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Iowa businesses recognized as top 100 US small businesses
Three Iowa businesses were named to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses list. The CO—100 recognizes small businesses for their growth, innovation and commitment to their customers, according to a news release. Original Group Holdings, a woodworking equipment manufacturer in Britt, was recognized as a community champion. The company…
A note to readers: Science, accountability and elections
Dear readers, As early voting begins, I wanted to share some news — and why it connects to the decisions we make at the ballot box. I’ve been selected for the inaugural cohort of the South Atlantic Climate Journalism Hub mentorship program, hosted by Covering Climate Now. I’m excited to join this group, learn from scientists and fellow journalists, and expand my science reporting. Science directly ties to governance. Local officials make decisions about where development goes, how infrastructure is maintained, what emergency preparations receive funding, and how communities rebuild after disasters. Understanding the evidence behind those decisions helps us evaluate whether our government is serving us well. Here in western North Carolina, those connections are all around us, in Lake Lure and beyond. Flood maps inform decisions about property and development. Engineering assessments help identify risks at dams and bridges. Rainfall forecasts guide emergency preparations. Geological information helps explain landslide hazards. Water testing gives communities information they need to assess conditions. Meteorologists’ knowledge and public perception of weather events shape public safety. Each involves scientific or technical knowledge. Each also raises questions about public responsibility: What did officials know? How did they use that information? What did they tell the public? What did taxpayers receive for their money? A study can identify a problem. Elected officials still have to decide what to do about it, how to pay for it, and how to explain their choices. Reporting should examine both the evidence and the response. That is where I want to strengthen my work. My reporting on Helene recovery, infrastructure, flooding, public safety, and public spending has repeatedly brought me to questions that require scientific expertise alongside public records. This mentorship may help me better understand the research, ask more precise questions, and explain the answers clearly. I also bring the perspective of someone living with these concerns. I live downstream of Lake Lure Dam, and landslides affected my property during Helene. Those experiences bring urgency to my questions. Careful reporting helps establish the answers. Readers deserve to know what the evidence shows, where uncertainty remains, and whether officials accurately describe the information guiding their decisions. You also deserve scrutiny of proposed solutions: what they cost, what they are expected to accomplish, and what risks remain. Access to that information matters. As a mostly deaf journalist who relies on written communication, I will continue pressing for written public warnings, records, and explanations that people can read and use in real time. As you consider the candidates seeking your vote, consider how they approach evidence, preparedness, and transparency. Do they support local journalism, even when it’s not parroting a press release? Do they explain weather events clearly in plain English and explain their decisions after them? Make supporting records available? Acknowledge uncertainty? Follow through when a report identifies a risk? Those are practical questions about governing. Thank you for supporting Cops & Congress and the work that makes these questions part of the public conversation. I’m grateful to David Dickson and the CC Now team for this opportunity, and I look forward to bringing what I learn back to you. Annie DanceEditor & Publisher, Cops & Congress — Learn more about this newsletter, ethics policy, how you can help shape this work, and support it. Follow on X and Facebook. Send constructive criticism, fan mail, and tips with public documents for future stories: CopsandCongress@gmail.com ICYMI: View the Cops & Congress archive — Annie Dance is the publisher of Cops & Congress, a newsletter that analyzes what happens when crime, courts, disaster, democracy, and small-town policies collide. Views expressed here are covered by the First Amendment. Dance has a Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan University in Communication with a focus in Journalism and Government. She has been a journalist for over 20 years. Share Upgrade now or give a gift subscription
Healthcare, small business advocates urge reversing healthcare cuts, boost Democrats
Healthcare and small business advocates crossed Wisconsin Wednesday to call on the federal government to reverse policies they said were thwarting healthcare access and support Democrats running for C...
Scientists Found a Surprising Link Between Intelligence and How Attractive You Think You Are
New research found that people who scored higher on intelligence tests tended to rate their own looks slightly lower, but the difference was small.
Eligible Small Business Customers to Receive October California Climate Credit
/PRNewswire/ -- Eligible small business customers across Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) service area will automatically receive a $36.18 California...
RI Small Businesses vs. Costco, Foulkes and Raimondo
GoLocalProv.com is the “go to” local Web experience that breaks the biggest local stories – sports, news, business, weather, news, politics, arts,…
Rays Clinch Pennant, Head to Small-Market World Series
The Rays clinched their third American League pennant.
Healthcare, small business advocates urge reversing healthcare cuts, boost Democrats
Advocates called on Congress to restore Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies and criticized Republicans.
Australia’s Live Industry Feels The Pinch From Escalating Costs
Australia’s concerts industry posted small single-digit declines in 2025, due to rising costs, changing ticket-buying behavior and more.
Starbucks Just Ruled Out Buying Chipotle. Small-Business Owners Should Take Notice
Starbucks’ turnaround offers small business owners a powerful lesson: communicate your value to customers before changing your price.
