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State may enact digital ad tax

Local News

Pennsylvania lawmakers are weighing a new tax on digital advertising aimed at making the world’s largest technology companies pay more to the state, a proposal that is drawing scrutiny over its potential impact on smaller businesses and legal questions that have surfaced in other states. Supporters of House Bill 1678 and its Senate companion, Senate Bill 1199, say the proposed 5% gross receipts tax would fall largely on companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, TikTok, and Microsoft. Revenue estimates vary, from about $329 million in fiscal year 2026-2027 to as much as $624 million in ...

Local Business

Killing endangered animals while logging a forest or building a dam would not be considered illegal unless the animals were specifically targeted, under a new interpretation of the Endangered Species Act. A directive sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees this week says imperiled animals or plants must be intentionally targeted for their killing to be considered illegal. That’s a sharp turnaround from past practice at the wildlife service. Historically, it’s held people liable even for accidentally harming protected species such as grizzly bears, manatees and spotted ...

Jobless claims drop to 196,000

Local Business

WASHINGTON — The number of people applying for unemployment benefits dropped sharply last week, another sign that layoffs remain rare and most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims slid to 196,000, the fewest since mid-July and down from 206,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, dropped to 203,250. Economists had expected claims to come in at 207,500, according to a survey by the data firm FactSet. Claims for jobless benefits are a proxy for layoffs, and economists watch ...

Carney embraces proposed EU associate membership

Local Business

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday embraced the prospect of his country becoming the European Union’s first associate member, saying closer ties with the continent would ensure no country could control Canada’s markets or undermine its sovereignty. Carney’s speech to the ...