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Mom-and-Pop Business Owners Grapple with Harsh Times
Report shows small business owners in NYS less optimistic about the economy. Taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now, they say By Aaron Gifford [caption id=attachment_11067 align=alignright width=300] Ashley Ranslow is director for New York state at The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).[/caption] Owners of mom-and-pop businesses in New York state have been less optimistic lately than their peers in other parts of the country, a recent report indicates. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), based on a survey of 11,000 of its members in the Empire State, reported that taxes, inflation, labor costs and competition from larger businesses are major concerns right now. “Indeed, while taxes are a major problem in New York and the United States overall, New York small businesses notably are struggling more with the state’s onerous, multi-level tax burden,” Ashley Ranslow, NFIB’s director for New York state, said in the July report. Compared with surveys of business owners in other states, far fewer New York respondents rated their businesses as in excellent or good health. The report also said labor costs here are about 25% higher than the national average and are the “single most important problem” facing businesses. One respondent to the New York-specific survey complained that too much red tape, taxes and laws that restrict high-yielding companies have stifled their operation’s growth. Others said high disability and workers’ compensation insurance costs, alarming increases in utility rates and excessive building regulations are discouraging. Statewide, New York has a gross domestic product of $2.53 trillion (third in the nation, followed by Texas, $2.90 trillion; and California, $4.25 trillion), a per capita income of $90,500 (sixth) and an unemployment rate of 4.6% (34th). There are 2.4 million small businesses that employ 3.9 million people. [caption id=attachment_11112 align=alignright width=451] Member of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce gather at one of the several functions the chamber organizes monthly. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed,” says Megan Wilmot, the chamber director[/caption] “New York state boasts one of the largest, wealthiest and most diverse cities in the world — and that’s still only about half the state’s population,” the report said. “In other words, the state is both its iconic city and so much more — geographically, demographically, economically. But New York is not without its challenges, challenges that include notably high taxes and other weaknesses that impact the small business environment,” it said. The report includes an optimism index that compares responses from New York (NFIB) members with those of their peers in other states across several categories. This ranges from plans to increase employment to expectations for higher sales, to plans to increase inventory or expand. The scores for Empire State business owners were lower in most categories, but they did score higher than the national average in noting that they have current employment openings, and that they are hopeful that the economy will improve. “The metrics so far paint a picture of a state with a series of challenges for small businesses, from a slightly below national average Optimism Index to a more seriously below national business health to very substantially below national Employment Index. What is going on with businesses that are creating these differences?” the report stated. In Central New York, the regional labor force comprises nearly 398,000 workers. The median household income here is $71,463, and the gross domestic product for the region last year totaled $61.3 billion, according to the CenterState CEO economic development and research organization. About half of the region’s labor force works for small and mid-sized businesses, although the number of people employed in that sector has decreased by 7% since 2010, according to CenterState’s 2026 economic forecast report. “While record-high employment in large-scale enterprises provides a strong foundation for Central New York,” the report says, “the long-term health of communities depends on a thriving small business sector to serve as a stabilizer.” Area employers identify several barriers to Central New York’s anticipated growth, including lack of specialized or skilled workers, government regulations, unaffordable housing options and long-term construction disruptions. In the city of Syracuse, the number of jobs in retail trade decreased by 1,500 or 4.7% between July 2025 and this past July. By contrast, the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector increased by 2.5% or 700 jobs, in the same annual period, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Still, there’s plenty of interest for new businesses across Central New York. U.S. Census figures show that the number of applications for new businesses in all four counties increased significantly in the past 20 years. In Cayuga County, there were 324 applications in 2005 compared to 470 last year. In Madison County, the number increased from 385 to 480; Onondaga County, from 2411 to 4132; and Oswego County, from 553 to 836. Downtown Cazenovia is exemplary of Madison County’s trend: In the past year, the village welcomed a bait shop, a thrift store, a vitamin infusion center, a pizzeria, a Pilates studio and an Italian restaurant. A candy store is scheduled to open on the main drag in the months ahead. Oswego’s list of interesting new businesses in the past year includes a bubble tea shop, a hot dog eatery in Fulton, a specialty grocery store that features New York state products in Mexico, a beauty and esthetics studio in Hannibal and a hardware and farm supply store in Sandy Creek. In Onondaga County, the Liverpool area has also enjoyed a steady stream of new shops and eateries in recent years. That suburban community is unique in that, unlike neighboring communities, most of the restaurants are family-owned and not part of a national chain. [caption id=attachment_11116 align=alignright width=300] Megan Wilmot is the executive director of the Greater Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce.