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Wilmington artist remixes pop culture and politics to tell two sides of the American story
By creating collisions between iconography and stark reality, Oscar Eduardo de Paz hopes to inspire the viewer to think critically.
1 trade Seahawks must make after MNF mauling by Bears
Coach Mike Macdonald’s team lost a 34-17 game to the Chicago Bears at home in Week 8 that led to stark comments from the Seahawks coach afterward . Defensive end Leonard Williams left the game with a stinger that gave him a questionable status for the future. The Seahawks are now 4-4 on the season, suddenly tied with Matt Stafford’s Los Angeles […] The post 1 trade Seahawks must make after MNF mauling by Bears appeared first on ClutchPoints.
In L.A., a Stark Generational Divide May Determine the Mayor’s Race
Young voters want affordability. Older ones want stability. That tension may be the biggest factor in the contest between Karen Bass, 73, the incumbent, and Nithya Raman, 45.
The first global food pyramid vs. RFK Jr.'s. They look nothing alike
The food pyramid, developed by an international team of nutrition experts, looks starkly different from the one released by U.S. officials in January.
Salesforce vs. International Business Machines: Which Technology Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?
Salesforce trades at a lower forward multiple, while IBM offers cheaper valuation on sales, but their balance sheets tell starkly different stories.
How Obama and Trump Made their Cases in Dueling Midterm Speeches
At rallies this weekend, Mr. Obama and Mr. Trump delivered two starkly contrasting pitches, differing in style and substance.
Mateer Manages Himself and Mississippi State in Win
Silencing critics in Starkville, John Mateer delivered a poised, turnover-free performance to ignite the Sooners' offense and justify Brent Venables’ unwavering faith during a high-stakes road victory.
OU-Mississippi State football: Live updates, TV details
OU is set to kick off against Mississippi State at 2:30 p.m. at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville on SEC Network.
AI as the next political divide
We have a guest post today from our friends at Focaldata, with whom we have done polling before. They have been doing a lot of work on attitudes towards AI and how this is affecting politics on both sides of the Atlantic. In this post, they explore exclusive new polling – with a whole set of fascinating charts on how voters’ views are developing and why. In particular, the authors explore why the debate is currently so much more polarised by party in the US than in the UK, to the benefit of the Democrats. Subscribe Focaldata HQ is located in Shoreditch, east London. To access the office from the Shoreditch High Street Overground station, you have to walk under the bridge at Braithwaite Street. We mention this not as a navigational aid, but because the posters above caught our eye over the summer. Since June, the area has been the centre of a fiercely contested debate around the construction of a data centre on the Truman Brewery estate on Brick Lane, less than 200 metres from our office. It was one of the first ‘US-style’ protest movements around AI data centres the country has seen, and may not be the last. These protests served as the catalyst for our forthcoming report, examining whether AI could become the next political divide on both sides of the Atlantic. We wanted to understand what was driving the emerging politics of AI and whether the dynamics at play in the US offer clues as to how the British debate will evolve. Over the last month, we polled 3,851 people across the UK and US about their views on AI. Our research found striking similarities between the two countries: for instance, both electorates are evenly split on their views towards AI development, with just over a third in favour (37% in each country), a similar number opposed, and the remainder somewhere in the middle or unsure. Statistically speaking, there is no difference in overall sentiment towards AI between the UK and US. Under the hood, demographic patterns also look largely the same in the two countries, with millennials, degree holders, full-time workers and those who describe themselves as financially comfortable more pro-AI than the rest of the country. Despite this convergence in overall attitudes, there is a striking divergence in how much of a politicised issue AI has become. In the US, attitudes are increasingly split by political affiliation and the issue has become the latest front in the seemingly interminable culture war, playing a role in the upcoming midterms. This stark political polarisation of AI has not happened in the UK – at least not yet. In what follows, we test several hypotheses for why the two countries are so far apart on a political basis. Understanding which hypothesis is correct will give us an indication of where the British dynamics go next.
Bring boredom back to politics
Senior columnist Luke Stark highlights the risks posed by independent news sources and argues students should seek the facts themselves.
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.
Mary Means Business: Mobile bookstore prepares for Starkville opening
A new chapter is beginning for Starkville book lovers.
Women ‘more likely to be told autoimmune conditions are psychological’
Cambridge University study suggests stark gender divide in misdiagnosis, with women also waiting longer for treatment
Insurance moves: XS Brokers, RLI and Starkweather & Shepley
They include a new managing partner and a new claim counsel head
In MLB’s final 4, it’s the sport’s biggest spender and 3 budget-savvy rivals
A comparison of rosters brings into stark relief the vastness of the Dodgers’ financial edge over the Brewers, Guardians and Rays.
