Briefcase: AI topic of Chamber breakfast

February 3, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday business operations — but many small and mid-sized businesses feel overwhelmed, skeptical or unsure how to approach it safely. The Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club on Feb. 19 at the Blair County Convention Center will offer real-world examples of how small and mid-sized businesses are successfully using artificial intelligence. The discussion, led by industry experts, Wayne Hippo, CEO of Fortiva AI, LLC, and Bruce Moser, Vice President of AI Technology at PS Solutions, will provide a practical framework for ...

Musk’s SpaceX, xAI combine in major deal

February 3, 2026

NEW YORK — Elon Musk is joining his space exploration and artificial intelligence ventures into a single company before what’s expected to be a massive initial public offering for the business later this year. His rocket venture, SpaceX, announced on Monday that it had bought xAI in an effort to help the world’s richest man dominate the rocket and artificial intelligence businesses. The deal will combine several of his offerings, including his AI chatbot Grok, his satellite communications company Starlink, and his social media company X. Musk has talked repeatedly about the need ...

Ticker: Disney’s 1Q powered by box-office hit ‘Zootopia 2’

February 3, 2026

Disney is posting strong first quarter numbers, powered by box-office hits “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” The Walt Disney Co. earned $2.4 billion, or $1.34 per share, for the three months ended Dec. 27. It said Monday that it earned $2.64 billion, or $1.40 per share, a year ago. Removing one time charges and costs, earnings were $1.63 per share. That’s better than the $1.57 per share that analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research expected. Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits ...

‘A Brutal Drop’ Tourism in Cuba plummets as tensions with US increase, Venezuela oil shipments drop

January 31, 2026

HAVANA — It’s almost noon in Havana when a handful of tourists tumble out of a small yellow bus and rush toward a row of shiny classic cars, cameras in hand. Nearby, under the shade of a beach almond tree, a group of drivers jump to their feet, some hoping for their first customer of ...

Fulton Financial Advisors celebrates milestone

January 31, 2026

John Forney isn’t surprised by the growth of the company he and his wife, Sherry, founded in Altoona in 2001. Started as Forney Financial Solutions, the business now known as Fulton Financial Advisors is marking its 25th anniversary in 2026. Forney, who now lives in Ormond Beach, Fla., ...

Workplace — Jan. 31-Feb. 1

January 31, 2026

New hires and promotions Jennifer Hefkin was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Mutual Benefit Group on Jan. 1. In this role, she will support the development of corporate strategy, including investment strategy and policy. She will oversee financial planning, analysis and reporting for Mutual Benefit Group companies and work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to drive innovation and identify new business opportunities. She began her employment with Mutual Benefit Group as an accountant and has held various positions during her tenure, including accountant ...