[/caption] Megan Wilmot, executive director of the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said independent business owners in her community maintain a strong sense of pride in holding their own against national companies. The chamber helps boost morale with red carpet events, ribbon cuttings, coffee hours and five-year anniversary celebrations for participating businesses. “We have built such a strong community,” Wilmot said. “Everyone in this business community encourages each other to shop local. Everyone just wants to see each other succeed.” In Syracuse, the downtown retail occupancy rate last year was about 82%, a slight improvement from 2024, according to the Downtown Syracuse Committee’s most recent annual report. Buildings with the largest amount of vacant space included The Galleries, One Park Place, and Equitable Towers, though not all of those spaces are designated for retail use. New businesses that opened in downtown Syracuse last year: Better with Time Clothing, Dakshin Curry & Biriyani, Havana Tattoo Society, Milano Bean Café, Miss Daisy, Pausa Coffee, Sweets for Babe, The Society CNY and Yafah Beauty Studio. The Destiny USA mall’s occupancy rate decreased from 80% in 2023 to 72% by the end of 2024, according to Integra Realty Resources. That leaves more than a quarter of the mall’s retail space vacant. “Looking ahead, the retail market is expected to see minimal rent growth, with vacancy rates likely remaining stable in community and neighborhood centers but continuing to rise in enclosed malls,” Integra’s report said. “New construction activity is low and redevelopment plans for former malls like Shoppingtown and Great Northern are still in the planning stages. The proposed Micron chip plant may spur development, but challenges remain in finding co-developers for large-scale projects.” Nationally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce expects that small businesses will remain resilient and see their sales and revenues eventually improve. That organization, in a recent national survey, found that 25% of small business owners expect the economy to improve in 2027, while 45% indicated that they plan to increase employment in the next 12 months. And 69% said they believe their small business is in good shape and 70% said they are comfortable with their current cash flow. Thirty-one percent of small businesses reported raising their prices in July and 28% are planning to raise their prices within the next three to four months, the report said. Twelve percent indicated that this is a good time to expand their business. “Small business owners voice optimism for future revenues and hiring,” the report said. “High costs continue to be a wet blanket on reinvestment.” The NFIB reported in July that Main Street, despite gas price hikes, “is OK … for now.” Its small business economics trend report said sales across the country have been strong compared to last year, but continued inflation and higher prices from mom-and-pop establishments are causing some “cracks” to show. “If costs stay this high for much longer, reduced investment will have a tangible economic impact,” the report said. “The status quo is OK, but the outlook? The outlook is uncertain.”
Retiring from Farming
Start now to ensure your farm passes to the next generation Deborah Jeanne Post [caption id=attachment_11062 align=alignright width=405] Adam C. Howell, outreach director at Cornell’s NY FarmNet: “Retirement from farming is atypical planning,” he says.[/caption] Roughly 70% of family-owned farms will transfer ownership withing the next two decades, according to data from to the USDA census. Only 30% of those will remain in the family. The number of farms in New York is shrinking as the size of farms increases. In other words, there are fewer farms in the state, but they’re much larger. This is why succession planning is so important for family farms. A farm represents not only a way to make a living but a legacy and family tradition. Many families want to preserve the small farm segment of agriculture and the values it represents. Passing the family farm to the next generation can’t be left to chance. And it shouldn’t be left for “the kids to figure out” after the older generation dies. Succession planning in agriculture isn’t like other types of business retirement planning or personal final planning. “Retirement from farming is atypical planning,” said Adam C. Howell, outreach director at Cornell’s NY FarmNet. “Most farmers, their assets and the way they live and survive in retirement is tied up in the equity in the farm. Those conversations must take place a lot earlier than they think. They’re dealing with something asset-heavy that may require a trust and tax planning.” NY FarmNet offers farmers free, confidential consultation services regarding financial and business management, and family, and mental health support for farmers in New York state. It’s a program of Cornell University in Ithaca. Howell urges farmers to begin the conversation early. Most family farms are run by generations