More business headlines
Kroger, Albertsons — still hoping to merge — agree to sell more stores to satisfy regulators
The companies now plan to sell 579 Kroger and Albertsons stores in markets where they overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire grocery supplier and operator, for $2.9 billion.
TikTok faces EU inquiry over ‘addictive’ features
The EU investigation adds to TikTok’s regulatory challenges as the US Senate prepares to vote on a bill that would order the app’s owner, Chinese internet company ByteDance, to sell TikTok or be banned.
BUSINESS
McKee proposes $1.3m for businesses hurt by Washington Bridge closure
The money would be split between East Providence, which would get $600,000; Providence, which would get $400,000; and the rest of the state, which would get $300,000.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Former DEI director at Providence College files discrimination charge
E. Corry Kole, who is nonbinary, resigned in March after “direct, repeated, patterned and systemic discrimination,” their lawyer said. The Catholic college called the claim “unsubstantiated.”
Biden marks Earth Day by going after GOP, announcing $7 billion in federal solar power grants
The Biden administration also announced plans to expand its New Deal-style American Climate Corps green jobs training program.
‘We’re slammed’: Bruins, Celtics playoff games mean big business for TD Garden retailers
TD Garden is preparing for legions of fans to spend big on souvenirs, from special Celtics playoff shirts to hockey sticks and game pucks once used by Bruins players.
Tech Lab
Israel-Iran conflict raises questions about how well missile defense systems work
Defense analysts warn that missile defense technology is still far from foolproof, and that in a war between major powers — the US versus China, for instance — such systems wouldn’t perform nearly as well.
bold types
Quiroga sets broader mission for Boston-based housing nonprofit
Bold Types is our weekly roundup of movers and shakers on Boston's business scene.
With mortgage rates above 7 percent, here’s what home buyers should know
Despite sky-high mortgage rates, demand for home loans may be increasing in Greater Boston.
chesto means business
Trying to find a cheap lunch downtown? Good luck.
It wasn't that long ago that you could get a salad or sandwich for under $10 downtown. But, thanks to various COVID-induced factors, those days are long gone.
RHODE MAP
Key takeaways from Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on ‘60 Minutes’
Gina from Smithfield sounded a lot like Gina for America on “60 Minutes” last night.
Larry Edelman | Trendlines
The Fed’s hard line on inflation is hard luck for the housing market
Cutting interest rates, which would make mortgages cheaper and spur construction, is off the table for now.
THE FINE PRINT
Mass. judge rules that state’s method of taking property for unpaid taxes is unconstitutional
A ruling by a superior court judge is one more blow to a century-old practice in Massachusetts of municipalities taking the total value of a property even when only a small fraction of that amount is owed in taxes.
A coffee roastery in Finland has launched an AI-generated blend. The results were surprising.
“We basically gave descriptions of all our coffee types and their flavors to AI and instructed it to create a new exciting blend," said Svante Hampf, Kaffa Roastery’s managing director and founder.
House votes for possible TikTok ban in the US, but don’t expect the app to go away anytime soon
The House has passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake within a year.