July 2023

In an attempt to get more customers to sign up for its ad-supported option, Netflix has gotten rid of the basic ad-free tier. There is some good news, however, for the customers that currently have the basic ad-free plan. Netflix stated they will not be affected unless they cancel or change plans. Now, if new or rejoining customers are searching for a cheap option, they will have...

Authors vs. AI. Thousands of published authors are calling on tech companies to pay them, claiming their copyrighted works were used for training artificial intelligence tools. An open letter was signed by Authors Guild this week that stated, “Generative AI technologies built on large language models owe their existence to our writings. These technologies mimic and regurgitate our language, stories, style, and ideas.” The letter continued, “Millions...

Warner Bros’ “Barbie” will hit theaters this Friday and is receiving some serious hype ahead of its release. Many retailers are taking advantage and trying to cash in on the buzz. Bloomingdale’s flagship store in Manhattan, for example, has installed a life-sized Barbie box and customers can shop for earrings, dresses and candles that are inspired by the movie. “More than 100 brands, including Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s, Crocs...

In-N-Out locations in five U.S. states will no longer allow employees to wear masks as the company works to “emphasize the importance of customer service.” The new policy goes into effect on August 14. According to an email sent to workers at Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah restaurants, one must have a “valid medical note exempting him or her from this requirement.” A policy is also...

Recently, there has been conflicting news on whether the artificial sweetener aspartame is safe to consume. Here is everything you need to know. Last week, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that the artificial sweetener used in low-calorie products like Diet Coke and Trident gum is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the WHO...

United Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, have reached a deal with the airline that could give pilots up to a 40% raise. According to the union, pilots and United management have been negotiating for more than four years. Also, the deal, which has about $10 billion in value, will improve the quality of work-life, compensation, job security, work rules, retirement and benefits. “We...

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first ever over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill. Opill was first approved by the FDA as a prescription drug. Now that it is approved for over-the-counter sale, more women and girls in the U.S. will have the ability to prevent unintended pregnancies without a prescription. The contraceptive will most likely be available at drugstores, convenience stores, grocery stores...

Writers and actors in Hollywood are taking a stand.   Hollywood actors’ labor union and the trade group representing the industry’s leading studios failed to reach a deal on a new contract, now thousands of actors are on strike. The president of the union, Fran Drescher, declared, “We are the victims here. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. I am shocked by the way the...

Farmers Insurance will stop offering its policies including home, auto and umbrella policies in the state of Florida, forcing thousands of residents to find a new insurance provider. According to CNN, the company made the “business decision” that was “necessary to manage its risk exposure in the hurricane-prone state.” Farmers Insurance currently serves 100,000 customers in Florida. This might not come as a surprise considering national insurers...

Right-wing critics have reportedly accused Disney of adding inappropriate sexual content to its programming. Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, denies these claims. Florida’s Governor, Ron Desantis, and former Fox News host, Tucker Carlson are among Disney’s critics claiming Disney has added a lot of “sexuality into the programming for young kids” and the company has “a sexual agenda for six-year-old children,” CNN reported. The state of Florida and...