It’s the beginning of the end for office culture. Outdoor retailer REI is selling its newly completed — and currently unused — 8-acre corporate campus in Bellevue, Washington, instead shifting to a “less centralized approach to its headquarters presence in the Seattle area.” “The dramatic events of 2020 have challenged us to reexamine and rethink…… MORE
The pandemic is shining a harsh spotlight on the issue of accessible child care in America. Schools and day cares have remained mostly closed. For parents, this has presented a dilemma. Those who can do their jobs remotely are often juggling child care and work. Those millions of Americas who lost their jobs might have…… MORE
Pro skating legend Tony Hawk is formally changing the name of an iconic skateboarding move in order to honor the deaf skater who created it. The mute grab, which involves a rider using their front hand to grab the toe side of the skateboard between the rider’s feet as they turn backside, is being changed…… MORE
One of Meghan Markle’s first public appearances since stepping back from the British royal family in January will be as an interviewer. In effect Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex will be giving a stamp of approval to The 19th*, the new nonprofit newsroom that covers the intersection of women and politics. On Friday,…… MORE
The biggest question facing investors is how quickly the global economy can recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Longer than expected may be the answer, if new data and forecasts from the travel and energy sectors are any indication. (For the latest on America’s recovery, check out our dashboard here.) First, energy: The International Energy Agency…… MORE
Another 963,000 Americans filed for regular first-time unemployment benefits last week on a seasonally adjusted basis — the first time in five months that number has dipped below 1 million, the Department of Labor said Thursday. It was the lowest number of weekly initial claims since mid-March, when the pandemic shut down the US economy.…… MORE
AMC is finally reopening its theaters, and guests will need to spend just 15 cents to get in. The world’s largest movie theater chain will reopen more than 100 US theaters on August 20, the company said on Thursday. In order to commemorate its centennial, AMC is offering “movies in 2020 at 1920 prices” on…… MORE
Burger lovers, rejoice: FAT Brands, the owner of Fatburger, is buying the 1950s diner-themed chain Johnny Rockets for $25 million. Like much of the restaurant industry, FAT Brands has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic: The company said last week that sales for the second quarter plunged nearly 50%, and its stock was down…… MORE
Europe’s summer tourist season may be officially past saving. There are early signs that attempts to restart travel and draw tourists back to the world’s most visited region are floundering, placing millions of jobs at risk and reducing the chance of a quick economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. TUI, the world’s largest tour operator,…… MORE
College football doesn’t draw the same ratings as the behemoth NFL. But the sheer volume of college games — which fill sports networks every Saturday — means a potential cancellation or postponement blows a huge hole into the fall TV calendar. Two major NCAA conferences, the Big Ten and Pac-12, announced this week that they…… MORE
