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Why You Move Matters When It Comes To Brain Health, Dementia Risk
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Aug. 20, 2026 (HealthDay News) — It’s been said that regular physical activity can help lower risk of dementia, but a new evidence review suggests that why you move also matters. Leisure-time exercise like walking, cycling, running, swimming or playing ...
US might look to Swiss for affordable universal health care
A local congressional candidate proposes a Swiss-inspired health care model to lower costs and improve access.
LG Display Introduces FLiPP OLED Technology, Improving Brightness By Up To 1.6X With Longer Lifespan
LG's FLiPP OLED technology offers 1.6x brightness, 2.4x lifespan, and 13% lower power consumption compared to FMM with enhanced manufacturing flexibility.
Volunteers team up with Trinity Health for hospice care
A group of volunteers in Grand Haven has been working for 12 weeks to brighten the days of those receiving end-of-life care. Volunteers say the small task of making flower bouquets is making a big difference for hospice patients and their families. (Aug. 19, 2026)
Why Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Is Down 6.2% After Profit Turnaround, Lower Guidance And CEO Change
Flutter Entertainment plc recently reported past second-quarter 2026 results showing higher sales of US$4.33 billion but a shift to a net loss of US$274 million, alongside lower full-year 2026 revenue guidance and confirmation of a CEO transition to Dan Taylor from October 1, 2026. The combination of rising sales, a move into losses, trimmed revenue expectations, and boardroom change presents a complex picture of operational progress alongside profitability and leadership uncertainty for...
Sea Aggie Researchers Make Evening Fun with Science on the Beach
“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it’s the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird JohnsonOn Galveston Island, beaches rank among the favorite environments to share and study, and, as Texas A&M University at Galveston faculty emphasized last week, are “More Than Just Sand.”A program subtitled “The Secret Life & Value of Sandy Beaches” drew more than 40 people to the Aug. 13 meeting of Surfrider Foundation Galveston, a local chapter of a nonprofit focused on the protection and enjoyment of oceans and beaches.The evening began barefoot with ecology lessons on the sand before moving across Seawall Boulevard for beverages, bites, and more beach talk at an area establishment. Drs. Guilherme Corte and Yasmina Shah Esmaeili show how a mesh bag is used as a sieve to separate organisms from samples of the sand. Credit: TAMUG Divisions of Marketing and CommunicationsNot far from where others were enjoying the attractions at Pleasure Pier, Drs. Guilherme Corte and Yasmina Shah Esmaeili introduced the ecologically curious to species living within the sediments.“When people hear ‘coral reefs,’ they immediately think of fish, live ecosystems, but when they think of sandy beaches, they think party, recreation, vacations – not coastal ecosystems,” said Corte, an assistant professor of marine biology in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at TAMUG.Shah Esmaeili co-founded the Gulf eDNA Network and works with Corte in TAMUG’s Benthic Ecology Lab.“Sandy beaches are indeed great places for leisure and recreation,” Corte said. “Let’s keep enjoying them, because they are awesome. But they are also full of life that we most of the time don’t realize is there.”The married couple soon had the beachcombers measuring the slope with PVC poles, searching for ghost shrimp with a stainless-steel pump, sifting for marine worms and sand fleas, and guessing which species would burrow fastest back into the sand once released.Away from the sand, the focus turned to research from Drs. Ashley Ross ’03, ’10, and Virgie Greb, ’25 and those words from Lady Bird Johnson reminding people that the environment isn’t separate from their daily lives.“It’s about things that we value, mostly our communities, strong local economies, outdoor recreation, cultural connections, and our overall quality of life,” said Greb, a proud BOI – born on the island – Galvestonian, who now works in Austin as a project manager for the Texas General Land Office. “Along our coast, these benefits are deeply interconnected.”Greb and Ross, an associate professor in marine and coastal environmental science with the College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies, have studied a variety of ways beaches and the sea are important to Galveston and those who live there. Drs. Ashley Ross (left) and Virgie Greb (standing at right) field questions after their presentation. Credit: TAMUG Division of Marketing and CommunicationsIn 2023, using three survey methods – online for Galveston County residents, in-person at beaches, and paper distributed via city water bills – they collected 732 complete responses, 53 percent from residents and 47 percent from visitors.Most were frequent beachgoers who gave the recreation value of Galveston beaches a “B” and rated amenities such as restaurants, lodging, shopping, and beach access highly. Lower rated were water clarity and restroom facilities.“It’s noticeable that primary residents actually rate water quality higher; they’re more tolerant of hard, turbid water,” Ross said, crediting them with better understanding the natural conditions with the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers bringing sediments and rich nutrients to the area around Galveston.Island residents also were more likely to understand that “clear” isn’t the same as clean beach water and to know that water quality is regularly tested. Clean means absent of disease-causing pathogens.“We need more education and outreach focused on water quality and the benefits of Galveston beaches and shores and water,” Greb said. “And it’s not just for tourism. There are a lot of people who are very lucky to live on an island with beaches and the bay.”
