By MICHELLE CHAPMAN, Associated Press Business Writer

A “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have required businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships, has been blocked by a federal appeals court just days before it was set to go into effect.

The Federal Trade Commission’s proposed changes, adopted in October, required businesses to obtain a customer’s consent before charging for memberships, auto-renewals and programs linked to free trial offers.

Related Articles

Son of ‘El Chapo’ expected to plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in Chicago

Today in History: July 9, 14th Amendment ratified

Funeral home owner accused of stashing decaying bodies expected to plead guilty in federal court

Chinese man charged in Texas with stealing COVID-19 research from US colleges

Lolo Jones’ Olympic Training Center ban rescinded

The FTC said at the time that businesses must also disclose when free trials or other promotional offers will end and let customers cancel recurring subscriptions as easily as they started them.

The rule was set to go into effect on Monday, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said this week that the FTC made a procedural error by failing to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis, which is required for rules whose annual impact on the U.S. economy is more than $100 million.

The FTC claimed that it didn’t have to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis because it initially determined that the rule’s impact on the national economy would be less than $100 million. An administrative law judge decided that the economic impact would be more than the $100 million threshold.

The court decided to vacate the rule.

“While we certainly do not endorse the use of unfair and deceptive practices in negative option marketing, the procedural deficiencies of the Commission’s rulemaking process are fatal here,” the court wrote.

The FTC declined to comment on Wednesday.

It’s almost that time of year again!

The Minnesota State Fair has announced its official 2025 list of new foods, and there’s plenty to get excited about, including a few new takes on cheese curds (caprese and a dessert version) and two fun takes on waffles (falafel and croissant).

There are 33 new foods and eight new vendors, including Lumpia City, serving wild versions of the traditional Filipino spring rolls, and a new mocktail stand, Urban Glow, from the owners of St. Paul’s Urban Growler brewery.

With just 43 days to go, it’s time to start planning, and for us, that means staring down the barrel of trying every single one of these. (* indicates a new vendor)

Here they are, in all their deep-fried, on-a-stick, weird and wonderful glory:

Afro Bean Pops from Afro Deli are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

1. Afro Bean Pops: Savory deep-fried bites of ground black-eyed peas, onions, jalapeños, cilantro and seasonings. Served with a spicy red chili sauce atop a bed of mixed greens. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Afro Deli, located in the Food Building, east wall

Athena’s Whipped Feta from Dino’s Gyros is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

2. Athena’s Whipped Feta: Whipped feta topped with schug – a Middle Eastern green sauce

made with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, parsley and fresh herbs – drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with crunchy toasted wild rice. Served with deep-fried pita bread tossed in Dino’s signature seasoning. (Vegetarian)

At Dino’s Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick from Kora and Mila’s Cookie Dough is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

3. Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick: Cake batter cookie dough made from scratch and covered in a crunchy cake confetti shell. Topped with rainbow sprinkles and served on-a-stick. (Vegetarian)

At Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough, located on the south side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

The bison meatball sub from the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

4. Bison Meatball Sub: Bison and bacon meatballs, from Minnesota-based Eichten’s Bison and Hidden Stream Farm, topped with bison gravy, quick-pickled cucumbers, crispy fried onions and sour cream. Served on a toasted wild rice hoagie bun.

At Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

Cannoli gelato nachos from Mancini’s al Fresco are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

5. Cannoli Gelato Nachos: Cannoli chips topped with a scoop of cannoli-flavored gelato. Finished with chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry. (Vegetarian)

At Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

Caprese curds from LuLu’s Public House are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

6. Caprese Curds: Mozzarella cheese curds breaded with Italian seasoning and deep fried. Served over a bruschetta-flavored blend of tomatoes and basil, and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Served with a side of crostini for scooping. (Vegetarian)

At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater

Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float from Tasti Whip is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

7. Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float: Limeade juice topped with cherry Dole Soft Serve, garnished with a lime slice and a cherry. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Tasti Whip, located on the northwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Underwood Street

Chicken-Fried Bacon Fries from Soul Bowl are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

8. Chicken-Fried Bacon Fries: Beef bacon strips double-breaded in tempura flour and fried. Garnished with fresh parsley and served in a cup. Choice of two dipping sauces: Cashville Hot, a brown sugar Nashville-style hot sauce; or 24k Gold BBQ, a passion fruit Charleston gold barbecue sauce.

