Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Wall Street is closing sharply higher to end the holiday-shortened week. Stocks soared on the heels of a strong jobs report and lawmakers passing a debt ceiling deal that avoids a U.S. default. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 701 points to 33-762. The S&P 500 added 61 points to 42-82. The Nasdaq rose 139 points to 13-240.       The debt ceiling bill passed by Congress will be the subject when President Biden addresses the nation this evening. The House passed the bill Wednesday and the Senate followed suit on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reiterated "the full faith and credit of the United States must never be used as a bargaining chip."       Federal regulators are warning users of payment apps that they don't have the same protections as traditional banks. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Director said in a statement that Venmo and PayPal users should not store cash in the app. More than 75-percent of U.S. adults have used at least one payment app, according to the agency.       The list of GOP presidential candidates is growing, but there's no guarantee everyone will get to be in the first debate. The Republican National Committee is reportedly setting stricter standards to qualify for the August debate in Milwaukee. According to the Washington Post, requirements may include a minimum of 40-thousand individual campaign donors and support from at least one-percent of voters in multiple national polls.        Coffee shops in California wouldn't be allowed to sell weed, but weed dispensaries are a step closer to selling coffee. The California State Assembly voted 64 to 9 in favor of allowing weed dispensaries to serve food and host areas where it's legal to consume the herb. State Representative Matt Haney is the author of the bill, which he says will help boost business.       There will be a "Spider-Man 4," but the writers strike has put everything on "pause." Actor Tom Holland says meeting were happening, but they stopped in solidarity with the writers. Holland starred as Peter Parker in three previous "Spider-Man" films.       

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