SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " GOVERNMENT " 100 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Sign in to save shuffle history.
Strengthening sustainability science through the German Committee Future Earth
Discover how the German Committee Future Earth advances sustainability science through interdisciplinary research, collaboration and knowledge exchange
India's youth protests over electoral rolls, but can 'cockroaches' threaten Modi's political grip?
Thousands detained, leaders arrested on arrival, and a capital under lockdown: the youth-led protests against the election chief have the attention of the Indian government. But experts say toppling it is another matter.
An interview with Oscar Brown: Voter enfranchisement, mobilization and facilitating political change
What happens when a young voter base is disenfranchised? How can facilitate the political change we want to see? This week I sat down with Oscar Brown, a second-year Economics major and recent Co-Founder of Future Grinnellians in Government (FGG), a month ahead of midterms to discuss his perspectives on voting, mobilization, enfranchisement and the...
Heinrich eyes New Mexico jobs in bi-partisan permitting reform push
By Pat Davis, New Mexico Political Report — For most government workers and union members, Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day is the Monday cap to a three-day weekend. But that is not true for the U.S. Senate staff and local building trades members working to keep up with Sen. Martin Heinrich’s push to pass […]
Colorado Springs named Bluevine’s ‘Best City in U.S. for Small Business’ in new study
An ad for Bluevine's small business loans. JERSEY CITY, N.J.— A new study of government-data and internal financial data from
People in China are spending nearly as much of their income as Americans on healthcare
Increasing government spending on healthcare could help boost consumption in China, the International Monetary Fund said.
Industry, health groups descend on OMB over ultra-processed definition
A rundown of the groups weighing in on the federal government’s pending definition of ultra-processed foods. Plus, El-Sayed doubles down on MAHA-ish.
Poll: 43 percent support ‘Medicare for all’
While respondents said they support federal involvement, they are losing trust in the government.
GBIF at 25: The Open Data Machine Behind Global Biodiversity Science
Twenty-five years ago, a handful of governments bet that the fastest route to saving life on Earth ran through something unglamorous: standardized, freely shared data about where species live. That bet became the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, or GBIF, an
Venezuela’s Machado tops poll as US-backed negotiations resume
María Corina Machado holds a commanding lead in presidential voting intentions in Venezuela even as she remains sidelined from U.S.-backed negotiations between the government and opposition aimed at restoring democratic
Exclusive: Judge limited Justice Department access to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s records in sprawling immigration fraud probe
The Trump administration pushed for an unusually aggressive search of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s house in recent days in an immigration fraud probe that targets the congresswoman, possible false statements made on government documents, and a potential conspiracy, according to multiple people familiar with the investigation.
Park City business groups express concerns about employee retention, worker housing
The Park City municipal government recently compiled comments from business groups in preparation for a discussion about economic development issues.
Iran: Political infighting deepens as economic woes mount during war
Hardliners are stepping up pressure on Iran's government and calling for Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's removal. The oil minister resigned, but that's doing little to ease the pressure on President Masoud Pezeshkian.
CA voters to decide on Prop 4 to see if political campaigns can use taxpayer money
Proposition 4 would overturn current law, allowing state and local governments to be able to create public financing programs for campaigns.
Voters Can’t Be Bought (but Politicians Keep Trying) | WSJ Economics for Oct. 15
Plus, government equity purchases, AI-driven inflation and the perils of Treasury’s short-term borrowing.
Corey Foreman says Georgia needs better health care access, affordability and government transparency
Corey Foreman came to Georgia from Maryland while serving in the military and was stationed at Fort Stewart. He is now a small-business owner in facility maintenance, a husband and the Democratic candidate for Georgia Senate District 1.
Companies pledge free software and computing for AI in science
The European Commission has announced that a group of companies and foundations will offer free services, such as software or access to supercomputers, to European scientists using AI in their research.Unveiled on October 15 at a conference in Dublin, the initiative is the latest step by the Commission to try to help researchers use the technology. Scientists have used forms of AI, such as machine learning, for decades. But advances in deep learning in the past decade, and the wider interest in large language models since the release of ChatGPT in 2022, have spurred governments to invest in new AI tools that could help the scientific process.In July, the US announced it is spending $5 billion on the Genesis Mission, which it describes as a “national effort to harness AI for science,” funding 278 projects across areas such as autonomous labs or new AI tools in astronomy. The Commission has also identified AI in science as a priority, but the €107 million it pledged from Horizon Europe in 2025 does not come close to US spending levels. That said, the vast majority of public research spending in the EU comes from national funds. Today’s announcement at the European AI in Science Summit doesn’t commit any new public money. Instead, it launches the AI in Science Enablers Initiative, a set of voluntary contributions from companies and foundations. The idea is that the companies also benefit by getting access to scientific ecosystems, and feedback on how their tools work. Google, for example, has put up €3 million of cloud computing credits to European researchers. The Novo Nordisk Foundation intends to make its supercomputer, Gefion, available to European researchers, according to the Commission statement. The chipmaker Nvidia said it would provide access to tools, compute, training and collaborative projects.The publisher Elsevier also offered complementary licenses to some of its AI tools, plus AI training for PhD, postdoctoral and master’s students. The French AI firm Mistral will provide the European research community with access to its open-weight models, Vibe seats and application programming interface credits, according to the Commission’s statement. Vibe is one of the firm’s chatbot models. The idea is that more firms and foundations will come on board in the future as the initiative grows.
Labor Minister Bärbel Bas resigned during an angry era of German politics
German Labor Minister Bärbel Bas has stepped down, citing her need to grieve a loved one and leave behind the harsh realities of government. So how did German politics get so heated?
