• Google had job cuts that hit several teams this week, per an internal crowdsourced document.
• Staff in Cloud, ads, and Trust & Safety were among those affected.
• The company has been making small cuts across the company over the past few months, employees say.

Google cut employees across several of its units this week, including Cloud, ad sales, and Trust & Safety.

Staff inside Google have circulated an internal crowdsourced Google doc tracking company job cuts, sourced from internal memos and employee testimonies.

Google has been making rolling cuts inside the company over the past few months, employees say, though many of these cuts have been much smaller and surgical than the large cuts by Google in January 2023. Across the tech industry, several companies like Amazon and Microsoft have also been making recurring, smaller reductions since conducting sweeping layoffs a few years ago.

A Google spokesperson said fewer than 200 roles were impacted across the teams mentioned in the document.

"Our teams have continued to make changes to operate more efficiently, remove layers, and ensure they are set up for long-term success," the spokesperson said. "This work is ongoing as we continue to invest in our company's biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead."

The crowdsourced document, reviewed by Business Insider, shows that several teams were informed of cuts this week, including an unknown number of employees in Google's ad sales team for the Americas Large Customer Sales (LCS) group, which serves the company's bigger advertising clients. The document cites a memo announcing the cuts were made to streamline and reduce layers.

The document also said that at least 25 people were cut from the Bard EngProd team, an engineering team for the Bard AI product, which has since been rebranded to Gemini. The document also said an unknown number of employees were cut from the Trust & Safety group, with some jobs being "redeployed," according to a cited memo. A spokesperson said the company intended to grow the Trust and Safety team despite the latest eliminations.

For most teams, the specific number of employees cut is unknown.

Several teams within Google's Cloud unit also had job cuts this week, including the Threat Intelligence Group, Scaled Customer Engineering, Google Cloud Platform Support, Go-To-Market, and Looker groups, the document said. Bloomberg earlier reported some details on the Cloud layoffs.

Within Google, employees have often crowdsourced documents to share information, such as which teams got hit with job cuts or how much money employees of different levels and locations make. Employees at other tech companies like Amazon have also circulated similar crowdsourced documents to share information about job cuts.

Last month Google offered voluntary buyouts for staff in its Pixel hardware and Android division, BI previously reported.

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• Last year, I traveled to Belize for two nights at the all-inclusive Thatch Caye resort.
• The resort sits on its own private island, and we stayed in a premier overwater bungalow.
• The stay exceeded expectations — we sipped endless piña coladas and went diving in clear waters.

Belize's coarse sand dug into the back of my legs as I sat on a beach and considered the four days behind me.

My friend and I had just spent the last few days in a budget hotel, hopping around Caye Caulker, Belize. We spent our mornings tracking down affordable scuba-diving excursions and our evenings looking for cheap happy-hour deals.

It was paradise, but it was paradise on a budget.

Ahead of us was the exact opposite: a luxury private island escape.

Planted on the beach, we were waiting for a boat to take us to Thatch Caye — an all-inclusive resort on a private island.

Hundreds of islands and resorts dot the coast of Belize, but Thatch Caye enticed me with its overwater bungalows.

I've slept in tiny homes in Australia's rainforest and plastic domes in New Zealand. I've stayed in traditional ryokans in Japan and five-star resorts in Colorado.

But I haven't fallen asleep to ocean waves lapping beneath me in an overwater bungalow. I mistakenly assumed that experience could only happen thousands of miles away in places such as the Maldives or Bora Bora.

Thatch Caye proved me wrong. Part of the Muy'Ono Resorts, a grouping of 10 resorts across Belize, Thatch Caye is home to a handful of overwater bungalows.

I was thrilled to learn I could have the bungalow experience much closer to Colorado than I initially dreamed.

Shortly before sunset, a boat owned by Thatch Caye picked up me, my friend, and six other guests. Squinting in the distance, all we could see was a blur of green in the middle of the ocean.

Thatch Caye is an all-inclusive resort for just 30 guests. A private boat ride to and from the island to Dangriga, Belize, is included.

About 25 minutes later, thatched roofs came into view. We had arrived.

The island's workers welcomed us with fresh watermelon juice and a shot of cherry-soaked rum.

With watermelon juice in hand, we were given a short tour of the island and handed a key to our overwater bungalow.

The staff gave a quick overview of the island, and then we all split off and headed to our accommodations.

For two nights, we were staying in a premier overwater bungalow with its own private deck.

