SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " small " 5,567 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
The small African nation ready for Messi's big night
Benin are about to have their own moment in the limelight as they visit Argentina for Lionel Messi's final game.
Big-Bank Strength, Local Business Insight
A government subcontractor had a chance to win its own contract — one that could increase revenue up to fivefold. A standard credit line based only on current revenue would […]
Northern Essex’s McCarthy Joins New Small Business Advisory Council
Michael McCarthy, executive vice president and chief financial and operating officer at Northern Essex Community College, was recently appointed to the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center statewide Advisory Council, a new group of business, government, economic development and community leaders helping guide the future of small business support in the state. The Advisory Council was
South Florida business owner says hotel won’t pay clean up bill - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
A South Florida man has worked hard to grow his small business. Starting with a single truck, he’s now up to nine. But when heRead More
Bladen Community College to host “So You Want to Start a Small Business” class and preview Pitch It Bladen 2027
The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College invites aspiring entrepreneurs to attend “So You Want to Start a Small Business” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Building 14, Room 104. This class will help participants explore what it takes to become an entrepreneur and take the first steps toward turning a business idea into reality.Participants will explore the entrepreneurial mindset and consider whether they have the interests, characteristics, motivation and willingness to take on the challenges of business ownership. The class will encourage attendees to examine their personal goals, expectations, strengths and readiness to pursue entrepreneurship.Attendees will also gain insight into the realities of starting and operating a small business, including the commitment, planning, decision-making and perseverance required to build a successful venture. Whether participants are just beginning to consider business ownership or already have an idea they want to pursue, this class will provide a foundation for determining their next steps.In addition to the class instruction, attendees will receive advance information about the upcoming Pitch It Bladen 2027 Business Competition, including the application form and details about the program. Individuals who are ready to move forward may submit their applications early and have the opportunity to receive advance acceptance into the program.Pitch It Bladen helps aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs develop their business ideas through structured instruction in business planning, financial management, cash-flow projections, marketing and operations. Participants work toward completing a business plan and preparing a business pitch, with the opportunity to compete for cash prizes.Last year's Pitch It Bladen program demonstrated the value of investing in local entrepreneurs by helping participants strengthen their business knowledge, develop their business plans and prepare to present their ideas. The competition showcased the creativity and potential of Bladen County's small-business community and provided participants with practical tools to move their business goals forward.Building on that success, Pitch It Bladen 2027 will provide another opportunity for local entrepreneurs to gain knowledge, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward launching or growing a business.“The Small Business Center wants to help individuals make informed decisions about entrepreneurship before they take the leap into business ownership,” said Theresa Dennison, Small Business Center director, in a press release. “This class gives participants an opportunity to evaluate whether entrepreneurship is right for them while also introducing them to Pitch It Bladen 2027 and the resources available to help them succeed.”Registration: Visit www.ncsbc.net and search for the class by name, or contact the Small Business Center at 910-879-5572 for additional information.
Lightsaber-like plasma antenna uses laser-ionized air to transmit radio waves
Researchers have demonstrated a technique that uses a laser to produce a plasma beam antenna capable of transmitting radio waves. The article, "Laser-Induced-Plasma-Filament Antenna Transmitting 30 MHz ...
Small Business Report
Provided by Prince William County Development Services In August, 19 small business owners received a certificate of occupancy or written authorization to ‘Open for Business’ from Prince William County DepartmentRead More
Seattle’s tax burden shifted to business as jobs slipped away, new report finds
A new joint report from the Downtown Seattle Association and the Seattle Metro Chamber shows city tax collections nearly tripling since 2013, surging far past population and job growth as the tax burden shifts heavily onto a small pool of major employers.
Small Animal Science Program at WSWHE BOCES celebrates its 100th adoption of a local homeless pet
The Small Animal Science Program at WSWHE BOCES recently celebrated a major milestone: its 100th adoption of a local homeless pet.
Small Businesses Skip the Cross-Border Plumbing Big Companies Can’t Escape
Conventional wisdom says large corporations should dominate cross-border payments. They have global banks, treasury teams, negotiated FX rates,
The Best TV Performances of 2026 (So Far)
A ridiculous amount of talent is dominating the small screen this year, including Hoon Lee, Kyle Chandler, Pierce Brosnan, and so many more.
NFIB jobs report shows small business hiring slowed in September
NFIB’s September jobs report shows a decline in hiring activity among small businesses as the labor market continues to soften.