Augustana Expands Government & International Affairs Department With Four Specialized Majors
In Fall 2026, the Augustana University Government & International Affairs Department expanded its degree program offerings to include more specialized majors — giving students focused pathways aligned with their interests, workforce demands and graduate school preparation.
The Carolina Hurricanes’ hog mascot weighed in on Canadian politics during a game. Why?
Stormy, the Hurricanes' mascot, offered a detailed take on Vancouver's housing crisis and the government policies meant to address it.
Edmonds College to Host World Business Expo
Vendors and experts in attendance will discuss topics such as securing loans and government contracts, financing, artificial intelligence, and other business-related issues.
Robert E. Hall wins Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences
The professor of economics and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, emeritus, developed models that help governments and central banks respond to economic volatility.
To the editor: The taint of corporate involvement in politics and government
hen we hear Republican candidates earnestly talking about reducing regulations, cutting government programs and lowering taxes to help ordinary Americans, we need to recognize the distinction between tactics and strategy. These proposals are tactics. The broader strategy behind them is to drastically reduce the role of government in our lives. We have watched this strategy
Employee Retention Credit Eligibility for Healthcare Staffing Agencies: Legal Analysis of Southern Arizona Health Services v. United States
Southern Arizona Health Services Phoenix, LLC v. United States , No. 25-62T, Fed. Cl. , 2026 WL 29374 (Oct. 14, 2026) The United States Court of Federal Claims has issued a published opinion granting summary judgment to the government in Southern Arizona Health Services Phoenix, LLC v. United S
It’s time to bring back science in campaign policy discussions
Despite the politicization of science, a majority of both liberals and conservatives feel that government investment in scientific research is worthwhile for society.
How Israel votes: A Guide to Knesset, political parties, and coalition governments
Israel uses a system called proportional representation, which helps explain its many political parties, complicated coalition negotiations, and frequent early elections.
Scientists Reaffirm “Incontrovertible” Evidence of Human Influence on Climate
In response to a "deeply flawed" US government report, scientists have published an outline detailing the credibility of climate fingerprinting research and advances in the field since 2009.
In race for Pelosi’s seat, Wiener and Chan court Chinese American vote
Both campaigns have invested significant resources in reaching out to Chinese American voters at a time when several federal government policies have impacted this group.
Immigrant advocates say federal cuts to Medicaid are creating a 'health care crisis'
The federal government cut off access to healthcare benefits for some immigrants and refugees under the H.R. 1 bill on Oct. 1. Dozens of refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian parolees have complained to St. Louis organizations that they are suffering without healthcare services.
AI is outpacing guardrails. Businesses must build their own
As AI capabilities race ahead of regulation, companies can’t afford to wait for governments to set the rules.
South Florida Business Journal Features NSU Research Leader in Discussion on Broward County’s Economy
NSU’s Robert Smith, Ph.D., interim assistant vice president of research, joined business, government, healthcare, and transportation leaders at the South Florida Business Journal’s Broward Forward Roundtable to discuss what will drive the county’s next phase of economic growth. Smith shared… Continue Reading →
Former councilwoman challenges Mentzer in 97th House District
Republican Steve Mentzer faces off against an East Lampeter Township woman with government experience in a bid to win his seventh reelection campaign in the 97th House District.
Judge orders Trump admin to halt work for a day on historic DC golf course
Judge Ana Reyes issued the order following a tense hearing in which she blistered the government for having deceived her with its actions over the weekend
NASA’s SpaceX resupply mission delivers science experiments and solar arrays to space station
NASA’s latest resupply mission has successfully launched towards the ISS, carrying thousands of pounds of supplies, scientific equipment and new technology
GOP Focuses on Fraud, Seeking To Redirect Voters’ Ire Over Healthcare Costs
By Stephanie Armour | KFF Health News Heading into the midterm elections, high healthcare costs rank among voters’ biggest concerns. But lately, there’s a twist giving the issue new momentum on campaign agendas: a focus on fraud in government health programs. The administration of President Donald ...
