Luke Vargas

And for much more on the state of disruption to U.S.

and global air travel...

Check out our upcoming episode of What's News Sunday, where we'll talk about the effect of the war, the shutdown, higher fuel prices, and more.

You'll find that Sunday morning right here in this feed.

And we'll be back with the rest of the day's news in just a moment.

Blue Origin has formally entered the race to develop AI data centers in space, following Elon Musk's SpaceX and startup StarCloud.

In a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Jeff Bezos' company said it's seeking permission to deploy more than 50,000 solar-powered satellites in order to meet the growing demand for AI computing.

The company says the effort, known as Project Sunrise, would allow it to operate in an environment free from the red tape that's complicated the development of terrestrial facilities.

TV station owner Nexstar Media Group says it's closed its more than $6 billion merger with rival Tegna after winning approval from the FCC, a deal that'll create a broadcast television giant and result in the consolidation of hundreds of local stations.

News of the deal's completion comes just a day after eight states filed a suit to block it on antitrust grounds.

Here was California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York's Letitia James.

President Trump publicly endorsed the merger, writing last month that a bigger Nextar would balance out, quote, the fake news national TV networks.

In a statement, Nextar's CEO said the deal would make the broadcaster better positioned to deliver exceptional journalism and local programming.

And consumer goods company Unilever is in talks to separate its food business and merge it with Maryland-based spice maker McCormick.

We report that an all-stock deal could come within weeks, assuming the talks don't fall apart.

Unilever, whose portfolio includes Dove, Vaseline, and Hellman's Mayonnaise, spun off its Magnum ice cream brand last year.

And heads up, we've got a special bonus episode coming later today.

In the latest What's News and Earnings, we'll look at how retailers are dealing with inflation and price-conscious shoppers.

That'll be in your What's News feed at midday.

And that's it for What's News for this Friday morning.