Igloo recalls coolers for handle hazard

Igloo is recalling more than 1 million of its coolers sold across the U.S., Mexico and Canada due to a handle hazard that has resulted in a handful of fingertip injuries, including some amputations.

The now-recalled “Igloo 90 Qt. Flip & Tow Rolling Coolers” were sold at major retailers like Costco, Target, Dick’s and Amazon between January 2019 and January 2025, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Consumers in possession of these coolers are urged to stop using them immediately — and contact Igloo for a free replacement handle.

State Dept. halts plan to buy Tesla vehicles

The State Department had been in talks with Elon Musk’s Tesla company to buy armored electric vehicles, but the plans have been put on hold by the Trump administration after reports emerged about a potential $400 million purchase. A State Department spokesperson said the electric car company owned by Musk was the only one that expressed interest back in May 2024.

The deal with Tesla was only in its planning phases but it was forecast to be the largest contract of the year. It shows how some of his wealth has come and was still expected to come from taxpayers.

Rollins confirmed as agriculture secretary

Brooke Rollins has been confirmed as secretary of agriculture. The Senate confirmed Rollins in a vote Thursday, placing a close ally of President Donald Trump into a key Cabinet position at a time when mass deportation plans could lead to farm labor shortages and tariffs could hit agricultural exports.

Rollins acknowledged that Trump’s plans for the mass deportation of people in the country illegally could led to labor shortages on arms. But Rollins said Americans support Trump’s plans and she would work to help the president while also trying to protect farmers.

December wholesale prices up a hot 0.4%

U.S. wholesale prices came in hotter than expected last month at a time when progress against inflation appears to have stalled, undercutting expectations for lower interest rates this year.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.4% from December and 3.5% from January 2024. Forecasters had expected a 0.2% change month over month and 3.2% year over year.

EPA chief will seek return of clean-energy grants

In a major reversal, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency says he’ll try to rescind

$20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the agency will revoke contracts for a “green bank” that is set to fund thousands of projects to fight climate change and promote environmental justice.

The program was approved by Democrats under President Joe Biden’s signature climate law. Republicans in Congress have called the green bank a “slush fund” and voiced concern over how the money will be used.

Street rallies near record, yawning at tariff threat

U.S. stocks rallied to the brink of a record after more companies reported fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 rose 1%. It got within 0.1% of its all-time high as Wall Street yawned at the latest announcement on tariffs by President Donald Trump, which may not take full effect for weeks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.5%.