with the oldest generation most involved and typically with fewer of the middle-aged adults and young adults involved. Some of the younger generation may have off-farm jobs and not live on the homestead. “Different people have different expectations on their legacy,” Howell said. “Intergenerational conflict and discussions can be difficult. It may be good to check with NY FarmNet or Ag Mediation to help mediate these conversations with a third party. A lot of farms have broken up because people can’t decide how to divide things.” New York State Agricultural Mediation Program is a USDA‑certified, free or low‑cost service for farmers. Fair is not always equal. A sole owner simply stating that he wants to divide things equally among his children may leave one-quarter of the farm operation to an adult child who moved away and hasn’t sat in a tractor for decades. The three adult children who have toiled on the farm for 30 years may need to buy out the fourth, non-farming sibling but cannot because all of their money is tied up in the equipment, land and stock that supports their livelihood. Their payrate may not allow them to set aside much to buy out the non-farming sibling. As a result, they may need to sell parts of the farm off in order to keep it. However, doing so may limit their ability to sufficiently support their families. The farm owner may need to bequeath more assets to the farming siblings because their efforts have kept the farm going and without those assets and their work, the farm will cease operations. Howell advises seeking professional help on tax and legal issues. Without it, families can be exposed to expensive problems and infighting. A third-party expert can help farm families navigate what is truly fair in the family’s succession plans. Beyond the practical aspects of inheritance, succession also relies upon planning who will operate the farm and how. “I think it’s important that farmers understand the means and methods of farming are always changing,” Howell said. For example, many young adult farmers earn a degree at a school such as Cornell, SUNY Cobleskill or Morrisville, work on a different farm for a while and then return to their family farm with big ideas on how to improve the farm — if only their dad and uncles will agree. Intergenerational conflict is often centered on newer ideas such agritourism, online marketing and shipping goods. “It causes conflict,” Howell said. “A lot of it comes down to communication and respect within the family. If no one in the family wants to take on farming, what we’ll see is older farmers start to help trusted managers buy into the farm.” The middle-aged generation, now in their 40s and 50s, often struggle with wresting the helm from their parents. Howell said that many older farmers don’t discuss with their grown children their vital business information such as vendors, ordering supplies, pricing, recordkeeping and farm planning. They even claim that “the kids” aren’t ready yet. These gaps in cross-training may cause significant problems even before the older generation dies, if there’s an illness or injury. Howell urges farmers to document these processes and cross-train others on the farm how to handle these areas “to make sure if one person is incapacitated, the entire operation is not at risk,” he said. Mark Modzeleski, financial adviser, financial planner and president at Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY in Syracuse, advises families to talk sooner than later about who should be operating the farm. “Someone is driving the farm,” he said. “Have you decided who? Be honest when you have that conversation. Who do they turn to when there’s a question? Or who has the potential to be leaders?” Planning for leadership continuity is vital. Unfortunately, talking like this can become fraught with emotions if it’s only the family involved. Modzeleski advised finding a third party who can help drive the conversation. “Invite the right people to the conversation who can get you from point A to point B,” he said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint.” It may take sitting down a few times with an estate planning attorney who specializes in farm transition, along with a tax professional and others who can help moderate and plan. Family members, owners and possibly, integral farm managers should attend the meetings. “Figure out what you want your legacy to be,” Modzeleski added.
Business Beat : Tommy’s Express Car Wash “Tunnel of Terror” returns October 28th
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - The annual Tunnel of Terror officially returns to Tommy's Express Car Wash in Coldwater...
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin: I fundamentally believe in the sports betting business long term
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Brewers, Packers success is good for fans' health
A UW Health psychologist talks about the benefits of being a sports fan, especially when your team is winning.
Industry group head says Michigan's small businesses are stagnating
High fuel prices and added costs because of tariffs are making things difficult for a lot of people in Michigan. As Russ McNamara reports, that’s especially true for small businesses.
Trump heads to rallies in Arizona and Montana after campaign stop-off in Alaska
Trump has taken to campaigning in conservative-leaning parts of competitive states, rather than in more politically diverse areas
Matchday indiscretions
Any Newcastle United fans out there who have a bit of a social media presence may well be familiar with Toon Polls. This is basically a Newcastle fan who has created a monopoly on any polls conducted on X related to NUFC.
