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Category: Business

FDA announces recall of Horizon Organic milk due to spoilage concerns

FOX Business’ Lydia Hu reports on inspection records showing unsanitary conditions at Boar’s Heads plants on ‘Mornings with Maria.’

A popular brand of organic milk is recalling thousands of cartons of milk due to spoilage concerns, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The recall pertains to the 8-ounce size of the Horizon Organic Aseptic Plain Whole Milk. In total, 19,688 cases have been recalled, and the recall was upgraded to Class II on Jan. 17.

The best-by dates of the recalled products are between March 3 and March 7, 2025. The milk was sold in Arizona, California and Nevada.

Affected products were sold under a UPC code of 3663207113 for a 12-pack container, and a single unit UPC code of 3663207127.

POPULAR FROZEN MEAL SOLD AT ALDI RECALLED ACROSS 31 STATES FOR METAL CONTAMINATION: ‘DISCARD IT IMMEDIATELY’

A popular milk brand is recalling thousands of cartons, according to the FDA. (iStock / Getty Images)

On its website, the FDA noted that the milk is potentially susceptible to “premature product spoilage during shelf life.”

According to the FDA’s guidelines, a Class II recall refers to a “situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

MORE THAN 500,000 ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING CONCERNS

Cartons of Horizon DHA Omega-3 fortified milk at a supermarket in Washington, D.C. (Rich Clement/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

It is not exceedingly uncommon for food to be recalled due to spoilage issues.

Earlier this month, Walmart stores recalled more than 12,000 cartons of Great Value brand chicken broth, citing the reason as “potential for packaging failures that could compromise the sterility of the product, resulting in spoilage.”

Cartons of WhiteWave Foods Co. Horizon Organic milk, a unit of Dean Foods Co., at a supermarket in New York. (Scott Eells/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement. “As soon as we were made aware of the issue, we took action to remove all impacted product from the select, impacted stores. We are continuing to work with the supplier to investigate.”

FOX Business reached out to Horizon Organic for comment.

FOX Business’ Christine Rouselle contributed to this report.

January 26, 2025
Kia recalls EV and hybrid vehicles due to airbag issue caused by faulty wiring

Aptera Motors co-founder and co-CEO Steve Fambro breaks down how the vehicle works on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

Kia is recalling over 80,000 of its electric and hybrid vehicles over concerns about airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced last week.

The recall pertains to 2023-2025 Niro EVs, Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), and Hybrid vehicles, according to the agency’s website.

“The floor wiring assembly [of recalled vehicles] beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front airbags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain airbag deployment,” the Jan. 17 statement read.

When an airbag deploys improperly or unintentionally, the risk of injury during a crash can increase, according to the NHTSA.

MORE THAN 500,000 ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING CONCERNS

Kia is recalling some of its electric vehicles, officials say. (Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Owners of recalled vehicles are urged to visit a Kia dealer, who will inspect and fix the floor wiring assembly free of charge.

“In addition, dealers will install wiring covers,” the statement read. “Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 14, 2025.”

Impacted Kia owners are encouraged to call the company’s customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with a recall reference number of SC332.

BLUE RIDGE BEEF RECALLS PUPPY FOOD THAT MAY BE TAINTED WITH SALMONELLA

Kia introduces the Niro Concept vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. (Getty Images)

Last spring, Kia recalled more than 427,000 vehicles that had the potential to move while in park.

The recall covered all Telluride vehicles manufactured between 2020 and 2023 as well as some 2024 models. At the time, the NHTSA warned that the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft on the vehicles “may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier.”

A Kia sign at company headquarters in Seoul, Korea. (Reuters/You Sung-Ho KKH/SA / Reuters Photos)

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Kia owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

FOX Business reached out to Kia for comment.

FOX Business’ Danielle Genovese contributed to this report.

January 26, 2025
63,000 Jeep Cherokee vehicles recalled due to PTU concerns, officials say

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Chrysler parent company Stellantis is recalling over 63,000 Jeep Cherokees due to issues with the vehicles’ power transfer units (PTUs), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The recall is for Jeep Cherokee model years between 2017 and 2019.

“The power transfer unit (PTU) may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function,” the NHTSA’s website explains.

According to the NHTSA, not only can a loss of drive power make crashes more likely, but the loss of a park function “can cause an unintended vehicle rollaway, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.”