A Major Labor Boom in CNY? Not Here Yet
With so many major projects going on — Micron, I-81 viaduct and others — job growth is predicted to increase. But so far the number of jobs in the region has declined By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11065 align=alignright width=350] Amy Stage, deputy director at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY): “For us, the conversation isn’t just about filling jobs. It’s about creating sustainable pathways that help people see a future for themselves in manufacturing.”[/caption] The I-81 viaduct project in Syracuse and Micron facility construction in Clay are expected to create a major labor boom for Central New York. But for the time being, the number of jobs here has actually decreased in the past year. The New York State Department of Labor reported that, for the annual comparison of June 2025 to this past June, private sector jobs decreased by 2,200 or less than 1% to 260,000. Job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+700), private education and health services (+400) and other services (+300). Job losses for that annual period were reported in the areas of trade, transportation and utilities (-1,500); professional and business services (-1,000); financial activities (-500); mining, logging and construction (-300); manufacturing (-200); and information (-100). The public sector job count rose over 12 months, with most growth concentrated in education, the state Department of Labor reported. Looking ahead, the Central New York economy is expected to benefit from both the Micron and I-81 viaduct projects over a period of several years. Initial job growth is foreseen in construction and computer and electronic manufacturing. Spin-off jobs will be created in the areas of professional and business services, health care and education, the state Department of Labor said in an email response to Oswego County Business magazine. “Population growth tied to the buildout of Micron Technology semiconductor complex in Clay is also expected to bring more workers and residents to the region, increasing demand for transportation services,” the agency said. New York Department of Labor highlighted current or projected job growth trends in various sectors. An increase in defense-related contracts at local high-tech employers has continued to support employment growth in the computer and electronic product manufacturing sector and Micron is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs as the project progresses. This sector paid an annual average wage of $117,500 in 2025 and employment in the sector is projected to grow by over 60% through 2032, making it the fastest-growing industry in the region. Typical occupations in this industry include electrical, electronic and electromechanical assemblers, software developers and industrial engineers, the state agency reported. Specialty trade contractors include several different types of tradespeople — electricians, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) mechanics and installers. Many of these positions are trained through apprenticeships, the state Department of Labor reported. The Interstate 81 construction project is generating local jobs, including construction laborers, projected to grow at a 6.4% rate, and operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, projected to grow at a 7.3% rate over the next several years. Construction of the Micron Technology facility is also “creating thousands of job opportunities that will continue over the next two decades,” the state agency reported. The specialty trade contractors sector paid an annual average wage of $86,200 in 2025. For Central New York, the challenge isn’t creating jobs, it’s filling them. Amy Stage, a deputy director at the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), said meeting this unprecedented growth is a much larger task than just replacing retirees. “We’re seeing workforce gaps at every experience level,” she said. “Companies need entry-level employees, experienced technicians, supervisors, engineers and skilled trades professionals. The opportunity is tremendous, but we need more people entering these career pathways.” Employers are looking for people who can troubleshoot, read technical information, use computers and learn new processes, not just perform repetitive production work, Stage said. To address this demand, the MACNY created the Manufacturers Talent Institute, which aims to connect students and job seekers with meaningful career pathways while helping employers build their workforce. Twenty-one companies have so far signed up to provide opportunities for more than 800 students. “For us, the conversation isn’t just about filling jobs,” Stage said. “It’s about creating sustainable pathways that help people see a future for themselves in manufacturing.” Several manufacturing facilities in the region are in the midst of expansion: • TTM Technologies, a leading U.S. manufacturer of advanced electronics and interconnect solutions for aerospace, defense and high-technology markets, which has a plant in DeWitt, completed its buildout of an additional facility, adding 400 jobs and expanding production of high-tech circuit boards for defense and critical electronics applications. • In Cortlandville, the Byrne Hollow Crossing Plant, a dairy manufacturing and processing facility, is increasing its operations, creating 100 new jobs. • The Chobani yogurt company is building a 1.4-million square foot dairy processing facility in Oneida County. This will create more than 1,000 good-paying jobs and double Chobani’s New York state workforce, Stage said. Stage noted several ways that local, state and federal governments can help spur manufacturing job growth in this region. Elected leaders and public agencies could work with industry representatives to create pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs seeking to upskill workers and improve employee retention. New York state has a variety of grants, tax incentives and financing programs to support site preparation, infrastructure, workforce development and capital investment. The U.S. Department of Labor has a pay-for-performance incentive program that provides employers $3,500 per new apprentice hired and retained for 90 days. MACNY was previously awarded an $87,000 federal grant that will cover 25 apprentices at nine companies. The manufacturing skills gap in the United States, at its current rate, could result in 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, according to a study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. In New York state, that gap is on pace to exceed 100,000 unfilled positions within six years. Manufacturing companies will be counting on more women to help fill that gap. While women make up half of the overall U.S. workforce, they only account for 29% of the manufacturing workforce in this country, Stage said. “Pre-apprenticeship programs like Real Life Rosies help to bring awareness to the manufacturing industry to fill some of the gaps, but we have a long way to go and it starts with educating people at younger ages about careers in manufacturing and earn-and-learn opportunities,” she said. As for Micron, that $100 billion-plus project, considered the largest private investment in New York state history, is expected to eventually create up to 50,000 jobs throughout the region, factoring in the spin-off opportunities for construction and supply chains. The plant’s foundation was poured on July 9. “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, data and memory are foundational to the modern economy — and Micron is increasing our U.S. investments to more than $250 billion through 2035 to meet that moment,” the company’s president and CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, said in a news release. Bechtel, Micon’s construction partner in the project, reported that 4,500 people will be employed to help build the facility, including skilled craft professionals, local union members representing various trades and apprentices. The Syracuse-based CenterState CEO organization tallies the regional labor force at 397,582 workers (Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Oswego counties). Job growth isn’t limited to the Central New York region. For the larger area covering portions of the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern tier, and the western part of the state, there are 155,601 employees in the advanced manufacturing sector, and 155,275 construction workers. The agency’s 2026 Economic Forecast report noted that 41% of community and business leaders surveyed said a shortage of skilled workers in this area remains a problem, though 77% shared a positive economic outlook for the year ahead. Beyond the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing areas, local business leaders also see growth in small manufacturing companies, storage businesses, housing, unmanned flight technology and general construction. “Productive reuse of property,” the report said, “will hopefully continue to preserve unique architecture while driving business.” The report identified several challenges for economic growth in the region, including an aging workforce, outdated equipment, the rising cost of raw materials and “the disconnect between the speed of business needs and the pace of talent readiness.”
Jean-Marc Jancovici: 'As long as there is no shared understanding that the impact of a heatwave is lasting, politicians will not act'
The energy engineer and founder of the Shift Project think tank lays out the major climate challenges facing future governments, with six months to go before France's 2027 presidential election.