At Soul Bowl, located in the Food Building, east wall

Cinna-Sugar Crust Tidbits from Sara’s Tipsy Pies are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

9. Cinna-sugar Crust Tidbits: Freshly baked flaky pie crust strips covered in cinnamon and sugar. Served with a side of whiskey-flavored caramel dipping sauce. (Vegetarian, Vegan upon request)

At Sara’s Tipsy Pies, located in the Food Building, northwest wall

Croffle Cloud from Spinning Wylde is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

10. Croffle Cloud: Croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with fresh whipped sweet cream, a drizzle of fruit puree and a cloud of cotton candy. Choice of three flavors: Banana Caramel – caramel drizzle with banana taffy cotton candy; Yuzu Meringue – yuzu puree with lemon meringue cotton candy; or Coconut Cream – coconut drizzle with coconut cotton candy. (Vegetarian)

At Spinning Wylde, located north of Wright Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites from Rooted & Wild are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

11. Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites: Bites of breaded tofu, deep fried and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of pineapple and napa cabbage slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions. (Vegan)

At Rooted & Wild (Snack House), located in the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, south side

Dill Pickle Iced Tea from Loon Lake Iced Tea is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

12. Dill Pickle Iced Tea: Brewed black tea infused with dill pickle flavor and served with a dill pickle spear. Garnished with a rim of chamoy, Tajín, salt and dill. (Vegan, Gluten Free)

At Loon Lake Iced Tea, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch avenues

Fawaffle from Baba’s is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

13. Fawaffle: Falafel – a traditional Middle Eastern fritter of chickpeas and herbs – pressed in a waffle iron, topped with tahini butter, and served with cherry tomatoes, traditional hummus, green shatta, mint and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. (Vegetarian)

At Baba’s, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Lee and Randall avenues

Flauta Dippers from El Burrito Mercado are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

14. Flauta Dippers: Seasoned shredded chicken stuffed in rolled corn tortillas and fried. Served in a cup filled with mild tomatillo salsa, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese.

At El Burrito Mercado, located at the International Bazaar, south wall

Freaky Fryday from The Herbivorous Butcher is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

15. Freaky Fryday: Chicken-fried vegan bacon served with vegan fried chicken strips infused with bacon flavor. Optional toppings include mini donut cinnamon sugar and maple syrup, pickle seasoning and ranch dressing, spicy buffalo sauce and dragon dust – or a combination of all three. (Vegan)

At The Herbivorous Butcher, located in the Food Building, west section, south wall

Grandma Doreen’s Dessert Dog from West End Creamery is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

16. Grandma Doreen’s Dessert Dog: Vanilla ice cream, created by Minnesota Dairy Lab, sandwiched between two pieces of Grandma Doreen’s Coffee Cake – a family recipe from Elgin, Minn. – made by Wrecktangle Pizza. Skewered on a stick and drizzled with house-made strawberry rhubarb jam. Garnished with cinnamon toast-flavored crispy treats, whipped cream and sprinkles. (Vegetarian)

At West End Creamery, located at West End Market, northwest section

Green Apple Sucker Ice Cream from Granny’s Apples + Lemonade is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

17. Green Apple Sucker Ice Cream: Tart green apple ice cream with swirls of sweet caramel – flavored like a caramel apple lollipop. Served in a cup. (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)

At Granny’s Apples + Lemonade, located in the Food Building, west wall

Hot Honey Jalapeno Popper Donut from Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

18. Hot Honey Jalapeño Popper Donut: Hand-cut yeast-raised donut frosted with homemade jalapeño cream cheese. Topped with crumbled bacon, pickled jalapeños and drizzled with hot honey.

At Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts, located on the northwest corner of Carnes Avenue & Chambers Street

Hot Honey Pizza Ballzz from Green Mill are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

19. Hot Honey Pizza Ballzz: Three pizza dough balls stuffed with cheese curds, pepperoni, herbs and Parmesan cheese. Brushed with garlic butter and topped with more pepperoni, herbs and Parmesan cheese. Finished with a drizzle of hot honey sauce.

At Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Randall and Wright avenues, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

Hula Kalua Pork from RC’s BBQ is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

20: Hula Kalua Pork: Slow-smoked pork collar caramelized with Hawaiian barbecue sauce, inspired by the flavors of traditional Hawaiian Kalua pork. Served atop a charred banana leaf with banana chips and Japanese quick-pickled cucumbers on the side. Finished with a sprinkle of coarse red sea salt.