Business in California 'SUCKS': CEO shares experience
CEO at Digital Brands Group Hil Davis moved his company from California to Texas for lower costs. Davis says the lawyers in California are 'unfriendly towards business' spending thousands fighting legal work.
Meijer to demolish former 28th Street Flowerland for gas station
Meijer acquired the former Flowerland on 28th Street, with plans to build a new mExpress convenience store.
Rethinking the Pollinator Garden
Maegan Luckett, a recent alumna of the horticulture distance education graduate program and horticulturalist at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, explores how garden plant bed layout and selection impact bees and humans alike.
Launching PS6 and Xbox Helix at $1,000 could lead to a nearly 40% drop in sales over five years, analyst warns
Ampere Analysis has identified three ways Sony and Microsoft could keep prices lower…
Coffee drinkers have less fat, more muscle, and surprising hormone differences
Coffee drinkers may be getting more than an energy boost. A Finnish study found that people who drank more coffee tended to have less total and abdominal fat, more muscle, and healthier metabolic markers despite having similar BMIs. Higher coffee intake was also linked to lower levels of certain amino acids associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk.
Surging Unemployment Is Milei’s Biggest Political Threat in Argentina
President Javier Milei lowered inflation and poverty in Argentina, while eliminating its budget deficit. But the nation’s labor market is still mired in the crisis he was elected to confront.
What 3,600 adults with diabetes revealed about lifestyle and heart health
In 3,612 British adults with type 2 diabetes, greater adherence to the Mediterranean Lifestyle Index was associated with lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality over more than a decade of follow-up. Dietary patterns, physical activity, rest, and social habits all contributed to the observed associations, although the observational study cannot establish causality.
Pollen has a surprising problem — and honeybees have found a way around it
Honeybees can apparently detect when their food has the wrong balance of essential nutrients and adjust how much they eat to avoid potentially harmful excesses. They also transform pollen into remarkably well-balanced “baby food” for their larvae, revealing a sophisticated nutritional strategy hidden inside the hive.
Why AMC Entertainment (AMC) Shares Are Trading Lower Today
Shares of theater company AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) fell 3.7% in the afternoon session after it reported a spike in app and site outages during the “Dune: Part Three” ticket drop, on a weak day for risk assets. Forbes, citing Downdetector, said more than 1,000 outage reports came in after tickets went on sale, mostly against the mobile app — crash-on-launch, “Failed to fetch,” and rate-limit errors. The operational miss hit a high-demand IMAX/IMAX 70mm release and is a reminder that AMC’s app
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
The complaint alleges that the investigations into some of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions were designed to strong-arm the schools into cutting deals for political purposes.
40 looters ransack family-run California business during massive street takeover
Surveillance video shows 40 suspects ransacking A-Z Market in Bellflower after power tools were used to breach the security gate during a street takeover.
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities. That's despite government investigations the...
Green Mountain Care Board set modest rate increases for 2027 Vermont health insurance marketplace plans
This year’s rates represent efforts towards keeping premiums lower, while still aiming to account for insurers’ ability to pay out the costs of healthcare in Vermont.
Tijerina touts efforts to lower property taxes. Reality is more complicated
Tijerina is trying to oust longtime Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar in South Texas.
Why AMC Entertainment (AMC) Shares Are Trading Lower Today
What Happened? Shares of theater company AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) fell 3.7% in the afternoon session after it reported a spike in app and site outages du...
Politics drove antisemitism probes against Ivy League schools, DOJ whistleblower says
A Trump administration task force on antisemitism pressured universities into punitive settlements despite turning up little to no evidence of systemic abuses, a whistleblower says.
GTA 6 gameplay and map leaks see DMCA strikes, as confidence grows in their legitimacy
A series of GTA 6 leaks has piqued the interest of Rockstar Games followers. Videos feature Jason playing basketball and driving haphazardly around Leonida streets. The studio has sent DMCA takedown notices to users sharing the alleged in-game footage and a leaked map.
