Business Briefs – September 4, 2018

Twitter CEO Says Company Isn’t Biased, Wants Healthy Debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Twitter’s CEO says the company isn’t biased against Republicans or Democrats and is working on ways to ensure that debate is healthier on its platform. In testimony released before a House hearing Wednesday, Jack Dorsey says he wants to be clear about one thing: “Twitter does not use political ideology to make any decisions, whether related to ranking content on our service or how we enforce our rules.” The testimony comes amid complaints that conservatives have been censored on social media.

Cars Are Cruising Down The Monthly Subscription Highway

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — If you already subscribe to digital services, it might be time to consider joining the early wave of motorists who pay a monthly fee to bundle cars, insurance and maintenance into a single package. These still-developing car subscription programs are gaining traction among motorists who don’t want to be locked into the hassles of car ownership or multiyear leasing commitments, but still want a vehicle available whenever they want.

Tiny Alaska Village Experiences Boom in Polar Bear Tourism

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A tiny Alaska Native village has experienced a boom in tourism in recent years as polar bears spend more time on land than on diminishing Arctic sea ice. Alaska’s Energy Desk reports more than 2,000 people visited the northern Alaska village of Kaktovik on the Beaufort Sea last year to see polar bears in the wild. Jennifer Reed of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge says the village had less than 50 visitors annually before 2011.

U.S. Construction Spending Rose 0.1 Percent In July

WASHINGTON (AP) — Spending on U.S. construction projects ticked up 0.1 percent in July, led by an increase in homebuilding and the publicly funded building of schools and highways. The Commerce Department says the slightly July increase brought total construction spending to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of $1.32 trillion, 5.8 percent higher than a year ago.