At RC’s BBQ, located on the north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets

Land of 10,000 Cakes from Bridgeman’s Ice Cream is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

21. Land of 10,000 Cakes: A Bridgeman’s Marble Sundae of Butter Brittle Ice Cream layered in a cup with a trio of mini Nadia Cupcakes – Creme Brulee, Loaded Pistachio and Chocolate Bliss. Topped with whipped cream and a cherry. (Vegetarian)

At Bridgeman’s Ice Cream, located on the northeast corner of Judson Avenue and Liggett Street

Patisserie Sweets in Two Varieties from the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

22. Patisserie Sweets in Two Varieties: Two pastries from Patisserie 46. Apple Glaze: Pull-apart donut dough baked with Minnesota-grown Honeycrisp apples. Topped with brown sugar pecan streusel and orange blossom maple glaze. (Vegetarian)

Banana S’more: Baked brown-butter crumb cake with bananas, marshmallows and chocolate chunks. Topped with a graham cracker streusel. (Vegetarian)

At Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

23. Pimento Cheese Puffs: Pimento cheese – a blend of cheddar cheese, mayo and pimento peppers – wrapped in puff pastry and deep fried. Served with a side of pepper jelly. (Vegetarian)

At Shanghai Henri’s, located at the International Bazaar, north wall

Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos from Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

24. Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos: Pepperoni, sausage and pizza-flavored fried cheese curds in a crispy flour shell, topped with marinara sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

At Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos, located on the west side of Chambers Street between West Dan Patch and Carnes avenues

Pot of Gold Potato Dumplings from O’Gara’s at the Fair are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

25. Pot of Gold Potato Dumplings: Cheesy garlic mashed potatoes folded into flaky dumplings, by Twin Cities-based Saturday Dumpling Co., and deep fried. Served with a side of Top the Tater® “The Original” Chive Onion dip. (Vegetarian)

At O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street

Shrimp & Pork Toast On A Stick from Union Hmong Kitchen is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

26. Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick: A mixture of ground pork and shrimp combined with Hmong aromatics – lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots and Thai chilis – seasoned with fish sauce, spread on Texas toast and deep fried. Served on a stick with a side of apricot jelly hot sauce.

At Union Hmong Kitchen, located at the International Bazaar, south wall, west corner

Smashadilla from Gass Station Grill is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

27. Smashadilla: Smashed seasoned ground beef and Gouda cheese grilled on a flour tortilla. Served folded and dressed with caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles and Gass Station Grill’s homemade burger sauce.

At Gass Station Grill, located on the west side of Cooper Street between Dan Patch and Judson avenues, outside southeast corner of the Food Building

Somali Street Fries from Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill and Hoyo Sambusa are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

* 28. Somali Street Fries: A blend of Somali Beef Suqaar – spiced beef, vegetables, cheese and herbs – piled atop a bed of french fries. Topped with white garlic sauce and green jalapeño hot sauce.

At Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa, located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall (Aug. 21-26 only)

Sweet Squeakers from The Blue Barn are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

29. Sweet Squeakers: White cheddar cheese curds coated in a funnel cake batter, deep fried, and topped with a scoop of fresh lemon whipped cream. Finished with a drizzle of berry sauce. (Vegetarian)

At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center

Tandoori Chicken Quesaratha from Holy Land is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

30. Tandoori Chicken Quesaratha: Spiced tandoori chicken layered with a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese and a mixture of sauteed onions, mixed bell peppers, jalapeños, corn, cilantro and green chilis. Folded inside paratha bread and griddled on a flat top grill. Served with a side of Holy Land’s Avocado Cilantro Lime Sauce.

At Holy Land, located at the International Bazaar, southeast corner

Timber Twists from Giggles’ Campfire Grill are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

31. Timber Twists: A savory mixture of Italian sausage, mozzarella, cream cheese and barbecue rub piped into three large manicotti shells, then wrapped in bacon. Cooked in a wood-fired smoker for an infusion of smokey flavor. Served with a side of Giggles’ signature barbecue sauce.

At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located on the southeast corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street at The North Woods

Triple Chocolate Mini Donuts from Solem’s Cheese Curds and Mini Donuts are an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

32. Triple Chocolate Mini Donuts: Chocolate mini donuts dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with chocolate icing, and topped with chocolate sprinkles and mini milk chocolate chips. Served in a bucket rimmed with more chocolate icing and sprinkles. (Vegetarian)

At Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, located on the east side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee avenues

Uncrustaburger from Coaster’s is an official new food at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. (Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair)

33. Uncrustaburger: A 4 oz. hamburger patty with cheese, pickles and special sauce, sandwiched between two deep-fried peanut butter & grape jelly Uncrustables®.

