that a third-tier winning ticket worth a $50,000 prize was sold at the Shoppers Food store in Germantown in the 18000 block of Mateny Road. It was the largest win out of thousands statewide starting at $4.  The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Monday, Nov. 25 were 05-35-45-60-63 with a Powerball of 12 and the Power Play multiplier was 2X.  It marks the 56th third-tier Powerball…
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says
Macy's Employee Hid Up To $154M In Expenses Since 2021, Company Says A Macy’s employee misstated up to $154 million in delivery expenses over several years, the company just said. The development forced the retailer to delay its third-quarter earnings report. The employee, whose name has not been released, has been fired. According to the company, the employee responsible for accounting small package delivery expenses made erroneous accrual entries to conceal the costs from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the most recent quarter. During that time, Macy’s reported a total of $4.36 billion in delivery expenses. The company conducted an independent investi…
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When
McDonald's Launching Revamped Value Menu In New Year: Here's When McDonald’s will ring in the new year by serving more for less. The fast food giant will unveil its new “McValue” menu nationwide starting on Tuesday, Jan. 7. McValue will include current fan-favorites, like the $5 Meal Deal, and a new “Buy One, Add One for $1” offer, allowing customers to mix and match their order. Breakfast options include classics like the sausage McMuffin and hash browns, while lunch offerings feature the 6-piece chicken McNuggets and double cheeseburger. McDonald’s is also extending through next summer its $5 Meal Deal, a combination of a McDouble or McChicken sandwi…
Bethesda Bagels To Open Sixth DMV Store With New Potomac Location Opening In 2025 Bethesda Bagels To Open Sixth DMV Store With New Potomac Location Opening In 2025
Bethesda Bagels To Open Sixth DMV Store With New Potomac Location Opening In 2025 A popular breakfast spot with several locations across the DMV is expanding its footprint in the region with a new location in Maryland. Bethesda Bagels announced that it will bee opening a new eatery at Cabin John Village in Potomac, markings its sixth store in the area. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bethesda Bagels (@bethesdabagels) Known for New York-style fare, Bethesda Bagels has been a fixture in the region since opening in 1982 before rapidly expanding its operations, now with other locations in Bethesda, one in Roc…
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts At These East Coast Locations Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts At These East Coast Locations
Supermarket Game Changer? ShopRite Rolling Out Smart Carts At These East Coast Locations Imagine strolling through your local supermarket, scanning items, calculating your total, and then, skipping the checkout line? Thanks to an AI-powered "smart cart," that's now possible. This futuristic shopping experience is now a reality in select ShopRite locations in the East Coast as the supermarket chain introduces technology designed by Instacart to save shoppers time and make grocery runs smoother than ever. The so-called "Caper Carts" are designed to make grocery shopping faster, smarter, and more interactive. To date, about a dozen ShopRite stores have added the carts as another…
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products
Recall Involving Bagged Carrots Expanded: See List Of Supermarkets, Products An E. coli outbreak linked to bagged organic carrots has prompted an expanded recall as the number of cases grows. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 39 people across 18 states have been sickened.  Click here for a new, updated story - Here's What To Know Now About Food Illness Outbreaks, Recalls Ahead Of Thanksgiving The outbreak has resulted in 15 hospitalizations and one death. The recall initially began earlier this month when reports of illnesses linked to Grimmway Farms’ bagged carrots surfaced. The recall now covers multiple brands of orga…
Jackpot-Winning $50K 'Bonus Match 5' Ticket Sold At Maryland Liquor Store Jackpot-Winning $50K 'Bonus Match 5' Ticket Sold At Maryland Liquor Store
Jackpot-Winning $50K 'Bonus Match 5' Ticket Sold At Maryland Liquor Store A winning Maryland Lottery ticket worth $50,000 was sold at an area liquor store, and the winner has not yet come forward to claim their five-figure jackpot. One top-prize winning Bonus Match 5 ticket worth a five-figure jackpot was sold at Honeygo Wine & Spirits, located at 5004 Honeygo Center Drive, for the drawing on Thursday, Nov. 21, though it has not been cashed in a day later. The winning numbers for the Thursday drawing were 09-11-17-23-26 with a Bonus Ball of 18. This represents the 34th jackpot-winner Bonus Match 5 drawing sold in 2024. "Lottery officials urge…