Netflix’s Summer of Bummer
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) Today, I’ve got a guest post from longtime friend of the newsletter, Brandon Katz. I’ve been trying to find time all summer to look at Netflix’s straight-to-streaming film slate, but between a pre-planned trip and Nielsen moving up their streaming data timeline, I’ve been swamped. So I reached out to Brandon, one of my favorite fellow analysts, to write about it. And I feel like he captured the tone and data focus of the newsletter perfectly. You can connect with Brandon on LinkedIn and Twitter. Enjoy! Don’t worry, folks. You’re in safe hands with me. To ease any anxieties about an interloper in ESG’s domain, I’ll start by stealing one of his best framing devices: headlines. Box office flops are covered in the same way the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eye pizza: with cartoonish insatiability. I would know. I’m a former reporter who wrote nearly identical headlines: Yet, intentionally or not, streaming misses get treated with kids gloves, filtered through a rosy lens: In the last six years, U.S. streaming viewership has become nearly as transparent as the box office, but the data often arrives weeks later, in a number of less intuitive metrics, and with nary an official budget to be found. This plays into the Wall Street-whispering narratives major streamers have been cultivating for years. They get a pass in a way that theatrical studios simply don’t. Subscribe Netflix’s Summer Slate Not a single Netflix original film released between May and August this year opened above 20 million U.S. TV hours, per Nielsen. That benchmark usually serves as the EntStrategyGuy’s floor for a streaming hit on Netflix. None of these films enjoyed a hit-cementing single week of 20-plus million hours during their runs. Netflix’s two best films were true crime docs, Maternal Instinct (16.5 million hours) and The Crash (19.7 million), the best overall week for a film this summer. Great for most other streamers, but not necessarily what we’re used to seeing from Netflix. For an overly-dramatic comparison, Happy Gilmore 2 opened last summer to around 47 million hours (celebrity cameos, baby!). Zooming out, the picture looks even worse. In 2026, Netflix’s five biggest scripted summer films posted the lowest average (28.6 million hours) and median (28.8 million hours) eight-week viewership totals of the past four years. Now, it’s unrealistic and unfair to expect Netflix to deliver a _KPop Demon Hunters-_sized hit every year. But it’s also not ideal to see the size of their hits shrinking over the last few summers. Let’s quickly run through some of the notable summer misses. Jennifer Lopez and Brett Goldstein’s perfectly fine romcom, Office Romance, fell off the charts after 20 million hours in its first two weeks. Top films usually last for four-plus weeks. Starry titles ideally don’t decay that fast either. Homegrown star Millie Bobby Brown couldn’t prevent the snappy Enola Holmes franchise from diminishing returns. At 14.3 million U.S. hours, the third film posted roughly half of what the first two films did in their first two weeks. What’s on Netflix calculated that per-day global views were down nearly 60% from the second movie. The Whisper Man did okay with more than 36 million hours over its first four weeks. But I expected a little more juice from a film featuring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, and Adam Scott. Kevin Hart’s Ladies First collected just 11.2 million hours total across two weeks. That’s a big miss for one of Netflix’s go-to stars. Plopping into the same bucket are Sunny Sandler’s Don’t Say Good Luck (10.3 million in two weeks) and John Cena’s Little Brother (17.5 million). Meanwhile, English-language originals Color Book (June 19), In the Hand of Dante (June 24) and Heartstopper Forever (July 17) never sniffed Nielsen’s Top 10 at all, despite needing only 2 to 5 million hours to land in the top ten most weeks. (By my count, eleven English-language scripted original films released between May and August did chart). It’s only fair to mention that Swapped (1-May) posted nearly 42 million U.S. hours over five weeks (the longest Netflix original run this summer) and is currently their eighth most-watched English-language film ever worldwide. Remarkably Bright Creatures (37 million, 4 weeks) and Voicemails for Isabelle (27 million, 4 weeks) weren’t bombs either. Still, overall, I think it’s fair to say this was a quieter summer season than we’re used to seeing from the market-leader. You might not realize that given the language commonly used in public analysis. The Twist Despite the starkly black-and-white tone of the coverage, here’s the twist: when many box office bombs arrive on streaming, their viewership looks a whole lot like many of Netflix’s supposedly successful summer releases. Hmm, where have we heard that one before? Masters of the Universe topped out at $65 million stateside against a $170 million budget_._ I’ll admit, Skeletor ripping sleeveless curls as a gym bro and bodyslamming Adam’s co-workers was funny. But, much to the chagrin of my bank account, my laughter doesn’t launch franchises. Yet the He-Man reboot opened to 19.6 million hours (from a Wednesday five-day opening instead of just one weekend), on par with Hoppers on Disney+ (19.4 million). It put up nearly 47 million hours over its first six weeks, bigger than all of Netflix’s summer releases. Pretty darn healthy and likely to land among the 25 most-watched movies on streaming this year. Sticking with Amazon, The Sheep Detectives just barely broke even at the box office with $133 million worldwide (and only $66 million domestic). I never expected cloven-hooved, cud-chewing mammals to be able to bring me to tears. Yet that’s exactly how I found myself at the end of this surprisingly affecting movie (#NoShame). It was likely the unexpected quality in a family-friendly film that powered its streaming over-performance. Sheep Detectives delivered a solid run for Prime video netting 26.2 million hours! How about franchise IP? Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu had the lowest opening ($81 million) and lowest-grossing Disney-era live-action Star Wars film ($178 million domestic). One day before release, its Heat score (19.8%)—audiences who list their interest as a 7/7—fell behind blockbusters Wicked (21%), Superman (23%), Fantastic Four: First Steps (23%), Michael (23%), Toy Story 5 (26%) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (27%), according to Greenlight Analytics. The urgent enthusiasm just wasn’t there. On streaming, Mando opened to weeks of 12.1 million, 6.1 million and 2.7 million hours (21 million total) over its first three frames. Not the numbers Lucasfilm was hoping for nor the numbers of a streaming hit. But they’re in the same vicinity as some Netflix summer releases with $345 million at the global box office to offset a smidgen of the pain. Final Thoughts So why oh why does this nuance gap exist? Four key reasons: Data Literacy: A “$100 million opening” just makes sense. After decades of box office reporting, even casual movie fans are well-versed in the benchmarks of hits and home runs. There’s an immediate shorthand. But “16.5 million” hours doesn’t land nearly as cleanly. Despite leaps of progress, the streaming ratings era is still in its infancy compared to theatrical. The EntStrategyGuy and I met thanks to a late 2010s group chat of data nerds hungry to find a shred of certainty in nebulous streaming performance. I’m not surprised to see “No. 1 on Netflix” still getting misconstrued out in the wild. Timing: By Friday morning, we have the box office’s Thursday night previews totaled, allowing us to better project the weekend’s expectations. From there, ticket sales are reported daily. By Sunday, the film’s fate is usually finalized, at least in terms of public perception. In streaming, Nielsen recently improved its delay to…two weeks. The medium isn’t forced to contend with instant gratification as harshly. Financials: Theatrical film budgets are a mere Google away. Profit and loss is calculated in the cold and unforgiving naked light of day for all to see. But finding the vast majority of streaming exclusive movie budgets requires the forensic investigation skills of a Criminal Minds detective. Also, it’s very difficult to calculate how much revenue/value a straight-to-streaming films provides a streamer. This is why there are so few stories about streaming original movies “losing X amount of money”. On top of that, marketing budgets are far greater for theatrical movies than streaming exclusive movies, which leads to earlier and better awareness. This then translates to a wider pool of potential interest. Narrative Control: Netflix is the only major streaming service to publish weekly first-hand viewership data and annual engagement reports. Naturally, some headlines borrow their first-hand framing**.** Other streamers benefit from their comparative lack of transparency. They may occasionally announce vague performance platitudes such as Apple TV’s Mayday becoming its “biggest film debut on the platform to date over its first 18 days,” and that it ranked No. 1 with left-handed viewers in its first weekend. (Fine, I made up that second one). But, for the most part, they keep first-hand viewership shrouded in mystery to avoid bad press. Especially for outlets that demand multiple articles per day from their writers, it’s an easy (and understandable) way for some reporters to hit their daily article quota by just repeating what the streamers have told them. TL:DR version: Streaming-exclusive movies are asked to do different things than theatrical movies, but that doesn’t mean they should escape judgment. Both still need to draw enough eyeballs to justify their cost within the proper performance contexts. The more cleanly we can inject a little nuance into streaming analysis, the better we’ll understand the audience and content trends that drive this industry. And that’s what all of this is really about: knowing what audiences actually want! Brandon Katz is the Director of Insights & Content Strategy at Greenlight Analytics where he focuses on evaluating the ever-fluid media landscape to unearth understanding, opportunity and value. Greenlight Analytics is the entertainment intelligence consulting company redefining how Hollywood finds, understands, and activates audiences. Prior to joining Greenlight Analytics, he served as the senior entertainment industry strategist at Parrot Analytics, and as a full-time entertainment industry reporter covering the Xs and Os of Hollywood, most notably with TheWrap and the Observer.
SouthStar Capital Appoints Stark as Senior Portfolio Manager and Norris as Senior Business Development Officer
SouthStar Capital appointed Sally J. Stark as portfolio manager and Scott Norris as senior business development officer. These role changes bring decades of
Mary Means Business: Dawg House 44 opening in Starkville this month
The Cotton District is adding a new spot to its nightlife rotation.
Starkville considers pausing development of car maintenance businesses
Recent concern around the density of gas stations, car washes and other vehicle repair and maintenance businesses in the city has prompted the board of aldermen to consider temporarily pausing new builds or site redevelopments.
Ava DuVernay Returns With One of Netflix’s Most Political Docs Ever
The Oscar nominee’s new film, ‘14th,’ puts Trump administration policies in a grand and disturbing historical context — while serving as a stark call to action for Hollywood.
Zelda and Banjo Recompiled Devs Go To War With AI Vibe-Coded 'Slopcomps'
AI-assisted projects provoking stark criticism
How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy
Hey all, Jason here. Money20/20 is still two weeks away, but I’ve already started packing (not procrastinating for once!). My calendar is already filling up with various sessions I want to catch, meetings, and of course happy hours, dinners, and other side events. If you’ll be in Vegas and want to catch up, let me know by replying to this email, and we can try to find a time amidst the chaos of the Venetian. A big if not totally unexpected piece of news dropped on Friday: the Independent Community Bankers of America, a trade group that represents smaller U.S. banks, filed a lawsuit against the OCC and Comptroller Jonathan Gould, arguing that the regulator’s move to grant trust bank charters to firms seeking to use them to conduct substantial non-fiduciary activities exceeds the authorities granted to the OCC by Congress. I haven’t had time to fully digest the legal filing or speak to folks in my network about it, but you can expect to see coverage and analysis on it in next week’s newsletter. Subscribe or Support by Upgrading The NerdCon agenda just dropped. It’s stacked. Partner content: Nubank built an AI-first bank. Chime built its own banking core. Figure and Valon are rebuilding the mortgage stack. At NerdCon, you’ll hear from the people behind those bets: what they chose, what they learned, and what they’re still figuring out. The agenda is live, with leaders from Nubank, Chime, OpenAI, Remitly, Mercury, Figure, Valon and more. Follow the mainstage conversations, bring the problem your team is wrestling with to a hands-on workshop, or pull up a chair at a roundtable. Pick your quests. Meet us in San Diego, November 18–20. Fintech Business Weekly readers save 20% with code FBW20. Explore the Agenda Things To Know & Other Good Reads Federal Reserve Board finalizes changes to enhance the transparency and public accountability of its stress test and reduce volatility in its stress test-related capital requirements (Federal Reserve Board of Governors) FDIC Announces Conclusion of Independent Monitorship (FDIC) Modernizing Financial Regulation: Initial