SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " fun " 8,409 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Beyond Entertainment: When Theatre Makes You Think
Three plays performed as stage readings February 6-8, features an audience talk back afterwards, with complimentary desert and coffee. A fundraiser as well for the Bear Theatre ($25 tickets, $50 for all three shows), located inside Community High...
The promise and reality of the rural health fund
In the 2025 budget bill, Congress created the $50 billion Rural Health Fund to help struggling hospitals, doctors, and patients in rural America. But rural hospitals are expected to lose three times that through Medicaid cuts in that same budget bill. So, what will it take to keep rural healthcare afloat?
Will the government shut down this weekend? Latest updates
The country is facing a partial shutdown this weekend if lawmakers can't find a deal over a DHS funding measure.
More naming opportunities planned for Altru Sports Complex; first part of Phase 2 expected to bid in April
The Grand Forks Park District is looking at options for other naming rights in the facility to help fundraise for the project.
Rice Business launches new graduate healthcare certificate program to advance leadership in dynamic industry
Rice’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business today announced the launch of its Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management program, a 10-month, credit-bearing professional credential designed for current and aspiring leaders seeking deep expertise in the business of healthcare. Situated at the crossroads of Houston’s renowned Texas Medical Center and global healthcare innovation, the program blends rigorous business fundamentals with healthcare-specific strategy, operations and management.
James Perkins named interim executive director of Auxiliary and Business Services
Perkins ’92 will provide functional oversight to Auxiliary and Business Services, leading the unit’s operations that support and enhance campus life for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and visitors.
Opinion: Colorado’s plan to cut sexual health education funding would erase real gains for rural students
The statewide program is a key element in Colorado’s commitment to support the mental health and well-being of our young people.
Inside Maryland’s High-Stakes Bid for Trump’s $50 Billion Rural Health Fund
The White House asked states to compete for a rare pot of new money dedicated to transforming health care across rural America.
Earth Science SamPLE Facility Fund
Donate put Earth Science SamPLE Facility Fund in the Gift Designation Field
ACU Sports Podcast: Wildcat Annual Fund Director Anthony Egbo
Anthony Egbo, former ACU football player and current director of the Wildcat Annual Fund, talks about ACU Athletics' unique approach to philanthropy, what to expect for ACU Gives, and shares stories of how ACU has impacted student-athletes' lives even if they are only a Wildcat for a year or two.
Senate committee reviews Gov. Beshear’s budget proposal
The proposal dedicates $500 million of the budget reserve trust fund to affordable housing, rural hospital assistance and food assistance.
Seattle restaurants show support to Minneapolis businesses amid protests and unrest
Seattle restaurants are banding together to show solidarity with businesses in Minneapolis, raising funds to support their counterparts.
Trump Rallies Business Leaders to Fund Accounts for Babies
The President joined with celebrities, CEOs, and officials to stoke support for the new Trump Accounts.
Teen Mental Health and School-Based Services in California
About 3 in 10 California teens report serious psychological distress, yet significant gaps exist between the need for mental health care and receipt of services. This report examines teen mental health and access to care across demographic groups and describes how state and district funding have expanded school-based solutions.
Democrats demand major overhaul to ICE, as government shutdown risk skyrockets
Democrats in Congress are digging in against any funding deal with President Donald Trump this week that doesn’t include major changes to federal immigration enforcement – dramatically increasing the odds of a shutdown at week’s end.
Accountant stole more than $1M from N.J. business owner to fund sports betting, mortgage, state says
He is accused of using the funds for sports betting, credit card bills and mortgage payments, authorities said.
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund business returned 12% in 2025, sources say
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund platform, Absolute Return Composite (AR), returned nearly 12% last year, beating the benchmark HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index's 7.1% gain, two people familiar with the numbers said on Wednesday.
Everyone Really Needs to Pump the Brakes on That Viral Moltbot AI Agent
It's all fun and games until every aspect of your life is splashed all over the dark web.
Minn. companies pool funds to help small businesses amidst immigration enforcement surge
A couple dozen Minnesota companies have contributed about $4 million to a grant fund to support small businesses in the state as they navigate the challenges of meeting payroll and paying rent amidst the immigration enforcement surge.
