Two years later, Helene survivors are still rebuilding lives
A general store rises again, a couple get a sign and parents experience something they never thought possible.
The Waco
Business
TikTok reaches first state settlement over teen safety claims
An Alabama jury will hear the state's claims starting Monday that TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance made the platform addictive to young users and misled consumers about its safety....
Costco says it used tariff refunds to cut prices on everyday goods
Costco leaders said earlier this week that the company received a $184 million tariff refund from the federal government after the Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trumps tariff policy was illegal. Costco said the government refunded $174 million to the company, along with an...
Business spending on equipment rose in Aug.
WASHINGTON — New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods increased more than expected in August and data for the prior month was revised sharply higher, pointing to another quarter of robust growth in business spending on equipment amid an artificial…...
Increased beef imports still haven't brought relief for high consumer prices
The government has imported thousands of pounds of beef, but prices for consumers have remained stubbornly high. The Farm Bureau Federation tracked ground beef prices at 41 grocery stores across 22 states. It found the average price only dropped $0.16 a pound, from $7.29 to $7.13...
Central Texas residents believe grocery prices are too high
From milk and eggs to meat and produce the cost of putting food on the table can quickly add up. I fear this will cost $100," said Heidi Pyron, a local shopper in Hillsboro. Heidi Pyron said that while this may not look like it adds up to $100 worth, it well could. She's one of m...
Halloween spending expected to set records
The buying public refuses to let world events and economic conditions scare them away from Halloween spending.
Trump's AI empire, a ballroom under scrutiny, and a 9-year-old's $118K mistake
On this episode of Catch Me Up, Jon Leiberman digs into a new Washington Post analysis tying the Trump family's business empire to the AI boom and the possible conflicts between the president's personal investments and his administration's AI policy. Plus: CNN, MS NOW and Politic...
RevOps job postings are outpacing hires so fast that one company is running the same search on two continents
ZoomInfo reports a surge in RevOps job postings outpacing hires, prompting companies to conduct simultaneous global searches due to a talent shortage.
College football TV schedule: Watchability tiers for Week 4's best games
With six games between teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll, the schedule represents a shift to serious business.
Survey: How US restaurants are handling inflation, labor, AI, and revenue growth
Toast reports that in 2026, 91% of U.S. restaurant operators rate their business as good or excellent, despite challenges like inflation and hiring.
Small business workshop
The Asian Leaders Network will hold a Finance & Taxation 101 Small Business Workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Waco Family Medicine, 1600 Providence Drive....
Powerful Hurricane Polo drenches Mexico's coast as Nolo takes aim at Hawaii
Residents of Mexicos Pacific coast piled sandbags to protect beachfront shops and evacuated homes, while Hawaiis Big Island braced for potentially catastrophic flooding as two separate storms threatened their shores on Thursday. Hurricane Polo poured bands of heavy rain across Me...
Apple begins lease program for phones and other devices
Apple will now let you lease your iPhone just like a car. The company is trying to entice more customers with leasing options for some phones, watches, computers and iPads. Its latest phone models can cost as much as $2,000. Leases for phones will start at about $18 a month, but ...
One Company, Every Job: Why Waco Homeowners Skip the Contractor Shuffle
Home improvement projects rarely stay in their lane. A roof leak damages ceiling drywall. New windows expose old siding that suddenly looks tired by comparison. A bathroom remodel uncovers plumbing that needs attention before anyone can install new tile....
How to shop smarter for dietary supplements
Nearly 60% of Americans now take dietary supplements, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open looking at 25 years of data. With so many options on store shelves, knowing which ones you actually need, and which ones are worth your money, can be a challenge. Shopper...
Aldi expands prepared food offerings with new meal line
In the ongoing quest to stretch grocery budgets, Aldi is introducing new options. The discount grocery chain has rolled out a line of fresh, ready-made meals. The lineup includes single-serving and family-sized options priced from $8 to $15. The meals will begin appearing in some...
Starbucks to close 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings
Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. It is the second big round of store closures under Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol, who joined the company in 2024. Last September, Starbucks closed 627 stores in North America and Europe and laid off 900...
Circle K offering 40-cent-per-gallon fuel discount to rewards members in Texas on Thursday
Circle K is offering Texas drivers a significant discount at the pump for one day only. Members of the convenience store chain's free rewards program, Inner Circle, will save 40 cents per gallon at more than 600 participating Circle K locations across Texas on Thursday, Sept. 24,...
Previously banned media outlets regain White House access
CNN, MS NOW and Politico have regained access to the White House after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration early Thursday to restore press credentials to news organizations immediately. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Ban on White House press access stays in place while judge co...
INSIDE TRUMP'S WAR ON EVS
BUSINESS
Austin-to-San Antonio tunnel proposed by Musk
The Boring Co., Elon Musk's tunneling company that runs an underground Las Vegas transportation system with Tesla vehicles, has more ambitious projects in mind....