Inc. Names Counterpart a 2026 Power Partner for Supporting Small Businesses
Counterpart, the AI-native insurance platform providing management and professional liability solutions to small businesses, has been named a 2026 Inc. Power...
'Working Lab' helps Norwich small business owners
Global City Norwich and Foundry66 are accepting applications for a 12-week program to help local businesses grow.
New Richland Lab Could Transform How Scientists Study Microbes and Boost Regional Jobs
The BriefGroundbreaking held Tuesday: PNNL officially began construction on the M2PC lab, a 30,800-square-foot facility funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science that will study soil microbes to improve crop productivity and develop new biotechnology applications. The facility will be open to researchers from around the nation and the world.Research timelines could shrink dramatically: The facility's automation and AI capabilities could reduce experiments that currently take six months to just 72 hours, allowing scientists to explore more possibilities faster than ever before.New jobs coming to the Tri-Cities: The project is expected to create positions for automation engineers, AI experts, roboticists, technicians, and skilled craftspeople, with the facility opening in 2029.RICHLAND, Wash. — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory broke ground Tuesday on a first-of-its-kind facility that could accelerate scientific discoveries about the microscopic organisms living in soil—organisms that may hold the key to growing more food and developing new energy technologies.The Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability, or M2PC, represents a significant investment in automation and artificial intelligence to speed up research that traditionally takes years to complete. The 30,800-square-foot facility will house more than 100 connected automated instruments designed to study microbes at a pace and scale never before possible.Reshaping Agriculture's FutureThe M2PC facility will not put a new tool directly into a farmer's hands tomorrow morning, but it is actively reshaping the commercial pipeline to solve agriculture's biggest headache with biologicals: inconsistent field performance. For years, PNNL researchers have explored how microbes work and how they might help produce useful materials, advance energy technologies, and address challenges involving critical materials and minerals. But those experiments have been limited by what researchers could accomplish by hand."They can be used to provide nutrients to a plant so that the plant would grow more. So, like increasing your crop productivity, for example," said Douglas Mans, PNNL's Associate Laboratory Director for Integrated Discovery Sciences.PNNL's own research shows soil microbes can help plants access nutrients and withstand drought—benefits that could prove crucial as farmers face growing environmental pressures. The M2PC facility will allow scientists to identify and optimize useful microbes faster than ever before, accelerating the development of biological solutions that actually work consistently in the field.What Makes M2PC UniqueThe Microbial Molecular Phenotyping Capability differs from traditional research labs because it operates as a first-of-its-kind, AI-enabled autonomous laboratory designed to shrink experimental timelines from years down to months or weeks. The M2PC lab will connect more than 100 automated instruments to grow microbes, prepare samples, measure their behavior, and link observations to the molecular processes behind them. Artificial intelligence will help analyze results and guide the next experiments, allowing scientists to explore more questions faster.Deb Gracio, PNNL Director, emphasized the transformative potential during Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony: "Research that has taken years will become possible in months and hopefully in weeks."That acceleration is already being demonstrated. PNNL's smaller automated lab, called the Anaerobic Microbial Phenotyping Platform or AMP2, completed three experimental cycles in just 72 hours—a process that normally would have taken about six months."That normally would have taken us about six months … and we were able to do that in 72 hours," Mans said.The AMP2 laboratory is not being closed or replaced. Instead, the current 1,800-square-foot laboratory serves as an active prototype and precursor for the much larger M2PC facility. AMP2 will continue operating as a separate lab designed to run anaerobic experiments—those conducted in the absence of oxygen—while M2PC will focus on aerobic research.Broader Applications Beyond AgricultureWhile improving crop productivity is one important application, the M2PC facility is designed to support research into multiple areas critical to national priorities. The lab will advance research into biofuels, manufacturing materials, and energy technologies. It will also help researchers understand how microbes respond to environmental changes and how to design biological systems for biotechnology applications.As a flagship component of the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission, M2PC represents a significant investment in using artificial intelligence and automation to accelerate U.S. scientific discovery. Dorothy Koch, Associate Director of the DOE Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research program, highlighted the facility's importance during the groundbreaking."M2PC will accelerate biological discovery and design," Koch said, noting that the facility is expected to conduct a minimum of 500 strain experiments per week, 100 microbiome experiments per week, and take a million measurements per month.Economic Opportunity for the RegionBeyond the scientific breakthroughs, the M2PC project represents significant economic opportunity for the Tri-Cities region. The facility will require hiring automation engineers, AI experts, technicians skilled in operating robotics, and specialized craftspeople to build and maintain the sophisticated equipment."We're anticipating that type of hiring," Mans said when asked about job creation.PNNL has already begun recruiting talent nationally and internationally for positions related to the smaller AMP2 lab, bringing automation engineers from cities like Boston and San Francisco to work in the region. The M2PC facility is expected to accelerate that trend."This capability won't really exist anywhere else in the world," Mans said, suggesting the facility could become a draw for scientific talent seeking to work on cutting-edge biotechnology research.Timeline and Next StepsThe M2PC facility is expected to open in 2029. Between now and then, construction crews will level and prepare the ground, while the building takes shape. Simultaneously, Ginkgo Bio Works, the automation contractor, will build the facility's automation components off-site so they can be installed as the building is completed.In the interim, PNNL researchers and the broader scientific community will begin planning the first experiments to be conducted in the facility, ensuring research is lined up and ready to begin as soon as the doors open.The groundbreaking ceremony included representatives from the Department of Energy, PNNL leadership, and elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels, underscoring the project's significance to the region and the nation's biotechnology future. News The U.S. Department of Energy Secretary tours Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Dan Hanson, Apple Valley News Now News Beyond DNA: Scientists Explore New Frontiers in Biology Research Dan Hanson, Apple Valley News Now News TRIDEC optimistic that Hanford, PNNL will see funding in national budget Robert Desaulniers News Big picture science: monitoring the Yakima River Basin News PNNL research could shape the future of fighting fentanyl COPYRIGHT 2026 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
Nikon Small World 2026’s Winners Turn Science Into Abstract Art
Nikon Small World 2026 has finally unveiled its 20 stunning winners. Here's a quick look at the stories that made it possible.
