The Federal Trade Commission's consumer protection unit is investigating Amazon and Google for potentially misleading advertisers about terms and pricing for ads placed on their websites. The FTC is looking into Amazon's ad auctions and reserve pricing, as well as Google's internal pricing processes and undisclosed cost increases. The investigation comes as Amazon and Google face separate legal challenges from federal agencies.

A rush to import goods ahead of new tariff threats led to a front-loaded surge of freight into the US earlier in the year, according to ITS Logistics. This inventory is now being moved inland from the coasts, resulting in congestion on key rail lanes and higher outbound truckload rates in some major distribution markets. The shift has intensified domestic freight activity and created new operational challenges for shippers.

The Panama Canal Authority has announced significant infrastructure projects to address future droughts after a historic drought reduced vessel transits and imposed weight restrictions in recent years. Plans include a land bridge and natural gas pipeline to transport liquefied petroleum gas and other products without relying on the canal, as well as a dam to supplement Lake Gatun's water supply. The projects aim to ensure the canal's reliability and are crucial for US trade.

Trade groups, including the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, have proposed a federal incentive program to offset tariff costs. The proposal includes incentives for capital investment in US manufacturing, grid infrastructure and domestic manufacturing that meets federal content requirements. The groups say the program is needed to maintain the pace of investment in domestic manufacturing.

Nearly half of small and midsize US companies have seen costs rise more than 20% since widespread tariffs were imposed, according to a survey by cargo booking platform Freightos. About the same proportion of respondents say they have reduced shipment volumes because of the higher costs. Unlike larger corporations, these firms lack the resources to absorb sudden changes in tariffs and rising costs, leaving them more vulnerable to the financial impacts of ongoing trade tensions.

California's trucking industry is facing a significant downturn, exemplified by the closure of TGS Transportation and GSC Enterprises amid a prolonged freight slump. TGS, which operated for 40 years, shut down despite efforts to cut costs and improve efficiency. Trucking companies nationwide are grappling with low freight rates, rising labor and equipment costs, and stringent California regulations.

A strong sales closing mindset -- not just skills -- is crucial for converting quotes into revenue, writes No Smoke & Mirrors CEO Mark Allen Roberts. Key mindset attributes include belief in one's value, detachment from outcomes, resilience after rejection, an abundance mentality, proactive ownership and problem-solving, traits that enable salespeople to maintain composure, engage meaningfully with prospects and persist through setbacks.

More Americans are accepting part-time and less-than-ideal work as the labor market weakens, with the broader unemployment rate, which includes those who have given up on finding a job, reaching 8.1% in August. Many people are taking part-time jobs outside their fields to make ends meet, often without benefits or sufficient income. Many employers are managing rising labor costs by increasing part-time roles instead of layoffs.

The Congressional Budget Office has revised its economic outlook, predicting slower growth, higher inflation and increased unemployment this year. The CBO expects the economy to expand 1.4% in 2025, down from 1.9%, with inflation rising to 3.1%. Unemployment is projected to peak at 4.5% by year's end.

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