Google announces $13 billion investment; Ford makes a massive recall, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Google is making a huge push across the country, with CEO Sundar Pichai announcing that the Alphabet-owned company will spend more than $13 billion on new data centers. The company plans to hire “tens of thousands” employees and create 10,000 construction jobs, giving the search giant a presence in 24 states. The new centers will be located in: Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Virginia. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Ford is recalling almost 1.5 million vehicles over a defect that can cause involuntary downshifting into first gear. The defect has led to at least five accidents, including one involving whiplash, the carmaker said. The recalls are for 1.48 million F-150 trucks, as well as some Lincoln Continentals, Nautiluses and Navigators, and Ford Mustangs. ? Here’s what people are saying.

A shareholder lawsuit filed against CBS accuses former CEO Les Moonves, as well as acting CEO Joe Ianniello and two other employees of engaging in insider trading before sexual harassment allegations surfaced against Moonves, reports The Wall Street Journal. The suit alleges that right before the network announced it would look into the harassment claims, the executives “collectively sold more than 3.4 million shares worth over $200 million” at an “unusual and suspicious” time. Moonves and CBS deny the allegations. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Iconic jeans maker Levi Strauss is going public again, having filed for an IPO under the ticker LEVI. The century-and-half-old company hopes to raise $600 million to $800 million this time, according to CNBC, more than 10 times what it made in 1971. It's hugely popular overseas, where it makes 45% of sales, and aims to keep growing there — especially in China and Brazil, reports Bloomberg. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Valentine’s Day may not just be about love. It’s also one of the priciest holidays in the U.S., with Americans spending on average $267 to mark the occasion, according to Bankrate’s 2019 Valentine’s Day survey. Consumers are set to spend $20.7 billion this year for Valentine’s Day, says the National Retail Federation, beating the 2016 record of $19.7 billion. And although men spend significantly more for the day ($339, versus women who spend on average $64) men also expect their partners to spend more on them — at least $211 to be exact, while women expect their partners to spend around $154. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Don’t concentrate on mass consumption when promoting a company — or your own personal brand, says Cognizant’s Antonella Bonanni.

“The best way to become a part of a consumer’s life is through honest, consistent interactions.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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