How Small Pharmacy Expansion Will Impact CVS Health (CVS) Investors
CVS Health has been rolling out smaller pharmacy focused stores, expanding MinuteClinic sites and raising its 2026 revenue and earnings outlook, alongside new efforts in benefit transparency and women’s midlife health research. The push into underserved neighborhoods with compact pharmacies and clinics points to a tighter focus on access, operating efficiency and aligning physical sites with where prescription demand actually shows up. This article examines how CVS Health’s investment...
Partnership is the key to small business success
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce highlights how partnerships accelerate small business success and regional economic growth through collaboration and innovation.
New Report Highlights How Private Credit Powers Businesses Across America
Dunham: "Private credit direct lending plays a critical role in our economy, supporting countless small and midsized businesses across the U.S."
Arizona Small Business Seizures
The Case On the morning of Feb. 25, 2025, Mario Ayala was in Mexico visiting his dying father. Unfortunately, Mario had to cut that trip […]
Small donors helping to fuel New York's grassroots campaigns
As candidates finish the final leg of their campaigns heading into Election Day, there’s a surge of big donors pouring millions into both state and national races.
The Rural Health Transformation Fund is delivering for NC
The real measure of success will be whether a rural hospital can keep its doors open, whether a young doctor chooses to practice in a small town, and whether a family can get the care it needs without spending half a day on the road.
Exclusive: How small businesses are really using AI around the country
Companies nationwide, big and small, are figuring out how best to incorporate AI.
Trump pushes to evict the press from the White House
While moving the media out of the White House may be a relatively small debate considering Trump’s broader attacks on journalists, it would be highly symbolic.
Phoenix among best markets for small business expansion
Phoenix is one of the nation’s stronger markets for small-business expansion, but Tucson is facing a more challenging economic outlook, according to a new study comparing 56 major U.S. metropolitan areas.
Goldman Sachs spends big to give small businesses an AI boost
The Wall Street giant is committing $500 million to expand its 10,000 Small Businesses program and launch an AI institute, partnering with Google, Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic to bring AI know-how to Main Street. NBC's Christine Romans spoke exclusively with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and with small businesses figuring out how to make AI work for them.
Local business owners trained by OpenAI share thoughts on $20 billion data center
Small business owners who took part in a training session with OpenAI are sharing their thoughts on the company’s $20 billion data center project planned for Effingham County.
How well have past GOTY winners sold?
