Houston Astros welcome 1B Christian Walker to team; say negotiations with Bregman stalledThe risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority.Mind on Money: The future unfolds one day at a time
Ramiro Enrique, Orlando City blanks Atlanta to reach conference final
As the ongoing Canada Post workers' strike continues to shut down mail delivery, there are questions about those photo radar tickets issued on Ottawa streets and what it means for speeders. "The tickets will go out when delivery comes back, but we're monitoring it very closely," said Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney, chair of the city's Transportation Committee. Right now, speeders have a 23-day window to pay, but Tierney says he's confident the province will adjust its timing. "We're looking for the province to change some of the rules on the timing, but at the same time, we are still currently processing. So, I guess the message is please don't speed." It's just one of many impacts municipalities face as the strike continues for a 12th day. Municipalities like Smiths Falls, Ont. are getting creative, hand-delivering roughly 1,000 water bills to residents. Roger Stanley got his on Monday. "I kind of figured they likely would. I'm not a computer person so I don't go that route with my bills, I just call the bank and pay them right at home," said Stanley. Canada post says it's missed out on delivering roughly 10 million parcels as more than 55,000 workers across the country walk the picket lines. Back in Ottawa, the city says it is seeing a shift with more residents opting to pay utilities online. "It's good for the taxpayer because of course there's a big cost in sending those out. But I think, in general, people are just tired of the strikes continually and are switching to the electronic form," said Tierney. As for those photo radar tickets, they may be delayed now but, at some point, you'll have to pay. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Loonie tanks after Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian goods The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level since May 2020 after Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian goods shipped to the United States once he takes office in January. Should Canada retaliate if Trump makes good on 25 per cent tariff threat? After U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports on his first day back in the White House unless his border concerns are addressed, there is mixed reaction on whether Canada should retaliate. 'We need to do better': Canadian leaders respond to Trump's border concerns As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens Canada with major tariffs, sounding alarms over the number of people and drugs illegally crossing into America, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and some premiers say they agree that more could be done. Biden says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire will take effect Wednesday morning A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. As Trump vows major tariff hike, a look at what the U.S. imports from Canada Some Canadian products could face huge tariffs on the first day of Donald Trump's administration in January. Here’s a quick look at what the U.S. imports from Canada. Longtime member of Edmonton theatre community dies during 'A Christmas Carol' performance Edmonton's theatre community is in mourning after an actor died during a performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre on Sunday. Police chief says 'extreme left group' behind Montreal protest violence; Legault calls for more arrests Quebec Premier Francois Legault is putting pressure on the Montreal police to arrest everyone involved in an anti-NATO protest that turned violent last week. Canadian government suspends contracts with Boissonnault's former company The medical supply company co-founded by Liberal MP and former minister Randy Boissonnault has been suspended from bidding on or entering into contracts with the Government of Canada. Atlantic Nova Scotians head to the polls to vote in snap election; results delayed by an hour Nova Scotians are casting their votes Tuesday in a snap provincial election, but they won't learn the outcome until after 9 p.m., due to a delayed opening at a polling station. N.S. man charged with attempted murder after assault left victim with significant injuries A 30-year-old man is facing an attempted murder charge after an alleged assault in Denmark, N.S., on Monday. N.S. lobster buyer calls for heightened policing after shot fired into Meteghan home A lobster buyer in Meteghan, N.S., is looking for increased policing and a community-wide push aimed at organized crime after a bullet was fired into his home on Saturday night. Toronto Ford says Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods like 'a family member stabbing you right in the heart' Ontario Premier Doug Ford says a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods proposed by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is akin to 'a family member stabbing you right in the heart.' Serial killer Paul Bernardo denied parole for a third time: Key moments from today's hearing Notorious killer Paul Bernardo has been denied parole for a third time following a hearing before the Parole Board of Canada. Wanted suspect shot at passing vehicles on Highway 401 in Mississauga: OPP Ontario Provincial Police are looking for a man who they say shot at several vehicles on Highway 401 in Mississauga Tuesday morning. Montreal Cinemas Guzzo closing West Island theatre amid major financial troubles Cinemas Guzzo owner and reality TV star Vincenzo (Vince) Guzzo said he will close the Cinema Des Sources location as he faces financial trouble and fights to save his business. 