Tag Archives: albertsons

Business/Economics, Idaho, Opinion, U.S.

U.S. Housing Collapse: No more ‘My Immigrant Idaho’, mass exodus begins!

Video

13 October 2022 (01:46-UTC-07 Tango 06) 21 Mehr 1401/17 Rabi ‘al-Awwal 1444/18 Geng-Xu 4720/13 октября 2022 года

Idaho’s reign as a top destination for domestic migrants (U.S. citizens leaving their states for The Gem State) was short lived, and is now reversing; more people leaving than coming in!

I’ve documented how for decades the entrenched, arrogant, leaders of Idaho boasted of how things were booming in Idaho, using domestic migration as one of their proofs.  They claimed that one reason for the influx of domestic migrants, was that Idaho was full of good paying jobs.  Anybody that has lived in Idaho for as long as I have knew that was a bold face lie!  I have experienced what I call revolving door employment for almost 20 years as employer after employer downsized or halted operations altogether!  If it wasn’t for the fact that my property is paid for, I would have been forced to move a long time ago.  (I am not here for the money, I love the climate and the space, which apparently is what many recent newbies to Idaho don’t like)

Here’s another wake up call for our fearless leaders: There was only a slight uptick in Idaho’s overall population, from 2010 to 2020.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the sparse population of the geographically large state of Idaho went from 1.8-million to only 1.9-million, despite a decade of ‘leaders’ telling us that the population was booming.  The overwhelming majority of that population growth took place in the Boise Metro Area (Treasure Valley, Southwestern Idaho region).

Here’s another reality check: More than 61% of land in Idaho is owned by the federal government. Less than 30% of available land is privately held.  So, in reality the relatively small population is partly due to lack of available privately owned land.  There is also the fact that one of President Joseph Robinette Biden Junior’s first executive orders (America the Beautiful Initiative, or 30×30 order)  makes it even harder to make land available in Idaho:

The state government owns land, and has been selling it off, not just to make more land available, but it has become a major revenue source for the state government (which might explain its mysterious budget surplus).

KTVB: Idaho turns to remote bidding to increase state-owned land sales

Men’sJournal: Study Finds Idaho Illegally Sold Public Land for 97 Years

Then there’s the fact that rich people from other states (Texas) are buying up private property and then using it to block access to public lands:

By 2020, moving company trackers had ranked Idaho as the number three destination, but now, just two years later an Atlanta, Georgia, moving assistance company reports that Idaho has dropped to 20th position, and the region of Eastern Idaho is experiencing a mass exodus!

While the Move Buddha report admits that people are changing their minds about moving to Idaho, the author still says Idaho is “The Place to Go”!  Move Buddha reports that the Eastern Idaho city of Rexburg, home to the Brigham Young University-Idaho, is bleeding residents, and blames it on lack of jobs.  According to Move Buddha’s “in-to-out” formula, for every 49 people moving into Rexburg, 1-hundered are leaving!  In Rexburg’s next door city of Idaho Falls, once the economic darling of Eastern Idaho, there are now 1-hundred people leaving for every 95 moving in!

But even the top five cities that people still want to move to are on the decline, with Southwestern Idaho’s Eagle leading the pack with a 56% decrease in Move Buddha’s “in-to-out ratio”.

107.9LITEFM: Idaho experiences largest migration drop in entire U.S.!

KBOI: Idaho sees a 60% decline in new people moving in from 2020.

The Center Square: It is not just Idaho, the entire Pacific Northwest is losing population.

29APR2022:

 

27APR2021:

05DEC2018:

There is still massive housing construction going on in Idaho, all across the state, it has been going on since the late 1990s.  Housing developers and politicians have always claimed it is because the population is booming, and it is necessary to keep housing costs down.  That is interesting, because homes prices/values skyrocketed, anyway.  Just this year, Bannock County jacked up the value of my property to where they now consider it worth four times what I paid in 1997, despite the massive home construction that is still going on around my neighborhood!  In 1997, my neighborhood was surrounded on the south and west sides by farm fields.  By 1999, the farm land was sold and huge housing tracts were under construction.  This never let up, year after year the city slowly moved westward, annexing County territory, farm land being sold-off and new housing development taking its place.  The claim was that the population and economy is booming, yet starting in 2001, I witnessed, experienced and documented the economic destruction in my part of Bannock County, and it has never recovered.

Prices for homes are finally ticking down in Idaho, but don’t blame the Pandemic, the massive focus on property development, that was never justified, is to blame.  Now, the mass exodus that is beginning to take place will push Idaho’s housing market into the Pit of Hell.

U.S./Canadian Housing Hooliganism: DRUG LORDS, FOREIGN SPECULATORS & LLC MONOPOLIZING!

U.S. Disaster 2022: MORE WILDFIRES, BLAME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SPECULATION GAME!

Idaho Collapse 2021: IDAHO HOUSING COSTS “LITERALLY MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE”! KILLING IDAHO’S ECONOMY! GET READY FOR THE CRASH-N-BURN!

Chubbuck & Pocatello 2019:

Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, July 2019.

IDAHO’S BRIDGE TO NOWHERE?

My Immigrant Idaho 2021: MEXICAN DRUG WAR TARGETS SOUTHEAST IDAHO, MORE THAN 200% INCREASE! CONNECTION TO PANDEMIC?

My Immigrant Idaho 2016: FEDERALES (pronounced the Spanish way) SAY IDAHO IS DOMINATED BY POOR IMMIGRANTS!

Chubbuck 2017: NO MORE XMAS LIGHTS? THE TRUTH ABOUT GENTRIFICATION

In this report, which chronicles the destruction of iconic Green T, the mayor of Chubbuck boasts it’s “…the beginning of some real good things coming in.”: POPEYES QUIETLY SHUTS DOWN FOUR IDAHO RESTAURANTS!

Bannock County, Chubbuck & Pocatello shenanigans, June 2016: Governor declares economy has “RISEN FROM THE ASHES”

Hoku-Gate, PaveGate now Amy’s-Gate!  It’s been revealed that Bannock County administrators were under investigation by the Idaho Tax Commission over massive local tax breaks given to California based frozen veggie food maker Amy’s Kitchen.

EXCEPTIONAL FAILED STATE: IDAHO POLITICIANS GIVE AWAY TENS OF MILLIONS TO COMPANIES THAT SHUT DOWN!

Here is an old photo, via Margaret Facer, of the Alameda Plaza Albertson’s, in Pocatello, from 1966.

A HISTORY LESSON IN ECONOMIC DECLINE: POCATELLO’S OLD FRED MEYER & ALBERTSONS ON YELLOWSTONE AVE (Alameda Plaza), DID NOT CLOSE DOWN IN THE 1990S  (This story is more relevant because Kroger owned Fred Meyer is now celebrating 20 years at their ‘new’ location [which used to be the Pocatello Mall] in Pocatello.  Their old location was just across the street [where the ‘new’ Winco is] in the Alameda Plaza, back in the 1990s!)

U.S.

Albertsons makes “billions in profits” yet pays employees welfare wages! : August 2016 U.S. Food Crisis

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of August, 2016: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

The now Belgium owned beer maker Anheuser-Busch announced it will kill-off 5-thousand5-hundred jobs over the next three years! Many of those jobs are in the United States!  The new owner (AB InBev) of the maker of Budweiser, Corona and other brands is consolidating global sales and logistics operations.

Alabama: In Trussville, after “The Lord blessed us with 16 wonderful years” their god now powerless to stop the “christian family” owned Cafe on Main from shutting down.  In Huntsville, Emma’s Tea Room shutdown after 11 years. The owner says a property developer made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.