MORE THAN 500,000 ELECTRIC SPACE HEATERS RECALLED DUE TO OVERHEATING CONCERNS

Tens of thousands of Jeep Cherokee vehicles are being recalled. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

The agency noted that a remedy is still “under development.” Notification letters to affected owners will be mailed Feb. 13.

Last year, Chrysler recalled 338,238 Jeep Grand Cherokees due to a steering wheel issue that posed a significant safety hazard.

The recall pertained to the 2021 to 2023 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022 to 2023 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.

BLUE RIDGE BEEF RECALLS PUPPY FOOD THAT MAY BE TAINTED WITH SALMONELLA

Jeep Cherokees sit on a lot at Fiat Chryslers’ Belvidere Assembly Plant Feb. 27, 2019, in Belvidere, Ill. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)

In October, Chrysler also recalled about 150,000 Jeep electric vehicles because of a “risk of fire while parked or driven.”

Jeep customers affected by the latest recall are encouraged to visit the NHTSA’s website or call the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Drivers can also call Stellantis customer service at 1-800-853-1403 with a recall reference code of 01C.

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A Stellantis sign outside its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., June 10, 2021. (Reuters/Rebecca Cook / Reuters Photos)

FOX Business reached out to Stellantis for comment.

FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.

January 26, 2025
LA real estate agent reveals No. 1 reason why Pacific Palisades residents won’t return

Former ‘Million Dollar Listing’ star and Los Angeles real estate agent Josh Altman provides an update on wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts, and previews President Donald Trump’s visit to disaster sites.

After making a shocking prediction that up to 70% of Pacific Palisades residents won’t return to rebuild and live in their homes, former “Million Dollar Listing” real estate agent Josh Altman is explaining exactly why.

“They’re not going to not return because they don’t want to return. Of course they want to go back there… They’re not going to return because it’s simple math,” Altman said on “FOX Business Live,” Friday.

“I don’t believe they’re going to be able to afford to rebuild with most of the people that are heavily underinsured, with the costs of construction, lumber, steel. We’re talking about a $1,000 [per] foot building in the Palisades and in Malibu.”

Southern California has been grappling with a surge of wildfires since Jan. 7. Over 50,000 acres have been scorched, 28 people have been killed and upwards of 16,000 homes and buildings have been completely lost.

L.A. CELEBRITY BROKER IS HOLDING WILDFIRE ‘BAD’ APPLES ACCOUNTABLE, URGING THEM TO ‘GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER’

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday after touring the devastation in Los Angeles with residents who were personally impacted by the disastrous event.

Former “Million Dollar Listing” star Josh Altman argues that the main reason why up to 70% of Pacific Palisades residents won’t return to their homes is due to expensive insurance and buildings costs, on “FOX Business Live.” (FOXBusiness)

Early estimates put the total financial loss of the wildfires in the $50 billion range, according to AccuWeather and JPMorgan. Leading up to the fires, several insurance companies either fled, stopped writing new policies or reduced coverage in the Golden State.

“And that’s on top of getting a construction crew to show up to your site when there’s 16,000 structures that have been burned between houses, schools, commercial spaces. It’s a disaster,” Altman expanded. “That’s what I’m saying, I don’t know that they’ll be able to do it with the insurance.”

Newsom signed off on a relief package where the state will spend $2.5 billion to help with wildfire recovery. But Altman wants Newsom to take his response a step further by removing bureaucratic roadblocks that make building homes in California timely and costly.

New York City real estate agents Dolly and Jenny Lenz discuss the Los Angeles wildfires and the impact it will have on the local housing market on ‘FOX Business Live.’

“The recipe for success is going to be cutting the red tape. Building a house, the process in California, which is just wrapped in red tape, is absolutely impossible: a year to get permits; you’ve got the Coastal Commission, which could be another two years. It’s time for the governor to start cutting the red tape. We got to move forward as a team,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of ordinances and a lot of things on the state and local level that have to go. The mansion tax, that was the worst tax that was ever passed,” Altman continued. “Get rid of it for all the people who lost their houses. The wildlife ordinance, get rid of it. Start cutting the red tape. That’s how we’re going to get back to being [a] strong Los Angeles.”

The real estate expert, who spoke ahead of the president’s visit, hoped Trump seeing the devastation with his own eyes would lead to more federal aid and assistance.

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The Oppenheim Group’s founder and ‘Selling Sunset’ lead broker talks to Fox News Digital about how he’s speaking out against landlords taking advantage of price gouging amid California’s devastating wildfires.