The Blood of Dawnwalker final PC specs are much lower, but upscaling is now recommended
The Blood of Dawnwalker now lists an RTX 4070 Ti for 4K 60 FPS Ultra with upscaling. Its earlier native 4K requirements called for an RTX 5090.
Green Mountain Care Board cuts proposed 2027 health insurance increases
Health insurance rates are still going up, but the Green Mountain Care Board has significantly lowered the amount of the increases
Bradenton Flower Shop marks decades of business in Manatee County
Family-owned florist has served the area for more than 30 years
Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities despite government investigations that were rushed and incomplete or that failed to establish legal violations by the schools, a former Justice Department lawyer ...
Whistleblower alleges political pressure in antisemitism probes of schools
A whistleblower is alleging that a Trump administration task force created to combat antisemitism pushed for settlements with Ivy League universities.
Hemp builds houses, economy and opportunity in one Minnesota tribal community
Hoping to diversify its economy beyond gambling, the Lower Sioux Indian Community has put its chips on hempcrete, a sustainable housing insulation. The operation is part of a quiet, national surge in Native-owned startups. But steep challenges remain.
Will CT’s new healthcare affordability measures lower costs?
Connecticut aims to penalize healthcare providers when cost growth exceeds state benchmarks. But federal changes could complicate the plan.
How one gardener's neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business
When Marisa Mender-Franklin walks through any of the nine flower farms she runs in Memphis, Tennessee, her first thoughts are of gratitude. Partly for the flowers and the bees, but mostly for the support of her neighbors.
Dozens ransack Bellflower business during street takeover, sheriff's department says
Sheriff's detectives today were investigating a burglary in which dozens of people ransacked a Bellflower business while a street takeover involving an estimated 100 to 150 vehicles blocked the surrounding roadway.
Roundup: Louisiana International Terminal / Ethane demand / Robot rush
Gateway to growth: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted the federal permit for the Louisiana International Terminal, clearing the way for construction of a major new container port on the Lower Mississippi River. Backed by Port NOLA, Terminal Investment Limited and Ports America, LIT is designed to handle the world’s largest container ships […]
Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Swings To Loss And Cuts Outlook, Is It Still Below Fair Value?
Flutter Entertainment (NYSE:FLUT) is under closer scrutiny after its latest earnings release showed a move from profit to loss, accompanied by lower 2026 revenue guidance and a planned CEO change later in the year. See our latest analysis for Flutter Entertainment. Flutter Entertainment's recent earnings miss, lower 2026 revenue guidance and move to a sole New York listing have coincided with a 1 day share price return of 3.14% and a 7 day share price return of 7.57%. However, the year to...
Less Inflammation, Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Science Says Drink a Glass of Orange Juice Every Day
Orange juice influences genes that control inflammation, blood pressure, metabolism, and blood sugar.
Cialis is an erectile dysfunction drug. Could it also help you live longer?
In some wellness circles, tadalafil is promoted as a longevity drug. There is evidence showing a link between it and a lower risk of death in men, but there are no well-controlled trials in humans.
Nature-inspired coating repels both water and ice
A PFAS-free coating could help protect aircraft, wind turbines, and power lines from hazardous ice buildup.
Hong Kong firm bets on Chinese open-weight models to rival CoreWeave
‘Neo-cloud’ provider Antimatter is helping businesses shift away from the US’ frontier AI models, promising lower costs and greater data sovereignty.
L.A. street takeover acts as cover while thieves ransack local business
Dozens of people ransacked a Bellflower business early Saturday while a massive street takeover clogged a nearby intersection, authorities said. Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s…
Hampton Beach business owners experience slower traffic, leaving some customers happy
As summer is winding down, Hampton Beach remains crowded, but some business owners in the area say the season is still not as busy as they would like.
Macau’s Paradise Entertainment warns of likely US$10.5 million loss in 1H26 on satellite casino closure, lower gaming machine sales
Macau’s Paradise Entertainment has warned that it expects to record a HK$82.6 million (US$10.5 million) loss in the six months
Top Admiral Praises Sailors but Concedes Hardships After Visit to U.S.S. Lincoln
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, acknowledged the difficulty of the carrier’s nearly nine-month deployment but said mental health issues were lower than on other vessels.