Arizona: In Phoenix, The Grind burger joint shutdown.  In Scottsdale, ShinBay sushi joint, French cuisine The Upton and the two years old Vivo Ristorante shutdown.

California:  In Rancho Mirage, after four years Johnny Rockets Original Hamburger shutdown without explanation, 13 jobs lost. Herbivore The Earthly Grill shutdown its Berkely and San Francisco locations. Restaurant administrators have been shutting down Herbivore restaurants since 2015, without explanation, and unnamed employees told local news media they were not allowed to talk about it.  In Los Angeles, after three years Pingtung Eat-In Market shutdown despite reports that the area is in desperate need of a Chinese style restaurant.  Tout Sweet Patisserie shutting down their two years old Palo Alto location so they can “refocus our efforts on wholesale, corporate and e-commerce sales”.  In Clovis, ten years old Thai Fusion Bar & Grill shutdown without explanation.  Morton Salt shutting down their Newark operations, 70 jobs gone by December.  In Sacramento, on Watt Avenue Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour suddenly shutdown blaming crashing sales and skyrocketing rent. JBS USA Food Company shutdown their Sante Fe Springs factory, 362 jobs gone! In Strathmore, Golden Valley Citrus issued a WARN, 145 jobs lost by the end of September! ConAgra will shutdown their Oakland ops by the end of September.  Chili’s shutting down their Foothill’s Ranch restaurant by the end of September, 50 jobs lost.  A pissed off labor analyst went on a rant about grocery coporations reporting huge profits yet paying their employees so little they qualify for California’s social services: “The Albertsons chain earned over $400 billion in profits last year alone while the average employee netted around $300 a week with the concomitant effect that workers not only have to work more than one job but must also rely on taxpayer funding to make ends meet.” 

Colorado: Denver based Chipotle Mexican Grill is in trouble again, yet another employee lawsuit says Chipotle is treating them like slaves.  This time 10-thousand employees say most Chipotle restaurants use a time clock system that automatically clocks them out at 00:30 (12:30 am) even though shutdown ops take longer than that to complete (I’ve worked restaurant closing jobs and they are correct).  The lawsuit says store managers promise to manually adjust their work time, but never do (I’ve experienced that as well, at other restaurants), and that the unwritten policy of making employees work off-the-clock goes back to 2012.   Near La Salle, the Fritzler Corn Maze pumpkin and onion fields were flattened by hail: “Your stomach turns upside down but you’re so helpless… there’s just absolutely nothing you can do. The pumpkins were just getting ready to start.  ….this storm, it did not move it just stayed stationary.”-Glen Fritzler

Connecticut: In Westport, after 42 years Oscar’s Delicatessen shutdown, the owner has cancer.

Florida: News media report that Ruby Tuesday suddenly shutdown their Orange Park restaurant, apparently days before the corporate announcment of nationwide restaurant shutdowns. France based food service company Sodexo continues its destruction of U.S. jobs, this time 79 people in Saint Leo to become jobless by the end of September.  In Tallahassee, 25 years old Old Time Cafe shutdown due to the property being sold out from under them.

Georgia: In Covington, after 68 years Henderson’s Restaurant shutdown by state road construction that will create new turning lanes where the restaurant’s parking lot is: “It’s upsetting because we don’t feel like they have tried to work with us as far helping us with parking…”-Cassandra Henderson

Illinois: Ruby Tuesday suddenly shutdown all 11 restaurants in the state! Local news reports say there was no warning for employees, Ruby Tuesday administrators blame the francisee.  In Rockford, after 40 years Altamore Ristorante shutting down in September.  Another fine example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs; after six years farm equipment supplier German-Bliss Equipment suddenly shutdown, blaming mass layoffs by Caterpillar and crashing commodity prices for local crops.  In Decatur, Just Wingin’ It suddenly shutdown after only six months!  The owner blamed high taxes and bad comments on social media.  Sandwich shop Jerry’s shutting down one of three Chicago locations, due to rents that’re being jacked up.  Administrators are looking for a cheaper location: “…selling things on Division Street can be tough. It’s a big space, and the rent isn’t low….”-Mark Bires, owner

Indiana: Kellogg’s announced it will shutdown its Seelyville snack factory by September 2017, at least 150 jobs lost!  Penn Station East Coast Subs shutdown its location next to the Circle Centre Mall.

Iowa:  After 23 years the Brown Bottle restaurant in North Liberty shutdown, the stressed out owners blame their 70 hours work weeks and increasing competition.

Kentucky: In Paris, after 37 years Ken’s Fresh Foods shutting down on 11 September, due to lack of customers.  The owners hope the 56 employees can transfer to other locations.

Maryland: Frederick based Family Meal Restaurants shutting down at least four restaurants in Maryland and Virginia, but at the same time claim they have plans to open new locations.  In Baltimore, after more than five years Hamilton Bakery shutdown because the owner wants to spend more time with his grandchildren.  After four years spice seller McCormick shutdown their only retail store called World of Flavors.  In Bel Air, after 24 years Scottos Cafe shutdown due to the greedy landlord jacking up the rent.  The Winery at Elk Manor shutdown due to the owner pleading guilty to tax fraud, pissing off a lot of wedding planners: “He promised me the world: My wedding would be fine, he had no intention of closing the venue. It’s just so wrong on so many levels what he has done to us.”-Prassinas, bride to be

Massachusetts: After 20 years restaurant LaStoria Trattoria shutdown “due to declining sales”.  After 88 years Rubin’s Kosher Restaurant and Delicatessen shutdown, the owner said he wanted more time with his family. In Chicopee, after 28 years in the same location Quicky’s Restaurant shutdown due to greedy landlords and their jacked up rents.  Hearth ‘n Kettle shutting down their nearly 30 years old Orleans location in September.  Administrators say the greedy landlord went and leased the property to a pharmacy.

Michigan: In Troy, Minissale’s Wine Cellar Cafe shutdown after 38 years due to the owners expanding their wholesale food operations.

Minnesota: In Duluth, The Rustic Olive cooking oils and vinegar shop shutdown after four years because the owners are “pursuing other opportunities”.

Missouri: News media report Ruby Tuesday suddenly shutdown at least three restaurants in Nixa, Springfield and Republic.  In Saint Joseph, the Cash Saver-Apple Market grocery store shutdown due to lack of sales.  The owners claim all employees are being transfered to other Apple Market stores.

Montana: In Bozeman, after 31 years the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop shutdown, so the owner can retire.   The USDA reports that hail damage claims are above the 20 years average.  Not normal for this time of year, hail storms hit farmers just four days before harvest, destroying their crops. State regulators say hail damage insurance claims are at least double from ‘normal’ years.   In Broadwater County a 32 hectare (80 acre) barely field was destroyed, the farmer does not have hail damage insurance: “There’s virtually nothing left here….this was a very good crop.”-Gord Pierce, Bruce Seed Farm manager

New Jersey:  Movie actor owned Hard Rock Cafe issued a shutdown WARN for their Atlantic City location, 105 jobs gone by October due to the crashing casino industry! IL Mulino restaurant eliminating 60 jobs at their Atlantic City location, by mid-October. DiPietro Foods shutting down their 40+ years old Maplewood store in September, apparently due to jacked up rent because the owners swear they’ll re-open when they find a new location.

