Airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, have increased the cost of checking baggage. A new tiered pricing system charges passengers more if they choose to check their bags at the airport rather than paying online in advance. The airlines hope that this change will streamline the check-in processes, helping travelers to arrive at their gates more quickly.

American Airlines, which hadn’t raised its checked bag fees in over five years, now charges $35 for the first checked bag if paid for online ahead of time, and $40 at the airport. The airlines justify these increases by highlighting the operational efficiencies and improved customer service resulting from pre-paid baggage fees.

Customers who have specific rewards credit cards or elite frequent flyer status are exempt from these fees for at least one checked bag.

Airlines attribute the need for these fee hikes to rising labor and fuel costs. Southwest Airlines remains an exception, continuing to allow two free checked bags, emphasizing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency as core to its business model.

The FDA has recently announced a new drug that could change the lives of people with common food allergies. Xolair is a revolutionary drug designed to diminish the severity of allergic reactions to foods such as milk, eggs, walnuts, and peanuts. The first drug of its kind, Xolair is not an emergency cure for someone who has been exposed to an allergen, rather it is a preventive drug, administered every few weeks to progressively lower the risk of allergic reactions.

According to Kelly Stone of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “While it will not eliminate food allergies or allow patients to consume food allergens freely, its repeated use will help reduce the health impact if accidental exposure occurs”.

Developed by Genentech and Novartis, Xolair’s introduction represents an exciting breakthrough in the world of allergies. While currently being offered at the high price of $2,900 and $5,000 a month for pediatric and adult patients respectively, insurance coverage may alleviate the cost burden.

Xolair showed significant promise in trials, significantly reducing allergic reactions to peanuts, eggs, milk, and cashews. Its approval is a testament to the strides being made in allergy management.

In an unprecedented move within college sports, Dartmouth College’s men’s basketball team is attempting to unionize. A decision by a regional National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) official has paved the way for the team’s 15 players to hold a union election on March 5. This could position them as the first unionized college sports team in the United States.

Forward Cade Haskins came up with the idea of unionizing. He works in the campus dining hall, and benefitted from the union drive that successfully negotiated better wages and conditions for student workers. This led Haskins to contemplate the potential benefits of unionization for his team.

Dartmouth players commit over 30 hours a week to their sport, through practices, game travel, and workout sessions. Yet, despite the significant time and physical toll, they receive no financial compensation or additional support for sports-related injuries. If student-0athletes were part of a union, they would receive enhanced health benefits and support.

This initiative has faced several challenges. Dartmouth College contests the players’ employee status, emphasizing the academic priority of its students. However, the NLRB’s ruling in favor of the players highlights that the significant control the college has over the athletes’ commitments aligns more with the characteristics of an employer-employee relationship.

The idea of unionization in college sports has wide implications. Recognizing athletes as employees would require substantial changes, including minimum wage rights and unemployment benefits. As the Dartmouth basketball team approaches its union election, the outcome could set a precedent for college athletes nationwide.

The PGA Tour announced a $3 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group. The launch of PGA Tour Enterprises makes players equity owners, allowing them to share over $1.5 billion. The collaboration comes on the heels of an agreement with LIV Golf’s Saudi backers.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan emphasized the partnership’s potential to amplify the sport’s appeal for players, fans, and partners. SSG’s investment aims to enhance the PGA Tour’s global stature and revenue, offering players grants based on achievements.

This initiative, unanimously supported by the PGA Tour board, including Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, signifies a strategic shift towards player investment in the tour’s success. It promises an enriched future, with ongoing negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund potentially expanding the venture’s scope.

The move towards equity ownership represents a bold step in unifying the sport, overcoming previous rivalries, and setting a course for a collaborative and prosperous future in professional golf. This partnership not only strengthens the PGA Tour’s financial foundation, it deepens players’ roles in driving the sport forward, heralding an exciting chapter for golf enthusiasts worldwide.