Trust TV on Instagram: ""Funds are allocated but they are not being released" Health Advocacy Specialist, Speaks on Government Budgeting and Better Healthcare. Watch Full Episode: https://youtu.be/VO1R9mUSph8 #trusttvnews #healthyliving"
0 likes, 0 comments - trusttv_news on October 11, 2026: ""Funds are allocated but they are not being released" Health Advocacy Specialist, Speaks on Government Budgeting and Better Healthcare. Watch Full Episode: https://youtu.be/VO1R9mUSph8 #trusttvnews #healthyliving".
Members speak up on healthcare
An important first step, S4438 has first committee hearing Earlier today, NJEA members made their voices heard at the NJ Senate’s State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee meeting.
AI data centers are coming for federal land and roiling Nevada governor's race
The data center issue has dominated the competitive governor’s race in Nevada, where 80% of the land is owned by the federal government.
Sweden’s Left Faces a Political Deadlock
In September, Swedish voters defeated a governing coalition that the far right had propped up. But the Center Party is now blocking a new government because it wants to keep Left Party ministers out of the cabinet.
Government expands police support to political figures who are not MPs
Shabana Mahmood says there is "insufficient protection" for those who play a role in public life.
Jawando Bill Expands Political Appointments
By Adam Pagnucco. Montgomery County government hires the vast majority of its employees through its merit system, which is insulated from direct participation by elected...
Montanans shopping for health insurance face rising costs, shrinking subsidies, fewer choices
Open enrollment for the federal Health Insurance Marketplace starts Nov. 1. People with those plans faced higher premiums this year because of declining financial help from the federal government. Many Montanans chose lower levels of coverage or canceled their plans altogether.
Would ‘money out of politics’ proposal live up to its name?
If approved, Proposal 2 would prohibit direct or indirect contributions to Michigan politicians by DTE Energy, Consumers Energy and companies with more than $250,000 in state government contracts.
Backlash in Kashmir over proposal for uniform Friday sermons across mosques
Political and religious critics accuse India's Modi government of curbing Kashmir's freedom of religion and expression.
‘Politics as Profit’ or ‘Pure Fiction’: Bribery Trial of Ex-Oakland Mayor Kicks Off
In the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, prosecutors claimed Thao put her political power up for sale, while defense attorneys attempted to impeach the government’s star witness.
ASG discusses student health insurance, campus safety
Miami University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) passed a resolution involving student health insurance and discussed campus safety concerns at its meeting on Oct. 13.
Michigan Proposal 2 aims to limit corporate money in politics
Michigan voters will decide in November whether to overhaul the state’s campaign finance laws through a citizen-led ballot initiative that would ban utility companies and certain government contractors from donating to state candidates.
CBIA adds 3 lobbyists with state government, political experience
CBIA hires Jack DeOliveira, Alannah Doheny and James Rocco to strengthen its advocacy on Connecticut business policy.
Housing, Iran, and public lands divide 4th Congressional District candidates
Republican Incumbent Mike Kennedy and Democratic challenger Jonny Larsen consistently offered competing stances on the role of the federal government in Utah's future.
RFK Jr.’s Chimpanzee Conspiracy Theory
The health secretary believes that a common respiratory virus leaked from a government lab.
Exclusive-US Strikes One-Year Deal to Fund Maternal and Newborn Health Donations in Poorest Countries
By Ammu Kannampilly, Jennifer Rigby and Victoire Mukenge NAIROBI/LONDON/NYANGEZI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Oct 16 (Reuters) - The US government has struck a deal to continue supplying some of the world's poorest nations with free life-saving medication and equipment for mothers, infants and ...
North Carolina Muslims have spent decades building political power. What has it produced?
In recent years, Muslim organizers in North Carolina have been working to build a political infrastructure to register voters, engage candidates and give the state's growing Muslim population a more organized voice in government.
Americans with disabilities worry over cuts to major health survey
NEW YORK • The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will underestimate how many Americans are disabled. At least half the survey questions could be axed. The cost-saving change is part of an ongoing effort to slim down the 69-year-old National Health […]
Threat of AI share crash puts world financial stability at risk, says IMF
High valuations and debt put sector in danger, while fund also warns on government borrowing and cyber-attacks
Early voting starts this week; Paul Young reflects on online lash out
Catch up on everything you missed this week in government news.
Democrats rebuke federal raid of Ilhan Omar’s home: ‘rogue abuse of power’
Top House Democrats question the ‘corrupt weaponization’ of federal government against Trump’s adversaries
Germany's Left Party sues opponents over antisemitism allegations: Are lawsuits a political weapon?
The Left Party is suing two government ministers for accusing them of antisemitism, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been sued several times by various parties. Is German politics descending into "lawfare?"
Judge orders Trump admin to stop airing challenged government-funded ads immediately
The ads have been criticized as government propaganda and as aimed at influencing the outcome of the midterm election, which will determine control of Congress.