The island has five premier overwater bungalows. Thatch Caye requires a minimum stay of two nights. After the nightly bungalow rate, all-inclusive fees, taxes, and a resort fee, a stay this February would cost about $1,010 a night for two people.

Business Insider received a media rate for a two-night stay.

The island is also home to bungalows with shared decks and cabanas.

For slightly less, guests can sleep in oceanfront cabanas and standard overwater bungalows.

Beyond interior design choices, the private deck was the main difference between the premier and regular overwater bungalows, which have a shared deck. Meanwhile, the inland cabanas seem to offer a bit more space.

A worker carted our luggage and led the way down a sandy path to our temporary home.

After our tour, one of the island's workers escorted us to our bungalow.

A quick walk took us to a long, narrow walkway leading to the ocean and our bungalow.

A wooden walkway led to the front door of the bungalow.

We opened the door and stepped in. Greeting us were two comfy beds — a major upgrade from the basic full-sized bed we had spent the past four nights in.

Guests can choose between two twin beds or a king-size bed in their room.

Below each bed was storage for our luggage, which allowed our room to stay decluttered for the two nights.

The room lacked a closet, so we used the storage underneath our beds for our belongings.

The room had air conditioning and two lounge chairs. Three windows gave us direct views of the ocean.

Our room also had drinkable water, a safe, and two reusable water bottles.

Attached to the room was a small bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink.

The bathroom shower had shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

While the room was cool and spacious, the bungalow's main appeal was outside.

The wooden walkway continued out to a deck.

Surrounding the majority of the building was a private deck.

The deck provided 180-degree views of the ocean.

We had a hammock, where we spent each night stargazing, and two chairs for lounging.

The deck had plenty of space to stretch out and relax.

While our bungalow didn't have direct access to the water, we could gaze down at Belize's aquatic life swimming below.

The shallow waters below let us view aquatic plants and animals.

Between the breeze blowing through the thatched roof and the ocean below, it was as if we were immersed in our own little sound machine.

The palm fronds blew in the wind and drowned out any nearby noises.

While leaving our little bungalow was hard, Thatch Caye had more to offer than a good night's rest.

The small island was filled with activities such as snorkeling, drinking, volleyball, and other lawn games.

There was a beach where guests could use complimentary snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, and a sailboat.

Our resort fee allowed us to access a handful of paddleboards and kayaks.

The small island had a dive shop, where guests could embark on daily diving and snorkeling excursions, and its own spa.

Guests can book excursions such as scuba diving and spa treatments for an additional cost.

Sprinkled across the island are other outdoor activities, such as a volleyball court and cornhole.

The island also had a giant Jenga set.

In the island's main lounge, guests can access a bar, WiFi, and a small shop stocked with sunscreen, snacks, and shirts.

The only place with a phone and WiFi is inside the Coco Lounge. However, I did have cell service across the entire island.

At the epicenter of the resort is a large thatched canopy.

Underneath the pavilion was seating and a bar.

Here, bartenders mix piña coladas, mojitos, and other tropical drinks while guests relax on hammocks over the water.

Island visitors can also snorkel around the area and spot aquatic life, including stingrays, starfish, and nurse sharks.

Guests can also hop on a water trampoline and swing over crystal-clear waters.

We spent our afternoons snorkeling, looking for starfish and stingrays.

For each meal, guests dine at a communal table.

Thirty place mats line the table, and everyone eats together each night at 7 p.m.

The on-site chef cooked our dinners, which featured steak, lobster, snapper, and chicken.

The island had an ideal balance of relaxation and adventure. We spent our mornings scuba diving, afternoons snorkeling and paddleboarding, and evenings relaxing with tropical cocktails.

The all-inclusive fee also covered drinks and food during our stay.

I left Thatch Caye with my bungalow dreams fulfilled.

If anything, my stay at Thatch Caye only stoked my interest in overwater bungalows.

• Major companies have been relocating their headquarters to Texas.
• Since 2020, 200 companies, including Tesla and Chevron, have moved HQs to Texas, state data say.
• Gov. Greg Abbott has cited a good regulatory environment, drawing firms from states like California.

Texas has become a hot spot for the corporate operations of major companies across the US.

Since 2020, a growing number of major businesses have moved their headquarters or reincorporated in Texas, flocking from pricier states like California. Many cite the lower cost of living and benefits for corporations as reasons they chose the Lone Star State.

KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands, announced in February that it would move its US headquarters from Louisville, Kentucky, to dual HQs in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, California. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, has announced that all three companies will be headquartered in Texas.

