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Culture Council: Cultivating Integrity for Long-Term Business Success
Leading by example means demonstrating the behaviors, attitudes and work ethic you expect from others, thereby setting a positive standard for your team or colleagues.
Happy Beer Street becomes Edmonton's newest entertainment district
City council unanimously voted on Wednesday to create the city’s third district, alongside ones on Rice Howard Way and a section of 104 Street. Entertainment districts are places where alcohol can be purchased and consumed within a specific area during pedestrian-friendly events.
The Politics Hour: Potomac River sewage spill latest
NBC 4's Mark Segraves updates us on the Potomac River sewage spill. Plus, Montgomery County Council's Marilyn Balcombe talks data centers and VA Del. Adele McClure on what will move forward as the General Assembly hits its midpoint.
Focus group discusses entertainment district
the entertainment district focus group led by city councilman Phazhon Nash wanted to find things people wanted to bring to the city.
Delco Council ends Crozer Health disaster declaration
Delaware County Council has ensured that “ambulance coverage is intact and operational” following the collapse of Crozer Health.
Roanoke focus group looks for entertainment district options
The entertainment district focus group held its second meeting Thursday night, led by City Council Member Phazhon Nash. The group includes city residents, business owners, and leaders from the Berglund Center and the Roanoke Railyard Dawgs.
Crisfield Arts and Entertainment Talks New Theater
(CRISFIELD, Md) – The Crisfield Arts and Entertainment Council planning on bringing a new theater to the city. The goal is for the theater to welcome in traveling production companies to help revitalize Crisfield’s arts scene. They’re also wanting to do more with the space as an attachment to Gallery 413. Arts and Entertainment District Board Chairman, Brian Sutherland says...
A former political ally tests LA liberals’ allegiance to Mayor Karen Bass
Mayor Karen Bass isn't vulnerable on her right, but she may be on her left, as City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialist and ex-supporter, runs against her.
Kevin Hassett says Fed researchers should be ‘disciplined’ over report that Americans are paying tariffs
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Wednesday that researchers at the New York Federal Reserve who produced a study finding American businesses and consumers are shouldering 90% of the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs should be “disciplined.”
Roper: Stakes are too high for City Council’s performative politics over hotel liquor licenses
Progressives seem intent on kneecapping one of downtown’s most important event venues, the Depot, just when the city most needs visitors.
Vanderbilt Health remembers C. Leon Partain, former chair of Radiology
Clarence Leon Partain, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, whose work in nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging helped shape the field of academic radiology, died Jan. 28 in Brentwood, Tennessee. He was 85. After beginning his career as a nuclear engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and as faculty at the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina, Dr. Partain joined the ranks at Vanderbilt Radiology in 1980 and was promoted to professor in 1984. He later became the first Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and chair of the department (1992-2000), and subsequently the director of the Center for Imaging Research. Shortly after arriving in Nashville, Dr. Partain began to lead Vanderbilt Radiology’s nuclear medicine division. He remained in this role until he was named the department chair. Dr. Partain specialized in multiple fields, including nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. Following his time as chair, Dr. Partain shifted his focus to research and spent time working clinically with radiology’s chest imaging section. In 2015, he retired and was honored for his years of service and named as emeritus faculty. Dr. Partain also held an appointment as professor of Biomedical Engineering. A Tennessee native, Dr. Partain was born in Memphis and later graduated from high school in Clarksville. He then received his BS in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, his MS and PhD in nuclear engineering from Purdue University and his MD from Washington University. He completed his residency training in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Partain was clinically trained and certified in diagnostic radiology and nuclear radiology by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Partain contributed to the growth of Vanderbilt Radiology and received many academic and research accolades across the specialty through various associations. During his time leading the department, clinical studies increased from 180,000 to 260,000 cases per year, emerging technological imaging equipment expanded the department’s capabilities, and units for angiography and fluoroscopy were added to the tool kit. The department also expanded its footprint with outpatient imaging in Nashville, Bedford County and more. Research continued to expand with continued growth in scientific findings and millions in grant funding for radiopharmaceuticals, functional MRI, nuclear medicine, X-ray, ultrasound and more. Dr. Partain is celebrated for being instrumental in bringing the first MRI and PET/CT machines to the Medical Center. His efforts helped build Vanderbilt Radiology’s prestige in the world of academics and research both nationally and internationally. His