Scientists seek new ways to protect Sierra Nevada meadows
Sierra Nevada meadows may cover a relatively small portion of the landscape, but scientists say they play an important role in supporting wildlife, storing water and maintaining biodiversity. Researchers and conservationists recently gathered at the...
Lilly's Jaypirca approved as first-line CLL therapy
Eli Lilly’s Jaypirca has won FDA approval for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Top Workplaces 2026: Wemert Group named top workplace for small businesses
Orlando-based real estate brokerage Wemert Group Realty has been named one of the Orlando Sentinel’s top workplaces in Central Florida among small businesses, meaning it has 100 or fewer employees.
Apple's Newest Macs Just Got Their Biggest Price Cuts Yet on Amazon
Prime Big Deal Days sales are already starting, and have now hit Apple's brand new Mac mini and Mac Studio computers. You can get up to $199 off these 2026 devices with Amazon's latest savings. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple Watch Prime Day Deals Arrive With New All-Time Low Prices for Series 12 and Ultra 4
Big Apple Watch discounts have started arriving ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, including new low prices on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. These deals join some Apple Watch SE 3 discounts that we began tracking over the weekend, alongside other major early Prime Big Deal Days markdowns. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Eyes on Growth: TD Survey Finds Small Businesses Confident About Growth Despite Economic Headwinds and Delayed Investments
TD Bank U.S. survey finds 85% of small business owners expect stronger revenue through year-end, despite economic uncertainty and preparedness gaps.
Bluevine and Coverdash Partner to Bring Embedded Business Insurance to Small Businesses
/PRNewswire/ -- Bluevine, the largest small business banking platform in the US* and Coverdash, a leading embedded business insurance provider powering...
Fiserv Small Business Index Shows Small Business Sales Rise in September as Back-to-School Lifts Retail
Index rises to 146 as sales increase +2.2% year over year and +0.7% month over month MILWAUKEE, Oct. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology, today published the Fiserv Small Business Index for September 2026,
Google admits not every Android app runs great on Intel Googlebooks
‘A small handful’ of apps apparently need some ‘developer tuning.’
Small businesses need to leverage home field advantage with SEO
Small and mid-sized businesses no longer just compete with the company down the street.
New Small Business Alliances Signal Competitive Positioning by 18+ IT and Consulting Leaders Across FedCiv, FedHealth, and DoD
In the GovCon IT and consulting market, some companies react to opportunities. Others shape the board well before the game begins. Mentor-protégé agreements fall squarely into the latter category. These partnerships are not administrative check-the-box exercises. They require sustained commitment, alignment at the leadership level, and a clear view of where the market is heading. […]
A student guide to mental health resources on campus
Recognition of someone struggling is only the first step of prevention. Whether a student is experiencing a crisis themselves or knows someone who is, Auburn's mental health resources offer several means of support. College is a transitional time in life, and seeking help during those struggles, no matter how big or small, can make a significant impact.
My next Windows PC won’t need hours of app installs thanks to this one file
One small bundle file turns hours of reinstalling apps into a few clicks.
California local: My favorite spot for a weekend trip is Idyllwild
As a California local, my favorite destination for a weekend trip is the small town of Idyllwild, a short drive from LA. Here's what to do there.
Amazon Launches Early Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and today Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
In Texas, struggling small businesses turn to happy hours
Owners and operators are getting creative to stay afloat.
Retailers are making returns harder. A carpet seller taught me why that’s a mistake
A standard business practice offsets future costs by funding a reserve for returns – but many small businesses don’t do it
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.
In defence of big business
Despite the lionisation of small companies, prosperity hinges on a handful of large firms
Tech News This Week: Muse Takes On Small Business And McDonalds Leans Into AI
Meta expands Muse to small business, OpenAI adds more plugins, McDonalds leans into AI and more training for Claude.
Contributor: Democrats can become the party of business
Republicans are not standing up for the small U.S. companies that suffer in trade wars. Doing so would be good business and good politics.
Quaint Florida waterfront downtown has grown with endless activities
This town is full of history, memories, small businesses and family fun, making it the perfect place to take visitors any time of year.
Scientists Warn of Another Unseen Risk From Fire: Ozone
Small particulates sent up by wildfires are a well-documented health hazard. But recent research finds that ground-level ozone is now on the rise, too.