Apple bets AI can finally make us want a smart home
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Trust in science falls fastest among those left behind
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How to submit a mail ballot in Lancaster County
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Travis Kelce Is Doing Something Remarkable at 37 Years Old
Travis Kelce turned 37 on October 5th, and usually, that's about the time an NFL tight end starts thinking about life after football. Kelce's numbers suggest he's got other plans. Through four games, the Kansas City Chiefs veteran is averaging more yards per catch than he has in years, and Patrick Mahomes is still finding …
Las Vegas lands major convention for 2031
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Scientists may have finally solved the mystery of the Moon’s two faces
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Millard South’s Gustafson earns McAuliffe Prize
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Wood BOE sets new school boundaries, discusses behavioral health
PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Board of Education approved new elementary school attendance boundaries Tuesday evening but tabled a proposed $217,693.69 purchase of school signs to seek additional information and pricing. Additionally, they heard a presentation on student behavioral support. The approved boundaries will take effect for the 2027-28 school year at the new Vienna […]
Trump campaigns for ‘the real’ Dan Sullivan in Alaska
President Donald Trump traveled to Alaska to campaign for incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, whose race for reelection pits him against another man named Dan Sullivan. CNN’s Kristen Holmes reports.
Sky Hopinka's 'Powwow People' reflects a beloved community
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Entertainment Weekly Shares Sneak Peek at Billy and Sally's Wedding on The Young and The Restless
Check out the vintage glam!
Dept. of Health confirms travel-related dengue virus case on Oahu
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President Trump to rally in northern Kentucky Saturday
President Donald Trump is making his second political trip to northern Kentucky this year.
President Trump to rally in northern Kentucky Saturday
President Donald Trump is making his second political trip to northern Kentucky this year.
The PlayStation 5 Can Finally Play Your Old PS2 Discs - Here's How
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Trump rally protester attacked in act of ‘senseless’ political violence, Ohio mayor says
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Everett eyes small business tax relief in concert with new downtown stadium plan
EVERETT – For the first time in 24 years, the city’s Business & Occupation tax could be substantially revamped in […]
Dating app Bumble closes deal to sell for $1.3B
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Trump’s Fundamental Electoral Strategy is Violence
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After 40 Years, Physicists Finally Observe The 'Energy Ladder' at Quantum Tipping Points
"To see those predictions borne out is a beautiful thing."
‘The Diplomat’ Season 4 promises more political chaos — and plenty of marital drama.
"The Diplomat," Debora Cahn’s critically acclaimed political drama starring Keri Russell, returns for its fourth season later this week.
‘The Diplomat’ Season 4 promises more political chaos — and plenty of marital drama.
"The Diplomat," Debora Cahn’s critically acclaimed political drama starring Keri Russell, returns for its fourth season later this week.
SerpApi GC on Fighting Two Tech Giants and Keeping the Business Moving
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Blackhawks Assign Lardis To Rockford, Clear Roster Space For Bedard
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When 1 + 1 = 1: The Miserable Math Behind Many Media Mergers
(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.) The last few issues of this newsletter have circled two topics: September’s streaming viewership and all the Paramount/Skydance/Warner Bros./Discovery merger news. I’m happy to say on the Streaming Ratings Report front, we’ll be all caught up by early next week, then the SRR will come out on a tight weekly schedule. Then, after today, I’ll have slayed my PSWbD dragon. It’s such a big story, it demanded multiple issues. With the announcement of a name (just Skydance) and executive team, though, I think we can almost close the book on this story. In terms of topics, it becomes just another studio to cover. So today, I have one last set of takes on that merger. As I’ve sat with it, reading about who was staying and who was going, a big worry crystallized in my brain, and I gotta get that take out. Plus, I still owe you a host of “ugliness” that didn’t fit in my previous “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” takes. Let’s dive in! Subscribe Most Important Story of the Week - As Paramount Shuffles Deck Chairs, Will They Build or Consolidate? On social media—I try to avoid most social media platforms, but sometimes I end up checking in—the