Tyson's beef plant closure in Nebraska will impact a reliant town and ranchers nationwide

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Tyson Foods’ decision to close a beef plant in Lexington, Nebraska, could devastate the small city and undermine the profits of ranchers nationwide. The closure of the plant and one of two shifts at a plant in Texas will reduce beef processing capacity nationwide by 7-9% and lead to lower cattle prices. Consumers may not see prices change much at the grocery store over the next six months because all the cattle that are being prepared for slaughter now will still be processed. But in the long run, beef prices may continue to climb even higher than the current records unless U.S. ranchers expand their herds.

Stores keep prices down in a tough year for turkeys. Other Thanksgiving foods may cost more

CHELSEA, Mich. (AP) — Bird flu and another disease have shrunk the U.S. turkey population to a 40-year low this year. Wholesale turkey prices are expected to be up more than 40% as a result. But shoppers preparing for Thanksgiving may not see higher prices themselves because many grocers are offering discounted or even free turkeys to get customers in the door. Market research company Datasembly expects the 10 holiday meal staples it tacks to cost 4% more overall. Canned cranberry sauce had the biggest price increase after drought impacted production and new tariffs on steel made cans more expensive. Pricing out a Thanksgiving dinner isn’t an exact science, though, and the firm’s tally differed from other estimates.

A guide to Thanksgiving travel after the government shutdown

Travelers this Thanksgiving may still feel on edge after the historic government shutdown that caused widespread flight cancellations and delays. But experts say staying informed about weather, traffic, and airport wait times can help ease anxiety. The FAA is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving in 15 years, with over 360,000 flights scheduled. And the TSA expects to screen more than 17.8 million people. Winter weather could impact major airports, so travelers should check forecasts regularly. Packing smartly and arriving early can also reduce stress. For road trips, AAA advises checking your car and avoiding peak traffic times.

Asian shares mixed after Wall Street gets a lift from hopes for a Fed rate cut

BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares are mixed after U.S. stocks rallied. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index edged higher after reopening from a holiday. On Monday, the S&P 500 climbed 1.5% in one of its best days since the summer. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.7%. Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again in December, which could boost the economy and investment prices. The market also benefited from strength for stocks caught up in the artificial-intelligence frenzy, particularly for Alphabet. Trading this week will be shortened by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Takeoff of China's flying taxis hits turbulence

HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese companies are rushing to deploy low-flying vehicles and drones for various uses as the country finds innovative ways to drive its economy. Flying taxis, once a sci-fi dream, are being tested in southern China, where pilotless, oval-shaped crafts hover like mini helicopters. In Shenzhen, which neighbors Hong Kong, food-delivery drones already are part of daily life and a novelty attraction for tourists. The industry is growing with support from the government, but strict airspace controls, battery limitations and other obstacles are hindering the rise of the low-altitude economy. Analysts say the industry is still in its early stages and more obvious successes in commercialization may take years.

MrBeast and the Rockefeller Foundation are teaming up to spark youth philanthropy

NEW YORK (AP) — Beast Philanthropy, the charitable organization started by MrBeast founder Jimmy Donaldson, and the Rockefeller Foundation are announcing a strategic partnership. The idea is to pair Donaldson’s unique ability to capture youth attention spans with the foundation’s 112-year history of using its resources and technology to tackle global problems. The exact issues they plan to tackle together are still being hammered out and there is no shared grantmaking to announce yet. Dr. Rajiv Shah, the president of the Rockefeller Foundation, says MrBeast can help them engage young people, inspire hope and communicate their work more accessibly. Donaldson hopes the Rockefeller Foundation can help him be more efficient and make “real, lasting change.”

Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share

NEW YORK (AP) — Sinclair has submitted a bid to buy out E.W. Scripps for $7 per share, in a deal that could bring further consolidation across America’s local TV news landscape. The proposal, disclosed Monday, involves acquiring all of Scripps' outstanding shares. Sinclair already owns nearly 10% of Scripps' class A common stock. If approved, Scripps' shareholders would receive a 12.7% stake in the combined company. Sinclair seeks a response by Dec. 5. Scripps acknowledged the unsolicited proposal and said it would review it. Sinclair argues the merger would strengthen its local journalism offerings. Still, critics warn of growing news homogenization.

Lawsuit blames Tesla design flaws for crash that killed Washington state woman, injured her husband

A lawsuit claims design flaws caused a Tesla Model 3 to accelerate uncontrollably before crashing into a utility pole and bursting into flames, killing Wendy Dennis and severely injuring her husband, Jeff. The federal lawsuit filed Friday alleges the door handle design prevented rescuers from removing them. Wendy died in the Jan. 7, 2023, crash in Tacoma, Washington. The lawsuit seeks damages in California  as the 2018 Model 3 was designed and manufactured there. It also claims the car's automatic emergency braking system didn't engage before impact, and the doors couldn't be opened from inside or outside.

Another rally for Alphabet leads the US stock market higher

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rallied. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5% Monday for one of its best days since the summer and added to its jump from Friday, finding some strength following a shaky few weeks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.7%. Stocks got a lift from rising hopes that the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again in December, which could boost the economy and investment prices. The market also benefited from strength for stocks caught up in the artificial-intelligence frenzy, particularly for Alphabet. Trading this week will be shortened by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Christmas tree retailers find lots to like at a Pennsylvania wholesale auction

MIFFLINBURG, Pa. (AP) — Christmas went on the auction block this week in Pennsylvania farm country in the form of a giant Christmas tree sale. About 50,000 trees and a huge array of other seasonal items were bought and sold at the Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg this week. Buyers from across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic were there to supply garden stores and other retail outlets. The Real Christmas Tree Board says the scent of real trees is a major draw for farm-grown trees. A trade group says more than 21 million farm-grown Christmas trees were sold in 2023, with median price of $75.