Editor's Note: Some linked articles may be behind subscription paywalls.
1. US labor secretary steps down following scandals
U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned from her position following several scandals and investigations into her conduct, the New York Times reports. Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling will serve as acting secretary.
The Labor Department's inspector general's office has been investigating allegations from a whistleblower against Chavez-DeRemer, including having an affair with a member of her security team and using department resources for personal trips. Investigators also found text messages that alleged she was drinking while on the job.
Her husband, Dr. Shawn DeRemer, had been barred from the Labor Department headquarters following female staffers accusing him of making unwanted sexual advances. Police and prosecutors declined to bring criminal charges against him.
2. Fed chairman candidate to meet with Senate committee
Federal Reserve chair candidate Kevin Warsh meets with the Senate's Banking Committee today as part of the confirmation process, the New York Times reports. Warsh previously served as a Fed governor from 2006 to 2011.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term ends May 15, but a Department of Justice investigation into him and his handling of renovations at the Fed's headquarters may stall the confirmation and transition process. Sen. Thom Tillis, who supports Warsh as a candidate, has vowed to block the confirmation of any new Fed chair until the investigation against Powell has ended, calling it an attempt to push Powell to lower interest rates.
3. Canada's and Mexico's hoteliers eagerly await World Cup demand
Much like hoteliers in the U.S., those in Canadian and Mexican markets hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup games this June are waiting for that surge in hotel demand, reports CoStar News Hotels' Trevor Simpson.
Patricia Boo, area director of Latin America at STR, CoStar's hotel data analytics firm, said hotel demand in Mexico for World Cup Games is "a big uncertainty." Occupancy on the books right now is about 20% to 40%, not quite meeting expectations. With less than two months to go, the lack of pickup is "very concerning for the hoteliers," she said, adding it's leading to more caution on rate pricing compared to other major sporting events.
"I think the biggest story is that this is very unusual," she said.
4. Lodging sector holds steady in customer satisfaction survey
The American Customer Satisfaction Index Travel Study 2026 found the lodging sector has done well with consumers, growing its satisfaction score by 1% to 77 out of 100, according to a news release. Airlines increased their score by 3% to 76, and online travel agencies grew by 1% to 76 as well.
“Many brands are meeting with initial success in leveraging AI solutions to deliver improved service to customers and in some cases remaking industry business models,” said Forrest Morgeson, associate professor of marketing at Michigan State University and director of research emeritus at the ACSI. “At the same time, customer value propositions appear to be in flux as consumers recalibrate their expectations. Continued focus on technological innovations, along with the nuts and bolts of customer service, will be critical for firms that wish to fully capitalize on these dynamics.”
5. Spanish airlines increase seat capacity despite fuel concerns
As the peak travel season begins, Spanish airlines have been increasing their seat capacity by 6% despite the availability and pricing of jet fuel as the war in Iran continues, Reuters reports. The increased capacity represents an additional almost 260 million seats, in line with last year's 5.9% passenger growth.
"The outlook is good," Javier Gándara, president of Spanish airlines association ALA, said at a news conference on today. "The 6% increase shows confidence that many people will want to visit Spain this summer, and part of that demand is traffic diverted from conflict zones and neighboring areas."
The airline association said Spain's airlines source over 80% of their jet fuel from domestic refineries as compared to 11% from crude oil from the Middle East.