Polls open in Bosnia and Herzegovina as pro-Russian politician looms large over race
Bosnians are heading to the polls Sunday in elections that could impact their European Union membership bid and the influence that Russia seeks over the small Balkan nation. Bosnia and Herzegovina,…
Franciscan Health presenting The Family Dinner Project
News release, Franciscan Health: Initiative aims to help families connect over meals MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health is again hosting The Family Dinner Project, a free program focused on helping families connect, laugh and grow one meal at a time. The program provides easy recipes, fun conversation starters and simple activities to help dinnertime become a positive experience for the whole family. The Family Dinner Project sparks real conversations without cell phones, builds stronger family bonds, removes mealtime stress by making it fun and fits into any schedule or lifestyle. All families are welcome, whether big or small, multigenerational
Hawai’i Small Businesses urged to complete Federal Reserve Credit Survey by Nov. 13
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is encouraging Hawai‘i small businesses to take part in the Federal Reserve’s 2026 Small Business Credit Survey, now open through Nov. 13.
Arkansas College Football Scoreboard: Week 5
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Week 5 of the Arkansas college football season is underway, with teams from across the Natural State in action Saturday at every level of competition. From SEC showdowns to Division II and small-college matchups, here’s a look at this week’s action. Check back throughout the day for updated scores and results […]
Editorial: Why shopping local matters
For fans of 1998's “You’ve Got Mail” and perhaps anyone who has owned a brick-and-mortar small business, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than watching Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) shutting off all the lights, and locking the doors to her independent children’s bookshop...
I changed these hidden Google Maps settings; now my Android Auto navigation is miles better
Small tweaks made every drive smoother
Baubles & Brews brings women-owned businesses together in Pottsville
Candles, pottery, books, and skincare filled tables at Arrow Studio & Events on Saturday as 23 small businesses came together for Baubles & Brews, a fall market centered on women entrepreneurs and the community they have built. For…
Maryland businesses can apply for SBA disaster loans after E...
Maryland businesses and private nonprofits affected by the Empire Towers incident can now apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business ...
VB Health Launches Public Seven-Part Supplement Quality Standard
DENVER, Oct. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VB Health, a Denver-based dietary supplement company co-founded by a U.S.-licensed physician, launched...
America.gov: New AI Tool Streamlines Government Navigation for Small Businesses - Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
By Karen Kerrigan – For small business owners and those entrepreneurs just launching businesses, a frustrating aspect of dealing with government is often trying to figure out the rules and navigating websites to find the right information. A new federal AI-powered tool, America.gov, could make that process significantly easier. Launched on September 29, America.gov is […]
Dear Abby | Family gatherings marred by hate speech
Dear Abby: All members of my family are white. When my children were smaller, an incident occurred at a family holiday. One relative has a history of making racist comments,
‘Brave from the beginning’: 20 years of Friday Night Lights – the sports drama that dared to be different
It launched the careers of Jesse Plemons and Michael B Drama, and let its stars improvise in a way that was fresh and new. This show about smalltown US football was confident, trailblazing – and wonderful
Change to bankruptcy law may help speed up, give relief to small biz
Small businesses may get an easier path to restructure their debt faster while offering greater flexibility in negotiating with creditors under a change in law waiting President Trump's approval.
Weight Loss Drugs Give Restaurants a New Hurdle: Diners Who Eat Less
Fewer orders and higher costs are squeezing restaurants big and small as people on the weight-loss drugs eat and drink less when dining out.
Latvians vote for a new parliament as fears of Russian hybrid attacks loom
RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Latvians are electing a new parliament on Saturday as pro-Ukraine Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs seeks a full term. The vote comes as the small republic on NATO's eastern flank contends with growing concern about potential Russian aggression.
Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Users With AT&T Cellular Issue Need to Have Device Replaced
Apple today confirmed that a "small number" of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network have experienced an issue that causes the device to lose cellular service, thereby preventing phone calls, text messages, and data from working. Thousands of users complained about the issue across the Apple Support Community and other platforms.
Smaller walnut crop may be good news
USDA announced Oct. 1 that 2026 California walnut production is forecast at 680,000 tons, down 16% from the 2025 production of 809,000 tons. The preliminary estimate of producing bearing acres
Small businesses use Kalshi to hedge financial risks
An expert weighs in on how businesses are using prediction-market contracts to hedge against financial risks.
Contest-Winning Microscope Video Is Full of AI Confabulations, Scientists Say
The winner of Nikon's 2026 Small World In Motion contest said he used AI to post-process real video.