At Coasters, located on the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street

NEW FOOD VENDORS

1. Beans & Beignets: Beans & Beignets serves freshly made beignets (deep-fried pastry dough topped with powdered sugar), plus a variety of iced and hot beverages, including tea, coffee, chai lattes and espresso drinks.

Located on the northwest corner of Judson Avenue and Clough Street

2. Chocolate Strawberry Cup: Chocolate Strawberry Cup serves fresh strawberries in a cup with toppings in four flavors: Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with Belgian-style chocolate, pistachio butter, kataifi and pistachios); Matcha White Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with matcha white chocolate and melted chocolate topped with marshmallow sauce); Chocolate Strawberry Cup (covered with melted Belgian-style chocolate); and Chocolate Strawberries & Cream (covered in melted chocolate and topped with a tower of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle). All strawberry cups are gluten free, except the Dubai chocolate cup.

Located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street

3. Greater Tater: Greater Tater serves Tater Kegs – jumbo deep-fried tots stuffed with savory fillings – in five flavors: Bacon Jalapeño; Bacon Cheddar; Breakfast Skillet; Cheese Bomb; and Reuben. Served with choice of sauces: thousand island, blue cheese, Top the Tater®, maple syrup and ketchup. All Tater Kegs are gluten-free.

Located on the west side of Liggett Street between Carnes and Judson avenues, outside the Horse Barn

4. Lumpia City: Lumpia City serves lumpia – traditional Filipino fried spring rolls – in two fusion flavors: Pizza Lumpia (mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, pizza sauce and Italian herbs); and turon-inspired Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia (French toast strips soaked in ube butter syrup with caramelized bananas, dusted with powdered sugar).

Located on the north side of Judson Avenue between Liggett and Clough streets

5. Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes: Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes serves Chimney Cakes (a rotisserie-baked Hungarian pastry shaped like a cone) filled with vanilla ice cream and choice of Nutella® or caramel spread and toppings (crushed OREO® Cookies, rainbow sprinkles or frosted flakes).

Located on the north side of Judson Avenue between Clough and Nelson streets

6. Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican: Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican serves oxtail (jerk or barbecue) with festival (a sweet, fried bread); sweet plantains; coconut shrimp skewers; and a ginger and hibiscus drink. (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 only)

Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

7. Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa: Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa serves Official New Food Somali Street Fries; cones of mini sambusas and full-size sambusas (beef or lentil) with choice of sauce; and slushies in two flavors (Vimto and watermelon). (Aug. 21-26 only)

Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

8. Urban Glow Mocktails: Urban Glow Mocktails serves craft mocktails, including: Dirty NoTini (lemon, dill pickling spices & olive brine); Nojito (minty-lime with a hint of molasses); CosNo (cranberry, orange & lime); Grilled Peach No Fashioned (caramelized peach garnished with peach & cherry); Autumn Mule (apple, warm cinnamon & spicy ginger); Pineapple Upside Down Cake (chilled pineapple slushie); Bonspiel Blue (cucumber, lemon & blue tea); and Nitro Cold Brew (cold brew on tap, carbonated with nitrogen, with assorted flavor shots). Plus, small bites – Cheweenies (mini Kramarczuk’s all-beef hot dogs nestled in sweet Hawaiian rolls paired with mocktail-inspired mustards).

Located at the North End, northwest section, across from the North End Event Center

Related Articles

Savory-spicy peanut dressing complements the sweetness of this tomato salad

‘Black market’ dining reservations sell for thousands. States want to stop that

French restaurant Aubergine to move into former Revival space on Selby Ave.

A new generation of Indigenous chefs is growing and cooking foods traditional to their ancestors

Quick Cook: How to make Cherry Almond Ice Cream at home

By BRIAN SLODYSKO and MICHAEL BIESECKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — As commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick oversees the U.S. government’s vast efforts to monitor and predict the weather.

The billionaire also ran a financial firm, which he recently left in the control of his adult sons, that stands to benefit if President Donald Trump’s administration follows through on a decade-long Republican effort to privatize government weather forecasting.

Deadly weekend flooding in central Texas has drawn a spotlight to budget cuts and staff reductions at the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, two agencies housed within the Commerce Department that provide the public with free climate and weather data that can be crucial during natural disasters.