Donald Menzel: Lying, stealing and cheating in American politics (guest opinion)
Lying, stealing and cheating — LSC — form a grim trio in American politics, with deep historical roots. The Founders spent long hours in Philadelphia debating how to design a government that would restrain ambitious leaders from lying, ste…
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan Varadhan Oct 16 (Reuters) - A meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of
New Board Members and Leadership Team at OH Foundation
The Oswego Health Foundation has announced the appointment of two new members to its board of directors, along with new officers who will lead the foundation as it continues its mission of strengthening healthcare in the communities served by Oswego Health. Joining the board are: [caption id=attachment_11136 align=alignleft width=180] Susan Brannan Cole[/caption] • Susan Brannan Cole. She is a public affairs, marketing and communications leader with more than 20 years of experience. She serves as regional manager of external affairs for National Grid in Central New York. Cole also brings significant healthcare communications experience, having spent several years at Upstate Medical University in media relations, digital strategy and public engagement. She previously held leadership roles in communications and government affairs at Novelis and Constellation in Oswego. A graduate of SUNY Oswego, she is passionate about strengthening Central New York communities and supporting initiatives that improve quality of life across the region. [caption id=attachment_11129 align=alignright width=150] Rich Baldwin[/caption] • Rich Baldwin. He serves as director of marketing and business development at King + King Architects, where he leads the firm’s marketing, communications and business development initiatives. Baldwin has remained actively involved in community and nonprofit organizations, including previously serving on the board of regents at Le Moyne College. He has also supported community initiatives through organizations including the Onondaga Historical Association and Father Champlin’s Guardian Angel Society. New leadership at the foundation are: • William W. “Bill” Crist will chair the Oswego Health Foundation. He brings more than 40 years of experience in education, from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. He retired in 2023 from the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Syracuse and remains deeply engaged in the community through numerous nonprofit and volunteer boards. He also serves as chairman of the Sanctuary Advisory Board for the proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. • Heather Sunser will serve as vice chair. Sunser is a financial services practice group leader at Barclay Damon LLP, where she focuses primarily on real estate law, institutional lending, land use and municipal compliance. A graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, she is also active in community service, volunteering with Vera House Legal Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Onondaga County. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Onondaga County Bar Foundation. • Darcy Antonucci will be the foundation’s treasurer. Antonucci serves as comptroller for Broadwell Hospitality Group, overseeing the financial functions of nine growing corporations as well as the company’s administrative departments. She brings extensive experience in finance, human resources and business operations, along with a strong record of community leadership. Antonucci has served on the Compass Credit Union board of directors and is an active member of the Trinity Catholic School Board. She has also been involved with the Oswego Health Foundation Gala Committee since 2018. • Attorney Rachael A. Dator will serve as secretary. Dator serves as administrator of the Oswego County Assigned Counsel Program, where she oversees grant funding, budgeting and program operations. With more than a decade of legal experience, she has served as an assistant district attorney, court attorney and legal counsel to municipalities and social services organizations. Dator brings extensive knowledge of law, governance and nonprofit operations to her role with the foundation.
HOW I GOT STARTED: Jim Brooker
Owner of Starlight MFG Solutions in Fulton was vice president at Otis Technology in Phoenix — until the company closed locally. He then decided to open his own shop. “We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far,” he says By Stefan Yablonski Q: When did you start this business” A: I started Starlight MFG Solutions LLC while I was working at another government contractor. I was vice president of engineering at Otis Technology at their Phoenix location until they closed that facility due to a shift in business at the end of 2023. While at Otis, I was also working on Starlight on a part-time basis. I gained a lot of exposure to a lot of different equipment. That is the kind of service we provided to Otis when we were a part of them. Now we have spun that whole concept off here. Q: How would you describe it? A: It’s a manufacturing engineering firm specializing in custom automation to serve as an outsourced engineering support for companies that need additional resources. I want to make it a sustainable business that can partner with local manufacturers to help them. Q: What is your background; did you go to college with this in mind? A: I am a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. My B.S. from RIT was in manufacturing engineering technology and my MS from RIT was in manufacturing and mechanical systems integration with a minor in business. Q: Why this type of business? A: I identified a large gap in the market for companies that needed small to medium help with manufacturing projects. Q: What services do you offer? A: We are focusing more on manufacturing. We do a lot of robotics, we do laser marking, we do filling — pretty much anything that the customer needs. Q: Have you seen any growth since you started? A: Yes. We have been growing ever since the company started. Our specialties include robotics, vision inspection and guidance, rotary-indexing workcells, dispense systems, laser marking, machine tending and more. We provide support to companies that need additional resources. We moved to a facility in Fulton about a year and a half ago. We are leasing our space in Fulton — the former NET & Die facility. We bought our own equipment, we are leasing the space. We have been operating here since early 2024. Q: You’re ready to take on bigger jobs? A: We want to stay in the small to medium size market where the large players don’t want to play. That is kind of where we found our niche. We are expanding regionally to take on more of those projects. My customers are relatively small business. They don’t have in-house automation; engineering and development teams are not feasible. Q: Business has been doing well? A: I am pretty satisfied about where we are at. We are definitely growing year to year. We are pretty much doubling in size each year so far. We are self-sustaining. Q: How busy are you on any given day? A: How busy? That’s kind of relative. We average between three and five projects going on in the shop at any time. We have a backlog that is manageable. We have seen a great demand for laser marking. The work is very relationship-driven. Much of it is based on referrals from other customers. Q: So, you must have a pretty big staff? A: No. I have just one other full-time person, a colleague from Otis. I bring in other people as the projects dictate. I handle sales and the overall operation of the manufacturing processes. We use outside sources for some work. We aren’t afraid to take on the other jobs — but we are filling our niche pretty well. Q: Do you get tired? A: I don’t get tired, no not really. Before this I ran a facility in Phoenix for 12 years. I enjoy solving problems and that part of the job is still my favorite. I have a supportive family life at home that definitely helps a lot. I just love the challenge of it. Q: Do you still live in the area? A: Yes. I live in Phoenix, town of Lysander. Q: What is the biggest job you’ve done? A: We have done some that were pretty good size. I don’t want to get into dollar amounts, don’t want to share gross revenue. We try to use locally sourced components. It is just amazing the components you can find that are locally produced.
US business inventories rise moderately in August
WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - US business inventories increased moderately in August amid strong sales growth, government data showed on Thursday.