The ninety minutes! Moving day comes early in gloomy Galle
A rain-hit Day 2 in Galle turned into a frantic 90 minutes as Sri Lanka's bowlers struck in quick succession, dismissing India's overnight batters and bringing the hosts back into the contest. Devdutt Padikkal's 167 and a crucial lower-order stand kept India in control, but the pitch is beginning to offer the turn and bounce expected in Galle.
Business is blooming: First Street Flowers stand a hit in the Village
A typical Thursday morning for Hannah Lazarz is spent in her front yard with a pair of shears. She carefully picks out her next batch of flowers, snipping them at an angle and plucking off most leaves. Those selected are bound for bouquets and jars for her flower stand, First
Age slower without dieting: this cultural habit stuns scientists worldwide - Futura-Sciences
Savoring Culture: A Surprising Health Ally Picture this: according to a British study involving more than 3,500 adults, a weekly dose of culture—be it through visiting museums, browsing in a library, humming along in a choir, or wielding a paintbrush—was linked to knocking one year off participants’ biological age, and...
Intel Reportedly Splits Its Handheld Strategy As A Tiny 4-Xe3 Panther Lake Chip Targets The Budget Buyers Arc G3 Ignored
Intel is preparing a Panther Lake 4+0+4+4 SoC for entry-level gaming handhelds, potentially lowering prices below $800.
Gen Z is eyeing up ‘secure’ healthcare jobs to AI-proof their careers, but be warned: Chiropractors, doctors and paramedics are the unhappiest workers
Health care workers report burnout and lower job satisfaction. So Gen Z's safest bet might just be behind a counter, not a stethoscope, research suggests.
Politics: With no end in sight, Iran war draws mixed opinions from tri-state congresspeople
After Vice President J.D. Vance said on Friday that lowering oil prices has become the new goal for the United States in its ongoing war with Iran, oil prices rose
5 Harbor Freight Tools You Can Only Buy In-Store
This socket tool set, compound miter saw, drill/driver, oscillating multi-tool, and jet fan blower are only available in Harbor Freight stores.
Scientists reveal why walking gets so much harder with age
As we age, the body appears to sacrifice walking efficiency in exchange for stability. Older adults stiffen the ankle more with each step, which may help prevent falls but also forces the muscles to work harder while producing less forward motion. This leads to shorter strides, slower walking, and faster fatigue. Exercises targeting balance, coordination, and lower-leg strength could help preserve mobility.
Bank of America Finds a New Generation of Entrepreneurs Is Gaining Ground Fast
Gen Z is rapidly narrowing a once-massive generational gap as younger and lower-income Americans account for a growing share of new business formations.
Science Confirms that Heatwaves Don't Just Make You Feel Slower, They Actually Age You
New research suggests that heatwaves could speed up biological aging. Here's why.
‘Business critical’: why even Andy Burnham is taking his social media game seriously
The Guardian’s deputy editor of social platforms on why high-profile people and brands are deploying the power of TikTok to woo new followers
Treasury Wine Estates profit slides as US business reset weighs on year
Luxury demand for Treasury Wine Estates brands such as BV, Frank Family and Daou showed resilience, but lower volumes, weaker margins and the U.S. supply chain overhaul pressured fiscal-year results.
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Following Wider Losses Is The Fair Value Case Still Intact
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) has drawn fresh attention after reporting second quarter 2026 results that showed lower revenue and larger net losses compared with the same period a year earlier. See our latest analysis for Six Flags Entertainment. Following the results, Six Flags Entertainment’s share price has moved to $16.68, with a 1-day share price return of 1.46% and a 7-day share price return of 5.90%. However, the 90-day share price return is down 21.76% and the 1-year total shareholder...
Volunteer Develops Machine-Learning Tool to Identify Rare Clouds
Certain kinds of clouds are misbehaving – appearing more often and lower in the sky than they used to. To help identify the factors influencing these changes, scientists have asked people around the world with cameras to submit fresh images of these clouds as a part of the NASA-supported Space Cloud Watch project.
Trump asks Supreme Court to let White House resume ballroom construction during appeal
President Donald Trump's administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the White House to resume construction on its $400 million ballroom project while it appeals a lower court's order to halt the work.
Taking the stairs could protect your heart and help you live longer
Simply choosing the stairs could have surprisingly big benefits for your heart and longevity. A large analysis involving more than 480,000 people found that regular stair climbers were 39% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease and 24% less likely to die from any cause than people who rarely took the stairs. They also had lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
The Wild Lower West: Sustainability vs Ambition
In his first column of the new season, Dixey focuses on Rob Couhig’s recent sit-down with BBC Berkshire.