“You have to see it. I have walked the Palisades, I have walked Malibu. It is way worse in person than you could ever imagine. Hopefully that will open up funding on the federal level.”

Critical fire conditions waned across the region, Friday, with isolated pockets of rain expected over the weekend. The beneficial rain will peak in coverage Sunday, but could trigger mudslides in burn-scar areas.

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Fox News’ Stepheny Price and FOX Weather’s Chris Oberholtz contributed to this report.

January 25, 2025
Mauricio Umansky: ‘Put politics aside and get Los Angeles rebuilt’

Real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky says California needs to work with the federal government to help Los Angeles rebuild.

Real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky said officials in California need to work with the federal government in order to help people in areas devastated by wildfires rebuild, and that this is not the time to fight with President Trump.

“This is the time to put politics aside and get Los Angeles rebuilt,” Umansky told FOX Business. “This is not the time for our state government to be political and . . . start being against Trump.”

Umansky’s luxury real estate company, The Agency, represents a portfolio of homes and properties for sale around the world. However, many of its clients are within the areas hardest hit by the wildfires that ignited earlier this month across Los Angeles County.

TRUMP WANTS TO FIX THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS: WHAT IT WILL TAKE

Umansky said the situation is dire for families who have lost everything.

His agents, some of whom have lost their own homes, have been working around the clock to find everyone a place to go. But it’s been far from easy.

“One of the most difficult things is that there’s 10 applicants for every one house, and so nine get rejected,” he said. “When you think about that, and these are all people who lost their homes, so . . . their depression is insane.”

An aerial view of the sun rising beyond homes which burned in the Eaton Fire on Jan. 21, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Umansky said people are relocating around the city, and that many of them want to stay close to home. However, there are a slew of others who are going up north or leaving the state.

“We’ve displaced thousands and thousands of people. And so it’s going to be very difficult,” he said.

Umansky said it’s still too early to understand what things will look like in regard to how people are going to rebuild, but he knows governments on the state and federal levels are going to need to work together to do it.

TRUMP TO VISIT CALIFORNIA AFTER RIPPING ‘IDIOT’ NEWSOM ON WILDFIRE; CRITICS BASH CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, SPENDING

“We’re looking for answers. I don’t think that the government has done a good-enough job alerting people in terms of what things are going to look like,” he said, adding that residents are still struggling to understand how they are going to get insurance.

Firefighters have been battling destructive Southern California blazes for weeks, and more keep igniting.

They need to get their egos aside, the politics aside,” he said. “We’re going to need federal money. We’re going to need state money.

– Mauricio Umansky

The Hughes Fire, which was first reported on Wednesday morning, was located in the unincorporated community of Castaic in northwestern Los Angeles County. It quickly spread due to aggressive winds that have plagued firefighting efforts.

An aerial view of homes which burned in the Eaton Fire on Jan. 19, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) / Getty Images)

Since the wildfires began on Jan. 7, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Trump have been at odds. Newsom has faced sharp criticism over the state’s response to the Los Angeles fires. The California governor embraced Trump on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday after the president stepped off Air Force One.

President Donald Trump greets California Gov. Gavin Newsom as he arrives to tour areas impacted or destroyed by the southern California wildfires, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 24, 2025. (Reuters/Leah Millis / Reuters)

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Newsom has also denounced Trump’s criticism, telling NBC News’ “Meet The Press” earlier this month that “Mis- and disinformation don’t help any of us.” Meanwhile, Trump, a longtime critic of California’s government, recently lashed out, going as far as suggesting that California might not receive federal aid unless it changes certain policies, including its water management.

Flames from the Hughes Fire burn a hillside in Castaic, a northwestern part of Los Angeles County, California, on January 22, 2025. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images) / Getty Images)

While Newsom signed a relief package providing $2.5 billion for recovery efforts as fires continue to sweep across parts of Southern California, Umansky said there is “no question,” that the state is going to need federal assistance, too.

“They need to get their egos aside, the politics aside,” he said. “We’re going to need federal money. We’re going to need state money.”

The state must not fight Trump, he said.

“When I say not fight him, I mean . . . he’s going to have ideas. We’re going to need the federal government’s help. Like, there’s no question about that,” he said.

Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

January 25, 2025
Canada ready for Trump tariff fight as country’s leaders threaten retaliation: ‘dollar-for-dollar’

Strategas Securities chairman and CEO Jason Tennert discusses President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about Canada and the SALT tax cap on ‘The Bottom Line.’

