September 01, 2024 How ‘scab’ became an insult used by unions in the labor movement Its use actually dates to medieval Europe. BY The Conversation Over its long history, the American labor movement has displayed a remarkably rich vocabulary for shaming those deemed traitors to its cause. Some insults, such as blackleg, are largely forgotten today. … Continue reading How ‘scab’ became an insult used by unions in the labor movement
May 08, 2024 The Taylor Swift bill became Minnesota law, safeguarding online ticket buying from shady practices The law stems from a legislator’s frustration at not being able to purchase tickets to a 2023 Swift show. BY Associated Press People buying tickets online for concerts, sporting events and other live events in Minnesota will be guaranteed … Continue reading The Taylor Swift bill became Minnesota law, safeguarding online ticket buying from shady practices
April 30, 2024 Binance founder Changpeng Zhao just became America’s richest inmate The one-time crypto king was sentenced on Tuesday to four months in prison after pleading guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. BY Chris Morris Changpeng Zhao, founder of crypto exchange Binance, was sentenced on Tuesday to four months in prison after pleading guilty … Continue reading Binance founder Changpeng Zhao just became America’s richest inmate
By Associated Press September 26, 2023 VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — President Joe Biden joined United Auto Workers strikers on their picket line Tuesday as their work stoppage against major carmakers hit day 12, a demonstration of support for organized labor apparently unparalleled in presidential history. “You deserve the significant raise you need,” Biden said through a … Continue reading Auto workers strike: Biden just became the first sitting U.S. president to join a picket line
By Joe Berkowitz August 20, 2023 As the lights dimmed at Brooklyn Opera House, the audience braced themselves for a video interlude. Soon, the venue’s movie screen filled with the familiar visage of Ben Hosley, producer of the comedic film-appreciation podcast, Blank Check, whose live show had packed the house on this particular March … Continue reading How podcast producers became rising stars in the creator economy
By Elissaveta M. Brandon July 28, 2023 At last, Elon Musk has done it. After several attempts, he has staked an official claim to the letter X. Musk’s fascination with the letter dates back to the turn of the century, when he tried naming his second company, now known as PayPal, X.com (he was … Continue reading How the letter ‘X’ became history’s most mysterious symbol
By Christopher Cason July 02, 2023 If you tuned in to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine back in early March, you couldn’t miss Nobull. From the athletes’ apparel to the press conference backdrops, the bold, all-caps branding of the Boston-based training apparel and footwear company took center stage. It was the first of a … Continue reading How Nobull became a sports brand all-star
By Rob Walker Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture. This month, Modelo Especial became the top-selling beer in the United States, surpassing longtime sales-champion Bud Light. So far, Modelo Especial’s crowning has largely been explained less in terms of Modelo’s rise than in terms of the … Continue reading How Modelo Especial quietly became America’s top beer brand
By Yannise Jean June 15, 2023 For years, Hollywood has claimed that it has fixed or made gains toward fixing its diversity problem. But while the industry has made small movements toward change, its monolithic misconceptions about marginalized communities still reign as the dominant narrative, and stories are still largely created for white audiences. … Continue reading How Hillman Grad became the home for emerging talent
By Joey Cappelletti—Associated Press March 24, 2023 Michigan, long known as a mainstay of organized labor, on Friday became the first state in decades to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right-to-work” that was passed over a decade ago by a Republican-controlled legislature. The state’s “right-to-work” law had allowed those in unionized workplaces to opt out … Continue reading Michigan just became the first state in 58 years to repeal a ‘right to work’ law—a win for unions