FILE – The National Weather Service monitoring station is seen in Brownville, Texas, May 23, 2014. (Valley Morning Star/Valley Morning Star via AP, File)

What’s drawn less attention is how the downsizing appears to be part of an effort to privatize the work of such agencies. In several instances, the companies poised to step into the void have deep ties to people tapped by Trump to run weather-related agencies.

Privatization would diminish a central role the federal government has played in weather forecasting since the 1800s, which experts say poses a particular harm for those facing financial strain who may not be able to afford commercial weather data.

The effort also reveals the difficulty that uber wealthy members of Trump’s Cabinet have in freeing themselves from conflicts, even if they have met the letter of federal ethics law.

“It’s the most insidious aspect of this: Are we really talking about making weather products available only to those who can afford it?” said Rick Spinrad, who served as NOAA administrator under President Joe Biden, a Democrat. “Basically turning the weather service into a subscription streaming service? As a taxpayer, I don’t want to be in the position of saying, ‘I get a better weather forecast because I’m willing to pay for it.’”

The White House referred requests for comment to the Commerce Department, which said in a statement that Lutnick has “fully complied with the terms of his ethics agreement with respect to divesture and recusals and will continue to do so.”

Trump nominees have ties to weather-related industries

Privatizing weather agencies has long been an aim of Republicans. During Trump’s first presidency, he signed a bill that utilized more private weather data. And Project 2025, a proposed blueprint for Trump’s second presidency that was co-authored by his budget director, calls for the NOAA to be broken up and for the weather service to “fully commercialize its forecasting operations.”

Lutnick is not the only one Trump nominated for a key post with close relationships to companies involved in the gathering of vital weather data.

Trump’s pick to lead the NOAA, Neil Jacobs, was chief atmospheric scientist for Panasonic Weather Solutions and has been a vocal proponent of privatization. The president’s nominee for another top NOAA post, Taylor Jordan, is a lobbyist with a roster of weather-related clients.

“If confirmed, Dr. Jacobs and Mr. Jordan will follow the law and rely on the advice of the Department’s ethics counsel in addressing matters involving former clients,” the Commerce Department said in its statement.

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, who spent more than $250 million to help elect Trump, owns a controlling interest in SpaceX and its satellite subsidiary Starlink. Both are regulated by the NOAA’s Office of Space Commerce, which lost about one-third of its staff in February layoffs facilitated by the Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk helped create.

SpaceX also stands to gain through a new generation of private and federally funded weather satellites that would be carried into orbit on its rockets.

Though Musk has now departed Washington and had a very public falling out with Trump, the DOGE staffers he hired and the cuts he pushed for have largely remained in place.

Emails seeking comment sent to a lawyer who has represented Musk, as well as to media contacts at his companies X and SpaceX, received no response.

While Musk is focusing on his companies, others with potential conflicts remain immersed in government work.

Lutnick ran Cantor Fitzgerald

Lutnick resigned as CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, an investing behemoth, upon taking office and began the arduous task of divesting his interests, as required by law.

President Donald Trump, left, listens as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Sunday, July 6, 2025, en route to Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

His two 20-something sons were given the reins of his financial empire. Brandon Lutnick was named chairman of Cantor, while Kyle Lutnick was tapped to be executive vice chairman. But his most recent ethics filing from June 19 stated that he was still selling his holdings in the firm.

An ethics plan submitted in February states Lutnick would request a waiver allowing him to participate in matters that would have a “direct and predictable effect” on his family’s business while he was still divesting. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, meanwhile, show Lutnick has agreements to transfer his shares in the Cantor companies and a family trust to his son Brandon.

The Department of Commerce referred questions about Lutnick’s ties to Satellogic, a satellite company that offers natural disaster imagery, to his former firm.

Cantor spokesperson Erica Chase said that since Lutnick’s resignation from the company, he has not made any decisions with respect to the company’s investments or customer positions, or other operational matters.

“Cantor and its subsidiaries operate in heavily regulated industries, and maintain robust compliance programs to ensure compliance with all applicable laws,” Chase said.

Federal officials are barred from making decisions that benefit the business holdings of themselves or their spouses, but that prohibition does not extend to assets held by their adult children, according to Richard Painter, who served as the chief White House ethics lawyer during Republican George W. Bush’s administration.