Costco opening 10 new US locations in October and November
Costco announced plans to open 10 new U.S. locations this fall, including five set to open next month. Costco currently operates 690 U.S. locations across 47 states. The company will open stores in October in Lee's Summit, Missouri; The Colony, Texas; Amherst, New York; Lawrence,...
Going into business with your husband, wife, or partner: How to make it work
Wells Fargo reports couples can successfully run a business together by defining roles, creating long-term plans, maintaining communication, and separating work from personal life....
Proposed Roadless Rule rescission could hurt rural economies
The Daily Yonder reports that in August 2026, the Trump administration proposed rescinding the Roadless Rule, risking 45 million acres of public land for development, despite local opposition citing economic and ecological concerns....
One ingredient, multiple meals: Versatile foods that stretch your grocery budget
How often do you buy a vegetable, spice, or bag of lettuce that gets used once, forgotten about, and thrown away? With grocery prices weighing heavily on family budgets, shoppers are looking for ways to spend less and cook smarter and that often means rethinking what goes in the ...
Waco’s largest game store has something for everyone
By Stephanie Starks | Staff Writer The Game Closet is Waco’s biggest non-electronic game store, located at 3721 Franklin Ave. and open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. After its former owner moved, veteran customer B.J. Williams bought the store in June 2025 . Rather than focusi...
Peloton is releasing its cheapest treadmill yet as it bets on running for a turnaround
Peloton is launching its cheapest treadmill yet, in the hope that runnings surging popularity will spur sales. The fitness equipment maker announced Tuesday it will soon release a $2,195 treadmill called the Tread Flex. Thats about $1,000 cheaper than its current lineup, and also...
Memoir by Princess Diana's brother flies off the shelves
British shoppers snapped up copies of a memoir by the brother of Princess Diana on Tuesday after their interest was piqued by incendiary allegations about her troubled marriage to the now-king, including the claim he was "giddily elated" at her…...
One Restaurant, Three Ways to Get Your Barbecue Fix
Getting real Texas barbecue used to mean one thing: showing up in person, waiting in line and hoping the brisket hadn't sold out. Helberg Barbecue, the two-time Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ winner in Woodway, has built its business around…...
Despite AI boom, consumers remain wary of using it to shop
Heading into a major shopping season, you might expect consumers to be leaning on artificial intelligence. The reality is more complicated. A recent survey found that many customers still have concerns about the technology. Just 43% of consumers said they believe AI will make hol...
Gluten-free flour and pizza mix recalled over hidden wheat risk
Gluten-free flour, bread mix and pizza mix products have been recalled due to the potential presence of undeclared wheat gluten. GF Blends is recalling Truly AIP All Purpose Flour and Bread Mix and EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Flat Bread Pizza Mix. The company says people with celiac dis...
The cannabis industry’s trafficked workforce
The Economic Hardship Reporting Project and High Country News report on how Chinese immigrants are trafficked into New Mexico's marijuana farms, facing exploitation and harsh conditions....
Workers should brace for biggest health insurance cost jump in decades
Employers are bracing for double-digit increases in healthcare costs, and small businesses could face the biggest squeeze. A new survey from consulting firm Marsh shows employers expect health benefit costs to rise 8.2% per employee in 2027 the highest increase since 2003. Withou...
Lenders sue Treasury over withheld grants
A business advocacy group representing government-backed community lenders sued the Treasury Department on Monday, seeking to prevent nearly $300 million in federal grants from expiring at the end of the month....
Backyard birds workshop
Mission Waco's Urban REAP, 1509 N. 15th St., will hold a free backyard birds workshop from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday.
Buffalo Wild Wings fight night attendees leave packed tables for couches
By Dylan Sciacca | Reporter Business deals have been tricky since the beginning of time. However, a deal worth $7.7 billion can have more effects than what meets the eye. In late August 2025 , UFC made a deal with Paramount+ for a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal. This allowed only ...
Study: Housing aid costs more, but serves few additional families
A housing program in Hawaii is getting more expensive, but not necessarily helping more people. A new study from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization found that the program is facing growing financial pressure as rising rents make it increasingly expensive to h...
Christian McCaffrey joins elite company with his 100th career touchdown
Christian McCaffrey put himself in some elite company with two short touchdown runs. McCaffrey's two 1-yard TDs in a 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday made him the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era to reach 100 career touchdowns and the third player ever with ...
Paramount reportedly reaches deal to settle case challenging Warner buyout
Skydance-owned Paramount reached a settlement Monday with a group of state attorneys general that had sued to challenge the companys buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery, effectively paving the way for the mega merger to move forward, a person familiar with the matter told the AP. Th...
The most common business automation use cases in 2026, according to 20 million live workflows
Zapier reports the most common business automation tasks in 2026 focus on lead capture, notifications, and record management, covering 81.1% of workflows....
