Aaron Schrank

Latest Stories (155)

Taylor Swift tells streaming 'You Belong with Me,' and it's all about timing

Jun 9, 2017
Do you have a less-tortured Swift pun? Inquire within.
Taylor Swift performs during her "1989" world tour in Melbourne, Australia.
Graham Denholm/Getty Images

A big win for France's centrist party in parliamentary elections could push forward labor reform

Jun 9, 2017
Last month, France elected pro-business political newcomer Emmanuel Macron as president, but the French aren’t done voting. The country’s parliamentary elections kick off Sunday, and the president’s new centrist party is expected to win a large majority. If that happens, Macron could have the support he needs to reform France’s strong labor protection laws, which […]

Brick and mortar stores are dying, but not at this mall

Jun 8, 2017
LA's Glendale Galleria is making shopping more convenient — and fun — for its visitors.
Many malls are still thriving because they’re staying ahead of the curve in the new retail reality. Above, a picture of the Glendale Galleria.
Rachel Murray/Getty Images for NYX Professional Makeup

As the climate changes, city trees will need replacing with more resilient species

Jun 7, 2017
The trees that give shade to Southern Californians living under the hot sun are under threat due to beetle infestation, drought and increasingly, the effects of climate change. As hotter, dryer weather becomes the norm, cities across the country are investing in programs to monitor their urban forests and plant trees that can survive well […]

More than 10 percent of US electricity is coming from renewable sources

Jun 2, 2017
The U.S. Energy Information Administration published data this week showing that more than 10 percent of U.S. electricity came from renewable sources like wind and solar in the first quarter of this year. That’s well above what the federal agency predicted years ago. What happened? Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

With lagging sales and consumer demand for discounts, Michael Kors to close up to 125 of its full-price stores

May 31, 2017
In yet another blow to the brick-and-mortar retail business, luxury retailer Michael Kors announced it will close up to 125 of its full-price stores. The company and its competitors have been facing slowing sales as more customers shop online and spend less on apparel.  Michael Kors CEO John Idol announced the store closures in today’s […]

For military veterans, finding a job is one thing — staying in it is another

May 29, 2017
US companies have done a good job of hiring vets. But the work needs to be meaningful.
New York national guardsmen prepare to meet potential employers at a job fair in New York City.
John Moore/Getty Images

Sears’ continuing struggles have its suppliers jittery

May 25, 2017
The struggle is real for Sears Holdings — the company behind Sears and Kmart. The once-powerful brand warned investors back in March that there was “substantial doubt” about its future. This week, Sears announced it’s pushed back a deadline on a $500 million loan by six months. That’s got Sears vendors even more anxious about […]

NY freelancers have a new law on their side

May 17, 2017
New York freelancers who have trouble getting paid on time, or sometimes at all, have a new law on their side. The “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act went into effect this week. It’s the first law in the country to protect independent contractors from getting stiffed.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

You could be paying more sales tax online if states get their way

May 16, 2017
Amazon has agreed to collect sales tax on all its transactions. Now states are targeting all other online retailers.
A parcel is prepared for dispatch at an Amazon warehouse. 
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images