'Broken lives and families': former members of Quebec religious community speak out Several former members of fringe religious community the Mission de L’Esprit Saint are urging the Quebec government to intervene following claims that it was a cult that brainwashed some members. Their stories are being told in a new documentary by Noovo Info. Man, 26, extradited from France to charges in deadly 2023 beating outside Orange Julep Montreal police say a man has been arrested in France and extradited to Canada to face charges in connection with a deadly assault outside the city's Orange Julep restaurant in May 2023. Northern Ontario Police seize $1M in drugs in northwestern Ont. bust Suspects from Alberta and B.C. are in custody after Ontario Provincial Police made a massive drug bust at a rental unit near Kenora, Ont. Sudbury resident scammed out of $20K, suspect from southern Ont. charged A 21-year-old from southern Ontario has been charged with several offences after a victim from Greater Sudbury was tricked into giving him $20,000. Loitering causing safety concerns by fire station in downtown Sudbury There is enhanced security outside the main fire hall in downtown Sudbury in response to safety concerns. Windsor Two suspects wanted for pharmacy break-in Windsor police are searching for two suspects after a break-in at a pharmacy on Tecumseh Road East. Lakeshore man facing more sex assault charges after second alleged victim comes forward Essex County OPP say a Lakeshore man is facing more sexual assault charges after a second alleged victim has come forward. Amicable end proposed for former Grace Hospital site The Corporation of the City of Windsor and Fairmount Properties LLC issued a joint statement about the former Grace Hospital site near downtown Windsor. London Police look to identify 3 suspects in shooting investigation, arrest 4th suspect London police are asking the public for help identifying suspects involved in a break, enter and shooting investigation. Sarnia councillor won't apologize to mayor and staff for vulgar attacks during meeting A controversial Sarnia councillor is under fire for a vulgar exchange during a city budget meeting on Tuesday. 'What I envision is a low barrier shelter': Woodstock council endorses mayor’s proposal for homelessness service centre Woodstock City Council has endorsed a proposal by Mayor Jerry Acchione to create a new shelter for those currently living on Woodstock streets and in encampments. Kitchener Guelph man guilty in hit-and-run crash that killed cyclist A Guelph man has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of a cyclist and community advocate. Paul Bernardo denied parole after victims' families plead he be kept behind bars Notorious killer and rapist Paul Bernardo has been denied parole for a third time after the families of his victims made an emotional plea to the Parole Board of Canada on Tuesday to keep him behind bars. 24 arrests as part of Hamilton, Ont. street gang investigation, with ties to Toronto, Waterloo and Brantford Police in Hamilton, Ont. have arrested 24 people as part of a street gang investigation with connections to Toronto, Halton, Waterloo and Brantford. Barrie One person seriously injured in collision with dump truck Emergency crews are at the scene of a serious collision between a dump truck and a minivan in Clearview Township. Multi-vehicle crash involving dump truck sends 3 to hospital Three people were hospitalized after police say a dump truck struck four vehicles in Newmarket on Monday afternoon. Break-in and theft at Barrie business under investigation Police in Barrie are investigating an alleged break-in and theft from a business in the south end. Winnipeg Premier Kinew says Trump's tariffs would cause a recession in Manitoba Tariffs on Canadian goods headed to the United States would mean a recession in Manitoba. That is how Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew feels about comments from president-elect Donald Trump Monday. Portage la Prairie Mall closing after 45 years A beloved retail staple in Portage la Prairie, Man., is shutting its doors at the end of the year. 'They're scared to come to work': Winnipeg transit union calls for more safety measures amid rise in violence A string of recent violent attacks against operators and passengers has prompted the union to sound the alarm. Calgary TSB orders more training following incident involving plane in Calgary The Transportation Safety Board says an incident that involved a Westjet plane hitting the runway in Calgary earlier this year was connected to an issue with pilot training on a particular model of aircraft. 'We are a weak link': Canada's border security under the microscope following Trump tariff threat Canada’s border security has been thrust into the spotlight after president-elect Donald Trump threatened the country with a 25 per cent tariff on all goods, including energy coming into the U.S. Alberta to announce actions against Ottawa's proposed emissions cap The Alberta government is hitting back at the proposed federal emissions cap Tuesday afternoon. Edmonton Edmonton police officer charged with assault An Edmonton police officer has been charged with assault. 