Business Editor

Samantha Gowen

Samantha Gowen is the business editor for the Southern California News Group. Gowen ed The Orange County in October 2000, arriving from South Florida just days before the presidential election imploded. ( hanging chads?) She held a variety of roles -- copy editor, pets editor, trending and car culture reporter and page designer -- before ing the Business team as deputy editor in 2014. Her team specializes in real estate, the economy, and jobs coverage.

Costco in late Feb. expanded pump time at its gas stations. Most hip clubs will allow customers to pump until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. (File photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County /SCNG)

Costco expands weekday pump hours at its gas stations

March 18, 2025 at 1:43 p.m.

Customers weary of long lines for cheaper gas can plot a trip after dinner to fill up.

El Cajon-based Savage Pet food is recalling boxes of raw chicken food that were possibly exposed to H5N1, also known as the bird flu. (Photo courtesy of Savage Pet Food)

El Cajon pet food maker recalls raw chicken meals that might carry bird flu

March 20, 2025 at 10:23 a.m.

The frozen cat food was sold in California and previously pulled from shelves in February.

Party City announced Dec. 20, 2024, that it was closing all of its stores. (The Associated Press)

Party City cierra todas sus tiendas de inmediato, incluidas al menos 80 en California

December 23, 2024 at 9:37 p.m.

El minorista más grande de suministros para fiestas del país estaba agobiado por deudas y pagos de alquiler que no podía cubrir.

Party City closing all stores nationwide, report says

December 20, 2024 at 12:09 p.m.

The nation's largest retailer of party supplies was burdened by debt.

Bank of America holders reported their mobile and online s were knocked offline Wednesday, Oct. 2. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Bank of America outage blocks online s or shows zero balances

October 2, 2024 at 7:20 p.m.

Many BofA holders took to social media platforms to say they either couldn’t access their online s or saw zero balances when they did .

Bank of America outage blocks online s or shows zero balances

October 3, 2024 at 8:47 a.m.

Many took to social media on Wednesday to say their mobile s showed a zero balance.

This Big Lots store in Hercules is among 75 slated for closure in California. The discount retailer reported first-quarter earnings that fell short of analyst expectations with net sales of $1.009 billion compared to $1.124 billion one year ago. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Big Lots cierra 75 tiendas en California y esta es la lista

August 9, 2024 at 11:45 a.m.

Al menos 30 de los cierres se encuentran en el sur de California

Big Lots has announced the closure of many stores across the country, including 75 stores in California. Four are in San Diego County. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Capital Gazette)

Big Lots closing 75 stores in California. See the list

August 8, 2024 at 1:55 p.m.

California is taking the biggest hit. By the time the latest 75 stores close, it will operate just 34 locations in the state.

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