Pa. county commissioners call for $40M increase to support mental health services
HARRISBURG — County leaders from across Pennsylvania on Wednesday called on legislators and Gov. Josh Shapiro to provide an additional $40 million in funding for county mental health services in
Republicans Gave ICE a Slush Fund. Democrats Want to Limit It.
The sweeping domestic policy law that Republicans muscled through Congress last year made ICE the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency in the country, with no strings attached.
Where Congress stands on the DHS funding fight
The killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis has sparked anger and dominated political thought since it happened Saturday.
Exclusive: Bertelsmann launches $200M health tech fund
The fund launch reflects growing international investor interest in digital health.
Wilmington basketball tournament puts focus on raising funds for mental health
The two-day SL24 Basketball Classic returns to the Chase Fieldhouse to honor Sean Locke, raise funds for mental health programs and encourage open conversations.
Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Pride Auction Raises $30,485
Proceeds benefit the Wanda Alston Foundation, with a portion of funds allocated for MSE Foundation
‘A sacred space of healing’: Church of Jesus Christ transforms health center in Liberia
A health center in Liberia was in ruins until it was transformed into “a sacred space of healing” through a project funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Sword Health plans to acquire Kaia Health for $285M
Sword aims to raise about $500 million to fund more deals in the U.S. and Europe.
OpenAI digs in on a fundamental disconnect in new research: AI is ready for primetime, many businesses aren't
The real challenge isn't building better AI—it's actually using it.
What Happens to Your Body When You Take Vitamin D Supplements Every Day Long Term?
A daily vitamin D supplement can support bone strength, muscle function, and balance—especially in people who are vitamin D deficient.
National Institutes of Health Need Agencywide Strategy to Prioritize and Fund Pediatric Research, Says New Report
Childhood health is foundational to lifelong well-being. A new National Academies report makes recommendations on how NIH and Congress can best support pediatric health research and improve health outcomes through childhood and beyond.
Why comedian Katherine Ryan won't make fun of her kids on stage: 'I don't wanna get Brooklyn Beckhamed'
The British-Canadian comedian says she steers clear of making any of her five children the punchline for fearing of stirring up Beckham-style family drama.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Congress is poised to take this big step intended to lower drug costs
A deal attached to the Senate government funding package would "delink" PBM compensation from drug prices in Medicare Part D.
Investing in high performance sports
Germany’s athletes have received increasing funding and support since the Olympic Games Munich 1972, support that has translated into greater success at the highest level.
Radiologists urge HHS secretary to overhaul US Preventive Services Task Force
Over 45 physicians, scientists and public health leaders believe a “fundamental shift” is needed to address how USPSTF develops and implements recommendations.
Sword Buys Kaia Health, Plans Fresh $500 Million Funding Round
Sword Health agreed to acquire rival Kaia Health for $285 million in its biggest deal to date, expanding the AI health startup’s footprint in the US and marking its entry into Germany.
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider’s mental health platform to partner with University of Notre Dame wellness project
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider is bringing her digital mental health platform Project YES to St. Joseph County, home to the University of Notre Dame, through a three-year program aimed at promoting youth mental health and bridging gaps in healthcare service. The St. Joseph County Universal Wellness Project, funded by a grant from the Valinhos Foundation,...
Rebuilding Colorado’s talent pipeline system
By Randy Johnson The rule of thumb in designing and building anything is form follows function — you always build for a clear and specific purpose. This principle holds true for structures, vehicles, applications, seemingly anything, other than many educational systems and government functions. During the next few months, Colorado has a powerful opportunity to […]
Feds OK New Mexico's $382 million broadband expansion plan for homes, businesses
The funding is slated to serve more than 42,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses across the state.
ECU Health announces 31 layoffs from Greenville Medicaid office
ECU Health officials said some positions at Access East are no longer funded and will be eliminated effective March 31st.
In Wyoming, campus politics sparks a push for deep budget cuts
It’s a familiar scenario: Republican legislators in a cash-rich Western state are looking to slash higher education funding. In this case, though, Idaho is not the battleground.
Senate Dems demand immigration enforcement reforms before funding DHS : The NPR Politics Podcast
Congress may be headed toward a partial government shutdown. After a federal immigration officer fatally shot Alex Pretti last weekend in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they won’t vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security without changes to how the federal government enforces immigration laws. We discuss what Democrats want, what Republicans are offering, and the political risks of another government shutdown. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Minnesota companies fund $3.5M in grants to help small businesses during ICE surge
The nonprofit Minneapolis Foundation will distribute money to help local businesses make payroll, pay rent and cover other costs. Companies like Target, General Mills and Ecolab contributed.
Asheville City Council approves $15.5M in funding for Small Business Support Program - The City of Asheville
In an important next step for small business recovery following Tropical Storm Helene, the Asheville City Council approved a $15.5 million funding recommendation on Tuesday, January 27, to support the City’s Small Business Support Program (SBSP), funded through the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
Autism Science Foundation Releases Request for Applications for 2026 Undergraduate Summer Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
New York, NY — January 27, 2026 — The Autism Science Foundation (ASF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and funding innovative autism research, has released its 2026 Request for Applications for Undergraduate Summer Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, a competitive funding opportunity designed to support undergraduate students pursuing basic or clinical autism research during
How Climate Superfund Bills Use Science to Make Polluters Pay
This week, communities across the country are asking their state legislators for a common-sense solution—using a practice that's been around for decades—to make polluters pay. In 1980, following decades of high-profile disasters from toxic pollution, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmenta
Cuts to science and research in the U.S. over the past year
The administration cut science funding, withheld grants, and eliminated jobs in research areas that did not align. Nature, with visualization by Kim Albrecht, show the total impact so far. A treema…
How Tennessee’s Speaker of the House Helped Keep a Payday Lender’s Struggling Sports Gambling Company Alive
Cameron Sexton took steps that allowed the owners of a payday lending company, Advance Financial, to keep using their stores to boost a now-defunct online sports betting enterprise.
Can the Florida Legislature keep politics off campuses
A measure would, among other things, prevent partisan political parties and fundraising at public institutions, which the sponsors say belong to the taxpayers. Some say it would restrict free speech on college campuses.
10+ Things to Know About the New AirTag 2
After a five year wait, Apple finally unveiled the next-generation version of the AirTag earlier today. The AirTag 2 looks exactly like the original AirTag, and the functionality is similar, but there are still some differences worth knowing about. Here's everything new. UWB 2 - The AirTag 2 adopts Apple's second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip. Longer Range - UWB upgrades mean that Precision Finding works from 1.5x further away than before.
Scientists say quantum tech has reached its transistor moment
Quantum technology has reached a turning point, echoing the early days of modern computing. Researchers say functional quantum systems now exist, but scaling them into truly powerful machines will require major advances in engineering and manufacturing. By comparing different quantum platforms, the study reveals both impressive progress and steep challenges ahead. History suggests the payoff could be enormous—but not immediate.
From war damage to heart repair: ERC grantees supported to turn their science into practice
The European Research Council (ERC) has published the outcomes of the last 2025 round of its Proof of Concept Grants. In this round, 136 grantees will each receive €150 000, supporting them in exploring how their scientific results can move towards practical application or early commercial use. With these awards, the total number of Proof of Concept Grants under the ERC 2025 Work Programme reached 300, representing an overall budget of €45 million. The scheme is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.
This is Android 17’s blur, new screen recorder, & more in leaked screenshots [Gallery]
The Android 17 leaks continue today with a preview at the upcoming blur effect for System UI, as well as functional changes and updates.
Prop Firm Success Story: From Avoiding a $20K 'Lesson' To Reinvesting in His Business With an Apex Funded Account
$20,000. That's the amount of money Robert Anderson would've lost before his first payout had he traded futures through a brokerage. "That's $20,000 I could've lost while I'm not being the disciplined trader I need to be, in the mental...
Wisconsin superintendents ask Legislature to put politics aside and provide more funding
Wisconsin’s five largest public school districts are asking the state Legislature for more funding.
NYC Health + Hospitals Secures 75 Medicare-Funded Residency Positions to Grow and Strengthen Its Clinical Workforce - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced a major expansion of its Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs, securing federal funding for 75 new, permanent
How Americans could get a $1,000 boost this tax season
The filing season for 2025 tax returns is officially open and American taxpayers are expected to see larger tax refunds after filing due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
European investment firm Gimv calls it quits on new life science financing
European investment firm Gimv will no longer put funds into the li | European investment firm Gimv will no longer put funds into the life sciences sector, choosing instead to focus on its long-term investments and finding new value in four other key areas.
THE WEEK OF JAN 26, 2026
- Science funded as partial shutdown looms - House considers quantum science - Scientists oppose Trump’s Greenland push
In downtown Wilmington, Live Oak shutting down inclusive small business center
Live Oak Bank is turning Channel off. Described by Live Oak as an inclusive small business center, Channel opened in November 2021 to serve as a free resource for small business owners, helping numerous minority-owned and other small businesses from its headquarters downtown at 106 Market St. "After careful consideration, we’ve decided to bring Channel ... to a close at the end of this month. Live Oak determined that the needs of Wilmington’s small business community have evolved. Since Channel opened, the local small business ecosystem has grown significantly, with many strong organizations now offering education, technical assistance and community programming for entrepreneurs," stated Claire Parker, managing director of corporate communications for Live Oak Bank, in an email Monday. "With those resources firmly in place, Live Oak is refocusing on what we do best – providing banking and financing solutions that help small businesses grow and thrive." Channel's demise also resulted in the elimination of two positions – those of Channel's director, Chakema Clinton-Quintana, and Atiba Johnson, the certified professional business advisor (CPBA) at Channel. On Monday, Clinton-Quintana, who was elected to the Wilmington City Council in November, said of her immediate plans after Channel: "I will continue my work serving the public while I look for other full-time opportunities." She said Channel "served over 1,000 small business owners in the greater Wilmington area, as well as some of the surrounding areas, such as Brunswick and Pender. A lot of folks had reached out to us needing those resources because they were free, and we were able to assist them in that capacity." Johnson said he will be devoting his time to the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce, which is not affiliated with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The minority chamber is celebrating its launch from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilmington Sportsman Club, 1111 Castle St., Wilmington. Johnson, the founder and executive director of the new chamber, said about 50 businesses are on board to join the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce. According to a news release, the new chamber "was established to foster growth, networking, and advocacy for underrepresented business owners. By providing essential resources and community engagement, the chamber aims to build a more inclusive and prosperous local economy." Johnson said the creation of the new chamber is in response to "lapses in funding, education, advocacy for minority businesses...Some of the things that are going on now just don't reach all the way down to those businesses." For Lynne Jones, owner of LJ Design Studio LLC, the loss of Channel also means a reduction in income. She had contracted with Channel to run the center's social media and to provide some marketing for small business owners. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that it is closing...it was a place to connect with other small business owners and collaborate. It was like a family for those of us who were there. If you had issues or things that you needed to talk through concerning your business, there was always someone there that you could sit down with and talk things through, recalibrate, and they set you off on your way to make that pivot and move in a different direction," Jones said Monday. She said she worked with many Channel participants creating their websites and will miss seeing the joy on their faces when those websites were up and running. Dawn McDowell, owner of Creatively Covered Co. LLC, credits Channel with helping her business grow and regrow after her social media pages were hacked and shut down in 2023. "Channel was a great resource for small businesses, for women-owned businesses, for minority-owned businesses; they provided a lot of assistance, especially when you needed it," McDowell said. "If it wasn't for Channel, I don't know if I'd be where I am now, in my business, and regrowing my business and even finding out about some of the certifications and things that were out there for small businesses that I just didn't know about ... because there was no one really sharing that information for small businesses, for minority- and women-owned businesses in particular." Parker said shutting down Channel was not part of an overall cost-cutting plan. She stated in the email, "Live Oak’s commitment to Wilmington remains strong. We are continuing to support entrepreneurs by focusing our efforts where we deliver the greatest value – through specialized banking and financing solutions aligned with our mission to be America’s small business bank." As for Channel's downtown office, Live Oak had leased the 5,000-square-foot space above Seabird restaurant in 2021. The bank’s lease for the office is up in March, Parker said.