A Sunflower’s View of Totality
The Moon slid between the Sun and Earth to produce a stunning celestial show visible from Spain in August 2026.
West Virginia math and English scores top pre-COVID levels as science slips
West Virginia’s 2026 student assessments show math and ELA proficiency above pre-COVID levels, with math rising to 39% and ELA holding at 48%. Science slipped to 29%, while chronic absenteeism remained strongly linked to lower scores.
The Atlantic Ocean can handle more warming than expected
Scientists have found that the AMOC may be far more vulnerable to rapid warming than to temperature alone. When warming happens slowly, the ocean can adapt, but at faster rates similar to today’s, the massive Atlantic circulation could reach a tipping point at much lower temperatures.
Beer, wine or liquor? Massive study reveals which was linked to lower death risk
Heavy alcohol use raised death risk by 24%, but wine at low levels was linked to lower mortality than beer or spirits in a UK Biobank study.
Google’s Gemini 3.7 Flash targets coding and agents with a 50% introductory price cut
Google's own results do not show 3.7 Flash universally displacing higher-priced competitors. They instead suggest a model that has become substantially more competitive in coding and agent workloads while occupying a lower price tier.
Santa Cruz could lower speed limits near schools, business areas
In 2023, Santa Cruz County ranked worst in the state in reported cyclist deaths and injuries according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local) 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 Santa Cruz Council Chambers, 809
iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When is the Next Apple Event?
It is now mid-August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not expected to be announced until around March 2027, as part of a new launch strategy.
Americans want lower health care costs. This is how they'd get it
More than 4 in 10 adults cited the cost of health insurance as the biggest problem that needs to be fixed in the U.S. health care system.
NVIDIA GeForce NOW native Linux app leaves beta, Frame Generation gets lower latency
GeForce NOW for Linux is now officially available with an NVIDIA Flatpak repository. Cloud-side updates also target latency and CPU-limited games.
Sunflower Health Plan Maintains Strong Member Satisfaction Ratings in Annual LTSS Survey
Independent survey finds nearly 98% of respondents are satisfied with the care they receive from Sunflower and 99% report feeling safe with those who support them. LENEXA, Kan., Aug. 13, 2026...
Electrovaya: ‘Underlying Business’ is profitable despite missing earnings projection
Electrovaya’s third quarter revenue was not what company officials expected, but Dr. Raj DasGupta, Electrovaya’s CEO, is still bullish on his company’s future. Electrovaya reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 revenue of $17.7 million, missing Wall Street estimates by over $3 million and prompting a lowered full-year revenue outlook to between $70 million and $73 million. The […]
UK PM Burnham promises business help within 'difficult' financial outlook
Britain's government will do what it can to help lower costs for business but against the backdrop of a "difficult financial outlook", Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in an interview on Wednesday.
Hochul, Blakeman campaign in NYC with less than 3 months until Election Day
Hochul spent time on the Lower East Side promoting a food benefits program for kids, and Blakeman was in Flushing, Queens, with business leaders.
Trump officials tout Medicaid financing changes ahead of midterms
Republican-sponsored changes in Medicaid will lower hospital prices and Americans’ health insurance premiums, the White House contends in a new report.
The Trevor Project Condemns New Federal Rule to Restrict Health Care for Transgender Youth in the U.S.
Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonateResearch shows that access to transgender health care is associated with significantly lower rates […]
Education: New Hope, Caledonia schools among MDE’s Science of Reading awardees
Mississippi Department of Education recognized Caledonia Elementary, New Hope Lower and New Hope Upper Elementary Aug. 3 as Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading schools for the 2026-2027 school year.
My Dad Wanted Me to Take Over His Accounting Firm. I Built a $3.2 Million One Instead
Sherman Standberry's family business helps clients lower their taxes.