Medicaid approves reentry care at Louisiana prisons, jails
Louisiana is joining 18 other states that provide federal government-supported healthcare access to incarcerated people near the end of their prison terms, with hopes it eases their reentry process.
Israel’s election is a choice between sanity and political survival
A sane government does not demonize an entire sector of society. It brings it in – into the army or national service, the workforce and shared responsibility – on equal terms.
GO-NORTH ‘cautiously optimistic’ ahead of federal rescoring of rural health program
When the federal government announced how much money it was giving New Hampshire as part of its Rural Health Transformation Program, Granite State leaders bragged that the state secured more funding than any other New England state.
Top global climate science body suspends meeting without deal on major review timeline
By Sudarshan VaradhanA meeting of the members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was suspended without an agreement on a timeline to publish its next review of the latest science on the warming planet, the IPCC said on Friday.The impasse over the timeline, which has lasted near…
ESA flags retro console maker Anbernic for inclusion on US government's Notorious Market List
Trade body claims Anbernic "normalises hardware-based piracy by delivering illicit catalogues through a polished consumer product"
Roane State dedicates Knox Regional Health Science Education Center courtyard to philanthropist Natalie Haslam
Roane State and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville leadership, Roane State Foundation board members and staff, former and current state government officials, and Haslam family members and friends
Sweden’s Left Faces a Political Deadlock
In September, Swedish voters defeated a governing coalition that the far right had propped up. But the Center Party is now blocking a new government because it wants to keep Left Party ministers out o...
Pro-Palestinian politician threatens Berlin left's election victory over Israel stance
Pro-Palestinian politician Vanessa Emde has plunged Berlin's Die Linke into crisis after rejecting Israel's right to exist, prompting the Social Democrats and Greens to suspend coalition talks and threatening the party's chances of forming a government
Critics warn of espionage as Slovakia restores military-diplomatic contact with Russia
Slovakia is restoring military-diplomatic relations with Russia for the first time since 2022. The government has defended the move but critics warn of espionage risks and further damage to trust within NATO.
Is the EU research budget actually increasing?
Is a Horizon Europe budget of €158 billion a 10% cut or a significant increase to the EU’s support for research and innovation? What would seem like a question of fact has divided opinion in Brussels since the Irish presidency of the EU Council presented its negotiation box on October 10. The answer depends on factors such as how you adjust for inflation, whether you account for increases in overall EU wealth and if you care about absolute or proportional figures. The €158 billion budget in current prices, proposed by the Irish presidency of the EU Council, was quickly criticised by university lobbies and rejected by the high-level expert group led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor. It was also decried by the four pro-European political groups in the European Parliament. “How can Europe close its competitiveness gap while cutting the European Competitiveness Fund by 13% and Horizon Europe by nearly 10%?” asked a joint statement by the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the Socialists and Democrats and the Greens/European Free Alliance. Together, these parties hold 63% of seats in the Parliament.In stark contrast, Irish foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said that the proposal “significantly increases investment in competitiveness, research and innovation,” Meanwhile, a presidency press release said that, compared to the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the proposal would “double the volume of competitiveness related programmes.” So, who is right? That depends on how you make the calculation.Compared to the Commission figure or the previous budget?The first thing to notice is the difference in baselines. When the MEPs say the Irish presidency will cut Horizon Europe by “nearly 10%” they are using the European Commission proposal for the MFF from July 2025, which allocated €175 billion in current prices to Horizon Europe. However, when the Irish foreign affairs minister said the research and competitiveness budget is increasing significantly, she is comparing it to the 2021-27 MFF, which had a Horizon Europe budget of €84.9 billion in 2018 prices.Her point holds when accounting for inflation. Applying a 2% annual inflation rate, the calculation method used by the Commission, the 2021-27 Horizon Europe would have a budget of €97.5 billion in 2025 prices. In comparison, the Irish presidency’s €158 billion figure in current prices translates to €140 billion in 2025 prices. Does the ECF count?But there is more to the dispute. In its statements, the Irish presidency lumped the research budget in with the overall budget for competitiveness. The Parliament statement, however, kept the two separate. This matters because the next MFF includes plans to add a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to fund programmes meant to boost the continent's competitiveness. The Irish negotiating box allocated €245 billion in current prices to this programme.When this is added to the €158 billion for Horizon Europe, as well as programmes such as the EU education programme Erasmus+, the total for “competitiveness, prosperity and security” in the Irish proposal becomes €514 billion in current prices. But it is still uncertain how big a share of this competitiveness budget would go to research. The Commission proposal of July 2025 for the MFF included clear links between the ECF and Horizon Europe, indicating some ECF money will go to research. At the same time, the structure of the ECF is still being negotiated, and a substantial part of its budget is expected to support non-research activities such as defence manufacturing, decarbonisation and digital infrastructure. Related articlesCouncil floats 9.6% budget cut to next Horizon EuropeResearch community to appeal to national governments over planned EU budget cutEU own resources ‘essential’ for future research budget, says leading MEPSo, it is by looking at competitiveness rather than research, or combining the two, that the Irish presidency can claim that its proposed budget will significantly increase investment in competitiveness, research and innovation.According to the Irish presidency proposal, Horizon Europe and other competitiveness-related programmes in the current multiannual budget received €221 billion in current prices. However, since this money is being distributed from 2021 to 2027, it is not directly comparable to the €514 billion in current prices which will be distributed from 2028 to 2034.Research as a proportion of the MFFBut the relative rise in competitiveness-related programmes points to another important distinction: whether you look at the research budget in absolute terms or as a share of the overall MFF. Here, too, the size of the research budget has risen, although only slightly. In the 2021-27 MFF, Horizon Europe accounted for 7% of the total budget. In the Irish presidency’s proposal, it amounts to 8.7%. The share for the total competitiveness envelope went from 17.7% in the current MFF to 28.1% in the Irish presidency proposal.This proportional share may seem irrelevant to universities looking for research funding, but it is becoming significant as budget negotiations between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council begin. On October 2, a group of 17 southern and eastern European countries sent out a statement calling for the EU agriculture and cohesion budgets to be protected. The Parliament’s co-rapporteur on the budget, Siegfried Mureșan of the EPP, has also said that the research envelope is likely to be cut disproportionately as the budget is slimmed down during negotiations.
