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Friday, June 27, 2025Americans Soured on U.S. Economy in June
The rise in how Americans view the U.S. economy didn’t last long. According to the Conference Board, the way Americans see the economy dropped in June, one month after a slight uptick that happened in May. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index slid to 93 in June, down 5.4 points from 98.4 last month. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level since the Covid pandemic hit the U.S. in March 2020. The regression surprised economists, who had expected a small uptick this month,
Sunday, June 22, 2025Retail Sales Drop as Consumers Pull Back on Spending: 6/20/2025
Earlier in the year, American consumers were spending money more freely in an attempt to be ready for sweeping tariffs being put in place by the White House. Not so much recently, as figures released by the Commerce Department this week show. Consumers pulled back from that kind of spending last month, precipitating a 0.9% dropped in sales at retail stores and restaurants, after seeing a 0.1% drop in April, both of which came after a 1.5% increase in March. The May numbers were affected by a steep drop
Friday, June 20, 2025Ford Launches New Philanthropic Effort to Help Nonprofits
Ford Motor Company launched a new philanthropic initiative company officials said will meet the “rapidly evolving” needs of local communities in an effort they say continues a 122-year effort to stand with communities through good and bad times. In a statement posted to the company’s website, officials announced “Ford Building Together,” which increases volunteer hours and provides some $7 million in grants to nonprofits from its philanthropic arm. “Across the country, we hear from our Ford dealers,
Friday, June 20, 2025Fed Leaves Key Interest Rate Unchanged
Despite pressure from the White House to cut interest rates, Federal Reserve officials decided again to leave rates where they are for now, while indicating at least a couple of cuts could be coming later this year. For the fourth straight meeting, the Fed kept its key rate unchanged, but said despite expectations that inflation will rise, they’re still thinking the rate will be cut twice by the end of the year, acknowledging in their report the U.S. economy is growing at “a solid pace.” It’s the same
Tuesday, June 17, 2025DOJ's Civil Division Targets DEI Programs, Gender-Related Health Care and Immigration
DOJ Announces Aggressive Use of Civil Enforcement Tools to Promote Administration Policies Following leadership changes at the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Division, Brett Shumate, recently confirmed as the assistant attorney general, issued a memorandum directing DOJ attorneys to “use [their] enforcement authorities to advance the administration’s policy objectives” (the “Civil Enforcement Memo”). The June 11 Civil Enforcement Memo — which follows an earlier Criminal Division enforcement memo —
Monday, June 16, 2025Honoring World Refugee Day
In recognition of the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of refugees in our communities, we are pleased to share the State of Michigan’s official proclamation in honor of June 20th, World Refugee Day. This is a powerful affirmation of Michigan’s ongoing commitment to being a place of welcome and opportunity for all, and highlights the social, cultural, and economic impact refugees make across our state. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on Solidarity With Refugees. As partners in this
Thursday, June 12, 2025Little Caesars in Detroit Expands to India, Opens First Store in Delhi NCR
Little Caesars is expanding to Delhi NCR, India, marking its 30th country of operation. // Photo courtesy of Little Caesars Little Caesars in Detroit is expanding to India, marking its 30th country of operation. The first location is set to open this month in a “premium location” in Delhi NCR. The company’s entry into India reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to global growth. The new restaurant in Delhi NCR will be joined by additional locations. “Our mission has always been to offer delicious,
Thursday, June 12, 2025Welcome to the MI Hub for Manufacturers
Welcome to the MI Hub for Manufacturers We're here to help you on your manufacturing business journey! From capital to expert advisors, find what you need to grow, adapt, and thrive—all in one place and free to use.Create Your Account Support & Resources We strive to help Michigan-based manufacturers grow and adapt to industry shifts by providing access to business advising, responsible funding, events and courses, and a wide range of partner resources and programs. Funding Apply for responsible
Wednesday, June 11, 2025APACC Welcomes Michelle Maki as New Special Events Manager
APACC is pleased to welcome Michelle Maki as our new Special Events Manager, beginning June 2, 2025. This strategic addition comes as part of the organization's continued growth and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for APACC members, the AAPI business community, and Michigan's economy. Michelle brings with her an impressive 20+ year track record in event planning, project management, and member services across diverse industries. Having successfully managed everything from intimate board