society affiliations included the American College of Radiology, the American College of Nuclear Medicine, and the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM). He served as president of the Radiological Research Alliance of the Association of Academic Radiologists and has held executive roles as a member of many radiological society boards. Dr. Partain was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging from 2000 to 2013 and a member of the editorial boards of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the American Journal of Roentgenology, Academic Radiology, the Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Investigative Radiology. He has authored/co-authored/edited six textbooks, including one of the first comprehensive textbooks on MRI, “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imaging.” Dr. Partain has also authored/co-authored/edited approximately 100-plus book chapters and 200-plus journal articles. In 2000, Dr. Partain received the Distinguished Service Award from the ABR. In 2014, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the ISMRM. In 2016, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from Washington University for his “contributions to advance the fields of nuclear medicine and medical imaging.” Dr. Partain served the ABR as an examiner for 20 years, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education as a member of the Nuclear Medicine Residency Review Committee, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in multiple capacities. A devout Baptist deacon and man of committed faith, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy; children, David (Rebecca), Teri (Bland), and Amy; brother, Larry (Deb); brother-in-law, Tom (Cathy); grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon), Amy, Luke, Tucker, Alex, Ryan and Jake; cousins and a host of nieces and nephews. Vanderbilt Health is grateful to Dr. Partain for his decades of service and major contributions to clinical and research imaging.
With Witkoff and Kushner, Trump Bets on Diplomacy Without Diplomats
President Trump’s most trusted envoys are at the center of the Iran and Ukraine negotiations, an approach that has sidelined the State Department and the National Security Council.
Minneapolis City Council to vote on $7 million for small business support
The Minneapolis City Council will vote Thursday on a $7 million relief fund for small businesses that are losing money during the federal immigration operation.
Ball State Student-Athletes and Sports Teams Support Muncie Mission's "Walk A Mile In My Shoes 2024" on Feb. 17 - Ball State University Athletics
MUNCIE, Ind. – With the leadership of Ball State's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), student-athletes and staff representing Ball State Athletics and ...
Effort to save, reform Business Council advances; Freedom Caucus presses to defund it.
A Senate committee passed a measure Monday to reform the agency, with an amendment to put lawmakers in charge rather than form a task force.
Leesburg residents, business owners skeptical of outdoor music permitting concept
The Leesburg Town Council is looking at a new individualized permitting process for outdoor music downtown, but business representatives and downtown residents alike were concerned about the potential changes at
Seton Hall to host Vatican-inspired Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Seton Hall University will proudly host the next Sport at the Service of Humanity (SSH) Conference in South Orange, N.J., from November 4-6, 2026. The conference, developed in consultation with the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education (formerly the Pontifical Council for Culture), is designed to advance the meaningful work of the Sport at the Service of Humanity initiative that focuses on three pillars: Inspiration, Inclusion and Involvement. The theme of Seton Hall’s conference will be “Communication, Collaboration, Community: Sport at the Service of Humanity.”
Council leaders discussed private healthcare plans for HQ
Plans to turn Derbyshire County Council's headquarters into a hotel have been queried.
Loveland to eye business-assistance pact for new Costco
Big-box membership retailer Costco could soon be coming to the Centerra development in east Loveland if the City Council approves a business-assistance agreement at its regular meeting Tuesday.
Law enforcement officers shouldn’t wear masks
Should police wear masks? Denver’s City Council thinks no — and is even trying to outlaw it for federal agents operating in the city (because if there’s one thing municipal governments do well, it’s bossing around Washington). Like so many issues where people quickly polarize to one extreme or the other, this issue is nuanced. […]
Malibu Looks to Make Post-Fire Business Event Permits Permanent
Malibu City Council directed the Planning Commission to extend Ordinance 526, which streamlined business event permits after the Palisades Fire, beyond May 2026.
Covington Business Council's March luncheon to feature discussion of Covington's new city hall
Covington Business Council’s monthly luncheons have experienced sell-outs early, so here’s a chance to sign up early for the March luncheon — all about the City of Covington’s new city hall — to be held 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 19 at the Embassy Suites downtown. The plan to build a new permanent City Hall for...
Colorado Politics Calendar Feb. 16-22
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
San Antonio moves toward rehab for homeless
City council, law enforcement, and local health care advocates are working together to keep people out of a jail cell, and into proper treatment.