Small Business Administration Update on New Rules for Small Business Size Standards - Law Offices of Snell & Wilmer
By Brett W. Johnson, Carrie Schaffer, and Hannah Wolf1 Recently, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provided notice of a proposed rule, Small Business Size Standards, that would fundamentally restructure how the federal government defines a “small business.” The rule proposes new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries.2 On that same day, the […]
LA County Extends East LA Small Business Grant Deadline
Los Angeles County officials announced Friday that the application deadline for a grant program assisting small businesses affected by the Lineage Fire and East Los Angeles Oil Spill has been extended by one week, to Oct. 9. The Small Business Recovery Grant provides up to $3,000 to eligible brick-and-mortar businesses and up to $1,000 to […]
Apple confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max AT&T cellular issues, affected devices require hardware replacement
Apple has confirmed an issue causing a “small number” of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T to lose cellular...
ASUS ROG Edition 20 - Celebrating 20 years of Republic of Gamers
ASUS is celebrating 20 years, with its "Edition 20" products that are pure enthusiast excess in the best possible way, including a custom AMD Ryzen X870E board & AIO, GeForce RTX 5090, 3000 W PSU, open-frame case and pairing it with a high-end OLED into one beautiful showcase.
Delta Expo celebrates regional business, culture, entertainment
From live music and Delta food to shopping, stepping, books, and small-business showcases, Pine Bluff buzzed Sept. 25-26 as the first-of-its-kind Delta Expo brought businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and community members together at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Presented by the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce and visionary president and CEO Joni Alexander-Robinson, the two-day […]
Delta Expo celebrates regional business, culture, entertainment
From live music and Delta food to shopping, stepping, books, and small-business showcases, Pine Bluff buzzed Sept. 25-26 as the first-of-its-kind Delta Expo brought businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and community members together at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Presented by the Pine Bluff Black Chamber of Commerce and visionary president and CEO Joni Alexander-Robinson, the two-day […]
Small business marketing: Benefits and downsides of AI marketing tools
Small business owners shared how they actually use AI to build and sustain a marketing strategy, as well as where it falls short.
Studying Science in an Anti-Scientific Time
This Chronicle Review Deep Cut was first published in 2025. By Julianne Werlin Thanks for reading The Chronicle Review! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe The last two decades have not been kind to science studies. Already bruised and battered by the “science wars” of the 1990s, by the 2000s sociologists of science — who had long argued that science had to be understood in its human context — were encountering the funhouse-mirror version of their own views in right-wing critiques of climate scientists. It was enough to give some prominent scholars pause. “Was I wrong to participate in the invention of this field known as science studies?” asked Bruno Latour, the most famous sociologist of science in the world, in 2003. “Should we apologize for having been wrong all along? Or should we rather bring the sword of criticism to criticism itself and do a bit of soul-searching here: What were we really after when we were so intent on showing the social construction of scientific facts?” In response, Latour proposed a change of method and attitude. Science studies, now chastened and contrite, would no longer seek to strip facts of their authority, but to enrich and enhance them. What this meant in practice was never fully clear. But his diagnosis of problems resonated, even if his solutions did not. Latour’s exercise in public hand-wringing signaled a shift in mood. By 2016, with the first election of Donald Trump, the idea that skepticism of science was a right-wing position, not a left-wing one, had become a commonplace, discussed eagerly in The New York Times. For liberals, vaccine denial during the Covid era and Trump’s second-term attacks on the funding of scientific research, covered extensively in these pages, added a new urgency to the defense of science on both practical and principled grounds. There was little appetite for a sociology or philosophy of science that emphasized the messiness and missteps of the scientific process rather than its integrity and triumphs. The distinguished historian of science Peter Dear’s new book, The World as We Know It: From Natural Philosophy to Modern Science (Princeton University Press, 2025), which seeks to tell the story of 18th- and 19th-century science for a general public, may seem comfortably remote from these bitter contests. In its 16 short chapters, Dear draws swift, sure sketches of major discoveries from Newton to Einstein, ably guiding the reader through debates on stellar nebulae, animal taxonomy, atomic chemistry, evolution, and other flashpoints in the history of science. But though a work of history, Dear’s book must still negotiate our polarized present. In a blurb on its back cover, the historian of biology Lynn K. Nyhart alludes to the “present moment, when scientific knowledge is being swamped by misinformation and its institutions are under siege.” Dear himself, in his conclusion, refers to the “yard signs” and “bumper