We’re less than two months away from 2026’s The Game Awards, and what a year it’s been for fantastic games, including Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, Slay the Spire II, the Blood of Dawnwalker, and Control Resonant – just to name a few. So as we approach the end of the year, we thought we’d look back on our estimates for the GOTY winners of the past four years. In terms of revenue, Elden Ring (2022 winner), Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), Astro Bot (2024), and Expedition 33 (2025) have generated a combined $3.8B via 73M copies sold: Let’s have a look, then. Elden Ring has generated $2B in revenue Elden Ring is a phenomenon in every sense. It’s sold a whopping 36.4M copies across Steam (50%), PS5 (35%), and Xbox (15% across console and PC). Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring also just passed an astronomical milestone: $2B in revenue. While PlayStation and Xbox account for half of Elden Ring’s copies sold across these three platforms, they account for 57.5% of revenue. This – as ever – is due to regional pricing and the higher relative share of PC gamers in lower-priced markets. For example, around 17.4% of Elden Ring’s Steam copies sold were in China, where the game costs about 26% less than the price in the States. There’s an … interesting narrative going around these days that console gamers are only interested in ball-and-gun games and have the patience for little else. Well, Elden Ring’s impressive sales prove that is simply not true, and across all platforms. What’s more, over 9.8M people have played Elden Ring for over 100 hours, with nearly 3.5M people getting all of the achievements and trophies. For reference, 10.9% of Elden Ring’s PlayStation players have the platinum trophy, while 10.5% of players on Steam and 3.9% of Xbox players unlocked all the achievements. Git gud, Xbox players! Of the 1.5M people who played Elden Ring on PlayStation last month, 4% also played Dark Souls 3 last month, 4% played Bloodborne, and 3% played Sekiro. There’s those Soulsborne diehards for you. By many accounts, including my own, Elden Ring is one of the best games of all time. It’s an evergreen seller that will continue to be a cash cow for Bandai and FromSoftware for years to come. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Elden Ring has sold another 2M copies across Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox this year, generating almost $110M. This means it’s outperforming many of this year’s high-profile releases. Even Elden Ring’s standalone run-based PvE spinoff, 2025’s Nightreign, has sold 7.8M copies and generated $282M in revenue. Baldur’s Gate 3 is another billion-dollar-plus banger Another cross-platform phenomenon is Baldur’s Gate 3, which has sold 23.2M copies and generated over $1.2B in revenue. About 18.7M of these copies (80.6%) are via Steam, 2.9M via PS5 (12.7%), and 1.6M (6.8%) via Xbox. Around 1.3M folks on Steam bought BG3 before it hit 1.0. The PlayStation version launched about a month after the PC 1.0 release, while the Xbox version came four months later due to technical issues around developing local co-op on the Series S. Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Across platforms, Baldur’s Gate 3’s monthly active users have never dropped below 2M, including 2.2M MAUs last month (68.5% on Steam, 21.9% on PS5, and 9.6% on Xbox). And it still regularly brings in 280K to 400K players every day: About 1% of BG3’s Steam player base has played for over 500 hours! That’s a little under 200K people. Astro Bot is also an evergreen seller, albeit a more niche, family one Astro Bot, 2024’s winner, has now sold 4.7M copies and generated $291M in revenue. The budget, including marketing, is almost certainly under $100M, given the small Japan-based core team and three-year dev timeline. You can really see why the tides are changing toward less expensive hubs. Astro Bot is the only first-party winner on this list, but follows other first-party winners of The Last of Us Part II (2020’s winner), God of War (2018), and Breath of the Wild (2017). Around 46.6% of Astro Bot’s copies sold have been physical, which is far higher than the typical game. This makes sense for a couple of reasons: There’s a large family audience for this one, and physical boxes are an item to wrap when giving Astro as a gift. Astro has collector value for the PlayStation core (this is nostalgia-fueled platformer celebrating PlayStation’s history) Want more free estimates and insights in your inbox twice a week? Subscribe below! Subscribe Astro is another one of those games that continues selling over time, regularly selling more than 100K a month. It’s sold around 1M more copies this year ($60M in revenue) and is a popular title with families. We can see this using the Alinea platform’s MAU crossover tool: Astro Bot’s top #2, #3, and #4 games by crossover in any given month this year are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Roblox – without fail. The #1 title every month, though, is Astro’s Playroom, a pack-in with all PS5 consoles. For every month this year, between 20% and 30% of Astro Bot players also played Astro’s Playroom that month. So the free pack-in is a noice funnel for converting players to a full paid product. Expedition 33 sells 8.7M despite Game Pass cannibalisation Finally, we have last year’s winner – Expedition 33. The turn-based-RPG banger has generated $366M via 8.7M copies sold, with 58.8% on Steam, 35.7% on PS5, and 5.5% on Xbox. Xbox’s share of copies sold is this low due to Expedition 33 launching on Game Pass, where 4.3M people across console and PC accessed the game. A little under 700K Xbox players used their subscription to play Expedition 33 this year. That said, the game’s 1.5-year Game Pass deal ended last week on October 16, and we’re already beginning to see a positive trend on Expedition 33’s copies sold via Xbox (but the jury’s still out!). There’s understandably a lot of French pride behind this one, as France is the game’s #3 market on both Steam and PlayStation. Vive la France! One thing that stood out to me is that the GOTY winners aren’t $300M Hollywood productions made in the US. They’re mostly mid-budget studios outside the traditional AAA cost centres. Lots to think about there. Also, good games sell well; who’d have thunk it!? And there’s a whole load of them this year, with GTA 6 still to come, too. GTA just made the cutoff point for the VGAs this year. What a coincidence! Loading... Cool links and other stuff Our physical games newsletter from Tuesday was picked up by GameSpot, Eurogamer, TweakTown, and a bunch of others. We’re offering a free trial of our platform for games companies. Send us a message here, or reply right here on Substack/email, and we’ll set you up. Next week, we’ve got some exciting news regarding the future of our newsletter, so stay tuned! The last word Reply to this email – or reach out here – if you have any feedback for the newsletter – or want to request a game for us to cover. Want to see why these companies (and many others) are subscribed to Alinea? Get a free platform trial! [Alinea Analytics boasts the most accurate PC and console estimates in the business. Game makers use our platform to understand their audience, keep an eye on the competition, monitor sales trends, and spot new opportunities. We equip game studios and financial institutions with accurate data and the confidence to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Want to talk about all things games market data? We’d love to chat!]