'We are a weak link': Canada's border security under the microscope following Trump tariff threat Canada’s border security has been thrust into the spotlight after president-elect Donald Trump threatened the country with a 25 per cent tariff on all goods, including energy coming into the U.S. Should Canada retaliate if Trump makes good on 25 per cent tariff threat? After U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports on his first day back in the White House unless his border concerns are addressed, there is mixed reaction on whether Canada should retaliate. Regina Charged dropped against ex Regina high school teacher accused of sexual exploitation of student A former Regina high school teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female student was acquitted on Tuesday of all five charges he faced, Regina’s Court of King’s Bench confirmed to CTV News. SJHL game postponed in Weyburn over ammonia leak A hockey game scheduled between the Yorkton Terriers and Weyburn Red Wings has been postponed due to a "mechanical issue." Defence-called expert says Regina chiropractor accused of sexual assault followed industry standards An expert called by Ruben Manz’s defence counsel testified the Regina-based chiropractor, who is facing several sexual assault charges, followed the industry standard of care when treating the complainants. Saskatoon Saskatoon man hospitalized after he was allegedly stabbed in the forehead A man has been taken to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in the forehead early on Tuesday. City to begin removing snow piled up across city Now that most major streets have been cleared of snow throughout Saskatoon, city crews will begin removing the snow. City of Saskatoon spent $300,000 on Bus Rapid Transit rebrand The Canadian Taxpayer’s Federation is criticizing the City of Saskatoon for spending more than $300,000 to brand the city’s bus rapid transit system as Link. Vancouver Doctor cautions northern B.C. residents about Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV As northern B.C. heads into colder days, Dr. Wenzhen Zuo offered preventive information on this respiratory illness season. B.C. court levies $4K fine, year-long ban for illegal fishing A British Columbia man was handed a $4,000 fine and a one-year fishing ban after he was caught using a gillnet to illegally catch salmon. Man who stabbed stranger at Vancouver Tim Hortons released to halfway house: police Vancouver police are warning the public that a man convicted in the random stabbing of a stranger at a downtown Tim Hortons in 2022 will once again be living at a halfway house in the city. Vancouver Island B.C. court levies $4K fine, year-long ban for illegal fishing A British Columbia man was handed a $4,000 fine and a one-year fishing ban after he was caught using a gillnet to illegally catch salmon. Man who stabbed stranger at Vancouver Tim Hortons released to halfway house: police Vancouver police are warning the public that a man convicted in the random stabbing of a stranger at a downtown Tim Hortons in 2022 will once again be living at a halfway house in the city. B.C. premier says Canada will negotiate from 'position of strength' on US tariff British Columbia Premier David Eby said Canada had to approach Donald Trump's plan to impose a 25 per cent U.S. tariff on Canadian goods from a position of strength, as business, trade and community organizations called for quick action on the trade threat. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connected
Indiana’s next governor has big plans for the executive office, as shared with the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Thursday, a proposal that would trim the his cabinet to include eight policy secretaries aligned with core governing areas. Governor-elect Mike Braun’s new cabinet will seek to model “efficiency, accountability and communication in state government,” according to the release. Cabinet members will include Braun, incoming Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, Braun’s chief of staff, the superintendent of state police, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard and secretaries over eight policy areas or “verticals.” Secretaries could also serve as agency heads, meaning not every role will need to be filled by a new hire, but each will be “empower(ed) ... to drive progress within their vertical.” Related agencies will be grouped together into their policy areas, which include topics such as commerce, education, and health and family services. Earlier this month, Braun tapped his transition team and announced he would have 12 councils evaluating key areas. “This new cabinet model will allow us to be laser-focused on delivering results for Hoosiers,” Braun said in the release. “By aligning agencies and reorganizing the executive branch, we can drive accountability for leaders and agencies, promote better coordination and communication between our administration and the Indiana General Assembly, and create efficiency across state government.” Cabinet positions will include: • A Secretary of Management and Budget will be responsible for developing a budget aligned with the governor’s vision and serving as operational oversight for other secretaries. • Eighteen agencies and departments will report to this person, including the Inspector General, the Public Retirement System and the State Budget Agency. • A Secretary of Commerce will oversee the state’s economic development plan. • Eight agencies