Among its legion of disparate businesses, Cantor has interests in weather and climate. It owns a controlling interest in BGC Group, which operates a weather derivatives marketplace that essentially allows investors to bet on climate risk and where hurricanes will make landfall.

Lutnick also played a pivotal role in cultivating Satellogic. He helped raise the capital to take the company public and held a seat on its board until Trump nominated him. Cantor holds a roughly 13% stake in Satellogic, according to a March SEC filing.

The company now bills itself as an emerging federal contractor that can offer crisp images of natural disasters and weather events in real time, which in 2021 Lutnick said makes it “uniquely positioned to dominate the Earth Observation industry.”

While Lutnick was still in charge of Cantor, it paid a $6.75 million fine to the SEC after it was accused of making misleading statements to investors about Satellogic and another company. The White House’s 2026 spending plan, developed by Trump’s budget director and primary Project 2025 architect Russell Vought, proposes $8 billion in cuts for future NOAA satellites, which capture imagery of the planet provided to the public.

Satellogic stands to benefit if the government retreats from operating climate-monitoring satellites.

2 Trump nominees have ties to weather companies

Jacobs, Trump’s pick to lead the NOAA, led the same agency on an acting basis during Trump’s first term.

Related Articles

Trump hosts West African leaders as the region reels from US aid cuts

What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans

Trump ruminates on past presidents and their portraits: ‘I’m a frame person’

Trump’s previous tariff push terrified the world economy. He’s betting this time is different

FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas

He is scheduled to appear Wednesday before a Senate committee weighing his nomination. Jacobs has long advocated for a greater role for the private sector in government weather forecasting. During a 2023 hearing focused on the future of the NOAA, he argued that the agency needed to be “relying more heavily on the commercial sector.”

He also has expressed concerns about what happens to commercial data purchased by the government. “They give it away to the rest of the planet for free,” he testified before Congress in 2023.

He was a consultant at the time for Spire Global and Lynker, both of which have millions of dollars in weather data contracts with the NOAA, according to records including his most recent financial disclosure.

Jordan, Trump’s pick for another top NOAA post, has similarly close relationships. His financial disclosure lists more than a dozen weather-related lobbying clients, including Spire and Lynker. He also represented AccuWeather, a commercial forecast provider, before Congress and in meetings with the Commerce Department on “issues related to private sector weather forecast improvement,” according to lobbying disclosures.

Though his nomination is pending before the Republican-controlled Senate, disclosure reports show he still represents weather and space companies and is still listed as a principal employee at a Washington lobbying firm.

By MONIKA PRONCZUK, Associated Press

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting five West African leaders on Wednesday for a “multilateral lunch” at the White House as the region reels from the impact of U.S. aid cuts.

The leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau are expected to discuss key areas of cooperation, including economic development, security, infrastructure and democracy, according to a statement from the Liberian presidency. The White House has not provided further details.

The surprise meeting comes as the Trump administration has taken radical steps it said are meant to reshape the U.S. relationship with Africa.

Related Articles

What Trump’s big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans

Trump ruminates on past presidents and their portraits: ‘I’m a frame person’

Trump’s previous tariff push terrified the world economy. He’s betting this time is different

FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas

Judge orders mental evaluation for Venezuelan man convicted of killing Laken Riley

Earlier this month, U.S. authorities dissolved theU.S. Agency for International Development, and said it was no longer following what they called “a charity-based foreign aid model” and will instead focus on partnership with nations that show “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

The U.S. African Affairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrell earlier this year said that Trump administration wants to focus on eliminating trade deficits with Africa.

“Assistance involves a donor and a recipient, but commerce is an exchange between equals,” he said.

Critics say that the abrupt shift will result in millions of deaths.

A study published in the Lancet medical journal late last month projected that USAID’s dismantling and deep funding cuts would lead to more than 14 million additional deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children.

West African countries are among the hardest hit by the dissolution of the USAID. The U.S. support in Liberia amounted to 2.6% of the country’s gross national income, the highest percentage anywhere in the world, according to the Center for Global Development.

Five nations whose leaders are meeting Trump represent a small fraction of the U.S-Africa trade, but they possess untapped natural resources. Senegal and Mauritania are important transit and origin countries when it comes to migration, and along Guinea Bissau are struggling to contain drug trafficking, both issues of concern for the Trump administration.

Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in a statement “expressed optimism about the outcomes of the summit, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to regional stability, democratic governance, and inclusive economic growth.”

Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal are among 36 countries which might be included in the possible expansion of Trump’s travel ban.