New York: Elmhurst Dairy shutting down their Jamacia operations, 273 jobs gone by Thanksgiving!  In Manlius, 14 years old Kimberly’s Ice Cream Factory shutdown.  The owner gave-up trying to sell the ice cream shop and had to get a full-time job working for somebody else.   Culinary Concepts-Spice Market issued a shutdown WARN, 221 NYC jobs gone between September and Xmas!  Drink maker Bevolution Group shutting down their Huntington Station ops, 48 jobs lost between November and Xmas.  In Brooklyn NYC, after 83 years of beer Greenpoint’s Palace Cafe shutting down in September, local news sources say no explanation has been given.  In Catskill, after 49 years Bottle Shop Fine Wines & Spirits shutdown and up-for-sale: “There’s just not enough business…”-Gabriella Varga, owner

North Carolina:   Another round of layoffs as beer maker Miller-Coors shuts down a brewery. This round 90 people were let go, by September all 350 employees will be unemployed!  The Miller-Coors brewery is co-owned by the British empire’s SABMiller (in United Kingdom, SABMiller is about to be sold to Belgium’s AB InBev) and the joint British empire-U.S.  Molson-Coors (Molson=Canada, Coors=U.S.).  In Charlotte, Maverick Rock Taco shutdown, unnamed employees said a pizza joint is taking its place.  Also, the Bi-Lo (formerly Piggly Wiggly) grocery store on Meeting Street shutting down in October, news reports say no reason was made public. Two Lowes Foods grocery stores and one Just$ave gorcery store shutting down by mid-September. Administrators with Lowes Foods (which ownes Just$ave) said it was necessary “for future growth.”

Ohio: In Akron, the Kenmore Freeze shutdown after 57 years, the longtime owners want to retire.  Craft beer maker Winking Lizard Tavern shutdown their 18 years old Coventry location because it lacks “outdoor space”.

Oregon:  After reporting big profits, Albertsons-Safeway issued a shutdown WARN for their Clackamas location, 57 jobs lost by Halloween.

Pennsylvania: In Wilkes Barre, What The Fork shutdown their restaurant and food truck operations, no reason given. Michigan based Gordon Food Service shutting down their relatively new Pottsville distribution operations, 120 jobs lost by Thanksgiving! It’s connected to the federal government (FAA) catching Gordon Food Service shipping hazardous materials (sodium hydroxide) without proper packaging and haz-mat notifications. Gordon Food Service must pay a $54-thousand USD fine as a result.  After 28 years Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant shutdown, the owners are hoping to find a new location.  In Stroudsburg, AC’s Diner suddenly shutdown after only six months! The owner said running a restaurant takes too much time away from being with family, and doesn’t pay well.   Lancaster County health inspections showed at least 24 restaurants with some type of health code violation.  In Columbia, after 26 years Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen shutting down in September, so the owners can retire.  Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar shutdown their Doylestown location: “Unfortunately our lease is up and we have decided not to renew it.”

Rhode Island: In West Warwick, after 40 years West Valley Inn Banquet Facilities shutdown without warning or explanation, leaving many wedding planners pissed: “We’re frantically calling people, trying to just find something for the same day. If we don’t, we’re going to lose so much. We have our DJ booked, our photographer booked, tuxes are coming, cake’s going to be ready, RSVPs have come in. It’s come to the point, I just don’t know what to do.”-Matt Reale, husband to be

South Dakota:  About 60% of crops impacted by drought.   South Dakota State University also warning farmers to test damaged crops for nitrates before feeding it to their animals.

Tennessee: Logan’s Roadhouse now bankrupt busted, 18 restaurants shutting down!  In addition to the 11 francise restuarants shutdown in Illinois, Maryville based Ruby Tuesday shutting down another 95 restaurants across the U.S., blaming it on the loss of $27.6-million USD in its last quarter!  The Fox and Hound restaurant in Chattanooga shutdown without warning, management telling employees the company was bankrupt.  Also, World of Beer restaurant shutdown without warning, a sign on the door told employees where to get their final paychecks.

Texas: In Austin, after 53 years iconic El Azteca forced to shutdown due to the family owners selling the property.  In Houston, Aunt Bea’s restaurant  shutdown, never recovering from a fire back in January.  The Beaumont Enterprise revealed that 50% of Hardin County food businesses inspected by county health inspectors, failed! The other 50% of businesses inspected lost points on food temperatures and cleanliness.  In Longview, after 11 years Fritz’s restauarant shutdown becasue “The economy started to go bad, and a restaurant opening every week”.

Virginia:  News media report that Tennessee based Ruby Tuesday suddenly shutdown at least five restaurants, in Ashland, Hampton Roads, Bristol, Lynchburg and Roanoke.  In Richmond, Commercial Taphouse & Grill suddenly shutdown, but the owners promised they would be back with a new restaurant.

Washington DC: Restaurants Alfie’s, Chez Billy, 30 years old Primi Piatti and Döner Bistro shutdown.

Wisconsin: Mantiowoc Beverage System eliminating 84 jobs between October 2016 and January 2017, no reason given.  Sentry Foods shutting down one of two of their grocery stores in Waukesha right after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. Administrators claim those employees that will lose their jobs have already been notified.  In Milwaukee, grocery store Pic-n-Save shutdown, 77 jobs lost officially due to bad economic condtions, but more likely due to Pic-n-Save’s parent company, Roundy’s, being taken over by evil Kroger.  In Middleton, after 34 years Scott’s Pastry Shoppe shutdown, the 75 years old owner said she’s ready to retire.

Tech/Communications layoffs August 2016: “WITH SUCH FAST GROWTH, WE LOST SOME FOCUS…”

U.S. Retail/Banking/Service Sector layoffs August 2016: “WE PLAN TO SELL IT DOWN TO THE BONES.”

Food Crisis July 2016: “The economy…is killing us!” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We have no plans to cut or furlough staff…” Then without warning 150 workers fired! No more Freightliner trucks? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 16 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

California: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; Palo Alto based software company Palantir just took over two years old Kimono Labs, and as a result Kimono’s public ‘cloud’ service will end, affecting 125-thousand users!

Colorado: CB & Pott’s shutting down their 42 years old West Campus restaurant.  The operators are opening a new restaurant in a new location “to be closer to our core guests.”

Idaho:  Albertsons-Safeway is doing it again, killing off an independently owned grocery store chain, this time on the west side of The Gem State.  Paul’s Market has sold out to the evil corporate giant (who caused the demise of Washington’s Haggen grocery chain last year, killing off thousands of jobs!).  Reports are just coming in, but it sounds like three Paul’s Markets will be shutdown and four will be rebranded as Albertsons stores.  Idaho’s Department of Labor has yet to publish any required WARN regarding the shutdowns.

Michigan:  More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; California based video game maker Activision just revealed it eliminated jobs at its Minneapolis ops, without giving numbers.  Administrators blame declining interest in their Guitar Hero and Skylanders brands.  What automotive industry recovery?  Close tolerance diesel & gas motor machining company Royal Oak Boring just announced it will eliminate 125 jobs between now and the end of March!  They are shutting down their Port Huron operation due to being unable to get debt financing.

Missouri: In Saint Louis, yet another restaurant shutdown.  After ten years bistro Soulard shutting down this weekend.       

New York: Revere Copper Products eliminating 40 jobs due to low prices for metals.  In NYC, after six years Little Shoe Store shutting down their brick-n-mortar shop by the end of March.  High rent and utilities forcing the operator to switch to internet sales only.

North Carolina: For the second time since January, Germany owned Daimler-Freightliner is conducting mass layoffs, by the end of this week!  This time an additional 1-thousand 250 people will be let go from the Mount Holly and Cleveland factories!     In January Daimler-Freightliner laid off 936 people from their Cleveland factory!  Local news reports say local charities stated that this latest layoff round was “unexpected” and they are not prepared.  Daimler administrators are now admitting that their sales of Freightliner trucks are ‘crashing & burning’!