Observations from eSLR (Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman) The Data Version of Godzilla versus Kong: FRED Takes on AI (Fed Governor Christopher Waller) Financing the AI buildout (Brookings) Q3’26: Rules for Banks but Not for Crypto (Fintech Takes Banking) The Inevitability of Local Stablecoins (Lombard Notes) Delusions of AI Governance: The Human-in-the-Loop Comfort Blanket (Fintech Snark Tank) Stripe agrees to acquire Parafin to expand revenue opportunities for platforms and help small businesses grow (Stripe) Listen: Fighting Fraud in the Age of AI, with SEON’s Tamas Kadar (Fintech Business Weekly) How Americans’ Financial Health Is Faring In The “K-Shaped” Economy If there is one overarching theme across the economy and politics in the U.S. at the moment, it’s “affordability.” The term is vague enough to encompass a panoply of factors shaping Americans’ day-to-day lives: rising costs for the hallmarks of being “middle class,” including healthcare, housing, childcare, and education, inflation and rising interest rates, and a job market with the specter of AI hovering over it. At the same time, policy shifts under the Trump administration have resulted in reduced subsidies to those who get health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and new restrictions on qualifying for Medicaid and SNAP, the impacts of which have yet to be fully felt. These factors are contributing to declining consumer confidence and general dissatisfaction with the economy, despite continuing GDP growth and stock market records. This divergence is encapsulated in the idea of the “K-shaped” economy, in which a small proportion of Americans have seen their wealth balloon, while the majority of American households struggle to preserve the lifestyle they have. Perhaps the greatest determinant of which branch of the “K” a household is on is whether their wealth and income are primarily derived from employment vs. from assets. Nearly two decades of low interest rates and, more recently, elevated rates of inflation have benefited asset owners, while those whose income is primarily or solely derived from labor have largely seen real purchasing power stagnate or decline. This is reflected in recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that labor share of U.S. GDP — the fraction of economic output that accrues to workers as compensation in exchange for their labor — dropped to just 52.8% in Q2 2026, the lowest since the BLS began keeping records. In 1947, approximately 2/3rds of economic output accrued to workers; even as recently as 2001, labor’s share of GDP was 64.1%. Against this backdrop, we’ve seen the rise of more credit and credit-like products: cash advance apps, “no-fee” overdraft, earned wage access, and buy now pay later, which are often used as small-dollar short-term borrowing mechanisms to meet immediate consumption needs or pay other bills (eg utilities, cell phone, other debt payments). With the markers of a middle class existence and, increasingly, basic financial stability seemingly out of reach for many, it should be no surprise there’s been an increase in “financial nihilism,” something industry peers like Alex Johnson and Frank Rotman have discussed and analyzed the roots of. The explosion of gambling and gambling-adjacent products and services — often marketed under the guise of being an “investment” — is inextricably intertwined with the rise of financial nihilism. Crypto, sports betting, and, more recently, prediction markets offer an escape or even hope of sorts, like a contemporary, digital version of a scratch-off lottery ticket, while leaving the overwhelming number of people who use such products worse off. Share of Households That Are Financially “Vulnerable” Ticks Up The Financial Health Network’s 2026 Financial Health Pulse® report adds context on how American households are faring. (I linked to this report in last week’s newsletter, but wanted to take time to further unpack the data in the report this week.) The Financial Health Network publishes the report annually, providing insight into how Americans’ financial circumstances are changing over time. The 2026 report is derived from a survey fielded in April and May 2026. The report leverages survey responses to assess indicators of financial health across spending, saving, borrowing, and planning/protecting and to determine a zero to 100 “FinHealth” score. Those with scores between 0 and 39 are considered “Financially Vulnerable,” consumers with scores ranging between 40 and 79 are defined as “Financially Coping,” and those with scores of 80 to 100 are “Financially Healthy.” The report found that moderate improvements in 2025 were reversed, with the share of respondents considered financially “vulnerable” rebounding to 17%. The longitudinal data reflect the impact of pandemic-era programs, like expanded unemployment, cash stimulus payments, and pauses of federal student loan payments. The positive impacts of those programs, as reflected in the Financial Health Pulse reports, had largely disappeared by 2023. While pandemic-era inflation — to be fair, in part caused by the various support and stimulus measures — had come down from as high as 9% in 2022, it has rebounded since the start of Trump’s second term, with tariffs and energy market disruptions owing to the war in Iran pushing prices back up. Specific indicators in the survey that deteriorated from 2025 to 2026 include the share of respondents spending less than their income over the past 12 months, the share paying all bills on time over the past 12 months, the share that have a manageable amount or no debt, the share that are “moderately” or “very” confident their insurance is adequate to cover them in an emergency, and the share that “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that their household plans ahead financially. Unsurprisingly, lower- and moderate-income households are more likely to struggle to pay their bills on time and have any funds leftover to save. The share of low-income households whose income exceeded their spending dropped from 35% in 2025 to 31% in 2026, while the share of upper-income households whose income exceeded expenses remained unchanged at 63%. Households with student loans or revolving credit card debt reported having “a bit more” or “far more” debt than was manageable at rates far higher than those not carrying these types of debts. The share of those with student loan debt indicating their debt load was too high to manage increased from 50% in 2025 to 55% in 2026, while the share of those with revolving credit card debt saying the same ticked up from 51% in 2025 to 54% in 2026. Households that had student loans were markedly more likely to be financially “coping” or “vulnerable” vs. those without student loans. In 2026, 27% of households with student loans were considered financially vulnerable, a jump of 6% points vs. 2025. Households without student loans saw just