The week in business: Airlines get sued, Cracker Barrel gets a glow-up, and grocery store shrimp goes radioactive

Each week, the business world throws us a mix of surprises, frustrations, and big experiments. Some companies are doubling down on old strategies, others are trying bold new moves, and a few are just trying to keep up.

If you’re a consumer, you’ve probably felt it, too—whether it’s at the airport, in a restaurant, or when you’re just shopping for dinner.

This week’s stories show how fast the ground is shifting. Airlines are finally facing pushback after years of tacking on fees, builders are looking to landlords to off-load homes, and even Cracker Barrel is trying to pull off a makeover (with mixed reviews). Meanwhile, Starbucks is chasing health trends, tipping is slipping, and one California politician is getting a lot of attention for his online trolling.

Here’s what you might have missed.

Airlines get sued over “windowless” window seats

Delta and United are facing lawsuits from passengers who say they paid extra for a window seat, only to find themselves staring at a wall. The cases are part of a bigger backlash against airlines’ endless fees, which have pulled in more than $12 billion in recent years.

Lennar turns to landlords to clear a housing glut

With a record 119,000 unsold new U.S. homes sitting on the market, homebuilder Lennar rolled out its Investor Marketplace. The site is built for small landlords looking to scoop up properties, especially in softer Sun Belt markets.

Cracker Barrel goes for a glow-up

Cracker Barrel is trying to modernize with a new logo, brighter dining rooms, and a campaign with country music star Jordan Davis. Some fans, however, aren’t sold, and feel the chain risks losing the cozy vibe that they love.

Starbucks tests coconut water and protein foam

PSL season may be back, but Starbucks is also pushing coconut water–based drinks and even a protein-packed cold foam in its iced lattes and other chilled beverages. The coffee giant is leaning hard into health and wellness, hoping it’ll stick as much as pumpkin spice.

Gavin Newsom trolls Trump—and wins followers

California’s governor has been posting in Trump’s ALL-CAPS style, mocking the president online. The strategy is landing—his social media following, approval ratings, and even betting odds for 2028 have all jumped.

Claire’s bankruptcy plan finds a buyer

The tween jewelry chain filed for Chapter 11 earlier this month, but Ames Watson swooped in to buy the business. The deal means up to 950 Claire’s stores could stay open instead of shutting down.

FDA widens recall on “radioactive” shrimp

More shrimp brands have been pulled from shelves after tests showed possible Cesium-137 contamination. The FDA says no illnesses are linked so far, but it recommends tossing any affected products.

TSA bans cordless hair tools in checked bags

If you’re packing for a trip, leave the cordless curlers and straighteners out of your checked luggage. TSA says the lithium-ion batteries and butane are a fire hazard—but you can bring one in your carry-on if it’s covered.

Tipping hits a seven-year low

According to Toast, the average tip at full-service restaurants dropped to 19.1%. Some say “tipflation” is to blame, with diners in California tipping the least (17.3%) and Delaware the most (21.4%).

LinkedIn names its top colleges for the AI era

For the first time, LinkedIn ranked schools on how well they’re preparing students for AI-focused jobs. Caltech and MIT lead the AI pack, while Princeton took the overall top spot for career outcomes.