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SPECIAL REPORT: Tough Business

A string of vacant restaurant buildings shows that many restaurants in the region are struggling — and several are closing By Stefan Yablonski [caption id=attachment_11132 align=alignright width=401] Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008.[/caption] By their nature, most restaurants have a limited life. An astonishing 60% go out of business within three years of opening, largely due to fundamental flaws in the planning of the operation. But even restaurants that experience years of success almost always face eventual closure. The restaurant business is very hard and because of both personal factors and external factors beyond anyone’s control, restaurants don’t last forever. For many restaurants, age is a big factor, according to Kenneth Walsleben, professor of practice, entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises at Syracuse University. “The owners have been at it for 20 or 25 years, if not longer, they want some time to themselves,” he said. Such was the case for Jocko’s Famous Ritz Diner in Oswego. Jocko Reitz bought the building in the late 1970s from Robert Shapiro. However, when he stepped away from the business, it eventually closed. [caption id=attachment_11142 align=alignright width=402] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s Restaurant passed through three generations of family in Oswego. It closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025.[/caption] For nearly 80 years, Vona’s passed through three generations of family in Oswego. Vona’s Restaurant officially closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2025, when no family member wanted to take over. It is on the market. The Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026. The restaurant faced multiple temporary health department closures in 2024 and 2025 due to persistent fruit fly and foundation pest issues. Management posted a final closure notice on the doors in mid-April 2026 and the building was put up for sale. The same pattern has been happening in Onondaga County. The big building once used by Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill on Route 31 in Clay remains empty, more than six months after the restaurant closed its doors in April. It had been in operation since at least 2008. [caption id=attachment_11130 align=alignright width=401] Ruby Tuesday in Oswego operated for about two decades before permanently closing in April 2026.[/caption] Just down the road from Smokey Bones, the popular Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty. Other very popular restaurants in the northern suburbs of Syracuse have recently closed. Among them, Fireside by the River in Baldwinsville and Primo Nestico’s Bistro Bar in North Syracuse. “I haven’t really paid attention to the Syracuse area. There has always been some turnover, but there probably has never been a tougher time to be a restauranter than now. It’s just brutal,” Walsleben said. In the first year, roughly 20% to 25% of restaurants close or change hands, according to the National Restaurant Association. [caption id=attachment_11122 align=alignright width=401] Outback Steakhouse closed in August 2024. Another restaurant took its place, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, but it closed shortly after. The building sits empty.[/caption] “Depending on what statistics you look at, you’ll find that any business has a high mortality rate in the first year. That is just the nature of entrepreneurship,” Walsleben said. “There are certain ones that are getting hit hard while others are more fruitful. “And when you look at the restaurant industry you have to factor in labor which is a large part — typically a third of your expenses — and those costs are going up. And there is always turnover which means investing money to train people. Then you’ve got food costs, which is also a third of the typical restaurant budget. Since the pandemic labor has gone up 41%, food costs have gone up 35%. That’s a big tight squeeze righty there. That’s two-thirds of your budget that has gone up 35% to 40% in the last few years. And then the only way you can make that work is to raise the prices.” The National Restaurant Association reports menu prices are up 36% since February of 2020. In a survey released by the association, more than eight in 10 restaurant owners reported that their food, beverage and labor costs are now higher than before the pandemic. You have to deal with the reality of are the customers willing to pay for that? Walsleben added. Restaurants historically have very thin margins; their profit margin is about 5%. “You have a third that goes into food, a third that goes into labor and about 28%, 29% that goes into everything else — overhead, insurance etc. So that brings you down to your 5% leftover,” he said. “Everything is going up. Customer expectations are going up and people aren’t going to spend that much more. So, you have a tight squeeze here,” Walsleben continued. “Restaurants who use delivery apps, they pay a fee to those guys. Those guys don’t work for free. So, you can kind of see where the squeeze comes from.” Stuck in the middle There are pockets of opportunity; the two extremes of the market can make a profit. But the middle gets squeezed out. “If you are a low-end fast-food kind of place, there is room for that. People have changed their budgets. They are still going out, but they are not spending more,” according to Walsleben. “The high end remains positive. If you have a restaurant that brings a specific experience … a great food product or you are catering to high end customers who aren’t so budget conscious, those patrons are going to expect a high-end experience. They expect excellent food every time. They are expecting excellent service. If you can meet those expectations there is room for you at the top. It’s just the guys