stickers” that proclaim “Science Is Real.” One antidote to both anti-science propaganda and to reductive slogans in science’s defense is a robust history and philosophy of science: exactly what Dear’s scholarship has long offered. But his new book illustrates how difficult such work has become. Dear, an emeritus professor of history at Cornell University, is best known as a creative and philosophically minded historian of the Scientific Revolution. His edited volume The Literary Structure of Scientific Argument (1991) analyzed the rhetoric of Galileo’s thought experiments to brilliant effect. Discipline and Experience: The Mathematical Way in the Scientific Revolution (1995) was a major contribution to the analysis of scientific experiments in early modern Europe and beyond, while Revolutionizing the Sciences: European Knowledge in Transition, 1500-1700 (2001), now in its third edition, remains one of the best overviews of the profound epistemological upheavals of 16th- and 17th-century science. But Dear has also ventured into later periods. Nearly two decades ago, in The Intelligibility of Nature: How Science Makes Sense of the World (2006), he turned to the 18th and 19th centuries to sketch a history and theory of scientific knowledge. Aimed at a generalist audience, Dear’s simple prose belied serious philosophical ambitions. Science, Dear argued, has two aspects: “natural philosophy,” the quest to understand the true nature of the universe, and “instrumentality,” the applied skills and technologies that allow us to manipulate the world for human advantage. Both strands are ancient, but the innovation of the phenomenon we call “science” was to yoke them together. As Francis Bacon wrote, “Human knowledge and human power meet in one; for where the cause is not known, the effect cannot be produced,” an insight typically abridged to “knowledge is power.” Or, in Bertrand Russell’s characteristically blunt phrase, science has two functions, “1. to enable us to know things, and 2., to enable us to do things.” So far, so conventional. But Dear took issue with this familiar story in one respect. Bacon’s formula implied that theory and practice could be fused in a single method. In fact, Dear argued, the quest to understand nature and the desire to manipulate it were coupled only loosely. They could come together, but they could also pull apart. Focusing on natural philosophy, the “knowing” half of the scientific circle, he used a series of case studies from cosmology, taxonomy, chemistry, electromagnetism, and quantum theory to show how theories changed over time, in dialogue with practice, but never reducible to it. Take the case of matter, the basic substrate of the physical world. In the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists not only disagreed about what it was, but also about how well it could be known. In 1789, the chemist Antoine Lavoisier dismissed speculation about the atomic composition of chemicals as “discussions entirely of a metaphysical nature,” as he sought to orient chemistry away from philosophical abstraction and toward laboratory results. But in the 19th century, atoms returned with a vengeance in the atomic chemistry of John Dalton, who wanted to explain the underlying structure of nature. It was not just that Dalton and Lavoisier had a different set of experimental results, or even a different theory, Dear showed. What counted as an explanation had changed. In arguing that scientific theories depended on their intelligibility to human beings with complex arrays of beliefs and commitments, Dear was in sympathy with science studies. Key figures such as the sociologist Steven Shapin emphasized the importance of psychological mechanisms like trust in the formation and acceptance of scientific ideas. But in focusing on the scientific pursuit of knowledge, not its politics or economics, Dear resisted the more cynical perspective of some of his colleagues. The Intelligibility of Nature strikes a very different note than Shapin’s collection of a few years later, Never Pure: Historical Studies of Science as If It Was Produced by People With Bodies, Situated in Time, Space, Culture, and Society, and Struggling for Credibility and Authority (2010), to name just one example. Walking a very fine line, Dear depicted science as driven at once by complex social dynamics and by the intellectual power of real discoveries. It was a testament not only to his own acumen but also to the vitality of the field that he was able to do so. Nearly two decades later, The World as We Know It returns to the questions broached in The Intelligibility of Nature. Like Dear’s earlier study, it begins with the Newtonian cosmos and ends with debates between Einstein and Bohr on quantum physics. Beyond its terminal figures, many of the same characters appear in both studies, including the naturalists John Ray and the Comte de Buffon; the chemists Étienne François Geoffroy, Antoine Lavoisier, and John Dalton; as well as Charles Darwin and Michael Faraday, among others. Its subject is nearly identical: As in The Intelligibility of Nature, The World as We Know It considers natural philosophy as opposed to instrumentality, here defined as the “desire to create a picture of what the world is really like — the world as God knows it — rather than simply having instrumental or operational control over it.” The two books also overlap in insights — and sometimes even in language. The reader who has learned in The Intelligibility of Nature that Buffon’s method of classifying animals “reflected his belief in the importance of the senses and empiricism in learning about nature (a doctrine associated with Newton and the philosopher John Locke)” will