The U.S. Healthcare System is Already Mostly Socialized
Now that Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s open Senate seat, the outcome of this crucial race will depend mainly on two things: Whether Republicans succeed in demonizing El-Sayed because he’s brown and a Muslim, and whether they succeed in demonizing him as a left-wing radical. I will defer for the now the question of whether bigotry will be effective this year, although I will address it another day. What I want to address instead is El-Sayed’s signature issue — healthcare. Yes, El-Sayed advocates Medicare for All, a position the usual suspects denounce as “socialism.” I will get to the politics of his stance soon. Today, however, I want to talk about the substance. We should be clear that El-Sayed doesn’t even call himself a socialist. On the contrary, he explicitly disavows the label, saying “I’m a capitalist who just knows about capitalism”. In fact, as I explained in a previous post, the policies that El-Sayed advocates qualify him as a social democrat, not a socialist. Still, El-Sayed advocates a system under which the government would pay almost all medical expenses. Isn’t that socialism? Well, if that is the criterion then much of U.S. healthcare is already socialist. In fact, the government’s role is so large that U.S. healthcare is better described as partially privatized socialism than as anything resembling a free market. Let’s start with the raw numbers on health insurance, which pays the bulk of Americans’ medical expenses. Americans receive health insurance either from private companies or from public programs, overwhelmingly Medicare and Medicaid. Here’s what the breakdown of coverage and spending between private and public looked like in 2024: While a majority of Americans with health insurance get it from private companies, well over 100 million of us are covered by government programs instead. And these government programs pay more total dollars for medical bills than the private insurers do. Why do government programs that cover a minority of the population account for a majority of health insurers’ outlays? Mainly because Medicare covers seniors, and we’re expensive. Also, while Medicaid covers many younger Americans, disabled and elderly beneficiaries account for most of its spending. Even by the raw numbers, then, U.S. health insurance looks as much public as private. But that understates the government’s role: Private health insurance in the U.S. is both highly regulated and heavily subsidized. This is obviously true for the insurance coverage purchased by tens of millions of Americans through the exchanges established by the Affordable Care Act. But employment-based health insurance, which covers 161 million Americans, is far more of a government creation than most people realize. For employment-based insurance exists largely because of huge implicit government subsidies that come with major strings attached. Here’s how that works. If your employer pays you $10,000, that’s taxable income. But if your employer pays $10,000 toward a company health insurance plan that meets certain criteria, it isn’t taxable. That’s a huge effective subsidy, running at more than $300 billion a year. Take that subsidy into account, along with the more than $100 billion per year spent subsidizing policies purchased under the ACA, as well as the outlays on Medicare and Medicaid, and net effect is that the government pays for more than two-thirds of Americans’ health insurance. Granted, there are strings attached. Roughly speaking, employment-based health plans can’t discriminate based on medical history — that is, they can’t deny coverage to employees with pre-existing conditions — and they also can’t offer the plans only to highly compensated employees — a health plan that is only for the C-suite is considered taxable income. So given the restrictions of the federal tax code, employer-based health insurance is a lot like Obamacare, which also prohibits discrimination based on medical history and provides subsidies to make insurance affordable to lower-paid workers. The fact is that virtually all of private healthcare insurance is already well under some form of government control through regulation and tax subsidies. How should we think about this system? First of all, is Medicare socialist? Don’t tell anyone, but the way Medicare operates — it covers every senior’s medical expenses, whatever they turn out to be, while being funded by taxes that depend on one’s income — could be summarized by the old Marxist slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” And back in 1961, when Ronald Reagan was the face of a last-ditch effort by the American Medical Association to block the creation of Medicare, he denounced Medicare as “socialized medicine” and warned that it would destroy our freedom. In reality, American freedom survived until Jan. 20, 2025, while Medicare is immensely popular, with an 82 percent favorable rating in the most recent KFF survey. Medicaid, government health insurance for lower-income Americans, comes in at 73 percent. This is in sharp contrast to public views about private insurers, who are widely disliked if not hated and accused of denying essential care. Furthermore, if Medicare is socialism, then the whole U.S. health insurance system, with the government paying most of the bills and placing conditions on private insurers, is almost equally socialist. If you insist on calling any program the government pays for and regulates socialist, then U.S. healthcare would best be described as a partially privatized form of socialism. And one must ask, what is the point of the part that is privatized? Do private insurers add anything positive? Or are they simply parasites, skimming off money that could have been paying for care? The case for viewing insurers as parasites is strong. Many Medicare benefits are now delivered via Medicare Advantage, that is, plans paid for by the government but run through insurance companies. MedPAC, an independent advisory commission, estimates that last year Medicare Advantage plans were overpaid by $84 billion, thanks to practices such as “upcoding,” in which patients’ health problems are overstated to get larger sums from Medicare. Assessing the waste from employer-based insurance is harder, but most evidence suggests that private insurers have substantially higher administrative costs than Medicare does. Furthermore, the complexity of private insurance, with multiple payers all trying to deny care when they can, is a huge burden both on providers — doctors, nurses, and hospitals — and on patients. What do private insurers offer to compensate for these costs? One must go through intellectual contortions to avoid the conclusion that they are, in fact, parasites. Which brings me back to El-Sayed. In