Lake Street businesses are cautiously optimistic about a federal drawdown
Yusra Mohamud is a business advisor with the Lake Street Council. She says businesses there will believe a drawdown when they see one, but are ready for some hope.
Climate, Energy, & “Wrecking Ball Politics” | Council on Foreign Relations
This is a limited excerpt from the Climate Realism Initiative Newsletter. Sign up to receive monthly insights from the initiative’s fellows and staff, including articles, videos, podcasts, events, and more. Demolition Man Bankruptcy, wrote Ernest Hemingway, finds you two ways: “Gradually, then suddenly.” Small decisions, omissions, and mistakes compound over time, at first imperceptibly, then inescapably, until […]
City Council Business Meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
The Palm Coast City Council meets regularly to discuss and vote on official City business. These meetings are open to the public, and Palm Coast residents are strongly encouraged to attend. An increase in public engagement helps to build a stronger sense of community, increase valuable discussions, and decrease division.
Council member: Keeping the Mavs downtown is more than a smart business decision
Dallas city council member argues the Dallas Mavericks shouldremain downtown to promote inclusive, citywide growth.
Bulk beads, politics and advertising not allowed on the parade route: What krewes should know
New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell is calling out ordinance violations by krewes. We’re breaking down the rules.
Site still sought for 'much-needed' Newmarket sports hub
Two councils have clashed over where to build a three-court sports facility in the Suffolk town.
Simpsonville approved Opry Entertainment Group as amphitheater manager: City Council notes
Simpsonville City Council approved a contract with Opry Entertainment Group to manage CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park.
How to fix a pothole from the best in the business
West Berkshire Council recently got a green rating in the new traffic-light scheme by the DfT
City of LA asking voters to increase taxes on hotels, unlicensed cannabis businesses
The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved resolutions to place three tax-related measures on the June 2 primary ballot.
Roundup: St. George zoning / Small business optimism / Landry’s newest role
Overhaul: The St. George City Council will introduce an ordinance at tonight’s meeting that looks to significantly overhaul the city’s zoning framework. The proposal amends the city’s Unified Development Code by creating new base zoning districts, updating permitted uses and dimensional standards, and reorganizing sections of the code. A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. […]
City Council to vote on Downtown Entertainment District that could extend last call
Jacksonville City Council is expected to vote tonight on a proposal to create a Downtown Entertainment District, a move that could allow bars and restaurants in a defined area to serve alcohol until 3 a.m., one hour later than the current citywide cutoff.
City Council to discuss creation of ‘Downtown Entertainment District’
The Jacksonville City Council will take up a few items during its regular meeting on Tuesday that could shape how downtown and other areas look and operate in the coming years. One proposal would allow later alcohol service in a new Downtown Entertainment District, and another would fill seats on a special district board for Five Points.
City Council to discuss creation of ‘Downtown Entertainment District’ where alcohol could be served until 3 a.m.
The Jacksonville City Council will take up a few items during its regular meeting on Tuesday that could shape how downtown and other areas look and operate in the coming years.
Wyoming Senate Saves Business Council From Dismantling By 2-1 Vote
The Wyoming Business Council on Monday survived being dismantled, as the state Senate voted down a bill that would have purged it from state law,…
Fitness With Rachel Receives Business Recognition Award
The City of Goleta announced that Fitness with Rachel has been selected for the City’s Business Recognition Program.
Haiti’s transitional council hands power to US-backed prime minister
Move comes after council tried to oust PM Fils-Aime and the US recently deployed warship to waters near Haiti’s capital.
The Super Bowl, Advertising, and Small Business - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
by Raymond J. Keating – Americans tend to watch the Super Bowl for three reasons: 1) the actual game 2) the halftime show 3) the Super Bowl advertisements. Looking at number three, it’s been widely reported that advertisers are paying $8 million to $10 million for a 30-second TV ad during this year’s Super Bowl. […]
Colorado Politics Calendar Feb. 9-15
CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances, water meetings, book signings, county commission hearings, city council meetings and more. As a subscriber, […]
The biggest threat facing Europe is not a Trump invasion. It’s his global political revolution
I am convinced that Europe’s ‘new right’ is a radically contemporary movement. Defeating it means understanding its critique of liberalism, says Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations
New Orleans City Council panel signs off on Steve Nelson as Public Works director
The New Orleans City Council’s Governmental Affairs Committee gave its seal of approval to Mayor Helena Moreno’s appointment of Steve Nelson as the director of the city’s Department of Public Works. The full council will still need to vote to confirm Nelson’s appointment.