and departments will report to this person, including the Indiana Economic Development Corp. the Department of Workforce Development, the Hoosier Lottery and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. • A Secretary of Health and Family Services will coordinate “constituent-facing health and well-being services” and oversee public health programs. The four reporting agencies include the Department of Health, the Family and Social Services Administration, the Department of Child Services and the Department of Veteran Affairs. A Secretary of Public Safety will oversee law enforcement, emergency preparedness and public safety. Eight agencies and departments will report to this role, including the Department of Correction, Homeland Security and the Office of School Safety. A Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources will be responsible for energy and recreation policy as well as “sustainable economic development.” Seven agencies and departments will report to this role, including the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Management and the Utility Regulatory Commission. A Secretary of Education will oversee programming from pre-K to college. The seven reporting agencies and departments include the Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education and the Charter School Board. A Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure, which also includes oversight of broadband and other quality of life measures. Four agencies will report to this role, including the Department of Transportation, the Northwest IN Regional Development Authority, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Broadband Office. A Secretary of Business Affairs who will manage Indiana’s regulatory framework to ensure “businesses and industries operate safely, ethically and efficiently.” Eleven agencies and departments will report to this position, including the Department of Insurance, the Department of Labor, the Professional Licensing Agency and the Gaming Commission. Both the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs will continue to be led by the lieutenant governor, as outlined by statute. Braun’s chief of staff will set the agenda for the cabinet, which will meet “frequently.” Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Cabinet, in contrast, has more traditionally included major agency heads rather than policy-aligned “verticals.” A two-year-old post on the state’s website includes more than two dozen agencies, keeping departments like the Family and Social Services Administration separate from the Department of Health, for example.By ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Related Articles National Politics | Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia National Politics | Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different National Politics | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National Politics | Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years National Politics | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Jayden Brown had 17 points in Cent. Conn. St.'s 64-56 victory against Binghamton on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Jayden Brown had 17 points in Cent. Conn. St.'s 64-56 victory against Binghamton on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Jayden Brown had 17 points in Cent. Conn. St.’s 64-56 victory against Binghamton on Sunday. Brown added eight rebounds for the Blue Devils (3-3). Jordan Jones scored 15 points and added five rebounds. Davonte Sweatman shot 3 of 10 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line to finish with 14 points. Tymu Chenery led the way for the Bearcats (2-5) with 16 points and four assists. Nehemiah Benson added 14 points and six rebounds for Binghamton. Gavin Walsh also had nine points and eight rebounds. NEXT UP Cent. Conn. St.’s next game is Sunday against UMass-Lowell at home. Binghamton squares off against Niagara on Friday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. AdvertisementPlay the awesome new Call of Duty campaign while it’s $1Manchester City already know Pep Guardiola will not resign despite speculation that the Catalan coach could decide to leave amid their recent run of results. The defeat to Aston Villa is their ninth loss in 12 matches across all competitions, with a 3-0 win at the Etihad Stadium against Nottingham Forest their only victory since late October. City sit seventh in the Premier League table, 12 points off league leaders Liverpool, having played a game more, and 15 from Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the relegation zone. Brentford are currently outscoring Guardiola's side. City have conceded the same number...
Houston Astros welcome 1B Christian Walker to team; say negotiations with Bregman stalledBy ALEXANDRA OLSON and CATHY BUSSEWITZ NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump’s incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches — the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President — are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI,” Glasgow said. “The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America’s top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart’s announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart’s need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer’s ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart.” Walmart’s announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.