best joke I saw about the announcement of the new name of Skydance was from fellow reporter Claire Atkinson who pointed out… Yeah, I laughed out loud at that one. Later, though, I saw another Twitter response (that later got deleted, so I can’t shout the person out) that did give me pause. The person noted that the Titanic film made the better analogy: a super expensive project everyone in the town doubted that went on to conquer the globe. So yeah: on one hand, the image of the Titanic recalls the actual ship and its infamous end, but that clip is from a movie which proved the doubters wrong. So for all the skepticism of the latest massive media merger, one could wonder which way this one goes. Does it crash like the Titanic or rise to glory like Titanic, the movie? Either way, this deal is “Titanic”, looking at the massive debt required to close the deal, which is not going well when it comes to borrowing costs for Paramount… …or borrowing costs for Oracle. But I’ve started to get worried about another outcome: the sum of this merger will be smaller and weaker and less profitable than its former parts. In other words, one plus one won’t equal three or two, but an even smaller number. Skydance paid to take a traditional studio off the board, but they won’t really capture the upside. Let me explain what I mean, but first, let’s look at the series of news that inspired this thought. Skydance Sets Its Leadership Team As soon as the Paramount-Skydance-Warner Bros.-Discovery merger closed, the new leadership team announced a new name—Skydance, which I’ll use going forward—and a new executive leadership team. You’ve probably read through all the executive shuffling, but if you haven’t, here’s a quick, incomplete summary, in rough order of importance: Mattel’s CEO Ynon Kreiz—who previously ran Maker Studios—joined as co-CEO with David Ellison. HBO/HBO Max’s Casey Bloys will stay and run streaming. Former head of streaming for Paramount-Skydance Cindy Holland—who was also at Netflix—will depart. The former heads of Warner Bros.—Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca—are out. The film studios will be run by Dana Goldstein and Josh Greenstein. George Cheeks of Paramount will run Skydance TV, controlling all the TV production units. In comic book news, the DC films will still be run by Peter Gunn and Peter Safran. Lastly, the head of CNN, Mark Thompson, will stay in place. Let’s quickly opine on the particulars before diving into the broad ramifications. 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… Who I like and dislike in their next gigs… Why I think this consolidation will likely leave Skydance worse off… The math behind which mergers succeed and which don’t… A lot more ugliness in this merger… And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support.
Man, 20, allegedly confesses to stabbing coworker to death at San Rafael business
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Xbox is officially embracing the chaos of AI-powered game ports
Xbox Labs is a new group exploring emerging game technology
Cause of death revealed for “RuPaul’s Drag Race” judge and musician Lucian Piane
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*POSTPONED* Behind the Science with Paleontologist and Curator of Dinosauria Dr. Matthew Carrano
***Due to speaker illness, this event has been postponed. A new date will be announced in two weeks. If you registered for this program, please check your email for more information. We apologize for the inconvenience.*** Is the 21st Century the real Age of Dinosaurs? Today, more paleontologists are discovering more dinosaur fossils from more places in the world than ever before. Our understanding of these amazing creatures has leapt forward while their popularity has surged. Museums sit at the junction of these phenomena. The Smithsonian has been a center for dinosaur research for more than a century, and its collections include many iconic and scientifically important specimens. Today, Smithsonian researchers continue to discover new dinosaurs, but they are also uncovering more information about the ones we already know and love. New techniques and approaches allow them to investigate aspects of dinosaur biology, ecology, and evolution in ways that would have been inconceivable to early paleontologists. The result is an ever-improving understanding of dinosaurs as living, breathing, and thriving animals. This month, go behind the science with paleontologist Dr. Matthew Carrano, Curator of Dinosauria at the National Museum of Natural History as he discusses new discoveries at home and abroad, in the field and in the museum. Registration is encouraged. Space is filled on a first come first served basis. ---------------- About the Series: Behind the Science A monthly after-hours series featuring NMNH scientists and researchers Each month, join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. Come learn what’s happening behind the scenes and how science shapes our understanding of the natural world. Programs take place in Q?rius, the Coralyn W. Whitney Science Education Center. Topics and speakers announced on a rolling basis, but save the dates now!