supporting Medicare for All, he’s basically calling for an end to the partial, parasitic privatization of a healthcare system that is already hugely dependent on public funding. When one looks at it that way, it’s not at all a radical proposal. Admittedly, the political lift requires overcoming the opposition to higher taxes to pay for Medicare for All. Political realism rather than economics was the reason I and many other progressives supported Obamacare, with all its complexities, rather than demanding an immediate move to Medicare for All. But the political calculus may very well have shifted since the 2000s, as Americans are fed up with a system of unaffordable premiums, rampant claim denials, and byzantine claim administration. Moreover, funding healthcare insurance through taxation would allow for a much more progressive distribution of the cost. That is, compared to the present system, middle-income households would pay less as high-income households would pay more. And the U.S. would stop wasting large sums on pointless administrative costs. So let’s be clear: El-Sayed’s healthcare platform is perfectly reasonable on the merits of cost, fairness and health efficacy. And with private insurers never more hated, while millions of Americans are losing their health insurance, 2026 may be its time. MUSICAL CODA
Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Lone Arranger
Read the release on Sen. Ernst's website HERE. Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Lone Arranger of Adams County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Lone Arranger has been in full bloom in Adams County for more than 28 years,” said Chair Ernst. "One bouquet at a time, Jessica has created beautiful arrangements for countless occasions – from displays for Governors Chet Culver and Terry Branstad to serving as a longtime vendor at the Adams County Fair. Lone Arranger is beloved for its high-quality products and attentive customer service, all stemming from hard work that has not gone unnoticed." Lone Arranger got its start as the “Flower and Garden Center” founded by Dale and Caroline Jackson out of their home. Over the years, the business passed into the hands of Larry and Sherry Archer, followed by Ros and Darlene Peterson. In 1999, Jessica Wilson purchased the shop after completing two internships there and earning a degree in floriculture from Kirkwood Community College. Today, under Jessica’s leadership, Lone Arranger has continued to grow its presence both locally and beyond. The shop contributed to the award-winning Rain Bird float featured in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade and has provided decorations for community organizations and events, including the Adams County Chamber of Commerce. The florist is cherished by Iowans for its versatility to cater to all events, including proms, weddings, and baby showers. Jessica’s “Operation Dream Closet” helps high schoolers in need access free prom attire through donations and has made an exceptional difference in the local community. Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award. ###
Flowers Foods seeks to divest Tastykake baked goods business, sources say
Packaged food company Flowers Foods is seeking to divest its baked goods business Tastykake, according to people familiar with the matter.
Someone Made a Terrific Deal in the Peacock/YouTube Premium Partnership…But Who?
(Welcome to the “Most Important Story of the Week”, my bi-weekly strategy column analyzing the most important (but often not buzziest) news story of the last two weeks. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. Please subscribe.) I hope everyone around the world suffering from record heat waves is doing okay. The temperature is already up in Southern California, but obviously not nearly as bad as parts of Europe. With a super El Nińo coming this year, I worry it will get even worse. Yes, we know what’s causing this heat—it’s the carbon, duh—but we really aren’t making enough progress. I’m not “environmental strategy guy”, but if I were, I’d have some ideas of what I’d try. Honestly, for years I’ve been intrigued by the work of the folks at MEER—whose plan, super simply, is to put up mirrors to reflect heat (while continuing the important work of decarbonization)—but I’m frustrated this idea hasn’t made more progress. (Other geo-engineering groups seem to get better press.) With heat like this—cancelling events, hurting economies and, most importantly, killing people—it seems like the time to push solutions! The “mirrors on the ground” solution has barely been tried.1 While entertainment companies may not “feel the heat”, lots of outdoors/experiential industries—concerts, theme parks and so on—will. Even movie theaters could benefit, since mirrors could help lower AC costs, which I imagine is not an insignificant expense, especially in the hotter areas of the country. So I do think the entertainment industry should prioritize this issue. Anyways, let’s get back into the entertainment strategy. I was about to write, “Hey, this week we don’t have any mergers and entertainment news to dive into,” but that’s not really true, since we had more updates on Paramount-Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. But the big story of the week involves a streamer and a Big Tech platform bundling their respective streamers. So I’ll write about the updates on Paramount buying Warner Bros., Versant making some moves, and a whole lot more. But we start with a surprising deal: Peacock licensing their content to YouTube Premium. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - Peacock’s Pricey Premium Partnership The story of the week is Comcast’s2 NBC-Universal’s Peacock making a deal with Google’s YouTube’s YouTube Premium subscription product to embed their content. And I’ll say this up front: Someone made a terrific deal. The question is who. And I’ll be honest: I don’t know. Let me explain why, including why this deal exists, the pros and cons for each side, the biggest unknown, and what that says about the streaming wars. Customers Love Bundles (But YouTube Has Its Own Issues) We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… Why customers love bundles… But why I’m worried about YouTube’s integration... How Peacock is trading scale for control… And the reason they likely made this deal... The odd budget math for this deal... Whether or not I think the Paramount-Skydance/WBD deal is more likely after the latest settlement... Versant making moves and why that’s good for Hollywood… Another distributor going out of business… ...and a whole lot more! ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
What alcohol is consumed — not just how much
A study found that drinking wine in moderation actually lowered the chances of cardiovascular death.
Trump signs order overriding CDC vaccine schedule and breaking up measles, mumps and rubella shots
Order also recommends all shots be given at separate medical visits though cost of doing them together is lower
Minnesota Cannabis Businesses Grapple With Growing Pains
Minnesota's hyper-regulated cannabis industry is starting to bear fruit—er, flower. But uncertainties remain about whether operators have sufficient breathing room to build viable businesses.
Gen Z calls it ‘loud budgeting’ – small business owners have been doing it for decades
The practice of openly proclaiming to the world what you can’t afford can lead to lower fees, reduced prices and better deals
Science backs calls for limiting screens in schools
School device use links with lower test scores and distractions abound. But reversing the entrenched pandemic pivot to screens will be hard.
Good aliens, bad aliens and wisecracking wisdom — the best new science fiction books
YouTuber Sam A Miller reworks ‘Flowers for Algernon’ in a debut collection of future tales, while rebel groups hold out after Earth is invaded in ‘The Peace Child’
id Software's Chris Hays Says Morale Has Never Been Lower
id Software's Chris Hays reflects on recent XBOX layoffs, calling them inhumane and demoralizing while arguing executives are disconnected from game development.
Politics trumps science
Trump administration rules on federal science funding could make American research slower, costlier and harder to share.
Politics trumps science
Trump administration rules on federal science funding could make American research slower, costlier and harder to share.
USANA Health Sciences Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
USANA Health Sciences (NYSE:USNA) said its core nutritional business remained in line with expectations during the second quarter of 2026, while near-term challenges at its Hiya and Rise Wellness ventures led the company to lower its full-year outlook. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gue
Dietitians: 1 thing to avoid for better gut health, lower cancer risk
Dietitians say one type of ultra-processed food may be especially bad for risk of cancer and heart disease. More than half of us indulge in it daily.
Small school districts in Florida band together to lower health costs for employees
By combining forces, smaller school districts have found a way to bargain for better health insurance policies for their teachers by turning to a self-insured plan.
GLP-1s Like Ozempic, Mounjaro May Lower Fracture Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
A new study has found that GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, may help reduce the risk of fragility-related fractures in people with type 2 diabetes.
Seaport Entertainment Gr Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
Seaport Entertainment Gr (NYSE:SEG) reported its first quarter of positive operating EBITDA and positive non-GAAP adjusted net income in the second quarter of 2026, as the company benefited from improved operations, lower corporate costs, the closure of the Tin Building and payments associated with
Wine, beer, or spirits? Massive study finds a surprising health divide
A study tracking more than 340,000 adults for over a decade found that heavy drinking increased the risk of death regardless of beverage type. At lower levels, however, the picture became more surprising: beer, cider, and spirits were linked to higher mortality, while wine was associated with lower risk. Moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular death compared with people who rarely or never drank.
Oscar Health Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
Oscar Health (NYSE:OSCR) reported record profitability for the first half of 2026 and raised its full-year operating outlook, citing membership growth, disciplined pricing, favorable utilization trends and lower administrative expense ratios. Chief Executive Officer Mark Bertolini said the company
Seahawks' Jadarian Price: Dealing with lower-body soreness
Seahawks' Jadarian Price: Dealing with lower-body soreness
Auto loan refinancing: How it works and when it could save you money
Explore how auto loan refinancing works, when it makes financial sense, and how preapproval options can help lower your monthly car payments.
Ravens' Jesse Minter Offers Update on Scary Zay Flowers Injury
Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter revealed that wide receiver Zay Flowers suffered a significant injury during training camp.