WebCE Weekly Wrap-Up: April 4, 2025
WebCE Staff
By
April 4, 2025
From Federal Reserve warnings about tariff-induced inflation to stronger-than-expected payroll numbers paired with rising unemployment, this week’s headlines focus heavily on economic uncertainty and its implications for businesses and consumers alike. REALTOR’s Monthly Housing Market Trends Report and the Jobs Report were both released this week, while the IRS announced 7,000 probationary workers will return to work this month.
NYSE Texas opened for business as part of the state’s push to become a national financial hub, while Baltimore sued DraftKings and FanDuel, alleging misleading tactics.
Together, these stories underscore just how quickly priorities are shifting across industries.
Here are the top stories of the week.
Top News of the Week
Federal Reserve chief says Trump tariffs likely to raise inflation and slow US economic growth (Associated Press)
“There’s a lot of waiting and seeing going on, including by us,” Powell said during a question and answer session. “And that just seems like the right thing to do in this period of uncertainty.”
U.S. payrolls rise by 228,000 in March, but unemployment rate increases to 4.2% (CNBC)
“Job growth was stronger than expected in March, providing at least temporary reassurance that the labor market is stable, the Labor Department reported Friday.”
March 2024 Monthly Housing Market Trends Report (REALTOR)
“Continuing into the spring homebuying season, prospective home buyers will find slightly more plentiful and affordable home listings, especially in the South. But even as affordability improves, homes still remain more scarce and prices remain higher relative to incomes when compared with years past.”
IRS: 7,000 probationary workers will return to their jobs in next 10 days (Journal of Accountancy)
“About 7,000 probationary IRS workers who lost their jobs in February and were placed on administrative leave in March will return to work later this month, according to an email they received Tuesday.”
NYSE Texas opens for business with Trump Media the first listing (NBC DFW)
“NYSE Texas won't be the only game in town as Texas pushes to become America's financial capital. In 2026, they'll also have to contend with the Texas Stock Exchange, which in January filed registration with the SEC to operate as a national securities exchange, and Nasdaq, which earlier this month announced plans for a regional office in North Texas.”
Baltimore sues DraftKings, FanDuel, alleging misleading tactics (ESPN)
“The complaint, which was filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court, a state court, alleges that the companies use misleading promotions to attract bettors and then leverage data and analytics to keep problem gamblers betting, practices it says are in violation of the city's Consumer Protection Ordinance.”
AI Beats Traditional Weather Models in Forecasting Wildfires (Claims Journal)
“The AI forecast more accurately predicts high-risk regions and can more closely pinpoint hotspots where fires are likely to ignite, researchers found. The AI model is also better at factoring in human activity — the primary spark of most wildfires.”
Risk Digitization Top Tech Priority for US Insurers (Insurance Journal)
“Cytora surveyed 200 senior leaders from global insurance firms and found that 76% of respondents saw risk digitization (encompassing new business, renewals, claims and mid-term adjustments) as the major technology priority that their organization was likely to invest in over the next two years.”
Why You Can’t Hire for Skills Without a Skills-Based Culture (MIT Sloan Management Review)
“Making good on the promise of a skills-based approach to hiring hinges on longer-term shifts in the mindsets, culture, practices, and procedures that underpin the day-to-day activities of employers.”
“Funeral Coverage Act” would provide another resource for funeral costs (Funeral Director Daily)
“The ultimate result of treating these monies paid to a funeral home from an HSA would be that they could be a tax-free payment for funeral expenses instead of a taxable distribution to the beneficiary(ies) or the estate.”
Top Podcast of the Week
‘Award Season,’ Colorado Death Certificate Rules, and a Look at Perception
Funeral Service Insider: The Podcast
25 minutes
This week’s episode discusses:
New legislation making it easier for funeral directors to serve trans families regarding death certificates.
Discussion of funeral service industry awards, including "Ones to Watch," Green Burial Council awards, and Funeral Service Foundation scholarships.
Commentary on a funeral director's appearance on John Mulaney's talk show.
Todd Bozell's appointment to the Selected Board and a 2024 feature on him.
Weekend Wind-Down
Netflix’s Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney featured licensed funeral director and embalmer Raymundo Perez-Plascencia as a guest on March 26 for a discussion on funeral planning. Perez-Plascencia shared his journey into the funeral industry, experiences as a director and embalmer, and even got a few laughs.
Watch the episode on Netflix or read a recap.