Farmington mayor resigns after City Council meeting flap, citing mental health
St. Pete Council backs Brandi Gabbard push for Ken Welch to pause Gas Plant District redevelopment talks
The City Council cast a 6 to 2 vote in favor of Gabbard's resolution.
Culture Council: Regulated Businesses: Approach Responsibility and Ethical Practices as a Revenue Strategy
There are ways for regulated companies to operate today that create a strong, future-proof infrastructure.
Los Gatos approves entertainment zones for Super Bowl
Residents ask council for assurances that the town won’t work with ICE during the game.
International science cooperation must go on, say research leaders
Science leaders in Europe and Canada say international cooperation must go on amid geopolitical turmoil. At the same time, Europe and like-minded countries should continue to enhance and diversify international partnerships, a Science|Business conference hears. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, told delegates that Europe’s response to the current geopolitical climate should be to “diversify in terms of research partnerships and build resilience and scale into our own system.”A first priority should be for the EU to sort out the scope of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund and ensure that, together with the next iteration of Horizon Europe, it can drive the development and scale up of new technologies. The EU and the countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme represent “the world's most successful research innovation ecosystem,” Brady said. In order to mitigate the negative effects of shifting geopolitics, the EU together with the UK, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea and others should talk about “building resilience” and address their own “regional needs,” he added. Responding to TrumpUnder Donald Trump’s leadership, the US government has slashed science budgets and shut down international research programmes. Nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. While Europe may persuade a few thousand disgruntled scientists to move across the ocean to work on topics that have been de-funded in the US, it’s unclear what should happen next with transatlantic scientific cooperation more broadly.“Now is the time for us to show [US researchers] our support as much as we can,” Brady said.The European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s basic science funder, has seen a surge in applicants from the US. According its latest data, US-based researchers submitted 347 proposals to the last three big funding rounds, up from 158 in the previous set of calls. The European Commission has also launched a €22.5 million pilot call in 2025 for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, the EU’s researcher training scheme. It plans to extend this support with a €51.25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. Related articlesData corner: US researchers are choosing EuropeEU-India deal highlights growing alignment on technology policyMeanwhile, in the private non-profit sector, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a new type of grant that would allow US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany. While these schemes are useful, Europe should not bet on an exodus of scientists from the US. “The idea that we might all see them flocking over to Europe is naïve and counterproductive,” said Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, also speaking at the Science|Business conference on February 5. “We need research in the US to be as healthy as possible. I really admire those who are staying there with a will to fight and an optimism that the world will turn into a better place again,” Leptin said. Preserving dataDespite political disruption, academics have found ways to continue cooperating and sharing research data. Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Canada’s national librarian, said the US cuts have raised concerns about research data security, after ideologically sensitive databases were limited or deleted by the Trump administration. But international organisations teamed up to ensure that the data is not lost. “It's interesting to see that researchers and libraries across North America are collaborating to make sure that data at risk is duplicated elsewhere outside [the US],” Weir said.
Headliners and announcements for Entertainment Council’s annual Brainfreeze show
The winter quarter concert will feature Rocco, Sarah Kinsley, a pre-show art gallery and more By MIRIAM RAMAKRISHNAN — arts@theaggie.org In the midst of classes, midterms and the never-ending tule fog, the music scene at UC Davis doesn’t stop kicking. Brainfreeze, the annual winter concert hosted by ASUCD’s Entertainment Council (EC), is set to return […]
New Politics Project – European Council on Foreign Relations
European politics is undergoing a long-term process of transformation. The mostly stable, big-tent party systems of past decades have given way to more fragment
Small Business Focus: The State of Black Entrepreneurial Enterprises
This article is written and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development. February is Black History Month, and this year the Small Business Coordinating Council will spotlight the State of Black Entrepreneurship with three dynamic speakers: Eric Alston and William Mitchell of WACIF, and Darin Cox, owner of The Peach Cobbler Factory in Washington, D.C. Over the
Opry Entertainment Group picked as Simpsonville amphitheater event manager: City Council notes
CCNB Amphitheatre was previously managed by TRZ Management, a company that works with LiveNation.