Sabres list Dahlin as day-to-day, acquire 2 players from Penguins
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AI Designs Computer Chips We Can't Understand — But They Seem to Work Really Well
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Federal complaint alleges Rogers Behavioral Health illegally fired 6 workers in West Allis
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8BitDo Launches Ultimate 3C+ Wireless Controller with Thumb Stick Tension Adjustment and Extra Buttons
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Google makes it easier to launch your vibe-coded apps
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Six Flags Entertainment Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:FUN)
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Liquidity under pressure: 4 cash flow moves for Chicago mid-market businesses
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Jedd Fisch Provides Update on Demond Williams
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These 2 Friends Quit Their Blue-Collar Jobs to Sell BBQ. They Weren’t Making Money Until They Broke Every Rule About How BBQ Should Taste.
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Review: Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition (Switch 2) - Finally Gets The Treatment It Deserves
RPD-elightful
The politics of city rats: What urban rodents tell us about housing and sanitation
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Nvidia RTX 5090 Reportedly Dead, but It's So Expensive That It Doesn't Really Matter
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Como president opens up on key reasons behind success story
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Vice President JD Vance coming to Michigan Thursday
Vice President JD Vance is coming to Michigan on Thursday for a rally.
Two High Courts Grapple With Climate Accountability
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Recent Work: A Theory of Intelligence Metrics
“A standardized inferential method has emerged for SETI, archaeology, forensic science, and the historical sciences generally.”
Is Lack of Running Actually Real Madrid’s Biggest Problem?
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Australia: NSW Health warns against handling bats due to lyssavirus
NSW Health is advising the public not to handle, or otherwise handle bats, following a recent increase in people being bitten or scratched across the state. In the two weeks from 28 September to 10 October, 43 people were assessed by NSW Health after being bitten or scratched by bats. This includes in coastal areas in Hunter New England, the Mid North Coast, Northern NSW, and the Central Coast. This is a significant increase when compared with 10 reported cases of bat bites or scratches for the same two-week period in 2025. Keira Glasgow, Director in Health Protection at NSW Health, said, “We want people to assume that any bat could carry Australian bat lyssavirus, which is a close relative to the rabies virus and very dangerous to humans.” “If you see a bat that is injured or in distress, call your local wildlife rescue service and do not touch it. Only trained, protected and vaccinated wildlife handlers should interact with bats. “It is incredibly rare for Australian bat lyssavirus to transmit to humans, but once symptoms of lyssavirus start in people who are scratched or bitten by an infected bat, sadly there is no effective treatment. “If you are bitten or scratched by a bat, urgent medical assessment is crucial.” Rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) belong to a group of viruses called lyssaviruses. These viruses transmit via a bite from an infected ("rabid") animal. They all cause a similar illness known as rabies, which affects the central nervous system and is usually fatal. Rabies and ABLV infection cause similar symptoms. The early symptoms are flu-like, including headache, fever and fatigue. The illness progresses rapidly to paralysis, delirium, convulsions and death, usually within a week or two. Rabies cases and the three known human cases of ABLV infection have shown a wide variability in the time it takes for symptoms to appear following exposure to an infected animal (from several days to several years). The best way to protect yourself from infection is to not touch bats. If you see a bat in distress, injured or trapped on the ground, do not try to rescue it. Instead, contact trained experts. Outbreak News Today is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Trump revives debunked Haitian pet claim at Ohio rally, hits Omar after search
Trump visited Youngstown to campaign for the state’s Republicans on the ballot next month
An 194-Year-Old Tortoise Named Jonathan Is an Anti-Aging Marvel—and We Finally Know His Secret
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Trump rally crowd chants 'deport' as president rips Ilhan Omar after federal raid
President Donald Trump blasted Rep. Ilhan Omar at an Ohio rally as crowds chanted "deport" hours after federal agents searched the congresswoman's home.
Philadelphia sports teams enduring historically bad start to October
The only team in Philly that isn't doing badly is the 76ers whose season hasn't started.
Business Beat : Areal fall foliage tours available in Branch County
COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) MyFlight helicopter tours have officially returned to Coldwater for the autumn season, of...
Health-related product delivery on the horizon for Ohio State’s Grubhub Rovers
Ohio State Dining Services will partner with the Wilce Student Health Center to potentially use Grubhub Rovers to deliver health-related products to students, with hopes to launch around fall break to combat cold weather-related illnesses. Abby Hertzfeld, senior director of Dining Services, said health product deliveries should launch around fall break, Hertzfeld said. Jason Goodman, […]
Singer who dated Prince in the ‘90s says she couldn’t handle the musician dating around: ‘I wasn’t the only one’
Elisa Fiorillo, who dated Prince in the ‘90s and reunited with him to play in his band in the 2010s, recalled her experience being romantically involved with the ‘Purple Rain’ musician.