North Dakota: In Fargo, the Uptown Gallery shutting down after efforts to bring in a business partner with cash failed.  Last year the owner tried to sell the gallery, but nobody was interested.

Oregon: Japan based Panasonic issued a layoff WARN for their Salem operations, 50 jobs lost by mid-April.

Pennsylvania: More proof you brick-n-mortar store owners can’t blame the internet/high tech for your demise; administrators for the second largest cyber charter school in the state, Agora, revealed they suddenly eliminated jobs last week, but they refuse to say how many.  Local news reports say former employees report between 1-hundred and 150 people were fired without warning!  Cyber school administrators blame lack of state taxpayer funding due to ‘lawmakers’ failing to pass a budget.   However, local news media also published a direct quote from an Agora chairwoman, made back in December: “We have no plans to cut or furlough staff due to the lack of funds we are currently receiving. Please do not fear for your position here at Agora.”-Mary Steffey

After six years Pittsburgh Public Market shutting down by the end of March.  The eatery owner blames lack of customer traffic due to the recent shutdown of Marty’s Market, and the Firehouse farmer’s market.

Tennessee: Knoxville based Cancer Fund of America finally shutdown by federal regulators, two years after national news investigations blew the lid off their scam!  Federal and state government investigators discovered that the majority of donations went to buying “luxury” items for the administrators of the so called cancer charities, not to cancer treatments or research.  Watch the CNN report and stop trowing your money away on medical research ‘charities’!  Apparently there are other scam charities refusing to shutdown despite overwhelming evidence brought against them, so watch out.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

15 February 2016: Death of the Middle Class!

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

74 restaurants shutdown without warning! Another company admits it “over-hired” in 2015! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 05 – 06 February 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

According to some reports, 70% of the jobs ‘created’ in January were minimum wage, temp jobs!   The so called increase in wages was a piddly-ass half a percent (0.05%) compared to December!

California:  More proof the internet is not recession resistant; San Francisco based Indiegogo admitted it eliminated an undisclosed number of jobs “A few weeks ago…..to invest in growth.” (it used to be that layoffs were not seen as a sign of growth)  And San Francisco based Marinello School of Beauty shutting down its 56 schools across the U.S., due to it being caught ripping off the U.S. Department of Education!  In Oxnard, after 27 years frozen veggie food maker Coastal Green Vegetable shutting down, 137 jobs lost by March!  The owners blamed currency wars, crashing sales and gave out a list of increasing costs; water, regulations, wages and ObamaCare health care.  In Malibu, expensive clothier Banana Republic shutting down, the general manager said the high rent is not justified.  In Redding, God refuses to stop ‘his’ Simpson University from laying off ten people.  Administrators blame The Rapture, I mean crashing enrollment of students which I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.

Delaware: What housing market recovery? Without warning, Too Big to Jail Capital One eliminated more than 1-hundred jobs at its mortgage operations in Wilmington.

Georgia: Fayette County Schools laying off 18 people. Administrators say the layoffs are not connected to the fact the school system is lacking money, but that student enrollment has declined by 1-hundred!  God refusing to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ British empire based Salvation Army second hand Family Store in Decatur.  But it’s not due to lack of sales, instead the heating system in the building never works so they’re looking for a new location.

Hawaii: In Honolulu, Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant shutdown due to the landlord demanding the keys to the store by Monday.  The landlord is one of my former evil employers, GGP (General Growth Properties).  A rep for the operator of the restaurant said there were three years left on the lease.

Illinois: Sycamore School District 427 says it must eliminate a yet to be determined number of teaching jobs, as part of their three year plan to reduce expenses.  Administrators blame “financial constraints and unknown enrollment”.  TFC Bank replacing 33 offices with ATM machines.  Number of jobs being killed was not disclosed.

Kentucky:  Delta Airlines eliminating 120 jobs and reducing hours for another 185 at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport!  Administrators claim they “over-hired” in 2015.  Alliance Coal warning of another 75 layoffs at several of its mines.

Louisiana: California based Chevron eliminating 385 jobs between April and June!  Chevron revealed it is selling off its oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico.  While The Empire State of New York bribed Alcoa to stop mass layoffs there, the cash strapped state of Louisiana isn’t so lucky.  Alcoa eliminating dozens of jobs at its Lake Charles operations, on top of the 130 job cuts announced back in September!

Michigan:  The Bradley Kmart has a new owner who is shutting it down.  Retailer Meijer bought the Kmart property for $5-million USD. The Kmart will be shutdown in May, but the new Meijer store won’t be ready until 2018.

Minnesota: Egan based Ovation Brands suddenly shutdown 74 restaurants!  Apparently the only warning was given back in August when company administrators warned they were about to begin shutting down ‘underperforming’ restaurants (August is also when Ovation Brands was taken over by Food Management Partners).  The shutdown restaurants include Home Town Buffet (three just in the San Francisco area of California), Old Country Buffet, Ryan’s, Fire Mountain and Country Buffet (as opposed to Old Country Buffet?).

New Jersey:  New York Life Insurance issued a WARN, 70 people in Lebanon and Parsippany losing their jobs by April.

New York: Despite a massive taxpayer funded bribe to stop the mass layoffs at Alcoa’s Massena operations (as I reported back in November), Alcoa will still layoff 37 unlucky employees by the end of the month.

Oklahoma:  Without warning oil exploration company Helmerich & Payne laid off about 40 employees in Tusla.

Ohio:  The 28 years old Sears and its Auto Center in New Philadelphia shutting down by mid-April, 46 jobs lost.

Oregon: Perfect example of what I call Ripple Effect Layoffs (REL); in Springfield, after 32 years Thurston Book Exchange shutting down.  The owner blames loss of customer traffic on the shutdown of the next door Haggen grocery store (which was caused by Haggen being tricked into buying up hundreds of failing Albertsons grocery stores).

Pennsylvania: In Heidelberg, after 63 years Target Cleaners shutting down.  The owners say their business is great, but they need to retire.  Customers (including schools and churches) are upset because Target Cleaners is one of the last dry cleaners in the area.

Texas:  Houston based natural gas company Ryckman Creek Resources and its sibling company Peregrine Rocky Mountains both chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  Operations in Colorado and Wyoming could be affected.

Virginia: Genworth has halted its life insurance operations and as a result 330 employees  will become unemployed starting within 60 days of now!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

04 February 2016: “…deteriorating beyond repair for…several years.” Layoffs skyrocket 218%! 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

Massive ObamaCare job destruction! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 19 January 2016

Incomplete list of job loss announcements and shutdowns.

Alabama: Molded Fiber Glass Manufacturing laid off 39 people from its Opp factory, blaming a delay in new tooling and the U.S. Congress for delaying a renewable energy tax credit.   Sears Holdings shutting down the Dothan Kmart on the south side of Ross Clark Circle, 56 jobs lost in March.

California:   Yet more tech layoffs as Cupertino based Apple laid off 1-hundred people from its iAd ops!  Administrators claim they will create new jobs later on.   In Bakersfield, Guarantee Shoe Center is blaming the crashing oil industry for a 20% drop in sales.  The shoe store owners said most of their customers were oil workers, many of whom have lost their jobs.  After 65 years privately funded Pinecrest Schools shutting down all their San Fernando Valley campuses (Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Canyon Country and Simi Valley) at the end of this school year!  Administrators blame increased operating costs and increased competition from publicly funded charter schools.  More proof the internet is not recession resistant, reports that Sunnyvale based Yahoo is about to layoff 25% of its employees (about 2-thousand 7-hundred)!

Colorado: Louisville based non-profit cable TV research company CableLabs laid off 30 people, in order “to ensure that CableLabs can rapidly build and sustain a significant innovation pipeline for the industry”.  Albertsons-Safeway shutting down their Denver bakery, 95 jobs lost by the end of February.

