Author
Joel Patterson
jpatterson@timesmediaservice.comWrite to Joel →
Business contributor with 30+ years in business strategy and hedge fund facilitation. Economic strategist and industry advisor.
Stories by Joel Patterson
40 stories
August 2026
1 story: 1 explainer
Thu
Explainer · Business and Finance · Washington DC
2027 Social Security COLA estimates range from 3.2% to 3.6% after July inflation data
The Social Security Administration 2027 COLA is estimated at 3.2% to 3.6% following July CPI-W inflation data, with an official October release.
July 2026
4 stories: 3 explainers, 1 news story
Wed
Explainer · Business and Finance · United States
Cracker Barrel names David Deno CEO as Julie Masino steps down Aug. 10
Sun
Explainer · Food and Dining · United States
Why KFC dropped “Kentucky Fried Chicken” — and why the myths keep spreading
Wed
Explainer · Crime and Justice · United States
Why Berkeley police are calling the slain UC Berkeley professor’s home dispute a civil matter
Berkeley police are treating a dispute over the home of slain UC Berkeley professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski as a civil matter rather than burglary.
Sun
News: Transportation · World
Bahamas grounds Flamingo Air flights after fatal crash kills 10, including musicians
June 2026
2 stories: 2 news stories
Thu
News: Business and Finance · United States
401(k) RMD Strategies: Avoid Retirement Tax Traps
Mon
News: Business and Finance · United States
Costco Cuts Prices on Kirkland Signature Items: What’s Cheaper?
May 2026
2 stories: 2 news stories
Fri
News: Business and Finance · United States
Giantex Lounge Chair Recall: Amputation Hazard Prompts CPSC Action
Thu
News: Business and Finance · United States
Schlitz Final Batch Brewed May 23: End of Milwaukee Legacy
March 2026
1 story: 1 news story
Wed
News: Food and Dining · Michigan
Smoothie King Ann Arbor Incident: Employees Fired Over Trump Hoodie
Two Ann Arbor Smoothie King employees were terminated for refusing service to a customer wearing a Trump hoodie, igniting a local discrimination debate. Read more inside.
January 2026
5 stories: 5 news stories
Thu
News: Business and Finance · California
Apple Reports Record Q1 2026 Revenue, iPhone 17 Sales Soar
Sun
News: Business and Finance · United States
Costco Anywhere Visa Gas Rewards Boosted to 5% Cash Back
Fri
News: Business and Finance · United States
Frigidaire Minifridge Recall Expands: Fire & Burn Hazards
Wed
News: Business and Finance · United States
Macy’s Store Closings 2026: See the List of 14 Locations
Thu
News: Politics · California
California Billionaire Tax: Larry Page, Ellison Make Moves
December 2025
3 stories: 3 news stories
Sat
News: Politics · United States
Tax Refunds 2026: What to Expect from Trump’s Tax Cuts
President Trump and his economic adviser Kevin Hassett forecast record-breaking tax refunds in 2026, driven by new tax legislation. While some claim five-figure savings, independent analyses…
Sun
News: Business and Finance · United States
Trump Admin Skeptical of Netflix-WBD Deal: Antitrust Scrutiny Expected
Tue
News: Business and Finance · United States
Costco Sues Over Trump Tariffs, Seeks Millions in Refunds
November 2025
5 stories: 5 news stories
Sat
News: Business and Finance · United States
Gilbert Dávila Resigns From Cracker Barrel Board After Proxy Fight
Wed
News: Real Estate · United States
Hidden Homeownership Costs Soar to $21K Annually in US
Sun
News: Business and Finance · United States
Bill Ackman Proposes Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac Merger
Tue
News: Transportation · United States
FAA Flight Reductions Impact US Air Travel Amid Government Shutdown
American air travelers are experiencing significant disruptions due to FAA-ordered flight reductions at major U.S. airports amid an ongoing government shutdown.
Tue
News: Business and Finance · United States
Denny’s Sold, Pizza Hut Next? Major Restaurant Shake-Up
October 2025
6 stories: 6 news stories
Thu
News: Business and Finance · United States
Target Cuts 1,000 Jobs, Names Michael Fiddelke CEO Amid Sales Slump
Wed
News: Business and Finance · United States
US Auto Loan Delinquencies Climb in 2025: Key Trends
Wed
News: Politics · United States
Trump Slams China Soybean Cuts as ‘Hostile,’ Threatens Trade War
Thu
News: Business and Finance · Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas Casinos Thrive Despite Fewer Visitors: Here’s Why
Thu
News: Business and Finance · California
Amazon Fresh Closes 4 SoCal Stores: La Habra, Whittier Affected
Amazon Fresh confirms the closure of four Southern California stores in La Habra, La Verne, Mission Viejo, and Whittier, signaling a shift in its grocery strategy.…
Sat
News: Business and Finance · San Francisco, California
OpenAI Hits $500 Billion Valuation: Most Valuable Private Company
September 2025
5 stories: 5 news stories
Sun
News: Business and Finance · United States
Cracker Barrel Closes 14 Maple Street Biscuit Locations
September 2025 continues on page 2 with 4 more stories.