Business briefs
Judge allows Dakota Access pipeline to keep running
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Dakota Access oil pipeline can continue operating while a study is completed to assess its environmental impact on an American Indian tribe. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s decision will come as a blow to the Standing Rock Sioux, who have argued that an oil spill from the pipeline under Lake Oahe — from which the tribe draws its water — could have a detrimental effect on the tribal community.
Kroger says it may sell its gas station convenience stores
Supermarket operator Kroger says it is considering selling its gas A section of the Dakota Access oil pipeline while under construction last year. station convenience stores, such as KwikShop, Loaf ‘N Jug and Turkey Hill Minit Markets. Kroger Co. says the business, which has more than 780 stores and 11,000 employees, would be more valuable outside of the company. A sale would leave Kroger with about 2,800 supermarkets. Grocery store operators have been under pressure after Amazon.com Inc. bought Whole Foods this summer.
VW to roll out electric trucks, buses in $1.7 billion push
Volkswagen is flanking its push into electric cars with plans to roll out battery-powered commercial vehicles targeted at urban areas as growing public concerns about air quality boost demand. The Volkswagen Truck & Bus division will invest $1.7 billion in new technology including electric drivetrains, autonomous systems and cloud-based software, Andreas Renschler, head of the unit, said. U.S. affiliate Navistar International Corp. will adopt the electric drivetrain. A battery-powered
VW truck, dubbed e-Delivery, will roll off assembly lines in Brazil in 2020.
Amazon sets up parental controls for teen shoppers
Amazon is taking aim at one of the unintended consequences of the internet age: purchases racked up by a youth with a credit card. The online retailer said it would allow teenagers to set up Amazon accounts linked to those of a parent, giving the adult veto power over specific purchases and the ability to set spending caps. It’s not just surprise big-budget purchases.
Fish magnate must forfeit 4 boats, 34 permits
A Massachusetts fishing magnate known as The Codfather who was convicted of evading fishing quotas and smuggling money to Portugal must forfeit four boats and 34 fishing permits. A federal judge’s order came Wednesday in Carlos Rafael’s case. Mr. Rafael pleaded guilty to charges, including tax evasion and false labeling and fish identification and was sentenced last month to nearly four years in prison. Federal authorities say Mr. Rafael falsely claimed his vessels caught haddock or pollock when they had actually caught other species subject to stricter quotas.