Florida: In Orlando, Nephron Pharmaceuticals issued a mass layoff WARN, 250 people becoming unemployed by April!  (is it because Jeb Bush made a campaign stop there?)

Idaho:  Privately owned tourist attraction railroad company Thunder Mountain Line shutdown, without warning or explanation.  Trader Joe’s is recalling cashews sold in Boise (as well as in 31 other locations across the U.S.).  The nuts are suspected of being contaminated with salmonella.  Mental healthcare provider Optum has revealed it’s sitting on $5-million USD in unspent Idaho Medicaid funding!  This is significant because Optum’s parent company United Health claims it lost $1-billion in 2015 (see Minnesota below)!

Illinois: What automotive industry recovery?  Quincy based Titan Tire says it’s forced to eliminate more jobs, for 2016 they’re looking at laying off 130 people in Ohio and 150 in Europe!  And that’s just for the first quarter of 2016.

Indiana: In Fort Wayne, British empire based U.S. tax-sucker BAE eliminating at least 110 jobs by the end of the year!     

Louisiana: Switzerland based oil driller Noble laying off as many as 120 people who work on its Galliano facility!

Michigan: In Bloomfield Hills, after more than 40 years Hogan’s restaurant shutting down at the end of the month.  The owner admitted his old golf themed eatery can’t compete with the new “really trendy” restaurants.  In Lansing, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 150 years old (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Trinity Lutheran School from shutting down.  Parents criticized the church leaders saying they never considered outside sources of funding and the decision to shutdown came without warning.

Minnesota: Evil people and lazy local news media caused a charity horse rescue op to shutdown.  Despite a sheriff’s department investigation which cleared the charity of all of the false accusations brought against it, Hightail Horse Ranch and Rescue is now blaming “overwhelming negative publicity” for halting donations and stopping volunteers needed to run the center.  Minnetonka based United Health blames ObamaCare for causing it to lose $1-billion USD, massive job cuts coming!  United Health is considering getting the hell outta the Affordable Care Act exchange system!

Missouri:  Another Saint Louis restaurant shutting down, Mile 277, and like others they’re blaming the A-hole re-development projects and greedy landlords: “The development of other venues such as Ballpark Village along with numerous lease terms has significantly impacted the operations of Mile 277. The combination of these factors has resulted in significant losses of revenue and profits. Mile 277 cannot continue to sustain these losses.”   

New Jersey:  New Brunswick based Johnson & Johnson announced it is eliminating 3-thousand medical device jobs over the next two years!  ObamaCare taxes, the bad economy, and plans to take over medical device maker rivals are forcing them to cut $1-billion USD in costs!

New York: In Queens, after 25 years The Comic Den shutting down due to “new generation of readers” opting for comics on the internet.  Jeweler to the elites Tiffany’s announced its holiday sales dropped enough to warrant layoffs.  Administrators have yet to reveal how many employees will be let go.  Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley announced it will join the exodus from The Empire State (and other high cots areas) by moving jobs to “lower cost centers” around the world, potentially affecting thousands of jobs!

Ohio: In Youngstown, the 106 years old Masonic Temple on Wick Avenue shutting down by the end of June.  The members say the large building has become too expensive to heat during winter.   The Upper Valley Mall losing two more stores, Cardboard Heroes shutdown without warning and Lens Crafters shutting down this weekend! 

South Carolina: Barnwell County’s only hospital shutdown!  The 140 employees of Southern Palmetto Hospital said they were notified in an emergency meeting on Tuesday that they were losing their jobs on Thursday, this week!   The emergency meeting was called by the Director of Nursing, local news says hospital administrators refuse to talk to them and county administrators swear they know nothing about it.

Washington DC: Once touted by politicians like Obama, the 10 years old Five Guys Burgers and Fries joint on Wisconsin Avenue shutting down next week.  There’s no explanation, just a note taped to the door.

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

18 January 2016:  “Iconic places are going out of business, and nobody cares.” 

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics

U.S. cities declare war on homeless people! “this will be an humanitarian crisis under the flag of the United States” : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 28 December 2015

In 2015 dozens of evil U.S. cities, and even states, ‘declared war’ on homeless people despite the fact that the Failed State policies of ‘lawmakers’ are creating more and more homeless families: Portland, Oregon.  Seattle, Washington. Boise, Idaho. Denver, Colorado. Hawaii. Etc.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently released their 33rd annual assessment of hunger and homelessness in 22 U.S. cities.   The capital of the United States, Washington DC, leads the pack with an explosive 60% jump in homeless families!  Families becoming homeless far outpace individuals becoming homeless, and many city administrators see no change for 2016.  If that isn’t proof your system qualifies as an official Failed State, then you’re a proverbial Frog in a Boiling Pot.

Alaska: Proof of a Failed State; ‘lawmakers’ in The Last Frontier state are now considering a personal income tax for the first time in 35 years, blaming crashing revenues from the oil industry.  Never mind the fact that ‘lawmakers’ just spent bookoo bucks on building themselves a “palatial” new legislative building.

Arkansas: After 25 years Mister Magic brick-n-mortar shop shutting down and shifting to internet sales only.

California: Abercrombie Kids shutting down their Milpitas clothing store in January 2016, at least 41 jobs lost.   New York based clothier Suchman issued mass shutdown WARNs for several locations across The Golden State, 204 jobs lost by April 2016!    In Santa Clara, more proof high-tech not recession resistant as Citrix Systems issued a layoff WARN, 54 jobs lost in January 2016. In Brea, customer management company Alta Resources laid off 121 employees!  In San Diego, Bridgepoint Education laid off six people.  What construction industry recovery?  In Fresno, PPG laying off 45 people from their residential glass factory in January 2016.  In Carson, HVAC company Anemostat revealed they laid off 89 people. Morrison Healthcare Food Service ended their Chico operations, 87 jobs lost.  In Rancho Santa Margarita, RSM Automotive & Towing issued a layoff WARN, 77 jobs lost by February 2016.   The Montecito Country Club issued a layoff WARN, 44 jobs lost in February 2016.  In Pleasanton, Albertsons-Safeway continues with the layoffs, this time 66 people unemployed by February 2016.

Georgia:  In Gainesville, after 31 years Frames You-Nique shutting down due to the owner’s health problems.

Florida: In Mission Bay, the Toys R Us shutting down by the end of January 2016.

Illinois:  Since October the Illinois State Museum has been closed due to the Failed State ‘lawmakers’ failing to come up with a budget.  Now local news reports say two thirds of the staff have been forced to retire early, or quit!

Indiana: After 45 years the Mark III Tap Room shutting down at the end of the month.

New Jersey:  Bankrupt California based American Apparel shutting down their Newport Centre store in January 2016.  It should be noted that the bankruptcy documents partly blame skyrocketing rents.

New York: In Buffalo, Dog é Style hotdog joint shutting down by January 2016.

North Carolina: In Oak City, the owner of Klub Xplosion shutting it down due to increasing violence.  In Cary, Firewurst sausage joint shutting down: “After nearly 3 years of toil and sacrifice to build a local brand that could ultimately become a national franchise, we have come to the conclusion that our brand is…..not sustainable.”

Puerto Rico: The governor of the U.S. territory stated they cannot continue making payments on the government debt: “We’re out of cash…..there are no more tricks…this will be an humanitarian crisis under the flag of the United States very soon if Congress do not act.”-Alejandro Garcia Padilla, interviewed by CNN

South Carolina:  More proof internet/high-tech is not recession resistant; 3D Systems shutting down its Cubify.com website and ending its retail 3D printed operations.