OTTAWA — On his first day of office as the 47th President, Donald Trump put Canadian leaders in panic mode that evening while signing executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in the presence of journalists.

Responding to reporters’ questions, Trump reiterated his plan to slap a 25% tariff on both Mexico and Canada “because they’re allowing vast numbers of people… and fentanyl to come in,” and said, “I think we’ll do it on Feb. 1.”

Trump signed the executive order called the America First Trade Policy that includes a provision to “assess the unlawful migration and fentanyl flows” from Canada, Mexico and China “and recommend appropriate trade and national security measures to resolve that emergency” by April 1.

Whether the tariffs come next week or in the spring, Canadian leaders are ready to retaliate.

CANADA READIES TRUMP TARIFFS RESPONSE: ‘IN A TRADE WAR, THERE ARE NO WINNERS’

President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. (Jabin Botsford /The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)

“Two things will happen,” outgoing Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday about Trump’s tariff threat.

“One, Canada will have a strong, robust response,” he said. “And two, prices for American consumers on just about everything will go up, and we don’t think he wants that.”

Trudeau, who leaves office on March 9 when his successor as Liberal Party leader and prime minister is named, also addressed Trump’s border beef with Canada.

He said that less than 1% of both illegal drugs and migrants enter the U.S. from Canada, noting that his government invested about $904 million to strengthen border security and Canada’s immigration system.

Canadian government officials have drafted a plan to impose counter-tariffs worth about $26 billion on the U.S. if the Trump administration proceeds with his tariff measures.

Canada’s response will be “dollar-for-dollar, tariff-for-tariff,” Doug Ford, premier of Canada’s most populous province of Ontario, said in an interview.

President Donald Trump, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participate in a bilateral meeting at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Aug. 25, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Had Trump imposed the tariffs against Canada on his Jan. 20 return to the White House, the Canadian government reportedly was ready to tack on tariffs to several U.S. products, such as orange juice from the president’s state of residence, Florida, and bourbon from Kentucky, home to Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.

In Ontario, Ford ordered the province’s Liquor Control Board to clear the shelves of U.S. alcohol should the tariffs arrive.

At a Friday news conference, the premier said that he would call an election next week that would send Ontarians to the polls on Feb. 27. Ford seeks “a strong mandate” to “fight against Donald Trump’s tariffs” and his “attack” against the province’s families, businesses and communities.

ENERGY EXPERTS WEIGH IN AFTER CANADIAN PREMIER SAYS SHE WANTS TO DISCUSS KEYSTONE PIPELINE 2.0 WITH TRUMP

Vehicles cross the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Claire River from Sarnia, Ontario, to Port Huron, Michigan, on March 18, 2020. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Ford has two trips planned to Washington, D.C., next month.

On Wednesday, he and his fellow provincial and territorial premiers held a virtual meeting with Trudeau in which an informal “Buy Canadian” campaign was discussed to promote homegrown rather than American-made products.

At a news conference on the day before, David Eby, premier of the western Canadian province of British Columbia, went even further in responding to the arrival of “catastrophic” tariffs coming from south of the border.

“We will not spend money in a country that wants to do economic harm to Canadians,” he said.

However, in Trump’s view, it’s the other way around.

In a virtual address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Trump said the U.S. has between a $200 billion and $250 billion trade deficit with Canada. “We don’t need their gas,” he said of the country.

According to a TD Economics report released this month, the U.S. is on track to record a trade deficit with Canada of $45 billion, all of which involved Canadian energy exports to the U.S.

An Air Canada airplane flies in front of the downtown Toronto skyline and CN Tower as it lands at Pearson International Airport on Dec. 10, 2023. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“If you take energy off the table, the U.S. has a surplus when it comes to trade,” said Ford, who spent 20 years working in the U.S. through a family business and who has a family home in Florida.

On the U.S. podcast “Standpoint,” former Canadian Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper said that “it’s actually Canada that subsidizes the United States in this regard” and “maybe Canadians,” he offered, “should be looking at selling their oil and gas to other people.”

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Hartford, Connecticut-born Canadian Green Party Leader Elizabeth May — who earlier this month joked that Canada could welcome the states of Washington, Oregon and California in response to Trump’s musings about annexing Canada as the 51st state — believes the president has inadvertently promoted Canadian unity.

