WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Business Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

FILE - A vehicle drives near the side of the building of an LA Fitness gym, on April 19, 2018, in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

FTC sues LA Fitness operators for ‘exceedingly difficult’ gym cancellation policies

August 20, 2025

The Federal Trade Commission is suing the operators of LA Fitness, over allegations that they make it “exceedingly difficult” for consumers to cancel gym memberships and other related services offered in their clubs nationwide. In a Wednesday complaint, the FTC accused Fitness International and its subsidiary Fitness & Sports Clubs of illegally charging consumers “hundreds of millions of dollars in unwanted recurring fees” as a result of cumbersome cancellation processes. The agency said that tens of thousands of customers have reported difficulties with these policies. Beyond LA Fitness, Fitness International operates brands like Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio — spanning across more than 600 locations with over 3.7 million members nationwide.

FILE - Ashton Kutcher walks on the field before an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears, Dec. 8, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker, file)

Soho House agrees to go private again in a deal led by hotel giant MCR

August 18, 2025

Soho House plans to go private again after four years on Wall Street. The luxury members club operator has struck a deal with an investor group led by hotel giant MCR. The group will buy its outstanding shares for $9 each in cash. Soho House’s Executive Chairman Ron Burkle and other major shareholders will roll over their stakes and retain control of the business. The deal implies a total enterprise value of roughly $2.7 billion, including debt. Soho House expects to complete the transaction by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approval. Among other big names to join Soho House’s future leadership is actor and now tech investor Ashton Kutcher, who is set to join the company’s board following the deal’s completion.

Kellogg's Froot Loops is on display in a Costco in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kellogg says it will remove artificial dyes from cereals by the end of 2027

August 14, 2025

WK Kellogg Co. plans to remove artificial dyes from its breakfast cereals in the next two and a half years. That’s according to the company and the attorney general of Texas. The maker of Froot Loops and Apple Jacks gave the timeline on Thursday as U.S. food producers face pressure from the U.S. government and consumers to phase out synthetic colorings. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says Kellogg signed an agreement assuring his office that the Michigan-based company would “permanently remove toxic dyes” from its cereals by the end of 2027. Kellogg says it already had committed to do that and also to stop launching new products with the dyes in January 2026.

FILE - A Spirit Airlines 319 Airbus approaches Manchester Boston Regional Airport for a landing, Friday, June 2, 2023, in Manchester, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Spirit Airlines sounds the alarm on its future ability to stay in business

August 12, 2025

Just five months after emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Spirit Airlines is warning about its future ability to stay in business. Spirit Aviation Holdings, the budget carrier’s parent company, says it has “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue as a going concern within the next year — which is accounting-speak for having the resources needed to sustain operations. In a quarterly report issued on Monday, Spirit pointed to “adverse market conditions” that it’s continued to face despite recent restructuring and other efforts to revamp offerings. That includes weak demand for domestic leisure travel, which Spirit said persisted in the second quarter of its fiscal year.

AOL is finally shutting down its dial-up internet service

August 11, 2025

AOL’s dial-up internet is finally taking its last bow. Yes, while perhaps a dinosaur by today’s digital standards, dial-up is still around. But AOL says it’s officially pulling the plug for its service on Sept. 30, with AOL noting in a brief update that it “routinely evaluates” its offerings and had decided to discontinue dial-up on AOL plans and associated software. AOL, formerly America Online, introduced many households to the internet for the first time when it launched dial-up just decades ago, rising to prominence particularly in the 90s and early 2000s. The creaky door to the internet was characterized by a once-ubiquitous series of beeps and buzzes heard over the phone used to connect your computer online. Eventually, broadband and wireless offerings rose to dominance.

FILE - Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the band's Music Of The Spheres World Tour at D. Y. Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade, File)

Can you ever expect privacy in public? Coldplay kiss camera saga tells us a lot about the answer

July 21, 2025

When the KissCam at a Coldplay concert last week landed on a couple who suspiciously escaped their embrace and tried (but failed) to duck out of the spotlight, the internet immediately got to work. Online sleuths quickly rushed to identify who was on camera, uncovering an apparent romantic affair between a tech company’s CEO and its head of human resources. Beyond the fallout of this specific incident, experts point more broadly to the state of “social media surveillance” today. It’s increasingly common for moments that may have been intended to be private, or at least reserved to a physical venue, to make their way online — and often lead to an internet search to find the people involved. That’s eroded what privacy expectations we can have in today’s modern world.

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, on April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Deals made by Trump since pausing his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs remain sparse

July 7, 2025

Just over three months ago, President Donald Trump unveiled his most sweeping volley of tariffs yet — holding up large charts from the White House Rose Garden to outline new import taxes that the U.S. would soon slap on goods from nearly every country in the world. But in line with much of Trump’s on-again, off-again trade policy playbook, the bulk of those “Liberation Day” levies were postponed just hours after they took effect — in a 90-day suspension that arrived in an apparent effort to quell global market panic and faciliate country-by-country negotiations. Still, very few trade deals have emerged since. And uncertainty is only edging back up again ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.