Bucco Calls for Action to Support Small Businesses, Introduces Bill to Give Them a Voice in Trenton
While the Sherrill administration continues its ‘small business listening tour’, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-Morris, Passaic) is calling for immediate action to support Ne
Water shortages will threaten growth within five years, say over half of European industrial leaders
Water stress is already hitting operating costs, supply chains and infrastructure across European industryWater shortages now rank as high as cybe...
Evert published in Journal of Small Business Management
Robert Evert, assistant professor for strategy and entrepreneurship, and co-authors had their paper, “Initial international...
Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — People who rely on employer-sponsored health insurance paid more for their coverage this year, with employees at small businesses and their employers especially squeezed by the surging
How prosecutors say Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa obtained $50,000 for family businesses
Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa faces felony charges after allegedly misusing a small business grant program.
Inglewood small business builds knitting community, garners national attention
Grant will aid SC small businesses competing for federal research contracts
SC’s state-run small business incubator will help startups develop new technologies and land government contracts.
There's A Suspicious-Looking Hole On The Moon, And NASA's Going To Investigate It With A Surface Mission
The Moon is covered in pits and craters to choose from, but the Marius Lunar Pit has NASA's attention.
Healthcare, small business advocates urge reversing healthcare cuts, boost Democrats
Advocates called on Congress to restore Medicaid and Affordable Care Act insurance premium subsidies and criticized Republicans.
Miami-Dade Small Business Program: New opportunities
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... For a small business owner, winning a government contract can be a significant milestone — obtaining steady revenue, scaling up your business, and achieving long-term growth. In Miami-Dade County, an important first step for many businesses is becoming certified through the county’s Small Business Development programs. Today, Miami-Dade County […]
Kotyza-Witthuhn understands small business needs
An Eden Prairie small-business owner endorses Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, citing her support for local businesses, working families and community organizations.
Allegheny County's mandate on paid parental leave draws strong reactions from small businesses
Jake: Why Gov. Ferguson’s B&O claim is meaningless for small business owners
Jake Skorheim explores why Gov. Ferguson’s B&O claim holds no weight for small business owners and what it means for the future.
Dr. Small: The Science Behind Falling in Love
Dr. Small: The Science Behind Falling in Love
VIDEO: Tommy Lloyd says don't let politics 'impact these kids' seeking five-for-five eligibility
During a small-group interview at Big 12 media days, UA coach Tommy Lloyd explained why he believed the NCAA should issue a blanket waiver for athletes who graduated high school
Choctaw Nation opens third small business center in McAlester
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has opened a small business center inside the renovated McAlester Public Library, expanding access to workspace, business advising and connections to lenders. The Chahtapreneur Business Center’s 3,500-square-foot McAlester location is the tribe’s third center under the tribe’s purview, joining existing locations in Durant and Idabel, according to a tribal news […]
Unassuming historic Lafayette house, business destroyed by fire
The history of the small building at 309 N. Fifth St. destroyed by fire includes a time as a Chinese laundry and a visit from a famous movie star.
Nikon’s Small World photomicrography competition winners
The 52nd annual Nikon Small World competition honours the world’s most remarkable images captured through a microscope
Small Business Owners Putting up Personal Assets to Keep Businesses Afloat, New Equifax Canada Survey Finds
One in four business owners have been required to personally guarantee business financing with their own home and assets; younger entrepreneurs show greater reliance on credit as a financial safety netTORONTO, Oct. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The financial pressures facing Canadian small businesses are extending beyond the business itself, with some owners relying on personal credit and assets to support their companies, according to a new Equifax Canada survey. One in four surveyed business ow
‘A vicious cycle’: Schools ban pouches that have as much caffeine as two cups of coffee—causing stunted ‘development and mental health’ for students
Caffeine pouches, small packets placed in the mouth between the lip and gum, are marketed as a portable and discreet way to boost energy and focus.
Eligible Small Business Customers to Receive October California Climate Credit
Eligible small business customers across Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) service area will automatically receive a $36.18 California Climate Credit on their October energy bill. No action is required to receive the credit.
Vernon County expands support for small businesses through grant program
15 Vernon County businesses have been awarded $10,000 each through the 2026 Elevate Vernon Grant Program.
Chancellor to pitch budget at wealth creators
John Healey is expected to cut red tape requirements, particularly for smaller businesses
Peek into hidden worlds revealed by the 2026 Nikon Small World contest
This year’s photomicrography contest captured the wonders of the very small, from flying ink droplets to the most adorable jumping spider you've ever seen.