Supreme Court Will Review Dispute Over Records From Elon Musk’s DOGE
A nonprofit watchdog group sued the Department of Government Efficiency, asserting that it should be subject to federal Freedom of Information Act discovery requests.
Many Kauai small businesses hanging on by a thread waiting for financial aid
A month after Hurricane Lowell destroyed businesses and caused a dramatic slowdown in customers, many Kauai operators are barely hanging on. The federal government announced approval of major disaster aid
How Should Local Health Officers Respond to Measles Outbreaks?
A public health expert spoke with Governing about why cases are proliferating and how government officials should be working to address it.
Turkish-Japanese Science University Opens in Ankara
Tokyo, Oct. 14 (Jiji Press)--A university established by the Japanese and Turkish governments held an opening …
PROFILE: Ben Sio
New President of CenterState CEO Brings Nearly Two Decades of Experience to Drive CNY Growth By Stefan Yablonski Ben Sio serves as president of the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity — or CenterState CEO. The independent Syracuse-based nonprofit is committed to creating inclusive, equitable and sustainable economic growth in Central New York. “I started in this position in March, so it has been six months. I’m in my 19th year with CenterState,” he said in August. As president, he is responsible for overseeing the organization’s administration and governance, while leading and executing its vision to be an effective advocate, exceptional employer and a force for positive outcomes for the community. He previously served as chief of staff and senior vice president of strategy, policy and planning, overseeing the organization’s long-term strategic planning, consulting, corporate governance, fundraising and development, land-use planning and government relations. In his years with the organization, Sio has led or supported many high-profile strategic initiatives including the creation of the CNY Rising Plan, the launch of the NUAIR Alliance and the region’s UAS strategy, the creation of the Micron-enabled Community Priorities Document and the recently awarded NY Smart I Corridor Tech Hub. “When we decided to split Rob’s [Simpson] role into two positions, he has the CEO title and I got the president title. Rob remains focused on forward looking vision strategy for the organization and I’m more focused on the day-to-day operations,” he explained. “I’m also responsible for building consensus around strategic needs and priorities and managing the change necessary to drive execution. It’s an eventful job. “The experiment that we call CenterState is always evolving and shifting and addressing where we see market demand and market failure. “If we see something in our economy that isn’t going the way we think it should go, then whether it is housing development or workforce development or something else, we are always figuring out how to step into these situations and address those challenges.” “We are the largest ever in terms of staff that we have ever been. We are no longer the 20-person organization we were when we started out many, many years ago,” he said. “There are more day-to-day things to take care of. But also there is just so much happening in the community right now that is pulling CenterState and our expertise in so many directions. I tell people if we were bored and not busy, then I’d be really concerned about what we are doing. But we are not bored. We’ve certainly got our hands full — and that is a good thing.” CenterState has now approximately 63 employees on its staff, according to recent nonprofit database records. It’s involved in myriad programs, ranging from Genius NY, a business accelerator competition for uncrewed systems, IoT and robotics startups, to CenterState Up Start, a collaborative business development program that connects local, service-based businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to the tools and networks that help them thrive. CNY Guy Through and Through A Central New York guy through and through, Sio was born and raised in Skaneateles. “My mom was a teacher, an art teacher. My father worked for many, many years with National Grid. He was there through the transition from Niagara Mohawk to National Grid,” he said. “Neither of my parents were touched by cutbacks and job loss. But I grew up going through that transition and being concerned that there were rounds of layoffs. My childhood connection to the economy here in Central New York … years ago it was on the decline. There were people that lived here that were concerned about losing their job. They were thinking they lived in a place that didn’t show much promise.” That narrative translated to his generation, he added. “The kids that grew up in the ‘90s in Central New York were very much told, directly or indirectly, by their parents, that they had to go somewhere else to find economic opportunity. That is what I grew up thinking,” he said. “I only went a few miles down Route 20 for college — in Geneva, New York; I graduated from Hobart and William Smith College with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and political science. “I got real interested in regional economies; because what makes regional economy is what makes the economy successful. And when I graduated, I had an opportunity to move to Washington, DC and work down there at a nonprofit doing this work.” However, he decided to stay in Central New York. “I got hired two weeks after I graduated. I got hired by the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. At the time it was one of two entities doing economic development in Central New York — [the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Association] — and it eventually became CenterState CEO,” he said, referring to 2010 merger between the two organizations. During his time at CenterState, Sio has also split time at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., where he supported communities developing export and foreign direct investment (FDI), a long-term cross-border investment where an individual or company from one country buys a lasting stake or control in a business located in another country. The program — known as Global Cities Initiative — was designed to help leaders in major U.S. and international metropolitan areas reorient their local economies toward global markets. “Early on in my tenure at CenterState, we had done a lot of work with the Brookings Institution, just regional planning stuff. We worked with them on developing a regional export plan, to export more products out of Central New York and a larger business plan for the region. They hired me on to help replicate those plans in different parts of the country,”Sio explained. “So, I worked there for three or four years. I worked for CenterState, but I was technically loaned to Brookings for a period of time to help them do this work elsewhere.” Family ties “My