experience a sense of déjà vu on reading, in The World as We Know It, that the classification “reflects Buffon’s commitment to the epistemological stance of Newton and his philosophical underlaborer John Locke, who stressed the role of the senses in creating natural knowledge.” Later in the passage, we read that, “because of its stress on understanding the ways of life of animals in their environments, Buffon’s approach could almost be labeled (anachronistically) as ‘ecological.’” And again, “an anachronistic way of putting it would be to say that Buffon recommends an ecological mode of understanding.” Likewise, in The Intelligibility of Nature we read of Dalton that he was initially drawn to meteorology, and that: He did a bit of experimental work on these things, especially having to do with the water-holding capacity of gases, but his real interest lay in understanding what, at an underlying natural-philosophical level, was really going on physically.” Whereas, in The World as We Know It: He did experimental work on these things, especially concerning the water-holding capacity of gases — although not at a very refined level quantitatively — but he was continually trying to develop a theoretical conception of what was happening physically. The final full chapter of each book closes on the same resigned note. Intelligibility: These days, most serious work on the natural philosophical underpinnings and implications of quantum mechanics is performed not by physicists but by philosophers of science. Among scientific practitioners themselves, Bohr’s attempt to use instrumentality as sufficient grounds for a respectable science has met with a high degree of success. And again, in The World as We Know It: Bohr’s and Einstein’s concerns are now questions that are mostly discussed by philosophers of science rather than by physicists themselves. The marginalization of these sorts of questions amounts to the demise of natural philosophy, at least in physics, in the 20th century. Quantum mechanics “works,” and that’s good enough for most scientists who encounter it. Examples could be multiplied. When handling the same subject matter, some echoes are inevitable. Scholars should not feel that because they have written “Isaac Newton died in 1727” in one book, in the next they must describe him as perishing, expiring, or meeting his maker. But the repetitions of language and arguments (not to mention six reproduced images) threaded throughout The World as We Know It are more extensive than that. They should have been caught by Princeton University Press or its reviewers, and revised. Because the two books have so much in common, it is easy to see where they diverge. The World as We Know It is a less theoretical work than its predecessor. The sociology of knowledge that organized The Intelligibility of Nature has been reduced in scale and folded into readings and examples. The taut interplay between history and theory, which gave the earlier study so much interest, is there, but it is subtle. In the earlier book, the case studies demonstrated theoretical claims about the character and development of science. In the later work, each narrative of discovery is an end in itself. Insights emerge from the history, but they do not control the organization of the study. With the theory muted, it can be hard to understand the logic uniting Dear’s sprawling history of more than two centuries of scientific knowledge. The 16 brisk chapters cover an enormous amount of material. But the closer the volume edges to comprehensiveness, the more obvious the missing elements become. A chapter on “Institutions and Pedagogy,” describing the birth of the research university, illustrates the problem. Inserted roughly halfway through the book, the unnumbered chapter is designed as an “entr’acte,” in acknowledgement that it does not fit the study’s organization around scientific discoveries. Yet as Dear is well aware, no general history of the development of modern science can bracket its 19th-century institutionalization and professionalization. It was the 19th-century university, after all, that gave us the “scientist,” a term coined by the Cambridge philosopher William Whewell. Dear’s history of scientific discoveries implies a wider social and institutional history, but it remains largely subterranean, only occasionally extruded under the pressure of the narrative. It must be said that the balance is not all on the side of the earlier study. There are some advantages to the more historical, less theoretical organization of The World as We Know It. Dear’s accounts of paradigm shifts are remarkably lucid, no small accomplishment given that they span fields and centuries. He makes excellent use of the wealth of new scholarship on Darwin and his influences, to which he has himself contributed. It is satisfying to see puzzle pieces from Buffon’s natural history, Georges Cuvier’s animal taxonomy, Thomas Robert Malthus’s demography, and Charles Lyell’s geology recombined seamlessly in the Darwinian jigsaw. Likewise, Dear’s discussion of stellar nebulae, divided between chapters two and 15, shows vividly how Newton, Kant, Herschel, and Hubble reimagined insights and observations as they sought to discover whether the diffuse light that filtered through early telescopes was a glowing, gaseous substance or discrete but distant stars. Yet despite such pleasures, the book remains a more modest work than The Intelligibility of Nature. Dear has clearly not changed his views about the history of science. But in the two decades that have elapsed, the discipline and the world around it have changed, making it harder to write a sociologically and philosophically