Meanwhile, total spending for Valentine’s Day, including those not spending on partners or significant others, is expected to hit $25.8 billion, or an average of $185.81 per person, coming in just below 2023 spending at $25.9 billion. Still, the holiday’s record for total spending holds at $27.4 billion in 2020. Consumers between the ages of 35 and 44 are expected to spend the most on their significant other and on their pets.
“Retailers are ready to help customers this Valentine’s Day with meaningful and memorable gifts,” National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “With consumers prioritizing their spouse or significant other this year, retailers expect to see a shift in spending for certain gifting categories.”
The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2024, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.
House GOP impeaches Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 14, 2024
In their second attempt, House Republicans vote to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. And a driver is killed after crashing into the emergency room of a Texas hospital, leaving others critically injured. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
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The GOP had the votes Tuesday night, Feb. 13, after failing to pass the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 6, thanks to the return of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who had been absent while seeking blood cancer treatment. The articles of impeachment passed by a vote of 214-213, with three Republicans siding with Democrats to oppose impeaching Mayorkas. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that Mayorkas fueled “the worst border catastrophe in American history.”
While a spokesperson for DHS said the impeachment was done “without a shred of evidence or constitutional grounds.” The issue now heads to trial in the Democrat-controlled Senate, which is unlikely to vote to remove Mayorkas from office.
Tuesday’s vote marked only the second time in U.S. history that the House has impeached a cabinet member. The last time was in 1876.
Democrat Tom Suozzi wins NY election to replace George Santos
Voters battled through a winter storm to make it to the polls. With 93% of the votes in, Suozzi won 54% compared to 46% for Pilip.
Suozzi is returning to the House after giving up his seat in 2022 to run for Governor. He previously served three terms.
Driver dead 5 others injured after vehicle crashes into Austin ER
The driver was killed after crashing into an Austin, Texas, emergency room, while five others were left injured in the incident. Footage taken by a bystander right after the crash happened shows hospital staff and responders clearing the lobby and moving the injured through a cloud of smoke while the sounds of screeching tires continue in the background.
According to police, the crash occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, and does not appear to have been intentional. The crash left five people hurt. Two children and one adult were transported to a local children’s hospital. One of the kids is said to be in critical condition. Another adult was taken to a different area hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. The fifth person injured was treated on-site at the emergency room.
According to the chief medical officer at the Austin hospital, eight others in the emergency room who were not injured in the crash were transported to other hospitals in the area so the emergency room could regroup after the incident.
Uber, Lyft, Doordash drivers to walk off job, hold rallies at airports
SpaceX postpones launch of private company’s moon lander
If you are looking to see a video of the latest launch of a private company’s moon lander, you’ll have to wait at least one more day. SpaceX is postponing Wednesday morning’s Feb. 13 launch of its Falcon 9 rocket carrying Intuitive Machines of Houston’s robotic lunar lander, Odysseus. SpaceX said a liquid methane temperature issue was the cause of the delay.
The launch is now scheduled for early Thursday morning, Feb. 15, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A Friday, Feb. 16 launch is also possible if another issue arises.
Should this mission be successful, unlike last month’s attempt by another private company, it will be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon’s surface since 1972.
Record spending on significant others expected this Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day 2024. While The Beatles famously sang, “money can’t buy me love,” that won’t stop many from spending on their loved ones today. According to the National Retail Federation, people are expected to spend a record $14.2 billion this year on their significant others, or $101.84per person. Total spending is expected to reach $25.8 billion, with an average of $185 per person.
The top gift of choice? Candy, followed by greeting cards, flowers, and an evening out. Over half of Americans said they plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, while about a third of those who aren’t still said they want to mark the occasion by either getting together with single friends or treating themselves to something special.
Valentine’s Day is almost here, and those looking to catch a ride to a fancy restaurant using Uber or Lyft — or maybe a date in with DoorDash — may have their plans derailed by a strike. Thousands of drivers working for the ride share companies and food delivery services are walking off the job Wednesday, Feb. 14.
“Yes, Valentine’s Day,” one Uber driver on TikTok said. “And we are not showing any love for Uber that day.”
“We’re sick of working 80 hours a week just to make ends meet, being constantly scared for our safety, and worrying about being deactivated with the click of a button,” the workers said, according to Justice for App Workers, which represents more than 130,000 ride share drivers from the East Coast to the Midwest.
The workers are holding rallies outside of airports and Uber offices in several major cities, including Miami, Chicago and Philadelphia, and said they are not giving rides from airports between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in 10 cities.
“So, tomorrow is the big day,” another Uber driver on TikTok said. “We are striking on that day, we need to stay home guys, don’t go out and drive, it is not worth it. You will ruin everything if you’re out there driving guys.”
Ride share drivers are hoping to disrupt services during the Valentine’s Day holiday and bring attention to “low wages,” as they accuse the ride share companies of “taking disproportionately high amounts as commissions.”
Uber drivers’ monthly average gross earnings fell 17% last year, while Lyft increased 2.5%, according to Reuters. Last week, a spokesperson for Lyft said the company recently promised their drivers would be taking home 70% of rider fares after external fees.
Lyft drivers will join Uber drivers and those who work for food delivery service as workers picket for living wages, a safe working environment, health care benefits, reliable bathroom access and the right to form a union.
Uber said a planned protest last year had no effect on business and a spokesperson said only a minority of its drivers participate in strikes.
“Driver earnings remain strong, and as of Q4 2023, drivers in the U.S. were making about $33 per utilized hour,” Uber said in a statement.