wife is Carly. We have been married 14 years. We have two kids, a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old. “With a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, fun is a relative term these days. We do a lot of hiking. The kids this summer got very interested in waterfalls. We’ve hit every waterfall we could in a short hike — we’ve done Skaneateles and some others.” “I do woodworking and wood turning — it’s a branch of woodworking; you use a wood lathe. My big thing there is making wood bowls. I do that in most of my free time, which is not much,” he quipped. “I like to get into my woodshop and make a bowl and decompress and turn off the rest of the world for a little bit. I usually do it late at night when the house is quiet. It is definitely my escape from the day to day. I make a lot of bowls; all different sizes, all different species of wood. It’s a fun thing to do for me.” He gives away many of his creations. “They are mostly gifts — I don’t really sell them. I really don’t have time to go set up a booth at a fair or craft show. I usually give them away. I donate them to different things. If you are in my periphery, you’ve likely received a salad bowl from me as a gift. I just need to find something to do with all the stuff that I create,” he said. Lifelines Name: Benjamin Sio Position: President, CenterState CEO Birth Date: Not provided Birth place: Syracuse Residence: Westvale Education: Hobart and William Smith Colleges in the Finger Lakes Affiliations: Member of the boards of Skaneateles Festival, Greccio Foundation, Interfaith Works, CNY Community Foundation Personal/family: Married with two kids Hobbies: Woodworking and woodturning
Trump administration sues California to block counting of alleged noncitizen mail ballots
The Trump administration sued California election officials Thursday, asking a judge to bar the state from counting mail-in ballots for next month's midterm elections from people the federal government has identified as “likely” noncitizens until their status can be confirmed.
Speaker Han makes 3 wishes for Taiwan, calls for political compromise
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) on Saturday wished for a secure Taiwan, prosperity for its people and a thriving democracy, while urging the government and the opposition to resolve their differences through compromise.
Football regulator David Kogan: ‘I will quit if politics meddles in Man City case’
Independent football regulator David Kogan has vowed to resign if the government tries to interfere in how the Manchester City financial charges are handled.Kogan insisted the Independent Football Reg...
Colorado Springs Named Bluevine's Best City in US for Small Business in New Study
/PRNewswire/ -- A new monthlong study of government-data and internal financial data from more than 200,000 active banking accounts across its 100 most-active...
Cut screen time in classrooms to avoid long-term health issues, government urged
A group of clinicians warns technology use in English schools is driving a rise in health problems like short-sightedness.
Governments that support climate science must stand firm against naysayers
The IPCC is meeting to decide the timing of its next major report, as some countries try to delay it and weaken the case for faster emissions cuts
Davids Urges Federal Action as Kansas Small Businesses Squeezed Out of Tariff Refunds While Large Corporations Cash In
Today, Representative Sharice Davids demanded immediate action to ensure Kansas small businesses receive the tariff refunds they are owed. Following this year’s Supreme Court ruling overturning the president’s reckless tariffs, the federal government began processing billions of dollars in refunds.
IMF sounds alarm on rising government borrowing costs
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Elon Musk gives $276 million to Republican groups, becomes biggest known 2026 midterm donor
Musk’s record midterm election spending comes as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO rebuilds his relationship with Trump and has business ties to the federal government.
R.I. Health and Human Services head to replace Roger Williams, Fatima hospitals CEO
Revolving door? Richard Charest’s jump from government to industry raises ethics questions.
Science icon Bill Nye to speak at RIT’s homecoming
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – RIT has a special guest in town for its homecoming weekend. World-class science educator Bill Nye, best known for his Emmy-winning television series Bill Nye The Science Guy, will be this year’s Brick City Weekend & Student Government speaker. Nye will be at the Gordon Field House at 2 p.m. Since […]
Mad about Science: Oakville blobs » Sandpoint Reader
By Brenden BobbyReader Columnist We continue through October with another instance of unsolved mysteries. This is a story with twists and turns, and the potential of a massive government cover-up happening right in the...
Americans with disabilities worry about proposed changes to major national health survey
The federal government plans to dramatically shrink the size of its National Health Interview Survey, sparking concerns about underestimating disability rates.
Scientists reaffirm ‘incontrovertible’ evidence of human influence on climate
The scientific evidence for human-caused global warming is stronger than ever, according to a major new review in Earth’s Future, AGU’s journal for research on the state of the planet and its inhabitants, sustainable and resilient societies, the science of the Anthropocene and predictions of our common future – despite a United States government report questioning the science.
Americans with disabilities worry about proposed changes to major national health survey
NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will
Romania's nominated prime minister secures support ahead of confidence vote
BUCHAREST, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Romania's leftist Social Democrats said they will join the government of Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu while other parties pledged their votes, edging the
Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Horror, electronic music and Russian politics: Brittany Roberts connects them all
Brittany Roberts, an assistant professor with the App State English department, gave a talk on how Russian electronic music duo IC3PEAK uses horror imagery to critique its government. The talk was part of the Music Humanities Community Conversation Series, a series of presentations and workshops coordinated by Jacob Kopcienski, an assistant professor of musicology with...
Opinion: Socialism’s promises sound familiar. So does the track record.
Illinois has already tried to address high costs, limited access, and economic insecurity through government. Before giving it more control in the hope that this time will be different, we should reckon honestly with what that experience has actually produced.