U.S. Job Losses & Closings 25 – 27 December 2015: Nevada penalizes homeowners for going ‘Green’!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

Idaho screws over firefighters! Scott Walker reigns supreme as layoff king! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 21 – 22 December 2015

Alaska:  Snow Goose Restaurant and Sleeping Lady Brewery shutting down after being sold to a competitor.

California: In Laguna Woods, the Albertsons-Safeway owned Vons grocery store shutting down in January 2016, officially blaming the greedy landlord.  ITT issued a shutdown WARN for its Perris office, at least 18 jobs lost by February 2016. In Bakersfield, C&J Well Service issued a layoff WARN, 161 people jobless by February 2016! KVS Transportation issued a layoff WARN, 111 people jobless by February 2016! In Foothill Ranch, clothier The Wet Seal laying off 20 employees by February 2016.  In Santa Clara, Marvell Semiconductor eliminating 13 jobs by February 2016.  In San Mateo, Sony Mobile eliminating 80 jobs in February 2016.  Medical vascular care company Abbott Vascular shutdown their Redwood City ops, 144 people now jobless!   In Sonoma, El Darado Hotel & Kitchen issued a shutdown WARN, 113 employees will become unemployed in February 2016!   Sun Edison eliminating 20 jobs by February 2016.

Connecticut:  In Wallingford, after 25 years Furniture Solutions shutting down after Xmas, blaming radically changing buying trends.

Idaho:  Avista Utilities jacking up both electricity and natural gas rates for its Gem State customers.  The increase was approved by the evil Idaho Public Utilities Commission.  It’s been revealed that the incompetent Idaho ‘lawmakers’ spent $715-thousand of your tax dollars fighting legal cases to prevent ‘gay marriage’!  Guess what, don’t fight a fire if you’re expecting to be paid by the state! It’s been revealed that The Gem State lawmakers do not normally pay firefighters hired at the last minute to fight wildfires! This year state ‘lawmakers’ have agreed to pay last minute local fire fighting hirees 65% of what is considered “standard rate” for contracted firefighters!  The rip off artist known as Your Health Idaho ObamaCare enforcer is being cut loose from federal funding. For 2016 Your Health Idaho is expected to fund itself, which guarantees rates will go up.  And for more proof Idaho lawmaker’s version of ObamaCare is evil: “Students and their families are also facing steep increases in prices for policies offered on the state exchange, with average prices for a minimal coverage ‘bronze’ plan exceeding $200 per month.”-from staff report recently presented to Idaho Board of Education

Illinois: In Chicago, the 25 years old event center Redmoon Theater shutdown without warning saying “There is no funding model for this civic and social artistic vision…..” 

Massachusetts:  Brockton based office furniture supplier W.B. Mason laying off 2-hundred people right before Xmas!  Administrators admitted it was the result of their takeover of 13 competitors!

New Jersey:  After 140 years (surviving The Great Depression and numerous recessions) Kirby Bros animal feed and supply store shutting down after Xmas.  The owners blame ‘Global Warming’ saying the warmer weather allows farmers to graze their livestock longer, obviating the need for feed.  Japan based drugs pusher Daiichi Sankyo issued a WARN saying 24 people will be laid off in February 2016.

New York:  In New Dorp, a 16 years old Wendy’s burger joint shutdown without warning.  News reports say employees were telling customers the greedy landlord would not agree to a new affordable lease.  NRG Energy issued a shutdown WARN for their Huntley Generating Station, 72 jobs lost by June 2016.  Switzerland based Credit Suisse Securities issued a mass layoff WARN for their NYC employees, 307 jobs affected by March 2016!

North Carolina:  Legal software company LexisNexis is eliminating at least 2-hundred jobs over the next five years!  How many of those job losses will take place in North Carolina is important because in 2012 state ‘lawmakers’ gave LexisNexis $9-million USD in tax breaks in exchange for creating 350 new jobs by 2017.

Ohio: Lakewood Hospital being shutdown in favor of a smaller clinic operation.

Pennsylvania: The GAP and GAP Kids shutting down their Palmer Park Mall clothing stores in January 2016.  In Montgomery, Conair issued a WARN saying 44 people will become jobless by the end of February 2016. What automotive industry recovery?  In Lehigh, Westport Axle issued a WARN saying 50 people will be laid off by February 2016.  In Lackawanna, Master Halco issued a WARN saying 50 people to become unemployed in February 2016.

South Carolina: In Simpsonville, JB’s Barbeque forced to shutdown due to the owner’s head injuries.

Texas:  In Atascocita, after 24 years Gifts & Silver shutting down in January 2016.

Washington: What construction industry recovery?  Omak Wood Products issued a shutdown WARN, 184 employees unemployed in February 2016!   Hoquiam Plywood Products issued a layoff WARN, 90 people jobless in February 2016.

West Virginia: In Charleston, after 51 years the Fas-Chek grocery store shutdown, blaming competition.

Wisconsin:  Manitowoc Cranes shutting down its Port Washington operations, 80 jobs lost by August 2016.  2015 is on its way to being the biggest year for layoffs under Right to Work you over govna Scott Walker’s reign of terror, more than 12-thousand jobs lost, and that’s going just by the official WARNs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

Hundreds of jobs lost means hundreds of horses slaughtered! Haggen gives up the Ghost, shuts ’em all down! CEO doubles bonus by killing jobs! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 02 October 2015

What housing construction industry recovery?  A major west coast builder has merged with a major east coast builder.  Standard Pacific and Ryland Group now known as CalAtlantic Group and their first order of business is to kill about 280 jobs across 17 states!

For the third month in a row unAmerican corporate America failed to produce the number of jobs needed create a strong economy.  For September only 142-thousand jobs were created, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  Economists have long warned that for true economic recovery monthly job creation needs to be a minimum of 200-thousand.

Failed State Alabama:  15 state controlled booze (Alcoholic Beverage Control) ABC stores being shutdown due to lack of money.

California:  In San Francisco, the Exploratorium laid off 30 employees due to lack of money.  Unionized employees blame the managment for the lack of money.  Sunnyvale based AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) eliminating 5-hundred jobs, apparently before their fiscal year of 2016 begins!  Administrators essentially said there ain’t no recovery.  In San Luis Obispo, after 21 years Crazy J’s clothing store shutdown after the owner realized it wasn’t worth it to remodel the store or the brand.  Japan based upscale convenience stores FamilyMart-Famima! shutting down all their remaining California stores by the end of October!

Georgia: Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) forced bankrupt Hutcheson Medical Center to layoff 58 people.  The FDIC shutdown the Bank of Georgia.  Ivy Preparatory Academies shutting down all their high schools blaming what I call Disappearing Students Syndrome.  Apparently their high schools now have only 90 students each.  Only ten students graduated during the 2014-15 school year.

Idaho: Court ruling shuts down horse race betting venue Double Down Betting, Sports Bar and Grill in Idaho Falls, 70 jobs lost.  the Idaho Supreme Court banned instant horse racing gambling machines.    Taxpayers screwed over again, this time it’s education: “This case presents an Idaho taxpayer challenge to the illegal expenditure of Idaho public funds to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, on the grounds that the consortium is an illegal interstate compact not authorized by the U.S. Congress.  The Idaho Constitution recognizes that the U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The membership of Idaho and other states in the consortium violates … the United States Constitution, together with other provisions of federal and Idaho law. The use of Idaho taxpayer funds to support the consortium, an illegal interstate compact, therefore constitutes an unconstitutional expenditure subject to challenge by Idaho taxpayers.“-Idaho taxpayers suing their state ‘lawmakers’ in federal court

Illinois: Historic horse racing track Balmoral Park shutting down for the 2016 season due to no races being scheduled by state regulators.  Horse racing track Maywood Park is also shutting down for the same reason.  Local news reports say not only will hundreds of jobs be lost but hundreds of horses will be killed!  “I would say 75% to 80% responsibility for the situation…..is the inability of the state to pass a law that would allow video gambling at the racetracks. In every state where they have allowed casino gambling at the tracks, horse racing has flourished.”-Gerald Hanson, Harness Racing Association

Iowa: Sears Holdings revealed they’re shutting down the Belvidere Kmart, 67 jobs lost right after Xmas. 

