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Grid operators ordered to speed electricity to AI data centers

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators on Thursday ordered regional grid operators to help large energy users connect more quickly to the nation’s inefficient and aging electric transmission system, a step they said is needed to accommodate surging demand from power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright had urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to act in an effort to help the United States better compete with China for superiority in the fast-growing AI sector. Tech companies and data center developers welcomed the chance to connect faster to ...

Ticker: Trump administration to cut student loan interest

The Department of Education has announced a reduction in interest rates for federal student loans, describing it as part of a plan to make higher education more affordable. With growing numbers of borrowers in default, the Trump administration pitched the temporary, 1% reduction in student loan interest rates as a salve for those struggling with repayment. Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent said Thursday that the change is a way of “making student loan repayment easier than ever” and of improving “the overall health of the federal student loan portfolio.” U.S. filings for ...

Fed policymakers show support for rate hikes

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve kept its key rate unchanged Wednesday yet almost half the central bank’s policymakers said they could support a rate hike later this year. The unexpectedly aggressive tilt toward higher rates would disappoint President Trump and suggests heightened concerns about persistent inflation among Fed officials. In an unusually short statement after their two-day meeting, the officials dropped language that had suggested their next move would be to cut the key rate. The brief statement reflects the influence of new chair Kevin Warsh, who was appointed by ...

Ticker: US stocks sink on worries about rate hike

U.S. stocks dropped on speculation the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates this year to keep a lid on inflation. The S&P 500 slumped 1.2% Wednesday after the Fed released projections showing nearly half its policymakers foresee at least one increase to its main interest rate in 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went from a gain of 0.5% in the morning to a drop of 1%, while the Nasdaq composite sank 1.3%. Japanese trade officials raid 6 ice cream makers Six major Japanese ice cream makers have been raided by the government fair trade watchdog officials on suspicion of price ...

Fox to buy stream pioneer Roku in a $22 billion deal

Fox Corp. has agreed to buy the streaming pioneer Roku in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately $22 billion, including debt. Roku will continue to be run as an open, partner-friendly platform, the companies said Monday, and there appears to be no immediate changes that customers will see. Fox and Roku said that the combined company will become the third-largest player in U.S. television by share of viewing. Media reports had surfaced on Friday that Roku was looking at its strategic options, including a possible sale. Speculation was rampant as to which companies might be ...

Briefcase: EFSA achieves accreditation for outpatient health care

East Freedom Surgical Associates has achieved accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to advancing excellence in outpatient health care. The accreditation recognizes EFSA’s commitment to providing high-quality, safe and patient-centered surgical care. AAAHC accreditation is awarded only to organizations that demonstrate compliance with rigorous national standards in patient safety, quality improvement, clinical care, infection prevention, governance and operational excellence. The accreditation ...