Walmart easily received approval for four new big box stores in Washington, D.C. With so much opposition elsewhere, why the open arms in the Beltway?
Reporter Lydia DePillis writes that D.C. politicians "...treated anti-Walmart activism more like an annoying distraction than an opportunity to score populist points."
DePillis has behind-the-scenes insight into Walmart's process of wooing cities into approving their projects. For example:
"In the middle of last year, Walmart held a couple of focus groups at THEARC in Congress Heights, paying selected residents $100 and a boxed dinner to participate. According to Ward 8 community activist Phil Pannell, who was asked to take part, the subject was 'economic development.' But all the questions had to do with Walmart."
FULL STORY: The Selling of Walmart

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The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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