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Chris Spiker
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Chris Spiker's Contributions
Drexel Hill-Upper Darby, PA
On Your Side
Insomnia Cookies Hosting Philly Date Nights, Adding New Treats To Valentine's Day Menu
Insomnia Cookies is looking to turn up the romance for Valentine's Day. The Philadelphia-based cookie chain is rolling out limited Valentine's Day reservations, turning its late-night bakeries into sit-down date spots. Couples can reserve a table at certain North American locations on Thursday, Feb. 12, or Friday, Feb. 13, with time slots available between 8 p.m. and midnight. The first-ever dine-in experience is available exclusively to rewards members and is already open for booking on Insomnia's website. Each reservation includes a $30 pre-fixed menu built for two, featuring a …
West Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Women's Clothing Chain With CT Stores Shutting Down: Report
Women's specialty retailer Francesca's is preparing to close all of its stores and sell off its inventory, according to a report. Francesca's, a chain with more than 400 stores nationwide, is expected to go out of business, Women's Wear Daily reported. One source told WWD that the retailer's merchants were "let go" on Wednesday, Jan. 14, "with no warning." A former buyer said the mall retailer plans to liquidate all of its goods. A customer service representative for Francesca's confirmed the move in an email to WWD. Vendors said the liquidation is believed to include unpaid inve…
Bethesda, MD
On Your Side
Dozens Of Choking Incidents Spark Recall Of Popular Baby Toy
A baby teething toy sold online is being recalled after dozens of choking incidents were reported. Longyanguiheng issued the recall for about 6,800 Yetonamr Pull-String Teething Toys, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Jan. 22. The toy's silicone pull strings are smaller than allowed under federal safety standards. The strings can reach the back of a child's throat, posing a serious choking hazard. There have been at least 32 "choking incidents" involving the toy, according to the CPSC. The recalled teething toy is an off-white, disc-shaped pr…
National Interest
Vanna White's Latest Reveal Isn't A Vowel — It's Marriage: 'New Joyful Chapter'
Vanna White would like to solve the puzzle: "I now pronounce you husband and wife." The iconic "Wheel of Fortune" co-host announced she quietly married longtime partner John Donaldson, a California real estate developer. White shared the wedding news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, Jan. 21. "Surprise!" she posted. "We got married! ❤️ John and I have been in love for more than a decade and a little while back, we wanted to make it official in a private ceremony. We're excited to share this new joyful chapter in our lives with all of you!" The couple met in 2012 when a friend i…
South Windsor, CT
On Your Side
Macy's Laying Off 1K+ CT Workers As South Windsor Facility, Northeast Stores Close
Macy's is laying off more than 1,000 employees as the department store chain closes several locations across the Northeast. The layoffs are tied to the closures of two major distribution centers in Connecticut. The South Windsor facility will close in mid-March, while the one in Cheshire will wind down operations before fully shuttering in April 2027. Macy's said the layoffs are part of the company's effort to make its supply chain more efficient, according to filings with the Connecticut Department of Labor. "We are grateful to have been a part of these communities and appreciate the…
Jericho, NY
On Your Side
Iconic Hot Dog Brand Nathan's Famous Set For $450M Sale To Food Giant
The world's largest pork-processing company is set to buy one of the most recognizable hot dog brands in the US for nearly $500 million. Smithfield Foods has agreed to acquire Nathan's Famous in a $450 million deal, the company announced on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The pork giant, founded and headquartered in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, was purchased by Chinese food conglomerate WH Group back in 2013. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals. Smithfield will pay $102 per share in cash, a nearly 10% premium…
Hartford, CT
On Your Side
New Rankings Reveal Best Companies For Workers In 2026
Several Northeast companies landed among the nation's top employers, according to new data. Employer review website Glassdoor released its Best Places to Work 2026 rankings on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The list, part of Glassdoor's 18th annual Employees' Choice Awards, ranks the top employers in the US based entirely on anonymous feedback from workers. The ratings come amid weakening conditions that defined the labor market in 2025, creating greater fears for jobseekers in 2026. "Even amid the uncertainty of 2025, these standout employers have shown resilience, sustaining high lev…
National Interest
Trump Drops Greenland Tariff Threats After EU Freezes US Trade Deal (
Update
)
President Donald Trump has backed away from imposing new tariffs tied to his push to annex Greenland, after European Union leaders paused approval of a major trade deal with the US. Trump announced the retreat from his latest tariff threat in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, Jan. 21. He previously threatened a 10% duty on many European countries, including Denmark, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom, with an escalating 25% tariff if a deal for the US to buy Greenland wasn't reached by Monday, June 1. The 10% tariffs were expected to go i…
National Interest
Pending Home Sales Plummet In Largest Drop Since
Covid-
19 Pandemic Began
Pending home sales in the US took their largest monthly fall since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling new signs of housing market turmoil heading into the new year. Contract signings for existing homes dropped 9.3% in December 2025, according to a National Association of REALTORS report released on Wednesday, Jan. 21. That's the steepest month-over-month decline since April 2020. NAR data also showed that pending sales were down 3.0% compared to December 2024. "The housing sector is not out of the woods yet," said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun. "After several months…
National Interest
West Reading's Taylor Swift Makes Songwriters Hall Of Fame History: See Full 2026 Class
Taylor Swift is set to add another major milestone to her career as the youngest woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Swift is among the 2026 inductees announced by the Songwriters Hall of Fame on Wednesday, Jan. 21. She's joined by performers like alt-rock star Alanis Morissette, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons from KISS, and guitarist Kenny Loggins. Legendary musician Nile Rodgers, who serves as the Hall of Fame's chair, praised the Class of 2026 for how each artist has shaped many genres. "We take great pride in our ongoing commitment to recognizing s…
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