Kansas: Overland Park based Sprint warned of more layoffs in an effort to cut costs by $2.5-Billion USD!  Hows that for faith in a recovering economy?

Louisiana: Tango Transport has been sold to vulture capitalist Celadon Group who is now eliminating 80 jobs.  

New York: After 158 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the YMCA shutting down in Amsterdam. Administrators say they are $75-thousand USD in debt and they are cash broke! In NYC, McDonald’s at 427 10th Avenue shutting down after Xmas, 65 jobs lost. 

North Carolina: Thai Pan restaurant shutting down in Greensboro after 10 years of yummy food.  The owner blames her husband because he’s retiring and wants to move.  

Pennsylvania: Drug delivery system company Unilife eliminating 50 jobs, and as a result the evil CEO is getting a $420-thousand USD bonus because stockholders like it when jobs are destroyed!  After seven years the award winning Supper restaurant shutdown, it’s now a private party and catering only op.  The Leggett & Platt mattress factory in Delano Township shutdown. As with many companies they are consolidating operations to other factories.

Texas: Willacy County eliminated 25 jobs and is cutting work hours for five judges.  County administrators blame it on crashing revenues from their evil prison which was forced to shutdown seven months ago and eliminate 4-hundred jobs!

Washington: Bellingham based Haggen Foods has told the bankruptcy court of its intent to shut down all its grocery stores!

Wisconsin: Dairy Farmers of America shutting down their Plymouth Borden cheese factory in January 2016, 3-hundred job lost! Administrators said it wasn’t worth it to upgrade the old factory and will instead contract out the work!  Littelfuse shutting down their Hamlin circuit protection maker HQ in Lake Mills, layoffs begin before Xmas.  Local news reports say at one time Hamlin had 2-hundred employees in Lake Mills.

01 October 2015: “the bottom fell out…” “It’s bullshit….!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.” 

Business/Economics, Idaho

“We cannot remain solvent” Haggen kills off 5,000 jobs! Cabela’s starts killing jobs! More proof iconic Coke is going down? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 25 September 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alaska: Mexico is getting out, shutting down their consulate in Anchorage by the end of November.  It’s blamed on lack of Mexicans in Alaska who need consular services.

Arizona: University of Arizona eliminating 320 jobs, blaming massive state taxpayer funding cuts!  Bankrupt busted Washington based Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown all its Grand Canyon State grocery stores that it was tricked into buying from Albertsons-Safeway!  Shutdown list

California: Bankrupt busted Washington based Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown all its Golden State grocery stores that it was tricked into buying from Albertsons-Safeway!  shutdown list   Affordable Care Act killing off Santa Barbara based plastic surgery supplier Mentor Worldwide as it issued a layoff WARN, 81 jobs lost before Thanksgiving.  Also in Santa Barbara, MCC BB Property issued a layoff WARN, 23 people jobless before Thanksgiving.    Evil debt collector EOS CCA issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Novato office and layoff 45 people right before Thanksgiving.  Like other corporations they are consolidating their operations.  Western Digital issued a mass layoff WARN saying 143 people in Irvine will become jobless right before Thanksgiving!  In Santa Ana, student loan processor Zenith Education Group laying off 18 people by the beginning of November. Bankrupt busted surf clothier Quicksilver laid off 77 people in Huntington Beach.  In Cupertino, Seagate laying off more employees, this time 62 right before Thanksgiving.  In San Jose, Cisco Systems laid off 20 people.  In San Ramon, AT&T issued a mass layoff WARN saying 219 people will lose their jobs by the end of the month!  Japan based GREE International finally revealed they laid off 114 people in San Francisco, back in July!   Santa Clara based Marvell Tech announced it will eliminate 17% of its global jobs, and immediately investors drove the price of the company’s stock skyward!  In Long Beach, home for troubled kids Bayfront being shutdown by state regulators for numerous “violations”.   In San Luis Obispo, after ten years Monterey Street Wine quietly shutdown.  In Willits, the Wowser rental production space (“Maker Space”) shutdown due to lack of understanding of its purpose.  Berkeley based Peet’s Coffee announced they are shutting down three shops in Illinois and four in Wisconsin, 1-hundred jobs lost: “After nearly a one-year assessment of our Illinois and Wisconsin stores, we’ve decided to focus on our top-performing locations. As a result, we are closing three stores in Illinois and four stores in Wisconsin on September 27.” 

Connecticut: After 26 years the Party Bazaar in Clinton shutting down by the end of the month.

Florida: Too Big to Jail finance and insurance company Ceridian issued a WARN saying 101 people in Saint Petersburg will lose their jobs between November and April 2016!

Georgia:  Once an icon of U.S. capitalism around the world, Atlanta based Coca-Cola announced it will sell-off nine U.S. bottling factories in an attempt to generate $380-million USD in much needed cash!  Those nine factories account for 95% of Coke’s production volume in the United States!  Administrators are also trying to consolidate operations to create a more efficient National Product Supply System in an attempt to drive down operating costs. Essentially, they don’t think the economy is going to improve anytime soon.  Reports say Atlanta based electronic payment company BitPay conducting mass layoffs as part of radical restructuring of its Free Plan.

Idaho: Once again this year, in order to generate more funding for public schools the state Department of Lands is auctioning-off  Priest Lake vacation lots, nine this time.   It was revealed that the main reason the auctions aren’t going so well is because many of the properties are actually ocupado: “I know that people are hesitant to bid against a person that built it and currently occupies the structure and still wants it.”-Sid Anderson, Dept. of Lands

The Right to Work (you over) lawsuit happy gov’na Butch Otter is screwing Gem State taxpayers over again by suing the federal government over their new sage grouse rules!  And the drought is so bad in Idaho that taxpayers are being forced by the Idaho Water Resource Board to fund $200-thousand USD worth of cloud seeding ops.

Illinois: In Meredosia, vinyl acetate company Celanese shutting down right before Xmas, at least 46 jobs lost.   The owner of Bud’s Skyline Inn revealed the Quad City International Airport bought his property and could be shutting down the hotel in a “few weeks”.  In Elgin, after almost 50 years the Gasthaus Bar & Grill shutdown due to crashing sales after A-hole christian extremist city administrators amended their liquor license.

Louisiana: Non-profit Louisiana Health Cooperative has been bullied by state and federal Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) regulators to shutdown “voluntarily”!  You should realize that ObamaCare was written by the for-profit insurance industry, and they don’t like competition!

Massachusetts:  It’s been revealed that law firm Locke Lord Edwards ‘lost’ or laid off 23 employees since April.

Minnesota: US Steel announced another round of layoffs at its Keetac factory.  Many of the 412 employees to be laid off by October!

