A new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas goes into effect Sunday, but it will not be applied to existing holders of valid visas re-entering the country, a White House official tells Axios.
Why it matters: President Trump's executive order, as written, gave some lawyers the impression the fee would kick in immediately for existing holders — prompting panicked advice to clients to get back to the U.S. Saturday, or else.
A deal to bring TikTok's U.S. platform under American ownership is done and should be signed soon, with domestic control of the app's crown-jewel algorithm, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday.
Why it matters: While the White House said Friday a deal was done, Chinese officials gave mixed messages, and the app's fate was left uncertain.
Soaring investment in artificial intelligence, and the infrastructure that makes it possible, is driving economic growth and a booming stock market — but not demand for human workers.
The big picture: The job market is teetering despite — and perhaps in part because of — the onset of advanced AI. A core political question for the coming years will be what, if anything, government ought to do about it.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday postponed the release of a key annual report central to future inflation data.
Why it matters: The BLS — charged with collecting critical data on employment, prices and more — did not explain the reasoning for the delay or when it might ultimately be released.
President Trump announced that highly-skilled workers hoping to work in America will now have to pay a $100,000 fee to receive an H-1B visa, multipleoutlets reported.
Why it matters: H-1B visas divide Trump's MAGA coalition, with some arguing foreign employees displace American workers while business leaders like Elon Musk view them as vital to America's tech dominance.
President Trump on Friday signed an executive order establishing his long-touted "Gold Card" program to sell U.S. residency — but with a lower price than first touted, and a new tax-advantaged "Platinum Card" option added.
Why it matters: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed the new program would raise more than $100 billion for the Treasury.
President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke about a TikTok deal Friday, but details on the social media platform's U.S. future remain unclear.
Why it matters: It's not 100% certain what the deal under discussion entails, though reports have suggested U.S. investors would control most of a new entity with a new app.
Edible Arrangements' parent company just leveled up from chocolate-dipped strawberries to hemp-derived THC products, Axios' Kelly Tyko writes.
🤑 The U.S. hemp industry has an estimated $28.4 billion market and supports 320,000 jobs.
🌿 Driving the news: Edibles.com, an online marketplace, is now live nationwide, reaching 65% of U.S. consumers with hemp-derived THC products, Edible Brands announced this week. This is an expansion from a pilot that launched in Texas in March.
States where lab-made cannabinoids are legal will get direct shipping.
🚙 Same-day delivery also is live in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas — think Uber Eats, but for gummies.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner went scorched earth Friday on ABC's decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel's program after pressure from Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr.
Why it matters: Eisner, who led Disney for more than 20 years, joins a chorus of comedians, actors and public figures defending Kimmel after his suspension.
A federal judge struck President Trump's $15 billion lawsuit against the New York Times Friday after deeming the original complaint was "decidedly improper and impermissible" for being unnecessarily long.
Why it matters: The development marks an inauspicious start for the president's lawsuit against the Times.
President Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed in a call Friday morning to meet at the APEC summit in South Korea, which begins on Halloween.
Why it matters: This will be their first in-person meeting of Trump's second term. Trump launched a fast-escalating trade war after returning to office but the relationship has shifted onto friendlier terrain, for the time being at least.
A growing field of "pumpkin concierges" will deliver and decoratively assemble gourds and other seasonal goodies, but it'll cost a pretty penny.
The big picture: Professional porch decorating is becoming big business across the country, including in Utah, where residents are known to splurge on Halloween decorations.
Betting on Nvidia's chosen partners has been a winning trade: Stocks like CoreWeave, Nebius Group and, now, Intel, have soared anywhere from 47% to 370% in the past year.
Why it matters: It pays to follow the money, in this case, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's money specifically.
ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel was met with calls from Hollywood stars and prominent comedians to bring back the talk show host.
Why it matters: The suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has escalated tensions among entertainers, regulators and politicians. Many see it as a political flashpoint over the right to free speech.
Jon Stewart made a rare Thursday appearance for an "all-new government-approved Daily Show," as late-night hosts responded to ABC pulling Jimmy Kimmel's program over his comments about Charlie Kirk's killing.
The big picture: While Stewart focused on a parody of an autocratic regime, Stephen Colbert used his CBS show that's being canceled after next season to label the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" "blatant censorship." Seth Meyers on his program said, "Trump promised to end government censorship and bring back free speech, and he's doing the opposite."
PBS CEO Paula Kerger told Axios Media Trends Live on Thursday she is optimistic about government funding after being included in a continuing resolution proposal.
Why it matters: PBS has been looking for ways to fill a funding gap after Congress earlier this year voted to strip $1.1 billion that had been allocated for public broadcasting.