a 1% point increase (not statistically significant) in those considered financially vulnerable. Households’ perception of the affordability of categories of goods and services paints a stark picture, with less than one-fourth considering higher education affordable, about a third deeming childcare affordable, and less than half viewing healthcare as affordable. Fintech Business Weekly is made possible by the generous support of paying subscribers — bringing you independent analysis of banking, fintech, and crypto without fear or favor. You can support my work by becoming a paying subscriber if you aren’t already. Paying subscribers enjoy: access to the entire archive of nearly six years of newsletters extended versions of the weekly newsletter, with additional content and analysis and (for founding member tier) quarterly personal 1:1 fintech Q&A / strategy calls with me, tapping into my unparalleled knowledge of the intersection of banking and fintech and experience working in the sector, including helping to launch Goldman Sachs’ retail bank Marcus Support Fintech Business Weekly You can also support Fintech Business Weekly by sponsoring a newsletter or podcast, putting you in front of 93,000+ of the most influential decision makers in banking, fintech, and crypto. Learn more about sponsor opportunities or request a media kit by dropping me an email. Democratic Senate Report Highlights How Iran Uses Tether to Evade U.S. Sanctions Iran uses stablecoins, specifically Tether, to evade sanctions, fund regional proxies, and to purchase military drones, a report released last week by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations says. The report was authored by committee ranking member Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and the minority staff. Crypto and stablecoin proponents will often push back on criticism that criminals make use of these assets by arguing that, on an absolute dollar basis, far more illicit funds flow through traditional banking systems and payment rails than via crypto and stablecoins. And while that is likely true, it elides the reality presented in news story after news story: whether state actors — Russia, Iran, North Korea — or criminal groups, those looking to engage in illicit transactions increasingly favor stablecoins and, specifically, Tether (USDT). The report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released last week adds context to how Iran uses Tether has a lynchpin in its shadow banking system. The report analyzed 846 wallets that have been sanctioned or targeted for seizure, finding that 84% of them transacted exclusively or primarily in Tether. The ability to create near limitless, anonymous wallets and to move funds effectively instantaneously and irreversibly have made crypto a favored financial mechanism for bad actors. Stablecoins solved key drawbacks of bitcoin, namely, the original cryptocurrency’s highly volatile value in dollars. And while Tether (the company) has the technical ability to “freeze” or destroy funds, the company is often limited and reactive in its approach to doing so, the Senate report argues. Tether, which is nominally based in crypto-friendly El Salvador, “has stated that its compliance with OFAC sanctions is ‘voluntary’ and that it follows ‘OFAC guidelines,’” the Senate report says. Owing to these favorable attributes, Tether “became a primary cryptocurrency for Iran, Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis beginning in 2023 and has expanded in scale since,” according to the report. Tether’s role in Iran’s shadow banking system, the report says, is enhanced by crypto exchanges like Bybit, Kyrrex, OKX, Gate, and Binance, and through “over the counter” exchanges and hawala networks. The consequences of these financial flows aren’t hypothetical. The Senate report links Tether as a funds transfer mechanism to Iranian proxies in the region, including Hizballah, the Houthis, and Hamas. Tether has also been used to make payments to secure components necessary to manufacture drones, the report says. The report concludes by arguing that “[s]tablecoin issuers with a significant nexus to the United States, particularly those that offer dollar-denominated stablecoins, should be subject to American sanctions law rather than being allowed to hide behind foreign jurisdictions.” Stablecoin issuers like Tether must be held accountable for repeated failures to prevent illicit finance and sanctions violations by law enforcement, the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and OFAC, the report argues. [Paying Subscriber Exclusive] OUSD Goes Live, Make Your Own Neobank, U.S. Sanctions Russia’s A7 Network As “Transnational Criminal Organization” OpenUSD, the stablecoin issued by the Open Standard consortium that includes Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, core providers, crypto firms, and numerous banks, went live last week. Social commerce platform Whop raised eyebrows in fintech by offering creators on its platform the ability to launch their own neobanks, which the company describes as “great businesses that are easy to run,” in just 15 minutes. And OFAC and FinCEN target Russia’s “shadow banking” A7 Network — more on these stories after the paywall.
TST Best Bets: October 3, 2026
Mississippi State gets a chance to show how far it has come Saturday, welcoming No. 7 Alabama to Starkville for a matchup of unbeaten SEC teams. Kamario Taylor has helped turn the No. 16 Bulldogs into an early surprise, but keeping up with the Crimson Tide will be their biggest test yet.Over in the Big Ten, No. 14 Iowa returns home after its dramatic win at Michigan to face No. 6 Ohio State. The Hawkeyes will lean on their defense again, this time trying to slow down Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Sm
AP report: Senate Republicans move cash from North Carolina to Kansas as battle for majority shifts
The moves offer a stark sign of how dramatically the Senate map has shifted just a month before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
Mary Means Business: Hallberg does it again: New Starkville restaurant on the way
Eric Hallberg’s latest culinary plan is underway.
Sunday School: Michigan State
Nebraska's performance on Saturday was in stark contrast to recent Husker teams—in the best way.
South African police hunt killers after 27 gunned down in two separate shootings
South African police were on Sunday hunting the perpetrators of two separate shootings that killed 27 people within hours of each other, in stark reminders of the country's problem with gun violence.
A grand display for Xi reveals the limits of Trump's summitry
The summit’s stark lack of substance surprised even the closest China watchers.
Massillon football players get restraining order before eligibility ruling
Families of six Massillon Tigers football players receive an injunction from a Stark County judge ahead of any OHSAA ruling on their eligibility.
