• People

    Florida County Holds “Star Wars”-Themed Wedding Ceremony on May 4: ‘May the Vows Be with You!’

    “We are thrilled to offer couples the opportunity to unite in matrimony in a galaxy far, far away, right here in Clearwater,” the announcement read

  • Reuters

    S&P 500 Q1 earnings estimated growth improves; stocks up for week

    U.S. first-quarter estimated earnings growth is looking stronger at nearly the halfway mark of the reporting period, with corporate results giving a boost to stocks this week after recent weakness. S&P 500 year-over-year earnings growth for the first quarter of 2024 is now seen at 5.6%, according to LSEG data on Friday. The latest estimate is based on results from 229 of the S&P 500 companies and forecasts for the rest, with about 78% of reports beating analysts' earnings expectations.

  • Associated Press Finance

    A California bill aiming to ban confidentiality agreements when negotiating legislation fails

    A bill that sought to ban the use of confidentiality agreements when negotiating potential laws in California has failed to pass a state legislative committee. The proposal by Republican Assemblymember Vince Fong failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Assembly Elections Committee on Thursday. The legislation was inspired by last year's negotiations over a bill that mandated a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers.