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New Small Business Alliances Signal Competitive Positioning by 18+ IT and Consulting Leaders Across FedCiv, FedHealth, and DoD
In the GovCon IT and consulting market, some companies react to opportunities. Others shape the board well before the game begins. Mentor-protégé agreements fall squarely into the latter category. These partnerships are not administrative check-the-box exercises. They require sustained commitment, alignment at the leadership level, and a clear view of where the market is heading. […]
Students, politicians gather on Beinecke to protest Trump negotiations
On Friday afternoon, protesters marched to Beinecke Plaza, where they convened with Connecticut politicians, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal LAW ’73, to urge Yale administrators against settling a federal investigation into its admissions practices.
Euro pummelled by France's debt burden; stocks mixed
By Rae Wee SINGAPORE, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Asian stocks made brisk gains on Monday as investors pared back expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike this month, while the
Woody Marks scores for a second straight game in Week 4
Woody Marks limited to 22 total yards in Week 4 loss to the Cowboys.
Teddy Bear Clinic at Kootenai Health
Kootenai Health is inviting children to bring in their favorite stuffed animal to receive "special check ups" and enjoy a variety of activities
Jalen Hurts Repeats Honest Analysis Of Eagles’ Loss vs Rams
Week 4 was another bad showing for the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offense. While they managed to add more points to the board after putting up just seven points in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, the Eagles slightly improved their performance while shorthanded, putting up 20 points against the Rams. Still, it wasn’t enough. At the […] The post Jalen Hurts Repeats Honest Analysis Of Eagles’ Loss vs Rams appeared first on HEAVY.
CDC Plans To Drop Disability Questions From Federal Health Survey
A proposed revamp of a key federal survey could lead to a drastic undercount of Americans with developmental disabilities, advocates warn.
That Wild Lanterns Finale Twist Upends the DCU’s Future
And James Gunn may have spoiled the whole thing two years ago.
Who plays Sunday Night Football this week? Lions face Panthers
The Detroit Lions travel east to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football.
Trump economic advisor says 'it's time' for Powell to leave Fed, calls extended tenure 'unprecedented'
Kevin Hassett says Jerome Powell should leave the Federal Reserve Board, calling his continued presence "completely unprecedented" after his term ended.
Why Oregon-UCLA is Must-Win For Ducks Playoff Chances
The Oregon Ducks have a must-win game against the UCLA Bruins this weekend.
Marcus Mariota productive before injury
Commanders QB Marcus Mariota sees limited work before suffering injury
Trump names national intelligence director to lead a new federal AI task force
Trump is calling it the “Super Intelligence Force,” because he has tried to rebrand AI as “super intelligence.”
Trump names national intelligence director to lead a new federal AI task force
Trump is calling it the “Super Intelligence Force,” because he has tried to rebrand AI as “super intelligence.”
Trump names national intelligence director to lead a new federal AI task force
Trump is calling it the “Super Intelligence Force,” because he has tried to rebrand AI as “super intelligence.”
Trump names national intelligence director Jay Clayton to lead a new federal AI task force
The announcement comes after Trump hosted top executives of AI companies at the White House last week and said they had signed a voluntary accord that would effectively self-police the development of the technology.
AP Top 25 rankings: Channel 2 sports director Zach Klein’s ballot for this week
The Associated Press will release its latest top 25 rankings on Sunday afternoon.
Trump launches ‘Super Intelligence Force’ after calls for AI slowdown
Leaders from the intelligence community, the Pentagon, the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of Personnel Management will serve on the task force.
South Dakota to receive $7.2M in federal funding to modernize rural emergency services
South Dakota will receive $7.2 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program to modernize EMS with 25 projects improving response and telemedicine.
Book review: How one coach built a college golf dynasty
Jim McLean details how coach Dave Williams transformed the University of Houston into a college golf powerhouse.
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
4 bold predictions for Bears vs. Jets
A rushing touchdown for the QB and a big day for the defensive line highlight our bold predictions for Bears vs. Jets.
Michigan got $173M to transform rural health. Where is it going?
Rural hospital leaders in Michigan say the federal program is unable to augment day-to-day operations to support frontline medical care, and is instead flowing to programs on the periphery of where the system is experiencing the most strain.
Michigan got $173M to transform rural health. Where is it going?
Rural hospital leaders in Michigan say the federal program is unable to augment day-to-day operations to support frontline medical care, and is instead flowing to programs on the periphery of where the system is experiencing the most strain.
Miralem Pjanic: “I hope Roma win the Scudetto.”
Gasperini’s Roma wins and impresses, by now, virtually everyone from insiders to former players. The Giallorossi play brilliantly and at breakneck speed, making for a truly spectacular spectacle. Mi...
New York Jets vs Chicago Bears Game Day Forecast
Near perfect conditions are on tap in the Windy City today
How Roy Cooper became Democrats’ best chance to flip a Senate seat
The former North Carolina governor is running in a state that for decades has more often preferred Republicans for federal office.
FEC questions thousands of recurring online donations to Eric Schmitt
Thirteen donors flagged in federal letters appear nearly 5,700 times in Schmitt’s reports, highlighting issues with recurring online contributions.
Pols & Politics: White House launches website on the ‘real cost of Socialism’
The White House has launched a new webpage warning U.S. families of the “real cost of Socialism,” while state lawmakers prepare to take up proposed federal changes to the 2030 census this month.
Our take on Colorado’s 2026 ballot measures
Constitutional Amendment 81: Law enforcement reporting requirements to federal authorities Changes the state constitution. All such amendments need 55% to be enacted. Amendment 81 would amend the state constitution to require law enforcement to notify U.S. government immigration officials when they charge a person who is in the country illegally and the alleged offense is […]
Texas high school football: Saturday's scores from Week 6
Saturday's Houston-area and statewide scores from Week 6 of the Texas high school football season.
2026 SEC football power rankings after Week 5
2026 college football season: SEC power rankings after Week 5
Kansas candle-making business accused of fraud to get a loan
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned an indictment charging a Kansas woman for allegedly submitting fic
Hawai’i Small Businesses urged to complete Federal Reserve Credit Survey by Nov. 13
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is encouraging Hawai‘i small businesses to take part in the Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey, now open through Nov. 13.
Jordan Ott talked about Kennard's movement shooting …
Jordan Ott talked about Kennard's movement shooting …
A $28B hemp THC industry is fighting to save itself from a looming federal ban
America’s multibillion-dollar market for impairing hemp products faces potential elimination before the end of the year.
Derrick Henry Shares His Side of Tennessee Titans Departure
The legendary running back breaks his silence on a bittersweet exit, revealing the front office never offered a new contract before shipping him toward a fresh start.
Federal Changes Will Put Hemp Industry Operators Out Of Business, Oregon Retailers And Suppliers Say
“The CBD products that people are expecting to be available to give to their dogs for arthritis or to give to their parents because they’re aging and have aches…they’re not going to have access to them anymore.” By Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle Pet tinctures and topicals are the most popular products sold at Oregon […]
3 Raptors Players to Watch in Preseason Opener vs. Heat
From defensive anchors to breakout rookies, discover which rising stars will lead Toronto’s revamped rotation as the new-look roster finally takes the floor against Miami.
Gophers HC PJ Fleck Goes Stage-Diving Off FOX Set
Minnesota Gophers coach PJ Fleck launched himself off the FOX Big Noon Kickoff set and crowd-surfed over fans in maroon and gold before the Michigan game.
VB Health Launches Public Seven-Part Supplement Quality Standard
New company-wide standard, effective across the VB Health portfolio, establishes requirements for research, clinically relevant dosing, formula transparency, sourcing, U.S. manufacturing and every-batch testingDENVER, Oct. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VB Health, a Denver-based dietary supplement company co-founded by a U.S.-licensed physician, launched the VB Health Supplement Quality Standard today, a new public seven-part framework that establishes company-wide requirements for how its supplem
Hollywood Brown ruled out for Week 4
Hollywood Brown sidelined with ankle injury
America.gov: New AI Tool Streamlines Government Navigation for Small Businesses - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
By Karen Kerrigan – For small business owners and those entrepreneurs just launching businesses, a frustrating aspect of dealing with government is often trying to figure out the rules and navigating websites to find the right information. A new federal AI-powered tool, America.gov, could make that process significantly easier. Launched on September 29, America.gov is […]
Doctors, insurers sue Newsom over health insurance premium increases
In June, lawmakers passed a healthcare tax that could increase premiums in order to combat federal Medicaid cuts. A new lawsuit says that tax violates Proposition 35, passed by voters in 2024.
$28B hemp THC industry fighting to save itself from looming federal ban
A government-funding bill last month delayed the effective date of a hemp THC ban to Dec. 11 to give Congress time to consider regulations.
A $28B hemp THC industry is fighting to save itself from a looming federal ban
America’s multibillion-dollar market for impairing hemp products faces potential elimination before the end of the year.
$28B hemp THC industry fights to save itself from looming federal ban
America’s multibillion-dollar market for impairing hemp products faces potential elimination before the end of the year
'It’s a mess': New Bedford businesses reel as ICE detentions escalate
The presence of federal agents on the streets have kept people away from going out and patronizing local businesses in the city.
What to Watch For: New England Patriots Defense vs. Buffalo Bills Offense
The New England Patriots begin AFC East play this weekend with a trip to Buffalo to take on the Bills. We review what New England’s defense will need to do to slow Josh Allen and Buffalo’s high-powered offense.
Daily life around the world, in photos
A look at everyday moments across countries, cultures and communities worldwide.
Contributor: There's federal progress on women's health. No joke
States have been the laboratory for policy changes on menopause care and hormone access, and the feds are now following leaders such as California.
Minnesota hospitals chase strength through size
A cluster of three major health system mergers in Minnesota this year reflect urgency among providers to grow and generate efficiencies that shield them from looming federal cutbacks.
A record number of Native Americans are running in the 2026 midterms
At least 355 Native American and Indigenous candidates ran or are running in local, state and federal primary and general elections this year — a record number.
HIGHLIGHTS: Arizona Compass Prep vs. Odessa
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Arizona Compass Prep Dragons spoiled the Odessa Bronchos’ homecoming as the Dragons won 31-27. With the loss, the Bronchos drop to 2-4, and next week they kick off district play at home against Midland. Watch the video above for the highlights.
Player of the Game: Girard’s AJ Pearson
Girard junior quarterback AJ Pearson was named Player of the Game in the Indians' 46-42 win over South Range.
Texas high school football: Friday's scores from Week 6
Friday's Houston-area and statewide scores from Week 6 of the Texas high school football season.
SIU hosts trauma training conference for mental health professionals
The third annual Trauma Training Conference provides advanced training in adult trauma and psychological health.
Shawnee County Health Department discusses public health challenges and solutions
The Shawnee County Health Department held its Annual Community Conversation, bringing together local leaders to discuss public health and how to better serve residents.
Lawmakers probe allegations that NC health officials used false information to secure Medicaid funds
GOP lawmakers in NC say they are looking into allegations that state health officials used false information to secure federal funding for a Medicaid technology overhaul. The claims were made in a lawsuit that has since been dismissed. The state auditor has revived an audit into the project.
Small Business Administration Update on New Rules for Small Business Size Standards - Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer
By Brett W. Johnson, Carrie Schaffer, and Hannah Wolf1 Recently, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided notice of a proposed rule, Small Business Size Standards, that would fundamentally restructure how the federal government defines a “small business.” The rule proposes new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries.2 On that same day, the […]
Judge temporarily blocks border wall construction in Texas’ Big Bend region
A federal court in Texas has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from building a border wall in the Big Bend region. This decision is a win for landowners, businesses and
Disney cuts 300 workers, offers executives early retirement
Another round of job cuts comes as CEO Josh D'Amaro aims to consolidate the company's sprawling operations around a "One Disney" theme.
3 Biggest Questions Facing Phillies Entering Crucial Offseason
Here are the three biggest questions facing the Philadelphia Phillies entering a critical offseason.
Local girl overcomes health challenges, chosen to encourage runners at Columbus Marathon
The 7-year-old and former patient at Nationwide Children's Hospital was selected as a Mile Champion to inspire runners as the run over 26 miles through Columbus.
Kennedy Center Honors move to new venue amid building closure
The Kennedy Center Honors gala will move to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after the center’s closure amid a legal battle over the addition of Trump's name to the building.
Scouting Patrick Mahomes : Las Vegas Raiders Chiefs Week
Las Vegas Raiders enter the Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Keeping the passing attack grounded is key.
State legislators discuss Pennsylvania’s business needs during event in Schuylkill
Pennsylvania’s manufacturing businesses are being hampered by federal tariffs, high energy costs, excessive state regulations and a shortage of skilled laborers, state legislators said Friday during a roundtable discussion hosted by a…
Trump Directed Use of Taxpayer Money for Ads Praising His Presidency
The government-funded ads show just how much President Trump has been able to use federal money for his own aims.
Weiser joins lawsuit challenging new fuel economy standards
“The federal government’s backsliding on standards for the next five years requires less fuel economy than what the U.S. fleet of new cars and trucks achieved in 2021. Rolling back fuel efficiency standards will cost Coloradans even more at the gas pump, harm public health, and undermine our nation’s position in the EV market. These clean car rules are part of our clean energy future and that’s why we are challenging this illegal action,” said Attorney General Weiser.
Sean Combs placed in solitary amid reports of lavish prison lifestyle
Sean "Diddy” Combs has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement following allegations in an NBC News report of his lavish federal prison lifestyle.
'This Morning' show host hospitalized after on-air health scare
Alison Hammond was hospitalized after a health scare during the live broadcast of the morning show "This Morning" on Oct. 2.
American Conference Front Runners Make Stand on Tulane Bye Week
The Tulane Green Wave are on their bye week ahead of conference play, which also means that the American Conference teams who headed straight into that slate are already making a splash in those standings.
Bishop’s computer science chair says AI is eliminating ‘grunt work’ and reshaping digital jobs
Dr. Russell Butler, chair of Bishop’s University’s Department of Computer Science, says artificial intelligence is increasingly taking over routine digital “grunt work,” changing the skills students and workers may need in the years ahead. Photo courtesy of Bishop’s University. Click here to read our platform! Get local news like this every morning. Subscribe free below. Subscribe Pulse Newsroom Artificial intelligence is already taking over some of the routine digital work once performed by entry-level employees, according to Bishop’s University Computer Science chair Dr. Russell Butler — a shift he believes will make expertise, judgement and the ability to evaluate AI-generated work increasingly important. Butler described the change as automation reaching what he calls the “bottom of the cognitive pyramid” during an interview with The Pulse about AI, university education and the future of digital work. His argument is not that humans are disappearing from the workplace. Instead, he sees their role changing as AI becomes capable of handling more of the repetitive tasks involved in computer-based work. “Everything’s converging on just AI basically doing all the grunt work,” Butler said. The bottom of the cognitive pyramid Butler is from Lennoxville, completed his undergraduate studies at Bishop’s and later earned his PhD at the Université de Sherbrooke. He joined Bishop’s in 2019 and now chairs its Department of Computer Science. He uses AI in research, teaching and other creative work, and said the technology is increasingly capable of handling routine digital tasks that once required substantial human time. “You’ve got the grunt work, like moving things around in Excel, doing basic programming tasks,” Butler said. “That’s like the bottom grunt work that the entry-level worker would have done two or three years ago.” Butler went further, saying in his view that much of this type of work has already been absorbed by AI tools. He connected that change to a shift he sees taking place in computer science, where entry-level roles have declined while experienced workers can use AI to increase what they can produce. “A senior developer now has access to essentially an unlimited amount of junior developers on demand,” Butler said. He was describing AI systems metaphorically, not literal employees. His point was that one experienced developer can now ask AI tools to produce code or other technical work that might previously have been assigned to more junior workers. That raises a broader question for universities and employers. If some of the simpler work traditionally given to newcomers can now be done by machines, how do people gain the experience needed to become senior workers themselves? Students doing work that once required years of programming Butler said he is already seeing the change inside his classroom. He created a Bishop’s course called CS208, Coding in Plain English, to show students — including those without traditional programming backgrounds — what they can accomplish using AI. Some come from disciplines such as psychology or neuroscience with no previous programming experience. “What I’m finding is that students who have zero programming experience, they come in from another discipline like psychology or neuroscience or something, they are now able to get up and running with real data sets,” Butler said. Butler’s own doctoral work involved neuroimaging, and he said he has assigned students work he considers comparable to the kinds of analysis he performed during his PhD. He described giving students a real dataset, an expected result and instructions to use AI to complete the analysis. Butler said those students have been able to carry out work at a level he associates with tasks he once performed after years of programming experience. That does not mean a student using AI instantly acquires the same knowledge as an experienced computer scientist. But Butler sees it as evidence that AI can dramatically lower the technical barrier between having a problem to solve and producing a working result. The role of the person using the system then changes. They need to know what to ask for, understand enough about the subject to judge the answer and take responsibility for what is ultimately produced. What about AI hallucinations? One persistent concern surrounding generative AI is hallucination — when a system produces information that sounds convincing but is false or unsupported. Butler said that problem has improved substantially in newer systems and is not as severe as it was with earlier models. He pointed in particular to newer AI systems’ ability to search the web, consult scientific databases and return source links rather than simply generating a citation from their internal model. Butler nevertheless said users should verify what AI produces. “You should verify,” he said while discussing citations generated with AI. His position is that hallucinations have become less common in the systems he uses, not that incorrect AI output is impossible. Human checking remains part of the process. Hours of work compressed Butler offered another example from his administrative work at Bishop’s. The university has been comparing CEGEP courses with first-year Bishop’s courses to determine where students may qualify for advanced standing. Traditionally, Butler said, that means reviewing two sets of course descriptions and manually matching one institution’s courses with another’s. As department chair, that could require hours of reading and comparison. He said AI can now be given both sets of material and asked to generate an initial mapping automatically. “It saves me hours and hours of work,” Butler said. Butler said the AI-generated mapping can also produce a better result than he would produce himself. He sees similar opportunities in businesses. A company may receive specifications, drawings, emails or other digital material from customers and then have employees convert that information into an internal format before anything can be manufactured or delivered. AI can increasingly perform parts of that intermediate processing. In Butler’s view, the employee does not necessarily disappear. Instead, the job becomes more about checking the result. “The human is still there,” he said. Judgement could become more valuable That change is central to Butler’s view of where digital work may be headed. If AI can produce a first draft, write basic code, compare documents or process large amounts of information, he argues that knowledge and judgement become increasingly important. “The real scarce resource going forward is going to be domain knowledge, expertise, and… credentials, authority, the ability to work with other people,” Butler said. He is therefore encouraging students not only to learn AI tools but also to broaden their education. He mentioned acting, fine art and photography as examples of courses that can help develop what he described as taste and intuition — the ability to recognize what is good, what is not and what should be changed. “And that’s the skill that they need now because the grunt work has been automated and now it’s about evaluating what the AI produces and telling it how to improve or expand the output,” Butler said. That does not remove the need for technical knowledge. Butler’s argument is that the emphasis may shift away from manually completing every step of a task and toward directing, checking and improving work produced with AI assistance. He also stressed that humans remain responsible for final decisions. “At the end of the day, the human has to make the final call,” Butler said, pointing to the question of accountability. Physical work may be different Butler draws a distinction between digital work and jobs requiring people to manipulate the physical world. He expects AI to continue advancing quickly in tasks performed almost entirely on computers. He is more cautious about claims that humanoid robots will soon be able to replace workers such as plumbers or electricians. Butler said those trades would not be replaced “anytime soon” in his view and described some current robotics demonstrations as overhyped. He described the situation as counterintuitive. “It’s almost like we solved the highest level first,” he said, contrasting advances in digital AI with the harder problem of building robots capable of operating reliably in the physical world. Butler’s argument is that some digital occupations could face automation sooner than trades requiring complex physical work. The wider AI shift in the Townships Butler’s comments come as local institutions are increasingly grappling with how AI should be used. The federal government recently announced up to $162 million over five years for 10,000 AI-related placements through Mitacs. The Université de Sherbrooke told The Pulse that the number of its collaborative research and innovation projects supported through Mitacs has approximately doubled since 2018-19, while the number of placements has approximately tripled. UdeS also said it already has projects involving both AI adoption and the application of AI to other fields. At Bishop’s, Butler said part of his role involves building the Computer Science department’s local presence, connecting students with regional partners and strengthening relationships with the Sherbrooke technology ecosystem. Those developments put universities in a difficult position. They have to prepare students to use the tools employers increasingly have available while also making sure graduates understand enough to recognize when those tools are wrong, incomplete or being applied to the wrong problem. The risk of losing human skills Butler does not see AI as risk-free. Later in the interview, he raised a separate concern: as AI becomes better at reading, writing, programming and other cognitive tasks, people could lose some of the underlying skills that historically helped produce new ideas. “The other danger is that we’re going to lose the human skills,” Butler said. He specifically mentioned reading and writing and argued that people could lose some of the lower-level understanding that contributes to breakthroughs. Butler said AI systems are based on existing human knowledge and argued that they become much more powerful when paired with a capable person. That tension runs through his view of the technology. AI can remove hours of routine work. It can allow beginners to perform tasks that once required substantial technical training. It can give experienced workers significant leverage. But the more capable the technology becomes, the more important it may be for people to develop the judgement needed to decide what should be done in the first place. For Butler, that is where education may have to change. Students still need to understand their field. They still need to know when something is wrong. And they still need to be able to make the final decision. But if AI increasingly handles the bottom of the cognitive pyramid, the value of a worker may depend less on how quickly they can perform the grunt work and more on whether they understand what the work is supposed to accomplish. Don’t miss the next story that affects your community. Join thousands of readers getting The Pulse every morning—plus breaking news alerts when it matters most. If you value this kind of local journalism, consider supporting it. Subscribe, share and like! Subscribe Share
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