“Canada is stronger now than I’ve ever seen it,” she said in an interview.

“All Canadians are concerned about protecting Canada against Trump.”

January 25, 2025
BMW UK announces it's leaving X — and gets mercilessly mocked

BMW Group UK’s announcement that it is “no longer posting on X” was met with backlash and mockery. In its post, the German luxury automaker’s UK branch also assured customers that the company would continue to post on Facebook and Instagram.

While the company did not explain the reasoning behind the decision, many social media users linked it to a controversy involving X owner Elon Musk doing what critics say was a “Nazi salute” during President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Musk has taken heat from critics who accused him of doing a “fascist salute” while speaking at an Inauguration Day event. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) came to the billionaire’s defense, with ADL said that what Musk did was merely an “awkward gesture” and “not a Nazi salute.”

BMW IMPORTED THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES WITH BANNED CHINESE PARTS LINKED TO FORCED LABOR, US SENATE REPORT SAYS

Following the company’s social media announcement, X users were quick to bring up the German luxury automaker’s past links to the Adolf Hitler, with many posting images of him touring BMW factories.

“Never ask a man his salary, a woman her weight, or a German company what their primary source of labor was from 1939-1945,” Jack “Kenjac” Kennedy, a Barstool Sports podcaster and content creator, wrote.

On its website, BMW addresses its history, including the company’s actions during the “National Socialist era,” but the page makes no mention of Hitler or the Nazis.

“During the war, the company management exhibited no moral scruples in making widespread use of forced labor and prisoners in concentration camps in order to comply with the production figures laid down by the authorities. These people had to work under terrible conditions and many died of hunger and exhaustion,” the company’s website reads. “BMW bears a substantial share of the burden of responsibility for these events and undoubtedly incurred a burden of guilt in committing these crimes.”

The company was also slammed for going “woke.” This comes as many companies have started rolling back DEI policies. Even Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined in the mockery, telling followers they should not buy BMWs.

“BMW = “Becoming More Woke,” Lee wrote on X. “Don’t buy their cars.”

Meanwhile, Chaya Raichik, the creator of the popular X account LibsofTikTok, made fun of the company for writing the post.

“This isn’t an airport. You don’t need to announce your departure,” Raichik wrote.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU COMES TO DEFENSE OF ELON MUSK

After criticism earlier this week, Musk joked that “radical leftists” were upset that they had to take a break from “praising Hamas to call me a Nazi,” prompting Netanyahu came to the billionaire’s defense.

The Israeli prime minister said Musk was being “falsely smeared,” calling him a “great friend of Israel.”

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When asked for comment on the controversy, a BMW UK spokesperson told the New York Post that “in the UK we’ll continue to be active on x, providing a dedicated customer support channel.” The spokesperson reportedly did not touch on the controversy surrounding Musk and whether it contributed to the decision.

BMW UK has yet to respond to a Fox Business request for comment.

January 25, 2025
Pfizer to pay nearly $60M over kickbacks for migraine drug once promoted by Lady Gaga

Pfizer chairman and CEO Albert Bourla breaks down the companys revenue on The Claman Countdown.

The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will pay nearly $60 million to resolve charges that a company it acquired paid kickbacks so that physicians would prescribe a specific migraine drug to patients, thereby defrauding Medicare and other federal health care programs.

The Justice Department announced Friday that Biohaven paid improper remuneration, including in the form of speaker honoraria and meals at high-end restaurants, to healthcare professionals to induce them to prescribe the migraine medication Nurtec ODT more often in violation of the anti-kickback statute.

The scheme took place from March 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2022. Pfizer bought Biohaven in October 2022.

The Pfizer Inc. logo is seen on the lab coat of an employee at the company’s research and development facility in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Pfizer will pay nearly $60 million to resolve charges that a company it acquired paid kickbacks. ( Scott Eisen/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

PFIZER’S PAXLOVID FAILS AS 15-DAY TREATMENT FOR LONG COVID, STUDY FINDS

Prosecutors said that certain prescribers who attended multiple speaker programs on the same topic received no educational benefit from attending repeat programs and that certain Biohaven speaker programs were attended by individuals with no educational need to attend, such as the speakers’ spouses, family members, or friends, or colleagues from the speakers’ own medical practice.

Pfizer ended the Nurtec speaker programs after paying $11.5 billion to buy Biohaven.