FILE - A 23andMe saliva collection kit is shown on March 25, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Barbara Ortutay, File)

Anne Wojcicki’s nonprofit gets court approval to buy 23andMe for $305 million

July 1, 2025

Anne Wojcicki’s nonprofit, TTAM Research Institute, has received court approval to acquire 23andMe, the genetic testing company she co-founded. The $305 million deal follows 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March and a bidding war with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. TTAM will take over 23andMe’s DNA testing services, research operations, and telehealth subsidiary. Privacy concerns remain a key issue, with some states opposing the sale due to genetic data protection laws. TTAM has pledged to honor 23andMe’s privacy policies, allowing users to delete their data or opt out of research. The acquisition is expected to close soon.

FILE - Video game players compete in an esports tournament at Caesars casino in Atlantic City, N.J. on March 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

More refunds are being sent to Fortnite players ‘tricked’ into unwanted purchases. How you can apply

June 26, 2025

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing more refunds to Fortnite players who it says were charged for unwanted purchases. The U.S. regulator says it’s sending more than 969,000 payments amounting to over $126 million this week. This is part of a $520 million settlement Epic Games agreed to in 2022, addressing complaints about deceptive practices and children’s privacy. The settlement included $245 million for customer refunds. Between this week’s payments and a first round of refunds in December, $198 million of that has been distributed. Eligible players who haven’t received compensation can still file claims until July 9.

FILE - The dating app Bumble on a smart phone, June 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

Bumble says it will cut 240 jobs, or about 30% of its global workforce

June 25, 2025

Bumble has announced plans to lay off about 240 employees, roughly 30% of its workforce. The dating app disclosed this decision in a securities filing this week, citing a need to realign its operations and focus on strategic priorities. Bumble expects the layoffs to save $40 million annually, much of which it says it will reinvest in product and technology development. Its shares surged over 23% following the news on Wednesday. Bumble did not immediately specify which roles would be affected or when it would implement the cuts — but said it expects to incur related costs later in the year.

FILE - An Emirates Boeing 777 stands at the gate at Dubai International Airport as another prepares to land on the runway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File)

US strikes on Iran add to global travel disruptions and flight cancellations

June 24, 2025

The U.S. entry into Israel’s war with Iran caused travel disruptions to pile up globally this week — with flight cancellations continuing Tuesday, even after President Donald Trump claimed a ceasefire was “in effect.” Airports and skies throughout the region have been on heightened alert since Israel began the deadly war with Iran on June 13. And in the days following the escalatory U.S. strikes, more and more carriers canceled flights. After a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Iran, some of those disruptions eased. But the truce appeared to be on shaky ground Tuesday, with Trump accusing both countries of violating the agreement — and many airlines have halted select routes through the middle of the week, citing safety concerns.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters while flying aboard Air Force One en route from Calgary, Canada to Joint Base Andrews, Md., late Monday, June 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Yes, more and more celebrities are entering the phone business. Here’s why

June 18, 2025

More and more celebrities are looking to attach their names to your phone. Or rather, wireless services to power it. From cosmetics to snacks and signature spirits, brands launched or co-owned by high-profile figures are just about everywhere you look today. But several big names are also venturing into the market for mobile virtual network operators — or MVNOs, an industry term for businesses that provide cell coverage by leasing infrastructure from bigger, more established carriers. U.S. President Donald Trump’s family was the most recent to join the list with the launch of Trump Mobile this week.

Some shelves at a Whole Foods in New York City sit emptier on June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Wyatte Grantham-Philips)

With retail cyberattacks on the rise, customers find orders blocked and shelves empty

June 11, 2025

A string of recent cyberattacks and data breaches involving the systems of major retailers have started affecting shoppers. United Natural Foods, a wholesale distributor for Whole Foods and other grocers, said this week that a breach of its systems was disrupting its ability to fulfill orders — leaving many stores without certain items.

Runway's third-annual AI Film Festival kicks off with a screening at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Wyatte Grantham-Philips)

Film festival showcases what artificial intelligence can do on the big screen

June 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence’s use in filmmaking is growing. And an annual festival is showcasing what this technology can do on screen today. The third-annual AI Film Festival organized by Runway, a company that specializes in AI-generated video, kicked off in New York this week — with ten short films from around the world making their debut on the big screen Thursday night. “Total Pixel Space,” by Jacob Adler, took home the top prize. Creating a coherent film using generative AI is no easy feat. It can take a long list of directions and numerous, detailed prompts to get even a short scene to make sense and look consistent. Still, the scope of what this kind of technology can do has grown significantly since Runway’s first festival in 2023.

