Walmart removes firearms displays and more business news

FILE - In this  May 28, 2013, file photo, an outdoors sign for Walmart is seen in Duarte, Calif. After enduring a severe winter that chilled business, Wal-Mart is trying to lure shoppers into its stores with the biggest weapon in its arsenal: a big sale. The worlds largest retailer is offering up to 50 percent on more than 60 outdoor items such as lawn mowers and bags of mulch, starting Friday, March 21, 2014,  and ending the following Saturday.  (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
FILE - In this May 28, 2013, file photo, an outdoors sign for Walmart is seen in Duarte, Calif. After enduring a severe winter that chilled business, Wal-Mart is trying to lure shoppers into its stores with the biggest weapon in its arsenal: a big sale. The worlds largest retailer is offering up to 50 percent on more than 60 outdoor items such as lawn mowers and bags of mulch, starting Friday, March 21, 2014, and ending the following Saturday. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Walmart removes firearms displays

Walmart says it has removed ammunition and firearms from displays at its U.S. stores, citing "civil unrest" in some areas.

The nation's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, sells firearms in about half of its 4,700 stores.

"We have seen some isolated civil unrest and as we have done on several occasions over the last few years, we have moved our firearms and ammunition off the sales floor as a precaution for the safety of our associates and customers," Walmart said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The discounter said the items remain available for purchase by customers.

The move comes after several days of protests, widespread vandalism and an overnight curfew in Philadelphia before Election Day after police fatally shot a Black man with a history of mental health problems.

Walmart made a a similar move in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd that set off sometimes violent demonstrations against police brutality and injustice against African Americans.

Mortgage rates stay near all-time lows

U.S. long-term mortgage rates were little changed this week after marking a new all-time low last week.

Home loan rates have declined through the year amid economic anxiety in the recession set off by the coronavirus pandemic. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year benchmark loan edged up 2.81% from 2.80% last week. By contrast, the rate averaged 3.78% a year ago.

The average rate on the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage slipped to 2.32% from 2.33%.

Ken's Foods grows at Georgia plant

A Massachusetts-based food manufacturer will invest $103 million to expand and consolidate its operations in Georgia.

Ken's Foods announced Thursday that it would add 70 new jobs to its current 500 in McDonough, south of Atlanta. The privately held company makes more than 400 varieties of dressings, sauces and marinades under its own label and for other brands.

The company will shift a support location to a new building across the street from its main campus. The move will eliminate the need to run 40 trucks a day from the current support facility. The investment also includes upgrading production lines at the current main campus.

The company plans to complete the work in early 2022. It's one of a series of expansions since Ken's opened its first facility in Georgia in 1997.

- Compiled by Dave Flessner

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