President Joe Biden's administration announced it will make up to 20,000 temporary H-2B visas available for foreign workers to help with the labor shortage during the winter season, a first for the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas praised the move as the administration faced pressure from businesses to help alleviate the national labor shortage. Labor unions expressed concern over the program which they say makes it difficult for workers to escape exploitative working conditions.

Increase in H-2B visas could ease island staffing woes - The Inquirer and Mirror

Biden to raise number of guest worker visas, with more for Haiti, Central America - Reuters

Bank of America told New York employees they will be allowed to work remotely during the holiday weeks as COVID-19 cases have spiked on Wall Street. The move follows similar announcements from financial giants Citigroup Inc. and Citadel, as well as Harvard and Syracuse universities, who have instructed students and staff to work remotely where possible into the January term.

Is it time to hire a head of remote work? - Raconteur

Some Google employees may resign if not offered flexibility over remote working - Computing

PC monitor sales slide as remote work rush fades - ZDNet

The Environmental Protection Agency strengthened the limit requirements for pollution coming from automobile tailpipes in a reversal of former President Donald Trump’s looser fuel standards. Under the rule, passenger vehicles must travel at an average of 55 miles per gallon by 2026. Following the announcement of the rule, some automobile trade associations warned further government support including consumer incentives and supply chain development would be needed to achieve the agency’s goals.

New Mexico governor seeks low-carbon fuel standard - Associated Press

Oil Prices Crash On Renewed Omicron Panic - Oilprice

@tveitdal: New Biden rule reducing climate emissions from cars and SUVs reverses major Trump rollback The EPA regulation finalized Monday marks Bidens’s single biggest step to fight global warming. But Congress has stymied his most ambitious electric vehicle plans

Inflation has continued to haunt low-income Americans as shoppers reported high prices for everyday products and gifts for the holiday season despite some retailers saying they expect record-breaking sales to end the year. Roughly 45% of Americans earning less than $50,000 annually have said they have had a harder time affording gifts this year.

How Inflation Has Changed Prices—and the Menu—at One Small Business - The Wall Street Journal

Inflation? There’s Another Explanation for Rising Housing Costs - The Washington Post

Holiday light shows have been highlighted as a “bright spot” amid rising COVID-19 cases this holiday season as industry officials and onlookers have taken notice of their number and extravagant designs across the United States. Some experts have estimated the average budget for light shows this year to be around $500,000 with a roughly 45% increase in popup events across the United States. Event planners have said the light shows offer a fun activity for the holidays with a low risk of infection amid rising coronavirus cases.

A man strung Christmas lights from his home to his neighbor’s to support her. The whole community followed. - The Washington Post

How neighborhoods are helping their communities through holiday lights - ABC 57

Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of new US COVID cases - Associated Press

"Inflation squeezes holiday budgets for low-income shoppers" - Associated Press / Source: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

CONTENT FACTS

Turbine Labs has tracked 20,211 media articles and blogs and 22,738 social media posts over the last 24 hours.

The next Turbine Labs Leadership briefing will be delivered on Wednesday, December 22 at 9:30AM ET.

Questions or feedback? Don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.