Economists credit Trump as tailwind for U.S. growth, hiring and stocks Ben Leubsdorf in The Wall Street Journal Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal say that President Donald J. Trump has had "positive effects on U.S. economic growth, hiring and the performance of the stock market during his first year in office," writes Ben Leubsdorf. Among the factors identified for the surge is the tax cut President Trump signed into law before Christmas. "More broadly, most forecasters surveyed by the Journal suggested Mr. Trump's election deserves at least some credit for the economy's recent strength," Leubsdorf adds. Click here to read more. ------------ Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, announced today that it will raise its starting hourly wage, give bonuses to all eligible full and part-time associates, and expand its parental leave policy—all in response to last month's tax overhaul. "Wal-Mart's decision makes it the latest corporate titan to plow expected tax savings into employee payouts," Bloomberg reports. ------------ Politico breaks down the Justice Department's new Hezbollah Financing and Narcoterrorism Team, aimed at "prosecutions that will restrict the flow of money to foreign terrorist organizations as well as disrupt violent international drug trafficking operations," according to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Justice Department's Criminal Division will preside over the new team, which will coordinate with prosecutors from a number of federal agencies. ------------ The Washington Times reports that President Trump has signed the INTERDICT Act—a bill designed to give U.S. border agents better tools to stop the smuggling of the opioid fentanyl—into law. The President called this bipartisan effort a "significant step forward" in battling the opioid crisis. ------------ WSLS Roanoke reports on Amthor International's plan to build the company's new headquarters in Gretna, Virginia. As a part of the company's $7.1 million investment in the Southern Virginia economy, the move is anticipated to create 90 new jobs over the next five years.