“Patients deserve to know that their doctor is prescribing medications based on their doctor’s medical judgment, and not as a result of financial incentives from pharmaceutical companies,” U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross for the Western District of New York said. “This settlement reflects our commitment to hold those who violate the laws accountable, regardless of their status or prestige.”

A woman walks in front of Pfizer headquarters in New York City. Pfizer will pay nearly $60 million to resolve charges that a company it acquired paid kickbacks. (Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress)

PFIZER ADVANCES ONCE-DAILY WEIGHT-LOSS PILL IN ONGOING STUDY

Pfizer did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle.

“We are pleased to put this legacy matter behind us, so that we can continue to focus on the needs of patients,” the New York-based drugmaker said in a statement.

Nurtec ODT, also known as Rimegepant, was approved for treating acute migraine in February 2020 and its approval was extended to preventing episodic migraine in June 2021. The drug was promoted by singer Lady Gaga in 2023, who said in a social media post that she had suffered with migraines since childhood and said she wished she had found the drug sooner.

The civil settlement resolves an August 2021 lawsuit filed in the Rochester, New York federal court by Patricia Frattasio, a former Biohaven neuroscience sales specialist.

Lady Gaga attends the “Joker: Folie A Deux” photocall during the 81st Venice International Film Festival at Palazzo del Casino on Sept. 4 2024 in Venice, Italy. Gaga promoted the drug in 2023. (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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She will receive about $8.4 million from the settlement. About $41.8 million will go to the federal government and $9.5 million will go to state Medicaid programs.

The False Claims Act lets whistleblowers sue on behalf of the government and share in recoveries.

Meanwhile, anti‑kickback statute prohibits offering or paying anything of value to induce the referral of items or services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and other federal health care programs. The statute is intended to ensure that medical providers’ judgments are not compromised by improper financial incentives.

Reuters contributed to this report.

January 25, 2025
Celebrity real estate agent brings ‘small-town’ Tennessee life roots to big city business

Celebrity real estate agent Taylor Middleton, who is starring in Neflixs new series “Selling the City,” told Fox News Digital how it felt to leave her “small-town” Tennessee life behind for the fast-paced world of Manhattan.

Celebrity real estate agent Taylor Middleton has no regrets about leaving her small-town life behind to embrace the fast-paced world of New York City.

Middleton, who was raised in Nashville, Tennessee, moved to Manhattan after graduating from Vanderbilt University. Since launching her career in 2013, Middleton, who is starring in Netflix’s new reality series “Selling the City,” has closed over $500 million in luxury real estate sales.

During an interview with FOX Business, Middleton recalled her experience when she first relocated to the Big Apple.

“Growing up in Nashville – and it was such a small town when I grew up there – and then moving to the big city, as they say, as soon as I landed here, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m with my people,’” Middleton said.

“Selling the City” star Taylor Middleton left her “small-town” life in Tennessee behind to embrace the fast-paced world of Manhattan’s luxury real estate market. (Netflix / Fox News)

“People who are go, go, go and so driven and ambitious,” she continued. “And it was very empowering and exciting for me because so much of my community in Nashville – and I love them so much – but so many of my friends were having their second, third, fourth child and were married and living this country club life.”

‘SELLING SUNSET’ PATRIARCH NAVIGATING A REAL ESTATE ‘DEATH KNELL’

“Which, if I’m being honest and candid, I always – I wanted that for myself,” Middleton added. “And I felt very different and apart from [that]. And so when I came to New York, it felt like, ‘Oh my gosh, everyone is living such independent, different, unique paths and exploring different things.’”

“It felt like anything was possible. And so it invigorated me to do more.”

WATCH: CELEBRITY REAL ESTATE AGENT TAYLOR MIDDLETON REFLECTS ON LEAVING SMALL TOWN TENNESSEE LIFE FOR BIG CITY

Celebrity real estate agent Taylor Middleton, who is starring in Neflixs new series “Selling the City,” told Fox News Digital how it felt to leave her “small-town” Tennessee life behind for the fast-paced world of Manhattan.

Middleton noted that succeeding in New York was similar to building a winning team in professional football.

“You can play up or play down to the team that you’re playing against,” she explained. “So when you are surrounding yourself with people who are smarter, better, more successful than you, it just – some people may cave under that pressure. But for me, I really thrive in it because it inspires me to do better.”

Middleton, who Netflix dubbed “the Southern belle dominating NYC’s luxury real estate scene,” told Fox Business that she originally hadn’t envisioned embarking on a career in the industry. However, she recalled that she had been “obsessed” with real estate from an early age.