in the middle are getting the squeeze from both ends. Tough competition, customer expectations, costs are up. Menu items, you can’t raise the prices as much as you need to. That is why you are seeing a lot of restaurants baling out.” The ones that can adapt quickly are the ones who are doing OK. “Success is heavily dependent on the strength of a restaurant’s concept development and the planning of its execution. Eventually things aren’t always new. Things change. So, if you are in the restaurant business you have got to change your menu — keep things new, fresh and update your meals. It is very fickle industry. One year carbs are out, the next year berries are out. Everybody’s diet changes — constantly chasing the latest phase. You have got to adjust your menu and move with those modifications. If you have a static menu that you have used the last couple years that hasn’t changed except for the pricing, you’ve got a problem,” he said. A lot of times these buildings are singular purpose, he added. “You have a commercially viable kitchen and you got a seating area. There is not a lot of other businesses that cater to that type of a layout. So, it’s pretty common to see another restaurant slide in,” he said. One of the things a banker learns early on is you don’t lend money to restaurants … because they fail so quickly. It is very hard to predict who the winners will be. So, if you are a restaurant in addition to all the other challenges, it is very difficult to get loans, according to Walsleben. “You might work really well in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you are a great businessperson,” he said. “Restaurants can fail because the owner didn’t know how to manage things properly. There are a lot of challenges. “There is opportunity at the high end and the low end. But in the middle, that’s the death valley. There are just so many things working against you. You really need to have something that will pull people in and continue to pull people in because you to constantly have to change. Think about a theme and a product that is unique to the area people don’t travel that far these days you have to be able to deliver it in an innovative fashion and keep updating to keep people coming in the door.” Out of Business? How Fast? Do nine out of 10 restaurants fail in their first year, as commonly claimed? No. Survival analysis of 1.9 million longitudinal microdata for 81,000 full-service restaurants in a 20-year U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics non public census of business establishments in the western US shows that only 17% of independently owned full-service restaurant startups failed in their first year, compared with 19% for all other service-providing startups, according to ResearchGate. The median lifespan of restaurants is about 4.5 years, slightly longer than that of other service businesses (4.25 years). However, the median lifespan of a restaurant startup with 5 or fewer employees is 3.75 years, slightly shorter than that of other service businesses of the same startup size (4.0 years). What Makes a Restaurant Successful? Opening and maintaining a successful restaurant is not as easy as creating a great menu and serving excellent food. It takes more than that, according to local restaurant owners who have been in business for decades in the region. They all agree that there are some guidelines to running a successful restaurant. • Quality food: Successful restaurants know exactly what they serve and who they serve it to. Delivering the same great taste every single time builds loyal customers. • Smooth operations: Friendly greetings and attentive staff make guests feel welcome from the moment they walk in. Hiring staff for personality and training for skill ensures reliable, caring service. • Smart marketing: Exceptional food and experiences naturally get people talking and sharing online. Word of mouth can help entice customers. Consistent social media and targeted advertising brings in new and repeat guests also. The menu is what keeps patrons coming back to Mimi’s Diner in Fulton, located at 201 N. Second St. “We locally source our produce and our meats. Our chicken and biscuits is a popular, popular special,” said Richard Tagliareni, the third-generation owner and general manager. “It’s all homemade. We have consistently served quality food.” His grandfather started the business more than 55 years ago. Mimi’s is engrained in the community. They cater to the community and are very involved in everything from the schools to local events. The first Mimi’s Drive-In opened in Mexico. Then a second in Oswego and then Fulton. Fulton’s Mimi’s is the only one left. “The last couple of weeks have been kind of slower than normal. October is usually a busier month for us People will start coming back around again. Also, the price of gas is affecting some things,” Tagliareni added. “We try to keep our prices in line. You go out to eat, you’re going to spend about a hundred bucks or so for two people for dinner. You come here to Mimi’s you are probably for two people for dinner it’s between $50 and $60. We are trying to keep our prices in line. We did have to increase our prices a little bit but things are looking OK.” For the Press Box, 29 E. First St., Oswego, it’s also about great food and a family atmosphere. “Our sports bar and restaurant was established in 1984,” said Alison Canale Scanlon, manager. “I think putting the time into everything makes a big difference and treating people like family when they walk into your restaurant. That’s how we have always operated since 1984.” “It’s the family oriented aspect,” she added. “Consistency, quality and presentation of our food — that’s the secret to a successful restaurant. We try to be very consistent with it. We treat people like family when they come in; because we know how we want to be treated when we go to a restaurant. We treat people the same or better.”