Code Vein II Review - Bloodsucking The Fun Away
Remove Code Vein II's inspirations, and what remains is an unremarkable and forgettable experience.
Lawmakers exploring options for DHS bill in critical week for government funding talks
Senate Democrats and Republicans are weighing how to move forward on funding the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies after another deadly shooting by a federal officer in Minneapolis, according to sources familiar with the matter.
CDC Restores $5 Billion in Public Health Grants After 24-Hour Pause
By I. Edwards HealthDay ReporterMONDAY, Jan. 26, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Federal officials have lifted a short pause on more than 100 public health grants worth over $5 billion, allowing states to continue work aimed at strengthening health systems. The funding, provided through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...
Will the government shut down again? What we know before Jan. 30 deadline
After the most recent fatal shooting by federal agents, Democrats are rejecting a DHS funding provision. It could shut the government down.
Why federal tax refunds may be bigger than usual
Tax-filing season has officially begun and will run though April 15.
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Valuation After US$1b Debt Refinancing And Extended Maturities
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) recently completed a private offering of US$1b in 8.625% senior notes due 2032, using the proceeds to redeem its existing 2027 notes and to extend its debt maturity profile. See our latest analysis for Six Flags Entertainment. The refinancing news comes after a sharp 30 day share price return of 16.25% that partly offsets a 90 day share price return decline of 33.35%. However, the 1 year total shareholder return decline of 61.75% shows that longer term investors...
Tepco to Sell Real Estate, Seek Partners in New Business Plan
Tokyo Electric Power Co. is aiming to sell around 200 billion yen ($1.3 billion) of assets within three years, as it looks to fund its Fukushima clean-up efforts and meet rising power demand.
Political fallout grows after Minnesota shooting
With lawmakers in Congress divided after Saturday’s fatal shooting involving federal officers in Minneapolis, Democrats are now threatening to vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security, as a deadline to fund the government looms, threatening a potential shutdown. NBC News’ Monica Alba reports.
We’re announcing the twelve recipients of our AI for Science fund
A look at the 12 recipients of the first AI for Science fund.
Where government funding talks stand after the Minneapolis shooting
If the Senate fails to pass legislation by midnight on Friday, then parts of the federal government will shut down.
Amazon is selling a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet for just $70
Shoppers say "the functionality is great."
This Picture Of A Nissan CrossCab Repaired With Spray Foam Insulation Is A Terrifying Warning
As I’m sure you’re aware, we here at the Autopian have a company car: our ridiculous Nissan Murano CrossCab, which we’ve half-wrapped in Xpel protective film and then done all sorts of dumb stuff with. It’s been a hell of a lot of fun, perversely, and people seem to really enjoy seeing this strangely improbable […]
Hundreds of Michigan districts and schools reject safety and mental health funding
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy. Hundreds of Michigan school districts rejected school safety and mental health funding from the state after agreeing to new conditions for receiving the money. In early December, 974 district […]
Washtenaw County health care aid program could close after Trump administration cuts
The program will likely need between $2-4M from various methods of funding to continue providing coverage.
Business Notes for Jan. 25, 2026
The Gazette's Business Notes is a compendium of the week's promotions, new hires, certifications, added business lines and business events, among other items, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the rest of the Corridor.
How hedge funds are using prediction markets' data
One data provider, Australia-based Dysrupt Labs, has built a product using prediction markets' odds.
Donald Trump is quietly choking science to death
The second Trump term is fundamentally rewriting the rules of discovery through data purges and budget blocks. This is the story of how a scientific superpower is choosing to retreat into the shadows.
Senate Democrats will block key funding package, citing aggressive tactics
The announcement from Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) came hours after Border Patrol agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis.
Senate Democrats threaten partial government shutdown over DHS funding after Minnesota shooting
Democrats will block a government spending bill following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by a Border Patrol agent, the Senate minority leader said Saturday – dramatically increasing the chances of a partial government shutdown next week.
Schumer: Democrats will block funding unless $64.4bn for homeland security removed
Announcement comes as anger toward DHS – which oversees ICE – intensifies after Alex Pretti fatally shot
Will another deadly shooting bring another government shutdown?
