Good morning, Quartz readers!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Boeing’s machinists are still on strike. The workers voted down yet another contract offer that fell short of their demands.
People are getting a lot more excited to buy houses. U.S. new-home sales hit their highest level in a year last month.
McDonald’s is already facing e-coli lawsuits. The fast food giant’s quarter-pounders will likely weigh heavily on its pockets in short order.
Intel made a big whoopsie with Nvidia back in the day. Once upon a time, the stalwart had the chance to buy its upstart rival for what ended up being less than a penny on the dollar.
An Elon Musk guestimate is worth its weight in gold. Tesla stock soared 20% after its CEO tossed out “best guesses” for astronomical growth.
American Airlines really means business (class)
One of the biggest storylines in the airline industry has been American Airlines and its rift with a core customer group. The company lost the business of a lot of business-class travelers and wants them back.
Olive branches are springing up left and right as American tries to mend its road-warrior relationships following departure of its chief commercial officer. His attempt to bring some of those bookings in-house got a frosty reception that might still take a while to thaw.
What is American Airlines doing to get its corporate-travel clients back on board? Quartz’s Melvin Backman breaks down the carrier’s plans.
Trump’s Elon Musk-y government? Nice for Elon Musk
One of Donald Trump’s campaign promises has been to create a Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Elon Musk and charged with gutting the civil service. Musk says it would also streamline regulations in ways that would be to Musk’s benefit.
Specifically, Musk would be looking to make it easier to approve a national autonomous vehicle rollout. Coincidentally, Musk’s electric carmaker Tesla just revealed plans to launch a new autonomous vehicle.
Quartz’s William Gavin highlights the tech oligarch’s latest utterances about his plans for his place in a Trump White House.
MORE FROM QUARTZ
😡 American Airlines is fed up with all of Boeing’s drama
⚠️ OpenAI is disbanding yet another safety team
🚂 Luxury train travel is making a comeback
💸 The government is making it easier to fire your bank for failing to meet expectations
♨️ California is introducing more heat safety protections for indoor workers
🧑🤝🧑 States that are losing and gaining the most residents
SURPRISING DISCOVERIES
Some architecture can be the polar opposite of hostile. The Superdome in New Orleans donned a giant friendship bracelet ahead of a Taylor Swift “Eras” tour stop.
Kamala Harris’s sorority has a patented greeting. Her Alpha Kappa Alpha’s high-pitched “skee wee” call is registration No. 5116853 in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. (paywall)
Flamingos are the picture of aging health. If you can still stand on one leg like the pink birds, things are going well in your golden years.
Elon Musk’s endorsement made some voters like Trump less. One poll of young men said Musk’s co-sign was a turn-off more than a turn on.
Scissors (a “drill lance”) beats rock (an electric car battery on fire). Hyundai’s suppression tool can put out electric vehicle fires in minutes instead of days.
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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news, comments, Boeing picket sign long-term maintenance tips, and fiduciary walking papers to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Melvin Backman and Audrey McNamara.