Not Long Ago, Trump Accused China of Election Meddling. Today, ‘Great Friendship.’
President Trump softened much of his stance toward China as he prepared to host its leader. But his disregard of a topic that has consumed him — the 2020 election — was particularly stark.
Demolition Proposed for Portions of the Business Block Ruins - Palisadian-Post
After months of an uneasy status quo with the stark remains of the historic but devastated Business Block building, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park’s office is attempting to move forward with a plan to demolish and clear half the still-standing walls, while preserving the remaining portions to be incorporated in the site’s eventual redevelopment.… Keep reading
Donald Trump Receives Stark Warning from Businesses After Diesel Export Ban
President Donald Trump is weighing a diesel export ban to calm soaring fuel costs. Still, America’s most influential business lobbies say the idea would backfire badly and leave consumers paying more ...
The Rubber Meets the Road for the Tigers in Starkville
Saturday night in StarkVegas is only the beginning of a tough SEC schedule. Are the Tigers ready?
Health insurance premiums on the rise again in Colorado's marketplace
Health insurance premiums for individuals who buy it on Colorado's health insurance market are expected to rise again in 2027 but not as starkly.
Mary Means Business: Starkville: Jive Turkey turns temporary closure permanent at Eckford location
A temporary hiatus has officially turned permanent for a popular spot on Eckford Drive.
Hall of Famer Warns Browns QB Deshaun Watson
A Hall of Famer had a stark warning for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ahead of his home debut. The post Hall of Famer Warns Browns QB Deshaun Watson appeared first on HEAVY.
Ruben Amorim makes stark admission about his Manchester United stint
1 AC Milan boss Ruben Amorim has made an honest admission about his time in charge of Manchester United.Doomed stintIn January, United confirmed the sacking of Amorim after 14 months in charge.His fir...
Adults with severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier from diseases such as cancer
Exclusive: Stark health inequalities in terms of deaths before age of 75, NHS data reveals
About 35 million people have been put into new House districts in the fight over congressional maps, report says
The findings display the stark overhaul that partisan redistricting fights kicked off by President Donald Trump last year have caused for Americans across the country.
Political boot camps for women could redress gender imbalance
Immersive boot camps for women could be a way to overcome the stark gender imbalance in political leadership, according to new research that examined how to increase the political ambitions of talented ...
Stark differences in kids' health coverage
The gaps in health insurance are expected to continue due to Medicaid policy changes.
Stark Museum of Art to present The Art & Science of Personal Color Talk with Emily Lopez
The Stark Museum of Art is pleased to present The Art & Science of Personal Color Talk, an interactive presentation by guest speaker Emily Lopez. The program will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 as a special offering of the Museum's Art After 5 Series. Admission is free of charge. Emily Lopez is an educator, entrepreneur and founder...
Steelers Super Bowl Champions Challenge Rising 2nd Year Defender
Former Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Max Starks challenged defensive lineman Yahya Black ahead of the season opener. The post Steelers Super Bowl Champions Challenge Rising 2nd Year Defender appeared first on HEAVY.
Solheim Cup LIVE! Latest scores, updates, highlights from day two as Team Europe host Team USA at Bernardus Golf
Updates, scores, news, analysis from Saturdays foursomes and fourballs at the Solheim Cup, as Team Europe and Team USA look to grab a lead to take into the final day at Bernardus Golf; watch live on Sky Sports Golf
Walker Kessler's Lakers Comments Send Blunt Reminder to Jazz
Fresh off a blockbuster trade, the defensive specialist prioritizes winning over rebuilding as he joins Luka Doncic, highlighting the stark contrast between Los Angeles and Utah.
Will Stark Warnings About AI Shape the Midterm Elections?
Stark warnings from A.I. researchers have reverberated across the country.
As Trump dominates convention, some Republicans quietly ask who comes next
The convention offered a stark reminder that the Trump era is heading toward its final chapter, the BBC's Washington correspondent Daniel Bush writes.
Mary Means Business: Charcuterie, sweet treats and design businesses now open in Starkville
There are a few new businesses open in Starkville, from charcuterie to baking to designing and contracting.
Stark contrast with McLeish shows Robinson's Dons identity crisis
On Saturday, before his team's top-of-the-table clash with Celtic, I asked St Mirren manager Craig McLeish how easy it has been to implement the style of football that is enthralling the Paisley club's supporters amid their then unbeaten start to the league season. The man who led the Saints youth team under Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson has produced a side that plays an exciting, fast-paced brand of football with a clear identity already. Eight new signings started the narrow defeat to the champions as well as Fraser Taylor, who was on loan at Partick Thistle last season.
Swedish results in maths, reading and science plummet to historic low in new Pisa poll
Swedish pupils have never before been as poor in mathematics, reading comprehension and science in any Pisa survey in 25 years, in shock results that present a stark wake-up call.
A guide to Stark County Oktoberfests
Looking for some good old-fashioned German culture? Here's where you can find an Oktoberfest in Stark County.
Armor Health and the Stark County Sheriff's Office Partner in Launching PATH Program at Stark County Jail and Celebrate First Graduates
/PRNewswire/ -- Armor Health (ArmorHealthcare.com), a national provider of correctional healthcare, has launched the Prevention, Accountability, Treatment &...
Science behind Grand Canyon floods
The Grand Canyon is one of the nation’s most visited natural wonders, but this week’s disaster is a stark reminder that extreme weather can transform its landscape in a matter of minutes. Victor Baker, regents' professor of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, at University of Arizona, gives insight.