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025GM to invest $4 billion in its U.S. manufacturing plants
General Motors today announced plans to invest about $4 billion over the next two years in its domestic manufacturing plants to increase U.S. production of both gas and electric vehicles. The new investment will give GM the ability to assemble more than two million vehicles per year in the U.S. This announcement comes on the heels of the company’s recently announced plan to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda Propulsion plant near Buffalo, New York to support GM’s next-generation V-8 engine. Plants in
Monday, June 09, 2025U.S. Economy Adds 139,000 Jobs in May
The U.S. economy added more jobs than many analysts had reportedly expected, but the job growth overall is still slowing down. Employment data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the US. had added 139,000 jobs, a number that exceeded forecasts for about 120,000 payroll gains. Still, that number is down from the revised 147,000 jobs added in April. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, remaining near historic lows. NBC News reported that, heading into Friday’s report, other recent
Friday, June 06, 2025Unemployment Claims Rise to Highest Level since October
In historical context, the numbers of Americans filing first-time unemployment benefits is still relatively low. But they’re on the rise. Filings for unemployment benefits rose to their highest level in eight months, climbing to 247,000 for the week ending May 31, according to statistics released by the Labor Department Thursday. That’s an increase of 8,000 claims and represents the most since early October. According to a report from The Associated Press, analysts had forecast 237,000 new
Friday, June 06, 2025Study: Businesses Raised Prices Soon After Tariffs Hit
Study: Businesses Raised Prices Soon After Tariffs HitDespite assurances from the White House that the cost of its varying tariff policies would be borne by companies, a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York appears to show it’s actually the consumers who are bearing the brunt of the policies, at least early on. The study found that businesses have raised prices quickly in response to tariffs, though they only modestly cut headcount, according to a report from Bloomberg. The report shows that
Wednesday, June 04, 2025Inflation Gauge Slows Without Tariff Impact – So Far
Inflation Gauge Slows Without Tariff Impact – So FarIf the shifting U.S. tariff policies are having any effect on inflation or prices, it doesn’t appear to be showing yet. In fact, a key gauge used to track inflation slowed last month, as did spending by American consumers despite rising incomes. A report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose just 2.1% in April, compared with a year earlier, down from 2.3% in March and the lowest since September. Taking out the volatile food and
Wednesday, June 04, 2025‘Highly Engaged Team’ Key to OxBlue’s Success
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That old adage – or at least a derivative of it – is a priority for maintaining the workplace culture for the folks at OxBlue, an Atlanta-based technology firm that specializes in cameras for construction jobsites. OxBlue, whose stated mission is to “deliver exceptional service and a quality product that improves project delivery and enhances team communications has formulated success since its founding in 2001 using a team of highly engaged employees,” Briana Phillips,
Wednesday, June 04, 2025Finding the Right Talent is Key to Business Growth
Ken Lear is the founder and CEO of 2313, Inc. and Yasmin Moaven is the CEO of fintech company Pipe.Attaining scalable growth – increasing revenues without a corresponding surge in expenses – is no small feat. For an entrepreneur or a small-business owner, it can be an exciting prospect. But attaining that kind of success takes careful planning and innovative thinking to put the leader’s vision into action. To do that, Ken Lear believes, it takes an ability to put together the right team, to onboard
Wednesday, June 04, 2025Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports Doubled to 50%
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on June 3, 2025, which effectively doubles the tariffs applicable to most steel and aluminum imports into the United States. The new rate is 50%. The effective date for this change is June 4, 2025. These tariff rates, imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, are applicable to steel, aluminum and products derived from them. For products constructed only partially of steel or aluminum, the 50% Section 232 tariff applies to the steel and aluminum
Monday, March 31, 2025Influencing the legal landscape
Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker PLLC Joins Kerr Russell Kerr Russell and Barris Sott, two long-standing Detroit-based law firms, have combined effective April 1, 2025.https://www.kerr-russell.com/kerr-russell-and-barris-sott-announce-combination/ Kerr, Russell and Weber PLC and Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker PLLC, two long-standing Detroit-based law firms, announced today that they are combining effective April 1, 2025. The resulting firm will have more than 60 attorneys working in Kerr Russell’s Detroit