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times

Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”

Oct 14 • 8:23 AM EDT • Business • oswegocountybusiness.com

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Oct 14 • 8:14 AM EDT • Entertainment • yahoo.com

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Oct 14 • 7:30 AM EDT • Health • usnews.com

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Oct 13 • 8:00 PM EDT • Science • sciencedaily.com

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Oct 13 • 7:01 PM EDT • Science • edtechinnovationhub.com

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Oct 13 • 3:48 PM EDT • Health • westvirginiawatch.com

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Oct 13 • 3:00 PM EDT • Science • ucdavis.edu

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Oct 13 • 12:47 PM EDT • Health • nationalpartnership.org

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Oct 13 • 9:14 AM EDT • Business • qz.com

The 20 most successful ‘Shark Tank’ products of all time, ranked

Who knew socks, sponges, and toilet stools could be worth millions? We’re revisiting 20 of the most successful products in ‘Shark Tank’ history, from brilliant investments to spectacular missed opportunities.

Oct 13 • 9:00 AM EDT • Entertainment • ew.com

FSU computational scientist earns National Science Foundation grant to improve nighttime thunderstorm forecasts

A Florida State University scientist has received a nearly half-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to improve nighttime

Oct 13 • 8:46 AM EDT • Science • news.fsu.edu

Piles permit issued for Advocate Health Care new Trinity Hospital

A foundation piles permit has been issued for Advocate Health Care’s new $300 million Trinity Hospital at the former U.S. Steel South Works site near the lakefront. Located at 8000 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the hospital will be built on 23 acres between Brandon Ave to the west, DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the north and east, and 81st Street to the south.

Oct 13 • 8:30 AM EDT • Health • chicago.urbanize.city

Sanford Health awarded $2.3 million grant from National Institutes of Health

Grant will support research on cell type plasticity in kidney function and disease

Oct 13 • 8:00 AM EDT • Health • grandforksherald.com

New $100 Million Initiative To Halve Stillbirth Deaths Launched By Gates And Wellcome Leap

Each organization is contributing $50 million during an initial three-year validation phase to deploy the point-of-care technologies in high-burden settings.

Oct 13 • 7:56 AM EDT • Health • healthpolicy-watch.news

Exclusive | Republicans Spend Big to Defend Nebraska Senate Seat

In latest sign of GOP’s Midwest angst, Senate Leadership Fund plans to pour $8 million into race to help Sen. Pete Ricketts.

Oct 13 • 7:00 AM EDT • Politics • wsj.com

Scinai Expands CDMO Business with $5.1 Million Development and Clinical Manufacturing Agreement

Committed Customer Orders¹ reach approximately $7.6 million, up approximately 300% from $1.9 million at year-end 2025 Agreement with a U.S. based,...

Oct 13 • 7:00 AM EDT • Business • prnewswire.com

This Economist Studied Millions of Business Owners. He Uncovered the Surprising Way Everyday Americans Actually Get Wealthy

Owen Zidar, co-author of the book founders can’t stop talking about, "The Everywhere Millionaire," sat down with Inc. to mine the largest-ever dataset on entrepreneurs.

Oct 13 • 7:00 AM EDT • Business • inc.com

Committed customer orders at Scinai reach about $7.6 million, up about 300%.

Potential added fees of $5.85 million are indicative and uncommitted; clinical manufacturing under the agreement is planned to start in January 2027.

Oct 13 • 7:00 AM EDT • Business • stocktitan.net

Dave Portnoy boldly claims ‘curse’ of LeBron James is already ruining Philadelphia sports

Dave Portnoy believes LeBron James’ presence on the Philadelphia 76ers is having an impact on the city’s robust sports culture. James joined the 76ers this summer, signing a 1+1 deal worth $8 million, the league minimum for veteran players, to try and compete for an NBA championship.

Oct 13 • 6:10 AM EDT • Sports • sports.yahoo.com

Character.AI files for bankruptcy, citing legal headwinds

Character.AI filed for Chapter 11 to pursue a sale, while Disney offered $20 million for a licence to certain assets.

Oct 13 • 6:00 AM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com

Epstein, Trump and trucks: Why political ads for a single Colorado race are flooding TV screens

Millions of dollars in spending have poured into north and central Colorado, flooding television commercial breaks with near-ceaseless political advertisements for a swing congressional seat.

Oct 13 • 6:00 AM EDT • Politics • denverpost.com

Millions of Medicaid recipients to face draconian requirements as of 1 January

Trump’s reform law that seeks to make coverage harder to get, and to keep, includes working 80 hours per month

Oct 13 • 6:00 AM EDT • Health • theguardian.com

Opinion: CT’s federal cuts response fund must be used for this crisis

Connecticut’s Governor must immediately use some of the over $250 million sitting in the Federal Cuts Response Fund for the purpose it was created, to protect the poor, disabled, and elderly from the harms of H.R. 1.