Putin Sparks Health Concerns With Deranged Tale of Polar Bear Slaughter
The Russian leader’s disconnect from reality was on stark display.
3 key takeaways from Bill Gates' stark warning about AI and jobs
Bill Gates warned that a coming robotics boom could reshape construction, hospitality, and the social contract.
Brazil vote offers opposing politics, similar fiscal outcomes
Brazil’s October election offers voters yet another stark left-versus-right choice, but investors see less difference on the fiscal front with debt likely to keep rising under either candidate.
JumpStart gets new Stark director and other news
In the latest "Business Roundup," we share news about JumpStart, Airgas, Timken, Aultman, Mercy and Liberty HealthShare.
New-look Vols ‘take care of business’ in Tri-County Jamboree
Starkville Academy began the 2026 campaign on a good note.
Community Profile: Nonprofit leader aims to build engagement in city, county politics
When Christopher Thompson moved from Kosiusko to attend Mississippi State University in 2016, he wanted to get a real taste for Starkville after hearing about it all his life.
Two visions of America are emerging as midterms draw near. Voters must decide which one is real
Two rallies, nearly 1,000 miles and two days apart, laid out the increasingly stark choice confronting midterm election voters and a looming moment of reckoning over the nation’s future course.
Trump has a Carter-style Iran problem as the economy drags before the midterms
Donald Trump is staring down two stark liabilities that threaten to damage his Republican Party in the midterms and ruin his second term-legacy.
Mary Means Business: Restaurant news rampant in Starkville
Restaurant news is rampant in Starkville this week, with food spots ranging from fried chicken and wings to Japanese ramen.
'Putting Politics to One Side': Aaron Rai Makes Feelings Clear on DP World Tour's Future
Aaron Rai thinks the DP World Tour matches the PGA Tour’s high-level play and strong competitive depth—a stark contrast from what a majority believe. For professional golfers, the PGA Tour is the biggest platform to showcase their skills.
Trump’s Nominee to Oversee VOA, Sarah B. Rogers, Suggests Return of Journalists on Leave
The statement by the nominee, Sarah B. Rogers, signaled a stark reversal of the president’s earlier efforts to shutter Voice of America and other federally funded news groups.
Mary Means Business: Starkville PetSense slated to close
Starting in Starkville with some tough news for local pet owners: PetSense on Highway 12 is slated to close.
The science behind the slice
Last Wednesday, farmers and hobby gardeners stood together in a dusty, dry field in Starkville. At their feet were watermelon vines, planted by the dozens across a few acres.
Stevens and El-Sayed trade personal attacks and other takeaways from the Michigan Senate primary debate
The stark choice facing Michigan’s Democratic voters in the August 4 Senate primary was on display Monday night, as the two candidates closed their final debate by pitching themselves as best positioned to win a general election that could tip the balance of power in the Senate.
Robert Downey Jr. breaks down Doctor Doom’s parallels to Tony Stark in Avengers: Doomsday (exclusive)
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ star Robert Downey Jr. is opening up about the striking parallels between the villainous Doctor Doom and the late hero Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man.
Ukraine hits Russia's largest online marketplace, hurting small businesses and bringing the war home
The Ukrainian attacks on the sprawling Russian warehouses produced stark images, with massive pillars of black smoke rising above fires that raged at facilities of Wildberries, the country’s biggest online retailer and its equivalent of Amazon.
City of Wilmington hires new business and economic development manager
WILMINGTON — Louis Starks has been hired as the new Business and Economic Development Manager for the city of Wilmington. Starks is set to begin his new position Monday, July 27. Starks has over 20…
Wilmington announces business and economic development chief
The city of Wilmington announced on Thursday the hiring of Louis Starks as its new business and economic development manager. According to a news release, the role focuses on strengthening Wilmington's business ecosystem, supporting entrepreneurship and advancing strategic economic growth. "In this role, Starks will collaborate with residents, local businesses, community groups, educational institutions and regional partners to promote investment, workforce development, and innovation for businesses of all sizes," the release stated. "He will also help connect small businesses with City procurement opportunities, cultivate public-private partnerships, and lead initiatives that promote long-term economic vitality." Starks has more than 20 years of experience in economic development, urban planning, housing finance, workforce development and public policy, according to the release. Most recently, he served as manager of business development for Oakland County, Michigan, "where he led teams focused on business retention and expansion and financial services for one of the nation's most economically diverse regions. During his tenure, his teams supported billions of dollars in business investment initiatives while helping create thousands of jobs," the release stated. He holds a law degree and master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa, as well as a bachelor's degree from Duke University. He is also a Certified Economic Development Professional. Starks is expected to begin his Wilmington position on July 27. “Louis has built his career around helping individuals, organizations and communities reach their full potential,” stated city manager Becky Hawke in the release. “Whether supporting entrepreneurs, managing complex redevelopment projects, or bringing together public and private partners, he has consistently focused on creating opportunity and delivering results. He understands that a strong economy creates opportunities for everyone. By supporting local businesses and fostering innovation, his work will help ensure the benefits of Wilmington’s growth are felt throughout the community, creating jobs, strengthening neighborhoods, and improving quality of life for residents.”
The unlicensed therapist 8 million kids are seeing, per 1 behavioral health chief
Nearly 1 in 5 adolescents and young adults in the U.S. — an estimated 8.2 million people — used an AI chatbot for mental health advice in 2025, according to a study published June 1 in JAMA Pediatrics. The findings are stark: 91.7% rated the guidance as somewhat or very helpful, and 42.8% came back […]
Strange Milky Way planetary system leaves scientists puzzled
Scientists are documenting a planetary system in the Milky Way galaxy that is so starkly dissimilar to our own solar system that they are struggling to find the proper terminology to describe it.