Horry Co. approves controversial mental health facility despite community backlash
Horry County Council approved the Asha Vista Behavioral Institute's plan to open a new psychiatric hospital along Highway 707.
Dunkirk City Council addresses indictment of former treasurer
city leaders say they're taking the matter seriously.
Kathy Seiden, St. Tammany council member, exits U.S. Senate race, endorses Julia Letlow
Kathy Seiden, St. Tammany Council member, dropped out of the race for U.S. Senate in Louisiana after President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow.
Political Realignment and the 2026 Japanese Election II | Council on Foreign Relations
This Sunday, Japanese voters will once again go to the polls. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has called this snap election in the hopes of attracting sufficient votes to put her party, the LDP, back in the majority.
Lewes still working toward home-based business regs
Lewes Mayor and City Council put the ingredients of a proposed reconstituted home-based business ordinance through a new blender Jan. 28. The ordinance was the main topic of the first working session, a new format designed to allow council members...
Decision over 35 Castle Donington business units pushed back
Councillors have deferred whether to approve 35 new commercial units at Hill Top Farm in Castle Donington.
Leeds Council discusses public projects, water treatment business
Public Works projects and a potential environmental and water treatment business were the subjects of a meeting for the Leeds City Council on Wednesday night after it was rescheduled from Monday due to weather conditions.
Melvin Council, Bryson Tiller come up big in Kansas' win vs. BYU
Kansas jumped out to a big lead vs. BYU and held on to secure an important victory in a top-15 clash at Phog Allen Fieldhouse
Calais calls measure on law enforcement relationship mere ‘politics’
The City Council delayed a vote on a resolution urging the governor to veto the measure because several supportive councilors were absent.
Scanlon’s campaign, Bronin endorsement: CT Politics news
Plus: Updates on the Connecticut Education Issues Summit, the Council of Small Towns, and the Planning and Development Committee.
Plain Talk: 'Our business climate in North Dakota is eroded'
On this Plain Talk, Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, talks about the tough economic environment for the state's oil and gas developers.
Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom out of Nebraska’s 2nd District GOP race
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding is now the likely GOP nominee to defend the seat Bacon holds in the 2nd District.
Opinion | The Wyoming Business Council debate is missing one big piece
Wyomingites stand to lose much more than just a line item in the budget, writes the Wyoming Women’s Business Center Board of Directors.
Council Speaker looks to savings, not taxes, for budget
Mayor Mamdani says the city faces a $12 billion budget gap.
UN criticizes Haiti for lack of progress on a political transition
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council criticized Haitian authorities Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition and called for urgent security sector reforms to tackle increasing violence by gangs and criminal groups.
Santa Rosa council endorses downtown zone that would permit to-go alcohol consumption
Consuming a beer or wine bought from a nearby establishment would be allowed in two public areas Friday through Sunday, with details still to be worked out.
Decatur seeking input on Oakwood Business District
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is asking its residents to fill out a survey on changes they would like to see to the Oakwood Business District before they make a plan to revamp it. Councilman David Horn said the survey is part of a step that will be taken before the city […]
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
City council approves $15.5M to support Asheville small businesses
Asheville City Council approved $15.5 million to support the city’s Small Business Support Program (SBSP).
Asheville City Council approves $15.5M in funding for Small Business Support Program - The City of Asheville
In an important next step for small business recovery following Tropical Storm Helene, the Asheville City Council approved a $15.5 million funding recommendation on Tuesday, January 27, to support the City’s Small Business Support Program (SBSP), funded through the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
From war damage to heart repair: ERC grantees supported to turn their science into practice
The European Research Council (ERC) has published the outcomes of the last 2025 round of its Proof of Concept Grants. In this round, 136 grantees will each receive €150 000, supporting them in exploring how their scientific results can move towards practical application or early commercial use. With these awards, the total number of Proof of Concept Grants under the ERC 2025 Work Programme reached 300, representing an overall budget of €45 million. The scheme is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s framework programme for research and innovation.
National Border Patrol Council president: We've been warning politicians, media to stay away from this type of rhetoric
National Border Patrol Council president Paul Perez discusses efforts to end illegal immigration on 'The Story.'
