Business

Breitbart is thrilled: More than 1,000,000 people have signed the boycott pledge against Target, following the secretive decision by executives to open all of their stores’ bathrooms and changing rooms to people of both sexes. Late Thursday night, roughly 75 people a minute were adding their name to the petition as it clicked over 1 million, just after 10:30 pm …

But their right to rake in about $650,000 in donations? It’s what White Jesus would want. The Oregonian reports: The Gresham bakers who made national headlines after refusing to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding are fighting back against Oregon regulators. In a brief filed in the Oregon Court of Appeals this week, Aaron and Melissa Klein say the …

The Associated Press reports: Another convention has canceled in North Carolina in protest of the state’s new law limiting anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community. Local media outlets report the American Institute of Architects will not hold its South Atlantic Region Conference in Wilmington this fall. About 500 architects were expected to attend, and tourism officials estimate the loss at …

Kentucky.com reports: A state agency remade by Gov. Matt Bevin last week has approved $18 million in tax breaks to a Grant County amusement park that will feature a “life-size” Noah’s Ark. The $92 million Ark Encounter project, owned by the same company as the Creation Museum in Petersburg, is scheduled to open July 7. The tax break initially was …

Yesterday the city council of Oxford, Alabama, population 21,000, voted unanimously to publicly rebuke Target and criminalize the use of public restrooms by transgender citizens. Violations of the new law can result in a $500 fine or six months in jail. From the Anniston Star: After members approved the new city ordinance, Council President Steven Waits read from a prepared …

More than half a million people have already signed the American Family Association’s boycott petition against Target. Despite the still-growing furor, Target is standing firm. From USA Today: “We certainly respect that there are a wide variety of perspectives and opinions,” says Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder. “As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team …

From the anti-LGBT group Faith Driven Consumer: Today, amidst growing consumer backlash over Target’s (Faith Equality Index Score 39/100) announcement that it will allow men in women’s bathrooms and changing rooms, Faith Driven Consumer is calling on its community of 41 million who spend $2 trillion annually to engage in a national #BUYcottWalmart effort by choosing Target’s archrival Walmart (FEI …

The Chicago Tribune reports: Gannett announced Monday an offer to buy Tribune Publishing, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, for $815 million, including the assumption of $390 million in debt. The unsolicited, all-cash offer, which translates to $12.25 a share, represents a 63 percent premium over Friday’s $7.52 a share closing price, as well as a premium over the $8.50 share …

From the New York Daily News: Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office says it was misled about the sale of the Rivington House Lower East Side AIDS care facility to a condo developer. State law requires court approval — with recommendations from the Attorney General’s Office and state Health Department — whenever a not-for-profit facility like Rivington House is converted into …

From the New Orleans Times-Picayune: A woman who overheard a cashier at a New Orleans Family Dollar store loudly expressing homophobic sentiments to customers with a “hateful passion” said she was denied service after she identified herself as gay and asked the cashier to stop. Videos recorded by Melissa Langford, 34, capture the moments after her initial confrontation as the …

We’re guessing they are shell company upon shell company upon shell company. The Hill reports: Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he has nearly 400 business entities registered in the state of Delaware, a state that has received renewed scrutiny in the wake of the Panama Papers leak as a domestic tax haven. During a campaign rally in Harrington, Delaware, …

This brings the total to more than 20 lost conventions. Via the Charlotte News & Observer: Another group has canceled an upcoming event in Charlotte because it opposes North Carolina’s new LGBT law. The National Organization for Victim Assistance was supposed to have its 42nd annual training event at Sheraton Charlotte Hotel-Le Meridien Aug. 21-24. About 1,200 were scheduled to …

This WAS expected. Via press release: The American Family Association is calling for a boycott of Target after the retail giant said it would allow men to use the women’s restrooms and dressing rooms in their stores. On its web site this week, Target announced, “[W]e welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility …

Posted yesterday to Target’s corporate blog: Recent debate around proposed laws in several states has reignited a national conversation around inclusivity. So earlier this week, we reiterated with our team members where Target stands and how our beliefs are brought to life in how we serve our guests. Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It’s something we celebrate. We …

Via press release: The North Carolina Democratic Party today launched a website to highlight how Gov. Pat McCrory’s job-killing discrimination law, HB2, is hurting North Carolina’s economy. The site lists the more than 400 businesses and organizations that oppose HB2 and spotlights the many good-paying jobs put at risk by this bill. “Governor McCrory’s decision is costing our state good-paying …

The Hill reports: The insurer UnitedHealth is pulling out of the ObamaCare marketplaces in all but a “handful” of states in 2017, the company announced Tuesday. The announcement, made my CEO Stephen Hemsley on an earnings call, follows up on the company’s statement in November that it was considering dropping out completely due to financial losses. The Obama administration argues …

Fortune reports: CEOs from hundreds of companies including Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s had planned to meet in North Carolina this October to talk about using business for social good. Now, they’re not coming. In response to a controversial new state law aimed at gay and transgender people, a group of firms designated as “Certified B” ethical corporations say they …

But it’s not dead yet. The Kansas City Star reports: Late into the night Tuesday, supporters and opponents of a proposed “religious freedom” amendment sparred over its potential impact.  On one side, religious leaders and Republican elected officials implored the House Emerging Issues Committee to approve the amendment as is and place it on the ballot for Missouri voters to …

You’ll like this. From Durham’s ABC affiliate: A group of North Carolina craft breweries is teaming up to make a special beer that will be sold to raise money to fight the state’s new House Bill 2 law. The News and Observer reports more than 30 breweries are taking part. They’re calling the project the Don’t Be Mean to People: …

The Kansas City Star reports: Businesses from around Missouri announced the formation a coalition Tuesday designed to stop a “religious freedom” amendment to the state’s constitution currently making its way through the Missouri Legislature. Members of the coalition, called Missouri Competes, have agreed to sign a pledge stating that the proposed amendment “does not represent our values as Missourians, and …