Small business optimism dips in September NFIB survey
Small business optimism slipped in September as owners grappled with rising costs, higher interest rates and a persistent shortage of qualified workers, according to a monthly survey released by the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.8 points to 97.9, just below the survey’s 52-year average of 98.0. The […]
Excessive Litigation Undermines Small Business Growth, Innovation and Opportunity - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
By Karen Kerrigan – America’s small businesses are remarkably resilient. They continue to navigate rising costs, economic challenges, robust competition, rapidly changing markets and workforce gaps while continuing to invest, innovate, and serve their customers. SBE Council’s latest Small Business Outlook Survey (October 2026) revealed that 81% of small business owners said their business is […]
The young entrepreneurs giving Japan's old businesses a second life
Japan's aging small-business owners need someone to carry on their work. These entrepreneurs are answering the call.
Small Business Administration Opens Nominations for Small Business Week Awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the South Carolina District Office opened nominations for its 2027 National Small Business Week Awards, which recognize exceptional small business owners from South Carolina. National...
On Main Street, Goldman Sachs makes a big bet on AI
The Wall Street giant says it’s teaming up with OpenAI, Google, Meta and Anthropic to help small businesses embrace artificial intelligence.
Nine State Board of Education seats are on the ballot this fall, including 4 in the Greater Houston Area
The state board of education is one of the most influential bodies shaping education across the state. The board sets curriculum and chooses instructional materials for all public school classrooms and in recent years has been scrutinized for its controversial choices.
SBA to allow Iowa businessowners to share thoughts on Fed regulations
The U.S. Small Business Association‘s Office of the National Ombudsman and Office of Advocacy announced that the SBA will host two events in Iowa early next week, allowing small business owners of the state to share their thoughts on federal regulations and how they have impacted their businesses. The first event will be hosted in […]
The Collaboration Economy: Independent Contractors Are Essential to Small Business Growth - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
SBE Council Small Business Check Up Survey: Nearly half of small business employers use independent contractors, highlighting their role as a force multiplier for growth and the importance of policies that protect flexibility, choice, and entrepreneurship. By Karen Kerrigan – Independent contractors are an essential part of America’s economy, providing specialized expertise, flexibility, and the […]
SBA urges Iowans to nominate their favorite small business for an award
There are all kinds of small businesses in Iowa that we can’t do without, from diners and donut shops to tailors and auto mechanics, and it’s time to recognize those merchants that make our lives better. Ryan Lincoln, the Iowa district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, says the agency is taking nominations for […]
San Marcos relaunches support program for local businesses
The city of San Marcos re-launched its SMTX BOOST program to provide local small businesses with free training, coaching and resources.
China builds the world’s smallest wearable brain monitor with a cortex-wide view
The Airscope offers a window on the simultaneous activity of thousands of individual neurons in untethered lab animals.
Nearly 2-In-3 Small-Business Owners Sacrifice Their Pay As Costs Soar
The survey, conducted by Small Business for America’s Future, found that 72% of respondents believe running a business has become more difficult over the past year,
Op-ed: Brooklyn’s small businesses can’t wait any longer on child care
Brooklyn is home to more than 74,000 businesses, and the vast majority are small. You cannot build a competitive workforce, or a healthy economy, on top of a broken child care system.
New Coros Dura 2 Solar features ultra-modern design and huge battery life, but it's the smaller bevel I love
Hands-on with the sharp-looking new bike computer from Coros
Small businesses are getting clobbered by health insurance costs
Health insurance costs have risen for small business workers, who face higher family coverage costs and fewer plan choices than larger firms.
Glendale Small Business Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Seizure of Money by Federal Agents During Raid
PHOENIX—Today, the owner of a Glendale money services business (MSB) teamed up with the Institute for Justice (IJ) to file a federal lawsuit after his […]
Lawmakers eye micro-hospitals as part of New Jersey's healthcare future
A new bill would allow NJ hospitals to create micro-hospitals, smaller facilities with lower costs that are a growing trend nationwide.
Tusayan business recovery center to help after Grand Canyon floods
The federal Small Business Administration has opened a temporary center in Tusayan to help streamline economic recovery efforts following destructive flash floods at the Grand Canyon earlier this year.
Popular comedian set to host ‘Saturday Night Live’ for the 7th time
A popular comedian will join a small group of stars who have hosted 'SNL' seven or more times
Hugging Face’s New AI Biology Model Lets You Chat With DNA
The new open-source model speaks the language of DNA and can help researchers understand the effects of any changes on gene activity and health.
From Our Partners: The Hidden Devices Putting Your Small Business at Risk
During Small Business Month 2026 alone, Comcast Business detected and blocked 230 cyber threats targeting small businesses per second. That finding carries added weight across the Eastside.
iPhone Duo Accessories Roundup: Cases and Screen Protectors From OtterBox, ZAGG, and More
iPhone Duo will start arriving to pre-order customers this Friday, and in anticipation of the launch we've gathered all of the best cases and screen protectors you can get for your new iPhone Duo. This includes accessories from popular brands like OtterBox, Speck, ZAGG/Mophie, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Governor Candidate Jocelyn Benson (D-MI) Visits Small Business and Meets with Voters
Governor Candidate Jocelyn Benson (D-MI) visits small business and meets with voters in Jackson, Michigan.