Syracuse council removes Flock license plate reader from intersection
The Syracuse Common Council on Monday voted to remove a license plate reader at the intersection of Headson Drive and Thompson Road.
In downtown Wilmington, Live Oak shutting down inclusive small business center
Live Oak Bank is turning Channel off. Described by Live Oak as an inclusive small business center, Channel opened in November 2021 to serve as a free resource for small business owners, helping numerous minority-owned and other small businesses from its headquarters downtown at 106 Market St. "After careful consideration, we’ve decided to bring Channel ... to a close at the end of this month. Live Oak determined that the needs of Wilmington’s small business community have evolved. Since Channel opened, the local small business ecosystem has grown significantly, with many strong organizations now offering education, technical assistance and community programming for entrepreneurs," stated Claire Parker, managing director of corporate communications for Live Oak Bank, in an email Monday. "With those resources firmly in place, Live Oak is refocusing on what we do best – providing banking and financing solutions that help small businesses grow and thrive." Channel's demise also resulted in the elimination of two positions – those of Channel's director, Chakema Clinton-Quintana, and Atiba Johnson, the certified professional business advisor (CPBA) at Channel. On Monday, Clinton-Quintana, who was elected to the Wilmington City Council in November, said of her immediate plans after Channel: "I will continue my work serving the public while I look for other full-time opportunities." She said Channel "served over 1,000 small business owners in the greater Wilmington area, as well as some of the surrounding areas, such as Brunswick and Pender. A lot of folks had reached out to us needing those resources because they were free, and we were able to assist them in that capacity." Johnson said he will be devoting his time to the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce, which is not affiliated with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The minority chamber is celebrating its launch from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Wilmington Sportsman Club, 1111 Castle St., Wilmington. Johnson, the founder and executive director of the new chamber, said about 50 businesses are on board to join the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce. According to a news release, the new chamber "was established to foster growth, networking, and advocacy for underrepresented business owners. By providing essential resources and community engagement, the chamber aims to build a more inclusive and prosperous local economy." Johnson said the creation of the new chamber is in response to "lapses in funding, education, advocacy for minority businesses...Some of the things that are going on now just don't reach all the way down to those businesses." For Lynne Jones, owner of LJ Design Studio LLC, the loss of Channel also means a reduction in income. She had contracted with Channel to run the center's social media and to provide some marketing for small business owners. "It's pretty disappointing to hear that it is closing...it was a place to connect with other small business owners and collaborate. It was like a family for those of us who were there. If you had issues or things that you needed to talk through concerning your business, there was always someone there that you could sit down with and talk things through, recalibrate, and they set you off on your way to make that pivot and move in a different direction," Jones said Monday. She said she worked with many Channel participants creating their websites and will miss seeing the joy on their faces when those websites were up and running. Dawn McDowell, owner of Creatively Covered Co. LLC, credits Channel with helping her business grow and regrow after her social media pages were hacked and shut down in 2023. "Channel was a great resource for small businesses, for women-owned businesses, for minority-owned businesses; they provided a lot of assistance, especially when you needed it," McDowell said. "If it wasn't for Channel, I don't know if I'd be where I am now, in my business, and regrowing my business and even finding out about some of the certifications and things that were out there for small businesses that I just didn't know about ... because there was no one really sharing that information for small businesses, for minority- and women-owned businesses in particular." Parker said shutting down Channel was not part of an overall cost-cutting plan. She stated in the email, "Live Oak’s commitment to Wilmington remains strong. We are continuing to support entrepreneurs by focusing our efforts where we deliver the greatest value – through specialized banking and financing solutions aligned with our mission to be America’s small business bank." As for Channel's downtown office, Live Oak had leased the 5,000-square-foot space above Seabird restaurant in 2021. The bank’s lease for the office is up in March, Parker said.
DUE DATE EXTENDED: Draft 2026 Delta Science Plan
From the Delta Science Program: The Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Science Program is developing the third iteration of the Delta Science Plan, which outlines the vision, principles, and approaches that guide science in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Updated approximately every five years, the plan incorporates new concepts and actions that reflect current science and management needs and is developed collaboratively and transparently. The draft 2026 Delta Science Plan is available for public review! All members of the Delta science community […]
Salem City Council to vote on repealing downtown parking tax
Salem City Council will vote on Jan. 26 on whether to advance a bill repealing the Downtown Parking Tax District.