HQ relocations were in an "acceleration period" in 2020 and 2021, the office of Gov. Greg Abbott said, with a total of 121 companies moving to Texas during that time. The number of those that moved from California made up more than half of the relocations.

Since then, the rate has leveled out to be consistent with historical data. A total of 200 companies have moved to Texas since 2020, according to the data from Gov. Abbott. In 2024, 24 companies, including Chevron and SpaceX, announced they would establish an HQ there.

The moves are fueled by the "reasonable regulatory environment," "exceptional quality of life," and the lower cost of operating a business in Texas, Abbott's office said in its report.

Here's a list of companies that have shifted their business operations to Texas.

KFC

Yum! Brands announced in February that it would establish two HQ locations in Texas and California to "foster greater collaboration among brands and employees."

About 100 KFC corporate workers will have to relocate from Louisville, Kentucky, to Texas over six months. The company said it will also ask 90 US-based remote workers to return to the office and relocate to "the campus where their work happens."

Yum! Brands is the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill. The KFC Foundation and Yum! Brands are expected to maintain corporate offices in Kentucky.

The New York Stock Exchange Chicago

On February 12, the New York Stock Exchange announced it would move its Chicago branch to Dallas. NYSE Chicago will be reincorporated to NYSE Texas, "offering companies the opportunity to list their securities" there.

"As the state with the largest number of NYSE listings, representing over $3.7 trillion in market value for our community, Texas is a market leader in fostering a pro-business atmosphere," Lynn Martin, NYSE Group president, said in a press release.

Chevron

Chevron announced in August 2024 that its headquarters would move from San Ramon, California, to Houston before the end of the year.

The energy giant said the relocation would "enable better collaboration and engagement with executives, employees, and business partners."

The oil company had been sued by California, which accused Chevron and other energy giants of downplaying the risks of fossil fuels.

But Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted, "WELCOME HOME Chevron! Texas is your true home."

Before the move, Chevron had about 7,000 employees in the Houston area and 2,000 in San Ramon. It said it expects all corporation functions to move to Texas by 2029.

X

Musk announced X's relocation from California to Texas at the same time as SpaceX in July 2024, citing living costs, safety, and political reasons.

He said California laws are "attacking both families and companies" and expressed concerns over the safety of San Francisco. Court filings from September 2024 showed that Musk requested to change X's HQ address from San Francisco to Bastrop, Texas, Forbes reported.

Tesla

Tesla was the first of Musk's companies to move from Silicon Valley to Texas. Musk officially moved Tesla's headquarters from Palo Alto, California, to Austin in 2021, citing the lack of affordable housing in the Bay Area.

"There's a limit to how big you can scale in the Bay Area," Musk said at the time.

Oracle

Oracle moved its corporate HQ to Austin in 2020, ending its four-decade tenure in Silicon Valley.

The move offered employees "more flexibility about where and how they work," a spokesperson told Business Insider at the time.

Though it's been years since the move, Oracle's California offices employ nearly triple the number of workers than its Texas HQ, Bloomberg reported in 2024.

CBRE

Brokerage giant CBRE moved its HQ from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2020.

It was established in San Francisco over a century ago, though CBRE said it had large operations in North Texas before the official move to Dallas.

According to data from CBRE, Texas led the pack in net gains of Fortune 500 companies relocating between 2018 and 2023.

AECOM

AECOM, a Fortune 500 construction firm, said it would relocate its headquarters from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2021.

The company called Texas a "talent magnet" for consulting and engineering, and CEO Troy Rudd participated in the move to AECOM's existing Texas offices from California.

SpaceX

Musk announced his plans to relocate SpaceX from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas, on X in July 2024.

The move is Musk's response to Gov. Gavin Newsom signing AB 1955, prohibiting schools from enforcing policies that would require parents to be notified about students who may identify as transgender.

"Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas," Musk said in an X post.

Charles Schwab

Financial services company Charles Schwab moved its HQ to Westlake, Texas, in 2021, citing California's high taxes. It was formerly based in San Francisco.

"The costs of doing business here are so much higher than some other place," Chairman and founder Charles Schwab told Forbes.

McKesson

McKesson announced that it'd move its HQ from San Francisco to Las Colinas, Texas, in 2018, with plans to move most jobs from Silicon Valley to Texas and other hub locations by 2021.

Four years after the move, CEO Brian Tyler said the city "was absolutely the right community for McKesson to call home."

"Since making the move to Irving, McKesson has quickly benefited from the deep, diverse talent pool in the Dallas area, the ease of travel, and the very engaged business community," he said.

• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is engaged to Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor.
• Sánchez, 55, is a helicopter pilot and entrepreneur as well as a former actor.
• She's also the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos went to space with his rocket company, Blue Origin, four years ago. Now, it's his fiancée's turn.

Lauren Sánchez, a former journalist and licensed pilot herself, will head to space this spring to lead Blue Origin's all-woman crew that also includes "CBS Mornings" cohost Gayle King, pop star Katy Perry, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Here's a look at Sánchez's life and career:

Lauren Sánchez had a long career as a reporter and news anchor.

Sánchez grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and studied broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California. She started her journalistic career as an intern on the Los Angeles station Channel 13 during college, according to a 2017 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

She began anchoring UPN News 13 on Los Angeles' KCOP in 1999, winning a Los Angeles Area Emmy award for her work on the show in 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Sánchez went on to work as a host at various news channels before landing at Fox 11's "Good Day LA" in 2003, where she worked for six years. She then became a weekend anchor and special correspondent on "Extra" in 2009.

She's even played a news anchor in several movies and TV shows.

In addition to once being an anchor in real life, Sánchez has starred as a news anchor in movies including "Fight Club," "The Day After Tomorrow," and "The Fantastic Four."

She's a licensed plane and helicopter pilot.

Sánchez learned how to fly while working as a news anchor and she started flying planes in 2011 before getting her helicopter pilot's license in 2016.

Her interest in aviation seems to have been sparked at an early age, as her father was a flight instructor and mechanic who rebuilt planes.

"I was always in the hangar growing up but knew nothing about flying," she told The Hollywood Reporter.

She founded her own aerial filming company.

Sánchez founded Black Ops Aviation in 2016, a "female owned and operated" aerial filming company, which has shot footage for Amazon, Netflix, and Fox, among others.

Sánchez also lent her aerial-filming knowledge to Christopher Nolan as a consultant on "Dunkirk."

She used to host a dancing reality show.

Sánchez was a host on the first season of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2005, but she left the show after one season.

Sánchez was married to Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell for 13 years.

Whitesell is co-CEO of the Hollywood agency WME, and his clients include Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Hugh Jackman. Whitesell and Sánchez married in 2005 and separated in the fall of 2018.

They finalized their divorce in October 2019 with shared custody of their two children, People magazine reported.

Sánchez also has a son from her previous relationship with NFL star Tony Gonzalez.

Sánchez and Bezos got engaged four years after going public with their relationship.

Bezos and Sánchez first connected at a 2016 Amazon Studios party for the film "Manchester by the Sea," according to Brad Stone's book, "Amazon Unbound."

Their relationship "blossomed" during helicopter rides in 2018, when Bezos hired Sánchez's company to film footage for his rocket company, Blue Origin, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Their relationship came to light in a 2019 tabloid scandal, and the couple went public shortly after Bezos and his now-ex-wife, author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, announced their divorce in 2019 following 25 years of marriage.

In May 2023, CNN reported that Sánchez and Bezos had gotten engaged, citing a source close to the couple. Sanchez was also photographed with a large diamond ring on her left ring finger while onboard Bezos' $500 million megayacht.

In Vogue's December 2023 issue, Sánchez revealed that Bezos proposed on his yacht, Koru.

"When he opened the box, I think I blacked out a bit," she said.

While Sánchez and Bezos have often been spotted cruising on his yacht or attending high-profile events, including President Trump's inauguration, Sánchez says they also have more mundane days at home.

"On a typical Saturday, we hang out, we have dinner with the kids, which is always fun because you never know where the conversation is going to go with this many kids," Sanchez told The Wall Street Journal in 2023. "We are the Brady Bunch!"

She's the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund.

In 2020, Bezos announced that he would commit $10 billion — about 7.7% of his net worth at the time — to fighting the climate crisis as part of an initiative called the Bezos Earth Fund. Sánchez serves as the organization's vice chair.

She's a children's book author.

Sánchez's first picture book, "The Fly Who Flew to Space,"is scheduled for a September release.

She's talked about how her own struggles with dyslexia were part of the inspiration for her writing the book. Celebrities such as Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, and Karlie Kloss have endorsed the book, with Kloss writing that the "story sparks curiosity and imagination while introducing young minds to the magic of STEM!"

Next up for Sánchez is a trip to space.

She's leading a six-person all-woman crew on a Blue Origin spaceflight in 2025.

The 11-minute journey will take them past the Kármán line, which is the internationally recognized boundary of space. Blue Origin says this will be the first all-female flight crew since Valentina Tereshkova's flight to space in 1963.