Oct 13 • 5:30 AM EDT • Health • courant.com

8.6 million records exposed in japanese entertainment supply-chain incident

A malware incident at Nippon Columbia, a Japanese supply-chain contractor, has exposed more than 8.6 million customer and employee records.

Oct 13 • 5:01 AM EDT • Entertainment • dig.watch

How Two Crypto Billionaires Are Making British Politics More American

A pair of low-profile entrepreneurs gave $100 million to Nigel Farage’s Reform U.K. Party. The system may never be the same.

Oct 13 • 5:00 AM EDT • Politics • nytimes.com

Polls are a snapshot, and other helpful things to remember during the midterm elections

With Election Day just a few weeks away — and millions of votes already cast — midterm polls are everywhere. While polling can be a helpful tool to understand the electorate, it's not a crystal ball.

Oct 13 • 5:00 AM EDT • Politics • kgou.org

Southwest and Southside health organizations get nearly $4 million in federal grants to boost technology and cybersecurity

The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program was intended to bolster healthcare access in rural areas. It was created under HR 1, the federal spending legislation that also included cuts to …

Oct 13 • 4:20 AM EDT • Health • cardinalnews.org

I built a family business from scratch to $200 million. Now I’ve become its bottleneck

The hardest thing to accept is that people who didn’t build this company alongside you can see things you don’t.

Oct 13 • 3:00 AM EDT • Business • fortune.com

Palm Beach donor gives $1M to Cox Science Center education programs

Led by a Palm Beach resident, the William H. Pitt Foundation’s $1 million gift will support education programs at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium.

Oct 13 • 1:05 AM EDT • Science • palmbeachdailynews.com

$20 million gift kickstarts Dartmouth Health’s home healthcare program

Richard Levy ’60 will donate $20 million in installments at his discretion and tied to expansion milestones over the multi-year rollout of Dartmouth Health at Home.

Oct 12 • 8:00 PM EDT • Health • thedartmouth.com

Scientists uncover a hidden map of the brain with 539 distinct regions

Scientists have uncovered a hidden layer of organization in the brain by creating the first detailed 3D map of its lipids, the fatty molecules essential for brain structure and communication. By analyzing millions of measurements from mouse brains, researchers identified 539 distinct chemical zones, revealing patterns and boundaries that traditional brain maps have missed. Surprisingly, even white matter, once thought to be relatively uniform, contains a complex patchwork of chemically distinct regions.

Oct 12 • 8:00 PM EDT • Science • sciencedaily.com

IM8, co-founded by David Beckham, lands NBA partnership as health brand continues fast growth

IM8 co-founder Danny Yeung revealed how David Beckham's trust helped grow the supplement brand from a $40 million market cap to nearly half a billion with new NBA partnership in hand.

Oct 12 • 7:08 PM EDT • Health • foxbusiness.com

Kansas State Arts and Sciences facing $2.6M budget shortfall, raising worries about possible layoffs

The Kansas State University College of Arts and Sciences faces a $2.6 million annual budget shortfall in addition to $13.5 million owed for loans from the administration, a situation that may eliminate academic programs and cause faculty layoffs.

Oct 12 • 7:05 PM EDT • Science • kansasreflector.com

Warner Bros. could face loss of at least $150 million on 'Digger' after tepid box office

Tom Cruise’s “Digger” fell 60% in its second weekend to $3.2 million, leaving Warner Bros. facing a loss that could top $150 million.

Oct 12 • 6:48 PM EDT • Entertainment • latimes.com

Elon Musk gives $276 million to Republican groups, becomes biggest known 2026 midterm donor

Musk’s record midterm election spending comes as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO rebuilds his relationship with Trump and has business ties to the federal government.

Oct 12 • 5:17 PM EDT • Politics • cnbc.com

Pickleball facility franchisor files for bankruptcy as founder acknowledges business mistake: 'I own it'

The Picklr's Chapter 11 filing stems from costly lease guarantees on about 40 franchise locations as an investor group commits millions for restructuring.

Oct 12 • 3:06 PM EDT • Business • foxbusiness.com

Judge orders the Trump administration to cancel taxpayer-funded TV ads

President Donald Trump must cancel any remaining television commercials paid for with millions of dollars in taxpayer money to promote his political message, a federal judge ordered Sunday night.

