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By REBECCA BOONE

A coalition of 15 states is suing over President Donald Trump’s efforts to fast-track energy-related projects, saying the administration is bypassing environmental protection laws and threatening endangered species, critical habitat and cultural resources.

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Trump issued an executive order declaring a “national energy emergency ” on the first day of his presidency. The order urges oil and gas expansion through federal use of eminent domain and the Defense Production Act, which allows the government to use private land and resources to produce goods deemed to be a national necessity. read more

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press

Expedia Group said Friday that reduced travel demand in the United States led to its weaker-than-expected revenue in the first quarter, and Bank of America said credit card transactions showed spending on flights and lodging kept falling last month.

The two reports add to growing indications that the U.S. travel and tourism industry may see its first slowdown since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic fueled a period of “revenge travel” that turned into sustained interest in getting away.

Expedia, which owns the lodging reservation platforms Hotels.com and VRBO as well as an eponymous online travel agency, was the latest American company to report slowing business with both international visitors and domestic travelers.

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15 states sue over Trump’s move to fast-track oil and gas projects via his ‘energy emergency’ order

Federal Reserve official sees signs of slowing economy but not ready to cut rates read more

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Federal Reserve official said Friday that massive uncertainty created by President Donald Trump’s tariffs has caused some businesses to cut back on hiring and spending, threatening to slow the economy, but he added that it’s not yet clear whether the central bank should cut its key interest rate.

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Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve’s Richmond branch, said businesses have turned cautious, though are not yet engaging in steep job cuts or other behavior typical of a recession.

“The way I’ve been describing it is, it’s really hard to drive when it’s foggy,” Barkin said in remarks to the Loudoun County, Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “That’s what I’m seeing on the business side. Hiring freezes, discretionary spending being cut back, but not major layoffs.” read more

By Meghan Coyle, NerdWallet

The free flights and elite status perks offered by airline loyalty programs are ultimately designed to do one thing: Get you to spend more money with the airline.

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But in the past few years, these programs have gotten a lot more complicated and less rewarding. Gone are the days of simply earning miles or elite status based on how far or how often you fly. Today, the “Big Four” U.S. airlines — American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — all reward customers based on how much they spend.

Ganesh Sitaraman, a law professor at Vanderbilt University and the author of “Why Flying is Miserable,” joined NerdWallet’s Smart Travel podcast to discuss how airline loyalty programs have evolved. read more

By Whitney Nielsen, Bankrate.com

There’s a reason financial advisers keep recommending you save money for emergencies. More than one in three Americans needed to tap their emergency savings in the past year, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Annual Emergency Savings Report. But when you’re juggling debt, putting money toward savings can feel overwhelming. Many feel paying down their balances would be more beneficial than adding money to savings.

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As a general guideline, financial experts suggest building a small emergency fund first — enough to cover one month of your expenses. This will help you avoid sliding deeper into debt when surprises pop up. Beyond that initial safety net, focusing on paying off your debt or increasing your savings depend on your unique situation and goals. read more