Warner Bros boss quits amid scandal, Lyft revs up for $23 billion IPO, 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.

Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara is stepping down following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with an actress, reports The New York Times. Tsujihara had been with the company for more than two decades and recently took on an expanded role after its purchase by AT&T. WarnerMedia said it would continue its investigation of the allegations. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Lyft hopes to raise up to $2.4 billion in its initial public offering, setting the ride-hailing company up for a valuation of up to $23 billion, per a filing published this week. Lyft plans to sell itself “on the simplicity of its business,” CNBC said, citing Reuters. Rival Uber is also expected to announce its IPO soon; both companies have said they will give some longterm drivers money to buy shares ahead of the IPOs. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Marriott plans to open more than 1,700 new hotels in the next three years. That translates into 275,000 to 295,000 new rooms, generating $400 million in fee revenue in 2021. The hotel chain already manages 1.2 million hotel rooms, with a pipeline of 478,000. CEO Arne Sorenson is counting on an expanding global class of young, middle-income people who value travel as a reason for the push. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The amount of VC investments dedicated to artificial intelligence startups is quickly rising across the country, according to data from CB Insights. In 2018, a record $9.3 billion went to U.S.-based AI startups, an $8.2 billion increase from the $1.1 billion raised in 2013. California startup Nuro, which focuses on autonomous cars, received the most money last year with more than $1 billion in disclosed equity funding. New York, California and Massachusetts were the three states with the highest amount of AI deals. ? Here’s what people are saying.

While stock markets recover from a period of intense volatility, many economists still believe the global economy faces significant risks in the months ahead, per a new Bankrate report. Of the economists they surveyed, 76% believe economic risks are more downward than upward from here, citing things like the trade dispute between the U.S. and China, the recent government shutdown, rising interest rates and signs of a slowdown in Europe and China. While some are forecasting a recession within the next year, others think the gloom has already gone too far. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Small business owners need to help each other, says Australia’s Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell.

“A problem shared is a problem solved.”

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