God Of War Laufey Collector's Edition Doesn't Include The Game, This Time On Purpose
After Ragnarok's special edition accidentally shipped without download codes, Sony seems to have taken inspiration
Live updates: Trump to rally for GOP candidates in Alaska
Live updates and the latest news as Trump rallies for GOP candidates in Alaska; White House press secretary Katie Zacharia holds her first news briefing; and Senate candidates in Maine, Georgia, and Iowa hold debates.
Jordan Spieth Confirms Health Breakthrough For PGA Tour Return
Jordan Spieth says his body is finally ready for competition after years of wrist surgery, marking a crucial stage in his comeback attempt.
Are sperm counts really dropping worldwide? A urologist explains why it’s complicated
Large studies have reported falling sperm counts, but the findings vary across populations. A urologist explains what the results mean for individual men.
Loneliness May Cost You Nearly 6 Healthy Years. Diet and Exercise May Not Reduce the Risk
A study of more than 277,000 adults found that loneliness and social isolation carry different health risks, requiring potentially different solutions.
Latinos Want More Than a Historic First From Xavier Becerra
California’s upcoming gubernatorial election includes a potentially monumental feat: Xavier Becerra could become California’s first Latino governor in over 150 years.
Are the clouds finally parting? New Mexico TV, film production business eyes better days
You might say the TV and film production industry in New Mexico has won simply by surviving a prolonged, worldwide slump in recent years.
This Economist Studied Millions of Business Owners. He Uncovered the Surprising Way Everyday Americans Actually Get Wealthy
Owen Zidar, co-author of the book founders can’t stop talking about, "The Everywhere Millionaire," sat down with Inc. to mine the largest-ever dataset on entrepreneurs.
Scientists Call For International Body To Oversee Advanced AI
In an open letter, the researchers said frontier AI models should initially be air-gapped from external networks and subject to independent oversight.
USTR Seeks Business Input on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
The USTR is seeking comments from stakeholders on the current and potential effects of the EU’s CBAM on U.S. producers, workers, exports and overall U.S.-EU trade. USTR is specifically requesting information on costs, regulatory burdens, EU market access, competitive effects and the possible impact of proposals to extend CBAM to additional downstream products
Trump targets Ilhan Omar at rally following raid on her home
President says Somalia, birthplace of the Minnesota Democratic congresswoman, is ‘one of the worst countries on the planet’
Belleville developers unveil plans for second half of sports, business complex
“There’s some hotels interested, especially with the playing fields,” he said. “That will draw quite a crowd to Belleville.”
Medicaid provider might end its coverage for Ochsner network, affecting 70,000
One of Louisiana’s four Medicaid plans might no longer cover treatment at the state’s largest healthcare network, Ochsner Health System, after Dec. 1, potentially affecting 70,000 people.
He just has an amazing heart. People don't really, …
He just has an amazing heart. People don't really, …
James Madison University jumps to a different athletic conference. Here’s the political question that’s not being asked.
The Dukes will move from the Sun Belt Conference to the American Conference by July 1, 2028. That should bring JMU more broadcast revenue, but will it reduce the school’s unusually high depen…
Therapy animals: a special support system for Olympians’ mental health – “They can really help emotionally”
From therapy dogs to furry friends, animals have become adored and adorable companions to Olympians and Paralympians across the sporting world.
Pope Leo in Rome hospital for lung surgery
Leo has been unusually candid for a pontiff about his health issues, disclosing the surgery to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.
Meet Iris Shen, the 17-year-old Texas student who used clams as a model for testing blood-cancer drugs, found a drug combination that slowed tumor growth, and won a $150,000 Regeneron Science Talent Search prize
Iris Shen, a 17-year-old student from The Woodlands, Texas, has earned third place and a $150,000 award in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search for an unusually creative approach to blood-cancer research. Instead of relying only on conventional laboratory models, Shen tested a potential cancer drug in clams to determine whether these animals could serve as an animal model for blood-cancer drug discovery.
