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President Trump has implemented a significant increase in fees for companies looking to hire foreign workers through the H-1B program. The new $100,000 fee for new visa applications is a substantial jump from the previous $215 registration fee. The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in technical fields such as IT, engineering, mathematics, and medicine, with an annual cap of 65,000 visas, plus an additional 20,000 for foreign graduates with U.S. advanced degrees. The administration’s move aims to crackdown on what it sees as widespread abuse of the program, blaming it for displacing American workers and causing unemployment among recent computer science graduates.

As the Trump administration imposes new policies and tariffs on imported organic sugar, U.S. manufacturers are facing a potential price increase of up to 30% for organic sugar, leading to higher production costs for a wide range of organic foods. With the majority of organic sugar being imported, the impending high-tier duties on imports will further strain the already expensive organic food industry, which must meet strict certification requirements for organic production.

Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis has informed employees of plans for further job cuts and a 25% reduction in capacity for the airline’s November schedule. Following the carrier’s recent bankruptcy declaration, Davis emphasized the need to optimize the network and focus on the strongest markets in order to reduce costs and stabilize the company’s financial standing.

Hyundai Motor Group has confirmed its plans to expand its Georgia plant with a $2.7 billion investment, despite a recent immigration raid that delayed the startup of an electric vehicle battery plant at the site. The company will increase production capacity at the Ellabell site by 200,000 vehicles over the next three years, bringing the total to 500,000 vehicles a year.

Starbucks employees in three states have filed class-action lawsuits and complaints against the coffee giant, alleging that the company violated labor laws when it changed its dress code but refused to reimburse workers for the cost of purchasing new clothes. The new dress code, which went into effect in May, requires employees to wear specific colors and styles of clothing and limits facial piercings and tattoos.

Amazon.com announced a significant investment of more than $1 billion in raising pay and reducing healthcare costs for its U.S. fulfillment and transportation employees. The company plans to increase the average total compensation to over $30 an hour, with the average pay rising to over $23 per hour. Full-time employees are expected to see a yearly increase of $1,600 on average. Amazon also plans to lower the cost of its entry-level health care plan to $5 per week and $5 for co-pays by 2026, a 34% decrease in weekly contributions from employees.

With over 1.5 million full-time and part-time employees, Amazon has faced criticism from unions and workers in the past, leading to walkouts and demands for better treatment. In response, Amazon has agreed to implement safety measures to prevent ergonomic injuries in its U.S. facilities.

As fast-food restaurants continue to see a decline in morning meal traffic, convenience stores are emerging as a strong competitor in the battle for breakfast customers. With food-forward convenience stores like Wawa and Casey’s General Store expanding their reach and investing in their foodservice options, fast-food chains like McDonald’s are facing increasing pressure to innovate and attract consumers. The convenience store industry’s focus on fresh, made-to-order breakfast offerings, coupled with a wider variety of options, is winning over customers who are looking for quality food at a good value.