ambitious history of science for the general reader. That is a shame, because in the age of Silicon Valley and biotechnology, both the reciprocity and the tensions Dear identified between the epistemological and instrumental ambitions of science are more evident than ever. In recent years, some of the most exciting new books on the history of science in early modernity have focused precisely on this pressure point. Important studies such as Pamela H. Smith’s From Lived Experience to the Written Word (2022), James Poskett’s Horizons: The Global Origins of Modern Science (2022), and Vera Keller’s The Interlopers: Early Stuart Projects and the Undisciplining of Knowledge (2023) all shed new light on how early modern science negotiated the relationship between its instrumental and epistemological ambitions, or in Russell’s phrase, knowing and doing. There is every opportunity for a philosophically informed approach to draw new insights from this wealth of material. Dear, unfortunately, has not done so in The World as We Know It. But for future scholars of the history of science, his body of work over nearly four decades may provide just the model. Julianne Werlin is an associate professor of English at Duke University. Thanks for reading The Chronicle Review! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
Scientists seek new ways to protect Sierra Nevada meadows
Sierra Nevada meadows may cover a relatively small portion of the landscape, but scientists say they play an important role in supporting wildlife, storing water and maintaining biodiversity.
Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Strongly Praises Newcomer Kelly Oubre Jr.
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised new small forward Kelly Oubre Jr.
Aviation Business Flights
The General Aviation Network starts offering flights for small businesses.
How Digital Innovation Is Reshaping U.S. Small Businesses
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) report Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business examines the pivotal role that diverse technology platforms play in helping small businesses operate and compete.
AT&T on iPhone 18 Pro Max Issues: 'We Are Working With Apple'
In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is "working with Apple" to resolve iPhone 18 Pro Max cellular issues. "Apple has released a software update to address an issue that may affect calls, data, texts, and 911 calls on a small number of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max phones," an AT&T spokesperson said. "AT&T customers with an iPhone 18 Pro Max should update their phones now to the latest available software.
Idaho ranks second nationwide for small business growth
Idaho ranks No. 2 in the U.S. for small business growth with a 3.53% increase and 1,595 new businesses, according to OnDeck and U.S. Census data.
YPC annual gala set for Nov. 20 in Des Moines
Young Professionals Connection will host its 2026 Annual Gala from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at The Shop DSM in downtown Des Moines. This year’s theme, “Welcome to YPC,” will highlight what the organization describes as Greater Des Moines’ combination of big-city opportunities and small-town connections. The event will include dinner, networking, a keynote…
Federal Agencies Lack Data to Track Small Business Research Awards
Federal agencies awarded $4.4 billion in SBIR and STTR grants, but missing commercialization data obscure results. See what GAO says needs to improve.
Double-digit health insurance increases will hit individual and small group plans in 2027, again
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are facing significantly more expensive health insurance next year.
Double-digit health insurance increases will hit individual and small group plans in 2027, again
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are facing significantly more expensive health insurance next year.
A job layoff leads Hispanic family into filling needs in the community with help of the TROY Small Business Development Center
For Gilberto Laines and Jocabet Cortes, entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan, a loan or even the certainty that they would one day own a business. It began with work.
Why tracking business expenses matters — and how to get started
QuickBooks Free can help small business owners understand their cash flow, prepare for tax season and make informed spending decisions.
Small business job growth edges higher in September, Paychex finds
Paychex reports small business employment edged higher in September, with the Midwest leading growth and wage increases moderating below 3%.
Sustainable Seaweed Farming Could Boost Coastal Communities, Economies, and Marine Health
The cold, nutrient-rich waters off British Columbia and Alaska are home to some of the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystems in the world, featuring more than 500 known seaweed species, from smaller red and green seaweeds to towering giant kelp that can grow as much as 2 feet a day.
Small businesses are having their AI moment — and it’s exposing a services gap
Small businesses are moving from AI experimentation to structured adoption, making training, governance and workflow design more important than another AI license.
Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business
A new Chamber report finds AI use is leading to small business job growth.
Wilmington’s new Creative Hub brings artists, residents and small businesses together on the city’s West Side
The new space aims to connect Wilmington’s West Side community with arts and creativity while helping local artists and small businesses develop and grow.