Health insurance costs continue rising for American workers, new survey finds
new KFF survey found that Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance are paying more for coverage in 2026, with workers at small businesses facing the steepest increases.
Toy Story 5, Backrooms and The Breadwinner Vie to Become the Second Biggest Film This Year...
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) Often, people blame “data” for ruining Hollywood, when I’d argue that hype (which can often be debunked by data) is often worse, as you can see in these two headlines. To use a common meme, here’s how it started: and how it’s going: Earlier this year, I read countless (and I mean countless) articles (in almost every mainstream media outlet) about how Heated Rivalry was a huge hit and that it “heated” interest in hockey. But Heated Rivalry wasn’t a huge viewership hit compared to the hype: [ ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) [ You Can’t Eat Buzz…Did Heated Rivalry’s Buzz Translate into Actual Viewership? ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) Entertainment Strategy Guy · Jan 22 [ Read full story ](https://entertainment.substack.com/p/you-cant-eat-buzzdid-heated-rivalrys) In this case, the hype (Heated Rivalry is really popular) belied the data (It didn’t make the top ten charts, meaning it wasn’t a huge hit.1) Even worse, every time I write about this, I get a lot of negative feedback, hence why I only sparingly mention the show these days or add lots of caveats when I write about it, but this just further cements the hype. But companies, and the executives leading them, have to determine strategy based on reality, not media coverage. The NHL committed real marketing dollars to a campaign that didn’t work. Sure enough, the latest NHL season opened to under a million viewers. At some point, you have to focus on what the data says, because real dollars are at stake. And that’s why we have the Streaming Ratings Report! To provide and analyze cold, hard data. Luckily, this week, I can be positive and take a look at a huge opening on streaming, along with a very buzzy horror film that customers kind of like, but don’t really love. And a comedy that tried to rebound on streaming. Today, I’m covering two weeks—21-Sep and 28-Sep—so we have a lot to discuss (nearly 5,000 words worth), including a series of film misses for Netflix, another argument for weekly-released TV shows on streaming, another sitcom tries to avoid the comedy curse, Netflix has two new game shows (one powered by AI), Reacher falling off the charts after a huge run, Prime Video tries its hands at the romcom game**,** a look at the WNBA’s big season, a big night for the VMAs on CBS and MTV, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of September 14th to October 4th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Film - Two Hits and a Miss Come to Streaming… Three very interesting films came to streaming in one week, and I like comparing them since they show the range of theatrical films. One was a huge blockbuster, one was popular, and one was neither. One is a horror film, a buzzy genre; one is a comedy, a struggling genre; and one is an animated family film, the king of the box office. One went to a tiny streamer (HBO Max), one went to a second-tier streamer (Disney+), and one went to the biggest (Netflix). So… If you just went by box office, you’d expect Backrooms—the $197 million grosser, and partner of Obsession for “YouTube Horror Summer”—to dominate on streaming. If you read this report, though, you know that horror films don’t do great on streaming, and that’s the case again. Backrooms opened at 3.8 million hours according to Nielsen, and had 3.9 million hours in its second week. Here’s how that stacks up to other HBO Max films: We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… ...why I don’t buy Backrooms budget… …two new games shows arrive on streaming… …another sitcom struggles… ...another argument for putting out shows weekly on Netflix... ...and a whole lot more, nearly 5,000 words more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. If you want an idea of just how much content you’d get in a full issue, check out this older issue. Coming Soon! Next week, I’ll be taking a look at the eighth season of Hulu’s The Kardashians, answering the question: will this show ever make the charts? If Mormon wives can make it, surely one of social media’s most popular families can as well. Also, Prime Video has a new horror show based on popular IP, Carrie, Netflix has a horror show starring Josh Hartnett, Below, and Apple TV has a UK import, Small Prophets. Plus a bunch of movies like Disclosure Day heading to Peacock, The Housemaid coming to HBO Max, Ben Affleck’s latest on Apple TV, Animals, and Matchbox the Movie on Apple TV, a John Cena action comedy inspired by Hasbro’s toy cars. The week after is even busier! I’ll look at another IP-based horror show, Crystal Lake, a new MCU show on Disney+, VisionQuest, season two of The Lowdown on FX/Hulu, the fourth seasons of The Diplomat on Netflix and Tulsa King on Paramount+, another season of Love is Blind, and four straight-to-streaming films: Netflix’s Sacrifice (starring Chris Evens, Anya-Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich, Salma Hayek. Charlie XCX), Apple TV’s Tenzing (starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Defoe), Prime Video’s Love of Your Life (Margaret Qualley) and Masterplan (Stanley Tucci) and a whole lot more, somehow. Long term, here’s some huge IP news: a Game of Thrones movie is coming to theaters, Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest in 2029, while Jon Watts (who helmed three of the most recent Spider-Man movies) is directing the next Star Wars trilogy, to be written by Simon Kinberg. I’m cautiously optimistic for both. It feels obvious to say that making good movies matters, but for bets this big (Star Wars is on a swoon, Game of Thrones hasn’t been to theaters yet), the quality has to be there.