Nebraska: Omaha based food giant ConAgra warned of mass layoffs as part of its plan to shift food production from Nebraska to Illinois. Outdoor adventure supply store Cabela’s announced it will eliminate up to 1-hundred jobs from corporate ops in Sidney, Denver and Lincoln!  Residents of Sidney told local news that they are pissed because they gave Cabela’s a lot of tax breaks to bring jobs into the area.  In Lincoln, clothing store Schweser’s shutting down after Xmas: “We have seen a drop in sales in some of our stores over the past few years that has been difficult to overcome. Our expenses continue to rise, including the cost of goods, and our sales have not kept pace in some locations.”-Tyler Smith

New York: At LaGuardia Airport, Command Security Corporation lost its contract with United Airlines, 108 jobs lost before Xmas!  State and federal Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) regulators shutdown non-profit Health Republic Insurance.  News reports say it’s the fourth non-profit insurance co-op in the United States shutdown by ObamaCare regulators!

North Carolina: The Biscoe Food Lion grocery store just gave its employees a 12 days notice of shutdown!

Ohio: Clintonville Community Market Co-Op shutting down due to radical changes in the ‘natural food’ segment of the grocery store industry: “This changing marketplace has created a decline in sales for our co-op that has intensified over the last two years, and the trend continues. We cannot remain solvent in this situation. The ethical and responsible act is to close the store.” 

Pennsylvania:  PBS member WQED laid off at least 17 people and is drastically cutting pay for everybody else.  Administrators of the donation funded TV service said they’re trying to eliminate $5-million in debt over the next 15 years!

Virginia: In Virginia Beach, family owned hotel and restaurant The Belvedere shutdown.  Supposedly the family is building a new bigger hotel.

Washington: Bankrupt busted Bellingham based Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown at least 127 of the 146 grocery stores (shutdown list) that it was tricked into buying by Albertsons-Safeway, more than 5-thousand jobs will be lost across several west coast states!

24 September 2015: Caterpillar to kill additional 10,000 jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.” 

Business/Economics

“…it’s going to get worse!” “I’m paying the state of California so I can work for free!” Haggen accuses Albertsons of Sabotage! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 18 September 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: What housing market recovery?  Too Big to Jail San Francisco based Wells Fargo eliminating 182 mortgage jobs across the country, due to crashing demand.  New York based Time Warner Cable eliminating 30 jobs relating to its southern California sports channels.   Texas based oilfield service company Halliburton announced a third round of layoffs.  54 people in Bakersfield being laid off due to “current business conditions”.   In Redding, rabbit food server Sky’s Pure Food restaurant shutting down, unless vegan fans can donate enough money for the owner to pay her debts. In Rancho Cordova, medical device maker Cesca Therapeutics reports that Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) might have caused them to lose $2.4-million USD in their 4th quarter! They’ve already laid off 15 people and more layoffs could happen.   In Lemore, yummy tri-tip Gunny’s Sandwich Shop shutting down due to increasing costs including increased minimum wage and taxes: “Water cost more, everything that you purchase costs more…farm workers…with less crop production means less people to come eat my sandwiches…what I was going to pay in taxes…I’m paying the state of California so I can work for free!”-Max Vernon, one pissed-off former Marine

Florida:  In Miami Beach, The Shelborne Wyndham Grand Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for their food service ops, 89 people will be laid off right before Thanksgiving.

Georgia: In Augusta, Henry Brothers Antique Auctions shutting down by November. They’re leasing out their building to a new tenant, with an option to buy.

Idaho: More taxpayer rapeing was revealed in The Gem State.  This time an internal investigation revealed that all taxpayer funded “therapeutic community” programs in Idaho prisons had no effect on reducing the chances that an ex-con would re-offend: “We know it’s going to make some judges mad and we know it’s going to make some people mad. But why would we keep putting our money into something that isn’t working?”-Kevin Kempf, state prison boss

Idaho Farm Bureau reports that overall crop production is up, but revenues for farmers are crashing by 30% because commodity prices are going through the floor! The crashing revenues will affect Idaho’s Ag industry which employees 100-thousand people in a state that has about 1.5-million residents.

Illinois: State taxpayer funding cuts forcing non-profit Fox Valley Older Adult Services to shutdown their DeKalb and Aurora ops.

Kansas: The child prison known as Clarence Kelley Youth Center shutting down, the good news it that it sounds like it’s due to a lack of prisoners (currently only 15).

Kentucky: In Louisville, a KingFish restaurant shutting down its Blankenbaker Parkway location. The owners of the 70 years old restaurant chain are spending $1-million renovating two other restaurants.

Massachusetts: In Boston Weak: “After 14 years of never once having to lay off an employee, we had to as the result of the Subway loss. It was very difficult and we had to let people go that we loved and have worked with together for years.”-Fred Bertino, ad agency McCarthy Mambro Bertino (MMB)

Minnesota:  In Minneapolis, the long lived Masa restaurant shutdown, apparently the corporate owners didn’t like the new lease terms.

Missouri: Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) forcing Truman Medical Center to shutdown their behavioral health emergency room services on East 24th Street.  Administrators said as a result of regulations from state and federal agencies, and declining payments, “It just made more sense to shut this down.”

Montana: 140 jobs lost when the Barrick Golden Sunlight Mine shuts down in November: “You know, it’s not making for a very pleasant day. It’s not good news to anybody.”-Dan Banghart, mine manager

New York: Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase issued a shutdown WARN for its Chase’s Consumer & Community Banking Operations in Garden City, 195 jobs lost right before Xmas!  In White Plains, AT&T issued a layoff WARN saying 42 people will be laid off right before Thanksgiving.

Ohio:  In Cincinnati, after 12 years Café deVine shutdown, the property owner is tearing down the building.  In Chardon, after 15 years Rosepointe Cottage Tea Room shutdown: “We have not been successful yet, but, I am hopeful that maybe one of you will know someone who would love to own the Tea Room! …..My plan is to close in late September if a buyer is not found.”-Mariann Goodwin

Pennsylvania:  US Steel warned of mass layoffs of salaried workers at its Pittsburgh HQ. No details given.  In Greensburg, after 31 years Art-Tech Supplies shutting down, the pissed-off owner blames the city itself: “Downtown Greensburg does not lend itself to retailing!…..It’s not going to get better, it’s going to get worse!”-Cecilia Morreo.

Tennessee: Nine Palm Beach Tan salons shutdown in Knoxville area, without warning, 50 jobs lost.   The franchise owner walked away without explanation, and without paying the employees their final paycheck: “They put a sign on the door the other day that said we would be opening at 10 today. That was a lie, they knew we weren’t opening at all today!”-Katie House

“I have this apartment so I have to pay rent and everything next month, and I’m a little worried about buying groceries, which I was already struggling with before.”-Annah Dorsett

Utah: In Provo, after 53 years El Azteca restaurant shutting down by the end of the month: “It’s killing me, but I have to be realistic……..we just don’t have enough business, and literally every month we barely make it.”-Carlos Rubio, owner

Washington:  Bellingham based, and now bankrupt Haggen Foods announced the shutdown of 27 more grocery stores in Arizona and California (here’s the list).  It also claims that Alberstons-Safeway is supposed to hire back their own employees.  Haggen Foods was tricked into taking over 146 Albertsons stores, the deal turned out to be a pig in a poke, now Haggen is on the verge of total failure!  Haggen administrators are now suing Albertsons-Safeway on the grounds that the deal was an act of sabotage!

Wisconsin: What automotive industry recovery?  Auto parts maker Johnson Controls announced a new round of layoffs, this time 3-thousand people will get the axe over the next two years!  How’s that for confidence that the economy is recovering?  God can’t stop Right to Work (you over) Republicans from shutting down the Daughters of the Father Christian Academy.  Democrats are demanding an explanation. However, it seems the private ‘christian’ school was being funded with public secular tax dollars, which should be a violation of the 1st Amendment.

17 September 2015: “I’m going to cry….the business isn’t there anymore.” Corporate America declares War on Talent against workers over 34 years of age!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”