Scientists Studying Earth's Flowering Plants Issue a Stark Warning to Humanity
Here's just how much we stand to lose.
Scientists Studying Earth's Flowering Plants Issue a Stark Warning to Humanity
Here's just how much we stand to lose.
In new documentary, Mario Cuomo is a stark contrast to today's Catholic politicians
In the forthcoming documentary "Mario," which recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Catholic faith of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo takes center stage.
More than half of House Democrats vote to cut Israel aid in growing split
It stands as a stark accounting of the shifting attitudes dividing the Democratic Party over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war strategy
Almost Half of House Democrats Vote to End Aid to Israel
The measure failed, but the level of support among Democrats exposed a stark shift in the party away from backing the Jewish state.
Summer Science Day 2026 expands learning opportunities for community
On July 11 at the Eccles Health Sciences Education Building, the Summer Science Day featured multiple science-related presentations, lab tours, story times and tabling opportunities open to all ages. The day-long event was presented by the University of Utah Stark Science Learning Center (SSLC) to explore science and the career opportunities it includes. Primarily...
Google DeepMind CEO issues stark warning about AGI
Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis advocated for a US-led coalition to govern AI development, highlighting AGI's impending global impact.
In California governor’s race, voters face stark choice on immigrant healthcare
What the state does next could have profound implications for its healthcare system and its sprawling economy.
Inside the $85M James Bond-inspired Florida mansion
Villa Skyfall, a James Bond-inspired mansion by Aldo and Fiorenna Stark in Delray Beach, Florida, is on sale for $85 million.
Venezuela's devastating 'earthquake doublet' holds a warning for California's San Andreas Fault
The Venezuelan earthquake doublet is a stark reminder that multi-fault systems may pose greater destructive power than some seismic models predict.
The Reality Of Xbox’s Plans For ‘Fallout,’ ‘Elder Scrolls,’ ‘Halo’ And More
Xbox will get a new Fallout game earlier than expected, but for this and other series, the reality of the future remains somewhat stark.
Mary Means Business: Heritage Chophouse coming to Starkville
A new upscale restaurant is on the horizon for Starkville foodies.
Virginia health officials warn that heat is causing medical issues for hundreds
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — As visitors and locals wrap up the Independence Day holiday weekend, new data reveals the stark reality of how extreme, record-breaking temperatures are impacting health…
Arts and Entertainment Agenda, July 3-9
‘Knox Kronenberg: An Exhibition Honoring 250 Years of America,’ July 2-4 Through the stark beauty of the American West, a special exhibition entitled ‘Knox Kronenberg: An Exhibition” will honor 250 years of America from 11:30...
Decline in plankton across Northeast Atlantic sends stark warning for ocean health
Microscopic plankton are among the most important organisms on Earth. Phytoplankton produce around half of the oxygen we breathe, while plankton as a whole underpin marine food webs, support fisheries, ...
The role customer relationship management plays in small business growth and efficiency
Nutshell reports that small businesses benefit from CRM systems, improving customer retention and sales, while starkly contrasting with larger firms' efficiency.
Ted Cruz bill to regulate college sports in NIL era advances
The Texan said he hopes the proposed changes, written with a Democratic senator, can save athletics from a stark separation between the haves and have-nots.
Mary Means Business: Raising Cane's eyes Starkville location
I’m about to act a fool, because it looks like Raising Cane’s is finally on its way to Starkville. The, in my opinion, premier chicken joint is officially
Dean Cain discusses stark contrast in patriotism among political parties
Actor Dean Cain joins 'Fox News Live' from the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., to share his take on patriotism and a tense border hearing with DHS Secretary Mullin.
In governor's race, voters face stark choice on immigrant healthcare
California’s next governor will face tough decisions on a highly controversial piece of healthcare policy: what to do about health coverage for the more than 1.4 million low-income residents without legal status.
Four Years After The Fall Of Roe: Three Leaders Share The Impacts On Business, Philanthropy And Advocacy
Leaders Jen Stark, Ann Warner and Kavita Nandini Ramdas share insights on how the rollback of abortion rights has impacted women, workplaces, the economy and democracy—and where they see opportunities for progress.
Ending birthright citizenship could be a public health disaster
If the Supreme Court upholds the executive order ending birthright citizenship, it could “have stark consequences at the intersection of bioethics and public health.”
Suspect arrested after shooting, standoff at north Charlotte business
A suspect is facing charges after shooting into an occupied vehicle and barricading himself inside a local business.
MSU researcher, Partnership Middle School students collaborate on climate science literacy podcast
STARKVILLE —Mississippi State Assistant Professor Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso is immersing local middle school students in climate science literacy exploration through podcasting, helping them share experiences, ask questions and engage with environmental
Ted Cruz bill to regulate college sports in NIL era advances
The Texan said he hopes the proposed changes, written with a Democratic senator, can save athletics from a stark separation between the haves and have-nots.
Mary Means Business: Indoor pickleball venue opens July 1
It’s hard to find an available pickleball court in Starkville. Even harder to play pickleball in Starkville with this heat at 5,000% humidity. Well, that all changes next week.
NWA Women in Business: Melissa Curry
Residence: Fort Smith Education: Certified dementia practitioner, certified dementia practitioner trainer, certified dementia care manager, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (Westark College) Professional background: Curry has been the CEO...