“Selling the City” is a New York-based spin-off of Netflix’s hit show “Selling Sunset.” (Netflix / Fox News)

The new show follows the professional and personal lives of top-selling agents at the luxury real estate firm Douglas Elliman. (Courtesy of Netflix/© 2024 Netflix Inc. / Fox News)

“It’s funny because my parents moved around a lot [when I was] growing up in Nashville, and I always thought that they made horrible real estate decisions,” she remembered. “So, literally from the age of 8, I was calling up our real estate broker at [Nashville-based real estate firm] Fridrich and Clark, going, ‘Hey, Whit. Taylor Middleton. I just saw that there’s an open house coming in the paper. And so if you could take my mom and my dad … and he’s calling my parents, like, ‘Are you guys in the market? And they’re like, ‘No, stop taking her calls.’”

“‘Like, this is ridiculous,” she said with a smile. “So I always was kind of a real estate junkie. But then moving to New York, it wasn’t actually my plan to get into real estate. I kind of fell into it, thankfully and luckily. Just being super naive, thinking, ‘OK, I’ll figure this out, I’ve got this.’”

Middleton explained that she saw unlimited potential in a real estate career, which appealed to her since she was unable to work for many years due to a long battle with Lyme disease.

“I had a lot of lost time to make up for,” she said. “And so not having a ceiling was very compelling, and anything that’s very entrepreneurial, I’ve always loved.”

WATCH: ‘SELLING THE CITY’ STAR TAYLOR MIDDLETON SAYS SHE WAS ALWAYS A REAL ESTATE JUNKIE

“Selling the City” star Taylor Middleton recalled being “obsessed” with real estate at an early age before becoming a top agent in Manhattan.

“Selling the City” is a New York City-based spin-off of Netflix’s mega-hit show “Selling Sunset.” The series follows both the professional and personal lives of the ambitious realtors at the Manhattan branch of the firm Douglas Elliman as they “navigate the cutthroat world of luxury real estate in New York City,” per the streaming network.

In the show, Middleton candidly opened up about her marital woes and her past struggles with Adderall addiction. While speaking with FOX Business, Middleton explained that her efforts to overcome her substance abuse issues had given her the drive to succeed in New York’s challenging real estate market.

“Each person’s method is different for cracking the Big Apple,” she said. “And to me, there’s a phrase in recovery that I always stand by where it’s like, ‘Don’t miss the miracle. Don’t give up before the miracle.’ And I think that that’s what sets people apart who make it in New York or who don’t.”

“And for some people, it’s just not for them,” Middleton continued. “And that’s all respect there, too. But for me, it’s like you just have to keep going — during the markets where you make no money, during the years when you make no money.”

“If you have that belief and confidence in yourself, if you just keep going — and the universe is also telling you you’re on the right path — then it’s going to work out.”

Middleton is starring in the show alongside seven other agents at Douglas Elliman. (Courtesy of Netflix/© 2024 Netflix Inc. / Fox News)

Middleton, who numbers celebrities, CEOs and other wealthy individuals among her roster of clients, told FOX Business that she had recently closed her biggest real estate deal to date. The TV personality was part of a development team that sold a Manhattan penthouse for just under $17 million.

“That was definitely a team effort. I did not do it alone, but that was a big milestone sale for me,” she said.

FORMER ‘SELLING SUNSET’ STAR WARNS FLORIDA’S HIGH CONDO PRICES TURNING INTO ‘BIG ISSUE’ WITH RETIREES

While closing transactions with high price tags is always a cause for celebration, Middleton explained that the sales she has found most rewarding were often those she made by establishing strong personal connections with her clients.

“It’s not about even the sale number or the deal volume, it’s about the relationship,” she said.

The show follows the agents as they “navigate the cutthroat world of luxury real estate in New York City.” (Courtesy of Netflix/© 2024 Netflix Inc. / Fox News)

Middleton recalled meeting a couple who rented an apartment that she listed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though she had not represented the pair in that deal, they stayed in touch and reached out to her when they were looking to buy a property in Manhattan.

“We ended up finding them the most amazing apartment that worked for them and their family, where they started having kids and then their parents ended up getting a pied-à-terre” here in New York,” Middleton said.

