Fortune smiled upon a North Carolina resident when he stumbled upon a $20 bill in a convenience store parking lot, leading to a life-changing event. Jerry Hicks, an experienced master carpenter hailing from Banner Elk, made an unexpected discovery that would soon turn into a million-dollar windfall. In a twist of fate, Hicks decided to invest his found money into an Extreme Cash scratch-off lottery ticket, which ultimately resulted in a staggering $1 million prize.

A wave of store closures has hit the retail industry, with Family Dollar announcing the closure of 677 locations, Walgreens 259, Big Lots 360, and LL Flooring shutting down completely. According to Coresight Research, the number of store closures has already surpassed last year's total, reaching 6,189 closures so far this year. This trend is expected to continue, potentially making 2024 the year with the highest number of closures since the pandemic's onset in 2020.

Improvements in the American economic outlook this month can be attributed to a reduction in interest rates. The latest consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan, unveiled on Friday, indicated a rise in economic optimism for the third month in a row, reaching its peak since April. Additionally, long-term inflation expectations have slightly decreased. Joanne Hsu, the director of the Surveys of Consumers at the University of Michigan, stated, "The increase in sentiment this month is largely due to slight enhancements in purchasing conditions for durable goods, partly as a result of reduced interest rates." The Federal Reserve's decision to lower interest rates by a significant half percentage point last month marked the first such reduction in over four years, a move partly prompted by the stabilization of inflation. Lower borrowing costs make it more affordable for consumers to acquire durable goods such as home appliances, vehicles, and furniture, which are typically financed through credit.

Costco has announced a voluntary recall of its Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is known to contaminate various food items and can lead to a serious infection called listeriosis, which is notably the third most common cause of mortality from foodborne diseases in the United States. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that Listeria can proliferate in food processing environments, posing a risk to public health.

Following a vote on Wednesday, the strike involving 33,000 employees at Boeing will persist as the union members have rejected the company's proposal. The International Association of Machinists (IAM) members voted against the deal with a 64% majority, according to an announcement by the union. Although this was a closer margin compared to the 95% who previously dismissed an offer, it still fell short of the necessary simple majority to conclude the strike. Jon Holden, the president of the largest IAM local at Boeing and its lead negotiator, stated, "Our members are worth more. They have made their voices heard, and we will return to negotiations to strive for what they deserve." Boeing has not yet provided a response to the voting outcome.

Target is implementing significant price reductions on over 2,000 products, marking the retailer's second initiative this year to lower costs for customers. This move is aimed at drawing in consumers who are feeling the pinch of inflation as the holiday shopping season approaches. The price reduction has already begun on various items, encompassing home essentials, beauty items, groceries, drinks, and toys. In an official statement, Target explained that it "regularly reviews and adjusts its pricing to maintain competitiveness across different markets," with the promotional pricing set to last through December.

General Motors has announced significantly better-than-anticipated third-quarter earnings, along with a forecast indicating that the company is poised to achieve record earnings in 2024, a mere twelve months after a protracted and costly strike by United Auto Workers union members.

On Monday, over 2,000 unionized mental health professionals in Southern California initiated a strike against Kaiser Permanente, following unsuccessful negotiations for a new labor contract. The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), which advocates for 19,000 healthcare employees across California and Hawaii, including 4,700 mental health specialists, demonstrated outside Kaiser's premises in Los Angeles, San Diego, Anaheim, and Fontana. Their demands included salary raises, pension restoration, and enhanced staffing levels. In anticipation of the strike, the union highlighted its 10-week strike in Northern California last year, which led to improved wages, better working conditions, enhanced patient care, and mitigated rapid staff turnover. The striking union members in Southern California assert that their demands align with the benefits Kaiser has granted to the majority of its employees. Josh Garcia, a Kaiser psychologist based in San Diego, stated in a press release from the NUHW, "Without a strike, our colleagues will continue to depart, and our patients will keep grappling with a system that is underfunded and understaffed, failing to meet their needs."

BuyBuy Baby, the once-thriving baby products retailer, is facing a significant change as it prepares to close its doors once more. In a strategic move to adapt to the evolving market landscape, the company has decided to transition to an online-only business model. This decision comes as a result of careful consideration and extensive feedback from its loyal customer base and valued partners. By the close of this year, all ten of its remaining physical locations will cease operations, marking the end of an era for the brand.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced a positive outlook on global inflation, stating that it has largely been subdued worldwide. This optimistic assessment comes in contrast to the organization's previous cautionary stance just three months ago, when it warned that the fight against inflation had reached a standstill. The IMF's latest World Economic Outlook report indicates that in most regions, inflation rates are now close to the targets set by central banks, marking a significant achievement without the occurrence of a global recession.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has unveiled groundbreaking regulations that are poised to pave the way for the introduction of innovative, electric-powered "air taxis" – vehicles that are a hybrid of helicopters and airplanes – into the nation's airspace. In a significant step forward for this burgeoning industry, which is attracting substantial investment with visions of a future reminiscent of the flying cars depicted in "The Jetsons," the FAA has released an extensive 880-page document detailing the special regulations for these new aircraft designs.