FILE - In this April 24, 2020 file photo, customers lineup outside a Michaels store in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Michaels completes acquisition of Joann’s intellectual property and fan-favorite labels

June 6, 2025

Craft labels from the now-shuttered fabrics seller Joann are making their way to a new home: Michaels. The Michaels Companies announced on Thursday that it had completed its purchase of Joann’s intellectual property and private label brands — in an acquisition that arrives as the Texas-based crafting chain works to expand its own fabric, sewing and yarn offerings. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Joann announced it would be going out of business back in February, just one month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time within a year.

President Donald Trump talks to workers as he tours U.S. Steel Corporation's Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump promises to hike steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% starting Wednesday. Here’s what we know

June 3, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to hike nearly all of his tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to a punishing 50% on Wednesday, a move that would hammer businesses from automakers to home builders, and likely push up prices for consumers. Foreign-made steel and aluminum is used in household products like soup cans and paper clips as well as big-ticket items like a stainless-steel refrigerators and cars. Economists warn that the latest tariffs will significantly squeeze the wallets of both companies and shoppers alike.

FILE - Shoppers pass a Victoria's Secret store at a shopping mall in Scranton, Pa., May 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file)

Victoria’s Secret says it will postpone earnings report after recent security breach

June 3, 2025

Victoria’s Secret is postponing the release of its quarterly earnings following a security breach that disrupted the popular lingerie brand’s corporate operations and led it to take down its U.S. shopping site for several days last week. Victoria’s Secret said it first detected a “security incident involving its information technology systems” on May 24 — and temporarily shut down corporate systems and its retail website on May 26. The website in the U.S. stayed dark for several days after, sparking prolonged frustration among shoppers. It wasn’t back online until late Thursday. While not directly confirmed by Victoria’s Secret, the incident bore hallmarks of a cyberattack involving ransomware. Analysts note that more and more retailers are facing these kinds of attacks today.

FILE - Mannequins are shown at the Victoria's Secret store in New York on Sept. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Anne D'Innocenzio, File)

Victoria’s Secret website is down in the US as the lingerie seller addresses a ‘security incident’

May 29, 2025

Victoria’s Secret has taken down its U.S. website and says some in-store services will be unavailable as it addresses a “security incident.” A message to customers remained in place of the popular lingerie brand’s normal shopping site Thursday morning, stating that the company had halted these services “as a precaution.” Victoria’s Secret did not immediately provide more details about the incident, or specify whether it was a cyber attack. It also wasn’t immediately clear when Victoria’s Secret identified the issue and began halting some of its operations. The company said it was working to fulfill orders placed before Monday and that it would be extending return windows and some direct mail coupon offers for impacted customers in the U.S.

A traveller collects a boarding pass at one of the check-in kiosks at the Southwest Airlines counter in the main terminal of Denver International Airport Friday, May 23, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

United is narrowing its check-in window for US flights. Here’s how it compares to other airlines

May 27, 2025

Stragglers beware: U.S. travelers flying with United Airlines will have to check in to domestic flights a little earlier starting next week. That is, if they’re customers only taking carry-on bags. Effective June 3, United’s “check-in cutoff” for most U.S. flights will be 45 minutes before departure. That’s the same deadline United has for passengers checking luggage at the airport but 15 minutes earlier than the current one for people without bags to check. Other U.S. and international carriers have tightened their check-in and boarding policies as part of their strategies for maintaining on-time departures, particularly amid the high demand that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

FILE - A lone penny is illuminated in a bin of completed pennies at the U.S. Mint in Denver on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

The penny costs nearly 4 cents to make. Here’s how much the US spends on minting its other coins

May 23, 2025

The impending “death” of the U.S. penny has spotlighted the coin’s own price tag — nearly 4 cents to make and distribute each, or quadruple its value. Months after President Donald Trump called on his administration to cease penny production, the U.S. Mint announced this week that it had made its final order of penny blanks — and plans to stop making new 1-cent coins after those run out. Coin production costs vary thanks to different raw metals used, complexity of their designs, labor needed and more. Many of those expenses have been on the rise — and the penny isn’t the only coin entering our wallets today that costs more to make than it’s worth.

FILE - A Levi's banner adorns the facade of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, March 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Levi Strauss agrees to sell Casual Friday staple Dockers for up to $391 million

May 20, 2025

Levi Strauss is set to finally part ways with Dockers — inking a deal to sell its brand once credited with propelling the popularity of “Casual Fridays” to Authentic Brands Group. In an announcement Tuesday, the denim giant said it had agreed to sell Dockers to Authentic for up to $391 million. The transaction will start at an initial value of $311 million, with the potential of adding another $80 million to the price tag based on business performance under the new ownership. The sale arrives as San Francisco-based Levi Strauss boosts its focus on the chain’s core Levi’s brand — as well as Beyond Yoga, which the company acquired in 2021, as more and more consumers continue to cozy up to athleisure wear.

WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Business Writer.