Some McDonald’s franchise locations in Louisiana and Texas are in some hot water with the Labor Department. Federal investigations at 16 locations found child labor violations affecting 83 minors. A Metairie business that operated 12 McDonald's restaurants in Kenner, Jefferson, Metairie and New Orleans is accused of having 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds work longer than the law permits. The department also found that three children were allowed to use manual deep fryers, which is prohibited for people under the age of 16.
Tight sugar supplies are pushing up candy companies’ costs and, in some cases, disrupting supply chains for sweets. Ohio-based Spangler Candy has turned down Halloween candy orders it couldn’t fill while the high price of sugar is raising costs at suppliers Hershey and Mondelez. Tight supplies and weather concerns are expected to keep U.S. sugar costs high.
Futures are down after stocks closed higher yesterday. The Dow Industrials added another 26, the Nasdaq rose 85 and the S&P 500 was up 12.