Cindy Crawford's son, Presley Gerber, dies at 27
Presley Gerber, the only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, has died. He was 27.
Free Skin Cancer Screening Comes To Central Texas
LAMPASAS (FOX 44) -- Shopping at the Lampasas Country Farmers Market on Saturday (Sept. 19, 2026) shared some space with free skin cancer screenings. The Skin Cancer Foundation's Destination Health Skin held free skin cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday (9/19/26)...
Grand Opening Time For Local Community Market
TEMPLE (FOX 44) -- Festivities and a day of a new shopping experience in downtown Temple on Saturday (Sept. 19, 2026) -- with the grand opening of the Santa Fe Community Market on East Avenue C. The event started with a ribbon cutting and speakers, and then around 9 a.m. opened u...
Mbappé partnership signals On’s growing challenge to Nike
French football star Kylian Mbapp has signed a new sponsorship deal with sportswear brand On, following the end of his roughly 20-year relationship with Nike. The Swiss-based company announced Friday that Mbapp will become a global ambassador for On and work directly with Ons pro...
Chinese 'robot brain' startup sees ChatGPT-style breakthrough as soon as next year
After advances that allow Chinese humanoids to sprint and do backflips, robot firms are focusing on software that determines robots' intelligence and enables them to perform more economically productive tasks....
VIDEO: Escapology escape room brings fun, whimsy to downtown Waco
Sisters Lindsay Owen and Leslie Brodin said they succumbed to a mid-life crisis: They wanted to venture into entrepreneurship, but found comfort in sticking out their necks only so far. Franchising looked appealing, as did the business plan presented by…...
Is it really cheaper to do laundry at night?
Dear Heloise: One of your readers this week advised doing laundry at night because electricity was cheaper. Is this true? How does the electric company know when you're using electricity? They know how much, but do they know when? —…...
Entrepreneurs' dilemma
BUSINESS | CUBA
$12 billion in Medicaid funds restored to Texas hospitals
Nearly $12 billion in Medicaid funding to Texas hospitals will be restored, Gov. Greg Abbott said Thursday, ending a near year-long impasse between Texas and the federal government....
Rising diesel prices in Waco could mean higher costs at restaurants in the future
The average price for a gallon of diesel in Waco is reaching local highs at $6 and local restaurant owners say the ripple effects could soon hit customers' wallets and menus. Kyle Citrano, a local restaurant owner, said rising diesel prices create a trickle-down effect throughout...
AI is now building its own successor. New reports show how much (and how little) control anyone has over it
Artificial intelligence is increasingly building the next version of itself, according to two separate disclosures this week from the industry's leading labs, both of which are grappling publicly with just how much oversight their own technology still requires. Anthropic, the com...
CEOs now earn 325 times more than workers, report says
Americas chief executives are getting paid more than ever. A report from the Economic Policy Institute found that CEO pay at the top 350 companies rose 14% in 2025 to an average of $28 million. That means CEOs now make roughly 325 times as much as a typical worker. In 1965, CEOs ...
Toys ‘R’ Us comeback: Retailer opening 120 new stores this holiday season
Toys R Us is opening 120 new standalone stores across the country this holiday season as the toy retailer continues to expand its U.S. presence. The new locations will bring the total number of Toys R Us stores in the U.S. to 160. This is a major moment for Toys R Us as we signif...
7-Eleven customers can fill almost any container with Slurpees on Saturday
Start looking for your craziest containers. 7-Eleven is bringing back a fan-favorite tradition on Saturday. Customers can bring almost any container to fill with a Slurpee for less than $2. The company says unusual items such as popcorn buckets or fish bowls are allowed. RELATED ...
Is your skin care truly clean? A data-backed checklist
Ogee reports on consumers' demand for clean skincare, adding that a checklist can guide shoppers to verify product transparency, ingredient safety, and third-party certifications for informed purchases....
Warren Buffett cedes Berkshire Hathaway chairmanship after decades at helm
Warren Buffett is stepping down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway after serving in the role at the $1 trillion conglomerate for more than 50 years. Buffett, 96, will become chairman emeritus and will take on his new role immediately, the company said Friday. His son, Howard, will...
Sports fans spending nearly $1,900 a year for tickets, merch and streaming
The NFL season has kicked off, and the MLB postseason is days away, but following all of your favorite teams just keeps getting more expensive. Sports fans are spending an average of $1,899 on their teams this year, according to a survey by debt settlement company National Debt R...
From Woodway Smokehouse to Your Front Door: How Helberg Barbecue Meets Customers Where They Are
Not everyone craving smoked brisket lives close enough to walk through the door. Helberg Barbecue built its business around that reality, offering dine-in service at its Woodway location alongside catering and nationwide shipping so Texas barbecue reaches people wherever they…...