JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 806

ORANGEBURG, S.C. Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette defended her plan to deliver South Carolina State University's commencement address, speaking at a virtual news conference Wednesday after students staged protests and a sit-in this week opposing her selection as the May 8 speaker; Evette said she was invited by university officials and would not back down.

This week, protesters at the historically Black university organized chants and a sit-in and met with SC State President Alexander Conyers, who discussed the decision and said he heard their concerns; on April 29 Evette reiterated her record supporting HBCUs and noted endorsements from state Republican leaders while student leaders disputed her characterization of their demonstrations.

Washington — Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst told the House Armed Services Committee on April 29 that the United States' campaign against Iran has cost an estimated $25 billion so far, with the bulk of spending on munitions; he presented the figure while answering lawmakers' questions about operational expenditures.

The disclosure comes this week as lawmakers press for further detail and as the White House prepares to submit a supplemental funding request once total costs are assessed; Democrats and Republicans are citing the figure ahead of midterm elections, and the conflict — which began with strikes on Feb. 28 — remains covered by a fragile ceasefire.

Amityville, N.Y. — NAPCO Security Technologies said it will release fiscal third quarter 2026 results on Monday, May 4, 2026 before the market opens and will host an 11 A.M. ET conference call and webcast; Usio announced it will publish first quarter fiscal 2026 results after market close on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 with a 4:30 P.M. ET call, while Alkami reported first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2026, citing 29% revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA exceeding $22 million; FLUENT released fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Companies provided access details, including dial-in numbers, webcast links and replay windows, and management commentary outlining operational actions: Alkami disclosed client additions and financial metrics this week, Usio set a replay availability through June 13, 2026, NAPCO scheduled its analyst call for May 4, and FLUENT cited production increases at its Rosa facility and ongoing cost-optimization steps; investors and analysts are scheduled to review these disclosures during the listed calls and webcasts in early to mid-May.

Detroit commuters this week experienced sharp increases in gasoline prices as regional pump costs rose amid refinery maintenance and global oil market tensions; GasBuddy reported Michigan averages jumped from $3.78 to $4.19 between April 21 and April 28, and several local stations added noticeable surcharges on signs.

Cleveland, San Diego and Wausau drivers likewise reported higher costs, with San Diego averages surpassing $6.00 and some Cleveland stations nearing $5.00; AAA and GasBuddy analysts, including Patrick De Haan, cited crude oil trading above $100 per barrel and regional refinery outages, and they warned prices could rise further this week into summer.

United States — Four U.S.-listed companies reported first-quarter 2026 financial results this week. Avantor (Radnor, Pa.) released results on April 29, Hayward Holdings reported for the quarter ended March 28, and Axalta (Philadelphia) and XPO (Greenwich) published first-quarter figures on April 30, detailing revenues, earnings, and adjusted metrics.

The reports produced varied outcomes: Hayward and XPO posted revenue and margin expansion and improved EPS, with Hayward raising full-year guidance this week; Axalta exceeded sales and cash-flow guidance and reported higher adjusted EBITDA, while Avantor reported flat net sales and lower net income on April 29, prompting management emphasis on execution and stabilization.

WASHINGTON: On Wednesday, April 29, the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance Kevin Warsh's nomination to chair the Federal Reserve, clearing a procedural hurdle and sending the nomination to the full Senate next month. Committee Republicans coalesced after Senator Thom Tillis rescinded his opposition following a Department of Justice decision; committee Democrats continued to express doubts about Warsh's independence.

Powell presided over what is likely his final Federal Open Market Committee meeting this week as the Fed kept its benchmark rate at 3.50–3.75 percent. Energy-driven inflation pressures and a roughly 50 percent rise in Brent crude since the U.S.–Iran conflict began were cited in assessments; Powell may state at his Wednesday news conference whether he will remain on the Fed board after his chair term ends May 15.

San Antonio. The Spurs eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95 in Game 5 on Tuesday, winning their first playoff series since 2019. Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks. San Antonio held Portland under 100 points three times while capturing the Western Conference first-round series in five games, and the team's lack of postseason experience proved not to be a major factor as they advanced.

Los Angeles. The Houston Rockets avoided elimination Wednesday, beating the Lakers 99-93 to trim Los Angeles' lead to 3-2. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and Alperen Sengun recorded a near-triple-double; the victory sends the series back to Houston for a Game 6 on Friday night.

Washington — This week the Republican-controlled House moved to extend and reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a program used to collect foreign intelligence; Congress had approved a short-term extension ahead of an April deadline, and House leaders scheduled procedural votes Tuesday and Wednesday to advance the measure toward a final vote.

Speaker Mike Johnson led efforts to add oversight provisions while stopping short of a warrant requirement critics demanded; the House advanced the bill and one report records a 235-191 vote, but Senate review and the president's signature or another short-term extension remain necessary before the law can be enacted.

Philadelphia. Don Mattingly was named the Philadelphia Phillies' interim manager on Tuesday after the team fired Rob Thomson, taking over on the field and speaking to media near the dugout, following a 9-19 start to the season and his winter hire as bench coach. He worked at first base about 3:45 p.m. assisting pregame infield/outfield practice.

Philadelphia's front office, led by president Dave Dombrowski and with GM Preston Mattingly on staff, named Mattingly to stabilize clubhouse leadership; reporters noted Mattingly's prior managerial roles with the Dodgers and Marlins and his recent retirement from Toronto after the World Series, as the team assesses its managerial future this season.

Washington, United States — President Donald Trump and U.S. officials this week said they were skeptical of Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Pakistani mediators prepared for a second Iranian offer and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth scheduled his testimony before Congress on Wednesday and reported discussions over extending a maritime blockade continued.

Washington and Dubai this week saw President Trump post on Truth Social on Wednesday urging Tehran to 'get smart soon' and reporters citing the Wall Street Journal said aides were preparing options to extend a blockade; a ceasefire had been declared in early April and talks took place in Islamabad on April 11–12, with mediators expecting a revised Iranian proposal in the coming days.