Oct 12 • 3:00 PM EDT • Politics • pbs.org

He says Amazon nearly wrecked his business; he still shops on it

The Bed Scrunchie company made $4.5 million before Amazon deactivated its seller account. But one of the founders still can't quit shopping there.

Oct 12 • 2:47 PM EDT • Business • businessinsider.com

Hidden fees cost Michigan patients millions. Lawmakers push reforms

‘Facility fees’ are buried deep in bills and often include little explanation. Health officials say they need the money to stay afloat, but won’t divulge much about the charges. One expert calls them a ‘black box.’

Oct 12 • 2:21 PM EDT • Health • bridgemi.com

Norfolk maritime repair company to add 40 jobs

Norfolk-based Walashek Industrial & Marine will invest $5 million to expand its Norfolk operations and create 40 jobs.

Oct 12 • 2:05 PM EDT • Business • virginiabusiness.com

Study links environment and youth mental health

A new University of Canterbury-led study of almost 1 million young people in New Zealand shows the environments they live in may be linked to their mental health over time. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha ...

Oct 12 • 2:00 PM EDT • Health • phys.org

Reinsdorf-backed firm sells Evanston apartments for $32 million

The Jerry Reinsdorf-backed Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group sold the Maeve on Ridge apartments at 1555 Ridge Ave. in Evanston to Arnel for $32 million.

Oct 12 • 1:37 PM EDT • Business • chicagobusiness.com

Firm Advises Oxford Science Enterprises on IP Matters Related Sensible’s $47 Million Financing

On October 6, 2026, Sensible Biotechnologies (Sensible), a biotechnology company developing a first-of-its-kind platform for naturally modified mRNA medicines, announced that it has secured $47…

Oct 12 • 1:17 PM EDT • Science • wsgr.com

Musk has spent $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress

NEW YORK, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Elon Musk has spent roughly $366 million on the 2026 midterm elections so far, $276 million just since July, trying to ‌help Republicans retain control of Congress, even a...

Oct 12 • 12:06 PM EDT • Politics • yahoo.com

Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans

Musk, the world's only trillionaire, has doled out more than $276 million since July to try to save Republican majorities in Congress.

Oct 12 • 11:56 AM EDT • Politics • pbs.org

Democrats pour millions into ad buys in Ohio, Iowa U.S. Senate races

the party will spend $7 million in Ohio and $2.5 million in Iowa, two states President Donald Trump carried by double digits just two years ago.

Oct 12 • 11:28 AM EDT • Politics • crainscleveland.com

Here are the results of an independent look at the financial health of Lancaster County\'s hospitals

Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center’s financial status improved considerably from 2024 to 2025, during which time it shaved off almost $40 million of its operating deficit, according to an

Oct 12 • 10:52 AM EDT • Health • lancasteronline.com

Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans

Trillionaire Elon Musk has quietly become the biggest known spender in this year’s midterm elections, doling out more than $276 million since July to try to save Republican majorities in the House and Senate

Oct 12 • 10:49 AM EDT • Politics • washingtonpost.com

Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans

Trillionaire Elon Musk has quietly become the biggest known spender in this year’s midterm elections, doling out more than $276 million since July to try to save Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Oct 12 • 10:44 AM EDT • Politics • wsls.com

GTA 6 Leaker Teases 'Playable Build' Launch, Doubles Down on Crypto Scheme

CyberLeek suggests it has a 200GB software build for Grand Theft Auto 6, which it will release if its meme coin reaches a $30 million market cap.

Oct 12 • 10:33 AM EDT • Technology • pcmag.com

3.2K views · 23 reactions | Violent threats have become a new normal...

Violent threats have become a new normal among public officials in the U.S., reshaping private lives, costing millions in security and pushing people out of office. Our reporter Nick Corasaniti...

Oct 12 • 10:10 AM EDT • Politics • facebook.com

Judge orders Trump to cancel $20 million in taxpayer-funded political ads ahead of the midterms

The ads praised Trump and included footage from his presidential campaign, drawing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans

Oct 12 • 10:07 AM EDT • Politics • fortune.com

Elon Musk emerges as the top booster for Republicans with $276 million in donations

Elon Musk has poured at least $276 million into the midterms since the summer, re-emerging as the top known donor to the Republican Party.

Oct 12 • 9:54 AM EDT • Politics • cnn.com

Islandia condo project advances with zoning change

Kelly Real Estate received a zoning change to build a $10 million condominium development for buyers 55 and over in Islandia.

Oct 12 • 8:55 AM EDT • Business • libn.com