Another fatal shooting at the hands of DHS agents is jeopardizing a last-minute scramble in the Senate to keep government funded.
Idol winner Abi Carter headlines first week of BNP Paribas Open entertainment
The annual BNP Paribas Open Family Day will return on Saturday, February 28 as families with children of all ages can enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of interactive clinics, player appearances, live music, and more activities to kick off the fortnight in Tennis Paradise.
Confusion swells as Trump administration abruptly halts public health funding to cities and states, then reverses course
As public health departments across the country prepared for a massive winter storm this weekend, notice landed in their inboxes that pivotal grant funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was paused. No more money could be spent.
Freeze of public health funds for states, then reversal, sows confusion
A sense of whiplash spread across state public health agencies after the Trump administration paused $5 billion in federal spending, only to quickly say it would lift the pause on Saturday.
Science teachers from Queensland Open Brethren schools told to teach students about vegetarian dinosaurs on Noah’s Ark
Teachers who attended ‘compulsory’ creationist conference run by US-based fundamentalist group told radiometric dating techniques were flawed
120,000 Ohio families lost health insurance this month. Here’s who to blame
How Republican lawmakers blocked health insurance subsidies while enjoying taxpayer-funded coverage themselves, leaving working Ohioans to suffer the consequences.
Arts and entertainment calendar
Events coming up in the Greenville area offer music, arts, theater and family fun. Here is a sampling. In the listing below, today refers to Jan. 24. Due to the
WTC Health advocates say funding fix will still leave more work to stabilize program
A spending bill would ensure the financial future of the Health Program, but the measure must still pass the U.S. Senate.
Student-loan borrowers facing new debt relief, forgiveness whiplash
Trump gave defaulted student-loan borrowers a major break on wage garnishment and tax refund seizure. Still, thousands are waiting for debt relief.
Flower arranging sees Garstang men talk about their mental health
Fun events that get men together can have a "huge" affect on their mental wellbeing, a charity says.
Montana prepares to funnel $233 million into rural health projects
Some advocates have questioned whether the compressed 2026 timeline for using the federal windfall is even feasible.
Owner of La Popular money service business sentenced to over 3 years for laundering drug money
The owner of La Popular, a money-service business with multiple locations, including in Woodburn, Hillsboro and Beaverton, has been sentenced to prison for laundering drug trafficking funds. On Wednesday, Jan. […]
HUD orders citizenship verification after audit reveals ineligible tenants in taxpayer-funded housing
Trump administration orders public housing authorities to verify tenant citizenship within 30 days or face federal sanctions following HUD audit findings.
Detroit Launches Technology Grant Fund for Small Businesses
The microgrant initiative aims to help support technology adoption among small businesses. The city joins other local and state governments in fostering the adoption of AI and other technologies.
Possible Bengals Draft Targets & Offseason News: OBI Podcast
The Bengals have a lot of options with the No. 10 overall pick this year.
Week One Brews for Lorwyn Eclipsed: Fun & Jank Episode 64
Plum shows off two new Historic brews he's excited to play week one of Lorwyn Eclipsed!
North Dakota takes 'historic' step to authorize nearly $400 million for improving rural health access
Legislators approved the Rural Health Transformation funding during a three-day special session.
Staged crashes are big business in NY. Hochul wants to crack down.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing $2 million in new funding for the State Police to investigate auto insurance fraud and sweeping tort law changes aimed at curbing staged crashes.
The public health win hiding in plain sight: poison centers
This undersung service saves Americans $3.1B every year. Why aren’t we funding them more?
MGA Entertainment Launches L.O.L. Surprise!™ Loves The World of Strawberry Shortcake™ Dolls
A Berry Sweet New Collectible ExperienceLOS ANGELES, Jan. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global sensation L.O.L. Surprise!™, the brand from MGA Entertainment (MGA) that is synonymous with surprise and unboxing experience, has teamed up with WildBrain's Strawberry Shortcake to bring fans around the world L.O.L. Surprise!™ Loves The World of Strawberry Shortcake™ Tots, a delightfully sweet collaboration that combines vintage charm and scented fun with every collectible doll. The collection features