FEMA Review Council set to 'terminate' but its final report hasn’t been released
Trump last year suggested dismantling FEMA
Haiti officials announce plan to oust prime minister, deepening US standoff
Transitional Presidential Council says plans to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, flouting warnings from US.
Haiti's transitional council deepens political chaos by voting to oust the prime minister
A member of Haiti’s transitional presidential council has announced that a majority of the panel has voted to fire the country’s embattled Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as the country’s political chaos deepens
Kate MacArthur shares what’s powering Ascension’s rise on the February episode of Strictly Business
What’s the story—and strategy—behind Ascension Parish’s rapid rise as an economic heavyweight? That’s the focus of the February episode of Strictly Business featuring Ascension Economic Development Council President and CEO Kate MacArthur. She’ll break down how Ascension quietly became one of Louisiana’s most consequential growth stories—and what business leaders across the Capital Region and beyond […]
Jackson residents, business owners raise concerns over grocery access at special council meeting
Residents, advocates and owners warn closures are worsening food deserts and health outcomes
'Just a start': Kotek, industry leaders inch closer to reforms for Oregon business climate
The 16 members of Kotek’s “Prosperity Council” represent different Oregon regions and sectors such as labor, technology and construction.
Donnelly to hear plans for Boulder Creek apartments, entertainment venue
Plans for a commercial entertainment venue and more than 100 homes, apartments, and cabins along Boulder Creek will go before the Donnelly City Council next week. The proposal calls for 97 apartments, 14 recreational cabins, three short-term rentals, and a clubhouse on a 22.8-acre property at 203 Eld Ln. An existing home on the site […]
The Politics Hour: MD Gov. Wes Moore & D.C. CM Doni Crawford
Maryland Governor Wes Moore on plans to close the state's budget gap. Plus, D.C. Councilmember Doni Crawford and WAMU's Margaret Barthel on the new Virginia governor's first week.
Oregon's Prosperity Council holds first meeting to boost local business, grow state GDP
Oregon’s new Prosperity Council met for the first time Thursday as Governor Tina Kotek reviewed their goals of growing local businesses, increasing the state’s
Ballard business closures raise questions about local economy
Several Ballard businesses have closed recently. We spoke with the Ballard Alliance and Councilmember Dan Strauss about what the numbers show.
TC Business Council Leaders Hear Update From Waste Management
The monthly luncheon of the Tuolumne County Business Council featured an overview of the operations of CAL Sierra Waste Management, one of the newest members to recently join the business group.
As political dust settles, Portland’s new council president wants to focus on city’s ‘real crises’
Jamie Dunphy wants a divided City Council to stop the infighting and tackle homelessness, jobs, crumbling infrastructure and what he calls an increasingly tyrannical federal government.
Rapid City Council votes to terminate Mt. Rushmore Road Business Improvement District
Mount Rushmore Road won't have a Business Improvement District created.
City of San Antonio looking into 911 mental health option
The city, Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, and the Center for Health Care Services are exploring a pilot program to help triage the mental health calls that come through the 911 system, possibly handling “low-acuity” calls over the phone, without having to dispatch emergency response.
US government warns it will take action if Haitian politicians destabilize country
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. warned the transitional council in charge of Haiti against making changes to the troubled country’s government on Wednesday, as pressure mounts for the unelected body to move toward elections for the first time in a decade.
US government warns it will take action if Haitian politicians destabilize country
The U.S. has warned the transitional council in charge of Haiti against making changes to the troubled country’s government, as pressure mounts for the unelected body to move toward elections for the first time in a decade
Updates presented on Jonesboro sports complex
Officials provided updates on the construction of the upcoming Ridge Athletics Center during Tuesday's city council meeting.
Altru Sports Complex rising along Grand Forks' 42nd Street
Phase 1 is expected to be complete by fall 2027, while Phase 2, if bid by the City Council, would be finished around the summer of 2028.
Rochester City Council to make final vote on proposed sports and recreation complex
The council will take up the final plat for the 158-acre project in southeast Rochester.
Matt McCullough joins race to replace Matt Carlucci on Jacksonville City Council
The field continues to expand with more than a year before the First Election.
Montgomery City Council revokes pizza restaurant's business license
City leaders unanimously voted Tuesday night to revoke the business license for a pizza restaurant in Montgomery.