Florida small businesses want more help offering retirement plans, AARP survey finds
'The survey shows employers want practical solutions that make retirement saving easier and more accessible for their employees.'
Political lies, part II
Another mailer, another set of outright lies. This one arrived today, and calls Prop. I a “nonprofit slush fund.” Prop. I “ties the city hand by requiring millions to flow to a small group of nonprofits such as those who wrote the measure with no requirement that they actually build housing.” That’s factually untrue. Prop. […]
Health insurance rates could increase 21%+ for Minnesotans in 2027
Minnesotans who buy their own health insurance or are covered through a small business could see significant rate increases in 2027. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the story.
Kauai small businesses still waiting for financial aid after Hurricane Lowell
Nearly a month after Hurricane Lowell devastated Kauai, struggling businesses are still waiting for help with unemployment numbers skyrocketing every week. Meanwhile, an application portal that was supposed to go
Celebrating Small Business: Crossroads
Brooke Luminelli missed out on learning ballet at a young age. She was 10 by the time she fell in love with the classic dance form.
De Pere woman takes leap of faith as small business owner
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Becoming a business owner was never part of Jessie Marceau’s original plan, but five years after taking a chance, she is helping families across Northeast Wisconsin n…
NASA SmallSats Launch to Advance Science, Technology, Orbital Operations
Three NASA-supported small spacecraft launched at 11:22 a.m. PDT Thursday to demonstrate new propulsion technologies, study how galactic dust and high-energy radiation move through galaxies, and advance capabilities for inspecting inactive satellites.
Small business owners beginning to adopt artificial intelligence, Fed study says
Small business owners are beginning to adopt artificial intelligence and are using the technology as a part of their daily operations, according to a survey by Heartland Forward.
Small business owners beginning to adopt artificial intelligence, Fed study says
Small business owners are beginning to adopt artificial intelligence and are using the technology as a part of their daily operations, according to a survey by Heartland Forward.
Wichita candle business owner indicted Covid-era loan fraud
Grand jury accuses Wichita woman of submitting false information to obtain pandemic-era small business loans
Double-digit health insurance increases will hit individual and small group plans in 2027, again
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are facing significantly more expensive health insurance next year. The average increase for individual and small group insurance plans is 17% for 2027, the state’s Department of Commerce announced Thursday, raising costs for the 203,000 and 184,000 Minnesotans covered by individual and small group plans respectively. Individuals and their families […]
Health insurance rates could increase 21%+ for Minnesotans in 2027
Minnesotans who buy their own health insurance or are covered through a small business could see significant rate increases in 2027.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy Responds to Health Insurance Rate Increases
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Commerce announced the health insurance rate increases facing Minnesotans next year. For 203,000 consumers who purchase insurance on the individual market, rates will increase between 9.9 and 21.1 percent; for 184,000 Minnesotans who are insured on small group market plans, rates will increase between 10.6
August power outages, Rivoli Theatre marquee, Indiana Small Business Program
On Tuesday, the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications met at the Indiana Statehouse to discuss the widespread and long-lasting power outages Northwest Indiana residents endured following severe
Rogers Completes Acquisition of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Will invest to build championship-calibre teamsWill invest to deliver world-class experiences to fans and customersBecomes global communications, ...
Oroville High School football forfeits remainder of 2026 season
Oroville High School forfeited its football season due to a small roster and concerns over student-athlete safety.
Arts and Entertainment Agenda, Oct. 2 to 5
Annual ‘John Denver Celebration’, Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 The annual John Denver Celebration, Sept. 30 to Oct. 4, brings fans from around the world to Aspen and Snowmass. Festivities include big concerts, smaller shows,...
Here are the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” winners
The voters have spoken in the NC Chamber’s annual contest for the “Coolest Thing Made in NC.” Carrier’s Chillers takes the prize in the large business category, American Honda Motor Co.’s FourTrax Foreman 4×4 in the medium business category and Old School Mill’s Old School Brand Hot Cocoa Mix in the small business category. Carrier’s […]
Marion shop named a finalist in Iowa small business competition
The Purple Wagon has advanced as one of five small businesses across Iowa competing to receive a $25,000 grand prize.
Dean Day of McNeese Small Business Center Earns National State Star Award
Dean Day, center director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at McNeese State University, has been named the 2026 Louisiana SBDC State