Walmart, a major player in the retail industry, is making a significant move that could further challenge the traditional drug store market in the United States. The company is introducing a new service that promises to deliver prescriptions to customers' doorsteps within a remarkable 30 minutes. This initiative is part of Walmart's broader strategy to offer a one-stop shopping experience, allowing customers to have their medications and groceries delivered together in a single order.

On Tuesday, McDonald's stock prices plummeted during after-hours trading following an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding an E. coli outbreak traced to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers.

By the year 2017, the bond between Chris and Roxanna Harwood had traversed a well-worn path. Their journey began through mutual acquaintances, progressed to cohabitation in a communal setting, weathered the challenges of long-distance, and navigated relocations for educational and professional pursuits. Eventually, they found themselves signing a lease for a new home in Loveland, Colorado, marking a significant milestone in their shared life. However, the course of their relationship was about to take an unexpected and profound turn.

On Wednesday, the U.S. dollar reached a peak not seen in over two and a half months, as investors shifted their expectations towards a more gradual reduction in interest rates. Meanwhile, the yen continued to face downward pressure due to the strengthening dollar and rising U.S. Treasury yields, which pushed it to a three-month low.

The Girl Scouts of the USA is contemplating a significant change in its financial structure as it prepares for a vote on membership fee adjustments. For the first time in nearly a decade, the National Council, consisting of 900 delegates, will convene on Saturday to decide on the proposed increase in annual dues. The current proposal suggests a substantial leap from the existing $25 to $85 per scout, marking a 240% increase.

On a Wednesday afternoon, Shahlise Cherry and Deborah Arnone embarked on a nostalgic journey, revisiting a past that had significantly influenced American retail. Their destination was the final full-scale Kmart store in mainland United States, located in Bridgehampton, New York, which was scheduled to close permanently on Sunday. As they roamed the aisles, their shopping cart filled with end-of-stock deals such as a coffee maker and a bowl set—items they hadn't initially sought but couldn't resist at a 70% discount off the regular price. Cherry admitted it had been a while since her last visit, despite being a frequent customer in the past. "It fell off my radar for so long," she remarked. "They didn't stock many of the things I needed anymore."

Over the past 24 months, Kirsten Staple has diligently submitted over 500 job applications. Initially, she focused on positions aligned with her 2022 Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Despite her efforts, she has yet to secure employment. Staple's struggle underscores the complex predicament faced by many young Americans attempting to launch their professional journeys, even amidst a robust U.S. economy. While unemployment rates remain historically low, and businesses continue to recruit new talent, the number of job vacancies has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, as indicated by government statistics that are closely monitored by economists and policymakers to gauge the state of the labor market.

US consumer spending has once again demonstrated its pivotal role in propelling the nation's economic growth. According to recent government data released on Thursday, retail sales in the United States experienced a 0.4% increase in September compared to the previous month. This robust growth significantly outpaced the modest 0.1% rise observed in August and aligned with the expectations of economists as surveyed by FactSet. The positive economic indicators were met with enthusiasm on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by more than 145 points at the opening bell, and other major stock indices also registering gains in the early trading session.

Finding the right words to console someone in mourning is a daunting task. The intention is to offer solace, yet many struggle to find the appropriate phrases. I've gained this insight through personal experience. My cherished spouse of 23 years passed away in late July, following a two-year battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer. During this time, I've observed friends and acquaintances fumbling for the right words, and I've been taken aback by how even the most considerate inquiries can trigger emotional responses. There's no universal remedy, of course. What brings comfort to me might not suit others, and phrases that I find bothersome might be exactly what someone else needs. However, after discussing with a few individuals who are also grieving, including my own children, I've identified some beneficial actions and five unexpected things to avoid.

Medicare Advantage participants are advised to carefully examine their coverage options during the upcoming open enrollment period, commencing on Tuesday. This is crucial to avoid unexpected changes in the following year. Despite the overall stability of this rapidly expanding market, insurers are implementing numerous alterations that could lead to some seniors needing to find new policies, incurring higher out-of-pocket expenses, or receiving reduced additional benefits.