25% Of Middle Schoolers Proficient In ELA, Science; 18% In Math
According to a recent presentation by district leaders, who described those numbers as “steady progress” and a small improvement from previous years.
Downtown Greenfield star sponsorships now available for small businesses
The Greenfield Business Association has opened orders for its annual holiday star sponsorship program in downtown Greenfield.
Tailored to Your Trade: Inside the New Small Business Credit Card Lineup on the Amex Network
Tailored to Your Trade: Inside the New Small Business Credit Card Lineup on the Amex Network
Workers Now Pay $7,471 on Average Annually for Family Health Coverage, Up 9% or $621 from 2025, Benchmark Employer Health Benefits Survey Finds
Workers are paying on average$7,471 annually toward the premiums for employer-sponsored family health benefits this year, which is up 9%, or $621, from 2025, per KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and small employers. The burden of family premiums hits particularly hard for workers at small firms with less than 200 workers.
As companies move out of state, is California's $4.25 trillion economy really in trouble?
California continues to see companies large and small move to Texas and other states, citing taxes, high costs and regulations. Is the business environment really as bad as it seems?
Small donors helping to fuel New York's grassroots campaigns
As candidates finish the final leg of their campaigns heading into Election Day, there’s a surge of big donors pouring millions into both state and national races.
Florence Regional Airport
Florence Regional Airport is a small airport looking to yield big growth for its surrounding area & communities.
The Supply Side: Suppliers learn to challenge category placement
One in every five dollars spent on grocery items in the United States goes to Walmart. And while consumer product companies, large and small, have conformed their business to the...
UConn Researcher’s Insight on Small-Business Bankruptcy Recovery Draws the Attention of Congress
'Small businesses are an important part of the economy, but financial distress does not necessarily mean that the underlying business isn’t worthwhile& ...
Loyyal Unveils Perxi AI Business Suite to Help SMEs Run Their Business on WhatsApp
/PRNewswire/ -- Loyyal today unveiled the Perxi AI Business Suite, enabling small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to manage everyday business activities through...
79% of Small Business Owners Put Personal Money Into Their Business in the Past Year, New Flute Report Finds
Flute, the payments platform for the everyday economy, released "The Cost of Waiting To Get Paid," a report finding that 79% of small business owners put personal money into their businesses in the past year.
Chicago Bears spotlight ‘That’s Caring’ in Small Business All-Pros campaign
The Chicago Bears are highlighting MVPs in the community with their small business all-pros and this year, the campaign features 'That's Caring' which creates curated gift boxes for companies looking to recognize its workers and clients.
Apple’s Magic Keyboards for iPad are about half off, with a small catch
They have 90-day warranties, but are “pristine.”
Scientists discover a surprising secret behind the human brain’s wrinkles
Scientists have discovered why common marmosets have unusually small, smooth brains despite starting development much like other primates. The secret lies in subtle changes to brain-building cells that slow neuron production, revealing new clues about how the large, folded human brain evolved.
Section V girls soccer tournament scores: Small school playoffs begin
Here are the latest scores, stats and recaps from the Section V girls soccer playoffs.
Tampa named best large U.S. city to start a small business
WalletHub names Tampa the best large U.S. city to start a business in 2026. Local owners share their experiences with networking, marketing, and costs.
A revolutionary new microscope could reveal the hidden machinery of life
Researchers have developed a revolutionary microscope that uses an incredibly powerful laser to make previously invisible cellular structures easier to see. The technology dramatically improves image clarity, allowing scientists to examine small proteins that conventional electron microscopes struggle to capture. It could eventually reveal how tiny molecular machines interact inside cells, providing an unprecedented look at the hidden workings of life.
Danielle Jones named North Dakota SBDC's 2026 State Star
Annual award recognizes contributions to supporting small businesses across North Dakota
Small businesses are getting clobbered by health insurance costs
Health insurance costs have risen for small business workers, who face higher family coverage costs and fewer plan choices than larger firms.
Premiums for Employer-Sponsored Family Health Coverage Top $28,000 in 2026
Workers are paying on average $7,471 annually toward the premiums for employer-sponsored family health benefits this year, which is up 9%, or $621, from 2025, according to KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and small employers.
Homebase Assistant Wants to Give Small Business Owners Their Time Back
Homebase Assistant uses AI to help small business owners automate everyday tasks, save time, and reduce administrative burdens.
Madera County small business honored as one of the nation’s best
Madera County's Resort Life Carts named a top 10 small business by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, winning a $2,000 prize.
Governor Healey's pro-business efforts hurt Minogue
Also a new (and free) downtown space for small businesses, local think tanks join forces, and yes to local control of liquor licenses .
NFIB honors Sen. Arthur Orr for small business support
The National Federation of Independent Business honored Senator Arthur Orr for his legislative voting record and recently endorsed his reelection campaign.