“They’re originally from the South,” she continued. “And so to be able to work with multiple family members on multiple deals, that’s the most rewarding, because you become really ingrained in a part of the fabric of these people’s life decisions. That’s the most rewarding part, where people feel comfortable enough with you that they refer you to family and friends.”

Eleonara Srugo recruited Middleton to join Douglas Elliman. (Courtesy of Netflix/© 2024 Netflix Inc. / Fox News)

In addition to Middleton, the “Selling the City” cast consists of seven other Douglas Elliman real estate agents, including team leader Eleonara Srugo. Srugo, who has drawn comparisons to “Selling Sunset” patriarch Jason Oppenheim, executed Douglas Elliman’s biggest real estate deal of 2023 after selling a $75 million listing.

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The New York native is ranked among the top-selling real estate agents by sales volume nationwide, according to her biography on Douglas Elliman’s website.

During her interview with FOX Business, Middleton recalled that she was working at another firm before Srugo recruited her to Douglas Elliman. She hadn’t anticipated that her new gig would lead to reality TV fame, but she jumped at the opportunity to be part of the series when it came along.

“I joined [Srugo’s] team and then from there, all of a sudden, this show is coming about, and it was just kind of like, ‘OK, I’ll take both,’” Middleton said with a laugh.

WATCH: ‘SELLING THE CITY’ STAR TAYLOR MIDDLETON SHARES HER SECRET TO CRACKING NEW YORK’S LUXURY REAL ESTATE MARKET

“Selling the City” star Taylor Middleton shared her approach to succeeding as a top agent in New York’s luxury real estate market.

“Selling the City” is currently streaming on Netflix. (Courtesy of Netflix/© 2024 Netflix Inc. / Fox News)

Though she noted that starring in a reality show was uncharted territory for her, Middleton told Fox Business that being part of “Selling the City” was “amazing.”

“It was such a great experience,” she said. “But it’s like the wild, wild West. There’s no manual for how to do it and how to balance it all — all the personalities and everything like that. Overall, 95% of it, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was fantastic.”

“I feel like I learned so much about myself, and it was really fun, and it’s cool to be able to share your story, your professional life,” she continued. “It’s a highlight reel.”

“It was very positive.”

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January 25, 2025
Trump DOJ asks Supreme Court to freeze student debt, environment cases

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey joins ‘The Bottom Line’ to discuss President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and reaction to Harrison Butker’s commencement speech.

President Donald Trump’s Justice Department on Friday asked the Supreme Court to freeze a handful of cases, including a challenge to one of former President Biden’s student loan bailouts.

Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed several motions Friday asking the court to halt proceedings in the student loan case and three environmental cases while the new administration will “reassess the basis for and soundness” of Biden’s policies.

The Supreme Court was expected to hear oral arguments for these cases in March or April and issue decisions later this term. But Trump’s DOJ requested that the high court halt all written brief deadlines, which would put them on indefinite hold.

BIDEN’S LATEST ROUND OF STUDENT LOAN HANDOUTS BRINGS ADMIN TOTAL TO MORE THAN 5 MILLION

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (CHIP SOMODEVILLA/FP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Under former President Joe Biden, more than 5 million Americans had their student debt canceled through actions taken by the Department of Education. But Biden’s actions faced numerous legal challenges, with GOP critics alleging he went beyond the scope of his authority by acting without Congress.

In this case, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals had blocked the Biden administration’s borrower defense rule, which would have expanded student debt relief for borrowers who were defrauded by their schools. The court found that Biden’s rule had “numerous statutory and regulatory shortcomings.” Biden appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case earlier this month.

NEW YORK REPUBLICAN PROPOSES TO SLASH STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATES

Activists attend a rally outside of the White House to call on U.S. President Joe Biden to cancel student debt on July 27, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Now, that case is on hold, and it is possible the Trump administration will revoke the rule change, rendering the issue moot.

The three environmental cases have to do with regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency during the Biden administration that were challenged.

Biden canceled student loan debt for more than 5 million Americans. (REUTERS/Bonnie Cash / Reuters Photos)

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It is not unusual for a new presidential administration to reverse its position on legal cases inherited from the prior administration. After Biden took office, the DOJ asked the Supreme Court to freeze a challenge to Trump’s attempt to use military funds to construct a border wall. Biden halted the spending and the court dismissed the case.

The Biden administration took similar action with a case that challenged Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy. The Supreme Court eventually tossed the case as moot after Biden rescinded the policy.

January 25, 2025