CSU Theatre brings haunting tale of Dracula to life with a feminist twist
This fall, Colorado State University Theatre’s play was the classic tale of “Dracula,” written by Bram Stoker, but told with a feminist twist. Written by Kate Hamill and directed by Saffron Henke, CSU associate professor of theatre, “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” brought a whole new message to the original Gothic horror story, emphasizing women’s...
Tobey Maguire officiates wedding of ex-wife Jennifer Meyer
Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer finalized their divorce and were declared legally single on September 21, a decade after their separation.
Guest editorial: Don't put off needed change because of politics
Portions of this editorial were originally published by The Guardian and were distributed by The Associated Press.
Bryan Cranston shares statement on “Breaking Bad ”costar RJ Mitte’s death: ‘I’m in deep despair’
Mitte played Cranston’s son, Walter White Jr., on the critically acclaimed AMC series.
Small group health insurance market rates announced
Media Release, Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has approved 2027 health insurance premium rates for the small group health insurance market. As of March 2026, over 31,000 New Mexicans were enrolled in a small group plan. The average increase across small group plans is 19.8%. These rates take effect on January 1, 2027. The carriers offering small group coverage in New Mexico in 2027 are: Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (HealthCare Service Corporation) Presbyterian Health Plan Presbyterian Insurance Company UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company Key Factors Driving the Rate Increases The primary factors that contributed to the 2027 increases are: Claims Experience - Higher than expected 2025 New Mexico claims experience, which is the foundation for the 2027 rate development. Cost Trend - Higher utilization and inflation impacted healthcare costs services, which impacts medical services and pharmaceutical costs nationwide. Risk Pool Changes - Nationwide, businesses with healthier employees are opting for alternative health coverage not under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This results ina smaller and less healthy small group ACA risk pool. Final approved rates will be posted on the OSI website. To view the carrier rate sheets and rate increase specifics, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website here. The Rate Review Process Conducted by OSI The OSI rate review process focuses on approving rates for health insurance plans that are actuarially sound, not excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory and ensuring health insurance rates comply with all state and federal laws. For more information, visit the Office of Superintendent of Insurance website at https://osi.state.nm.us/en/. *** About the Office of Superintendent of Insurance The Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) is New Mexico’s regulatory agency responsible for overseeing a wide range of insurance products, including private health and life insurance, auto, home, business, and title insurance. OSI regulates private health plans in the individual, small group, and large group markets, ensuring that premium rates are fair, companies are financially sound, and health care insurance coverage is reliable. While OSI does not have authority over self-funded health plans, where an employer assumes the financial responsibility for paying employee health care claims, Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE, OSI plays a vital role in protecting consumers by reviewing premium rates, monitoring insurance company conduct, and licensing producers (formerly known as insurance brokers and agents).
Trump holds raucous Ohio rally as he tries to shore up base voters for GOP
President Donald Trump on Monday kicked off a week of red-state campaigning with a raucous rally in Ohio, where Republicans are fighting to hold onto a Senate seat that could be key to the majority.
Trump attacks Omar, blames Somali community for violence at Ohio rally
Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C., home on Monday. Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted the search. The Department of Justice said in a statement that the raid was
Trump jokes about candidate’s ‘ass’ at rally
During a midterms rally in Youngstown, Ohio, President Trump joked about observing Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s physique.
Maple Leafs Handed Roster Boost Before Mammoth Game
The Toronto Maple Leafs have received a boost ahead of Tuesday’s October 13 game against the Utah Mammoth in the final game of their Western road trip.Toronto defeated the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 during the weekend, but without John Tavares. The forward had been absent since October 9 for personal reasons, specifically the birth of his […] The post Maple Leafs Handed Roster Boost Before Mammoth Game appeared first on HEAVY.
Scientists uncover a hidden map of the brain with 539 distinct regions
Scientists have uncovered a hidden layer of organization in the brain by creating the first detailed 3D map of its lipids, the fatty molecules essential for brain structure and communication. By analyzing millions of measurements from mouse brains, researchers identified 539 distinct chemical zones, revealing patterns and boundaries that traditional brain maps have missed. Surprisingly, even white matter, once thought to be relatively uniform, contains a complex patchwork of chemically distinct regions.
Physicists discover “astonishing” property of light that defies expectations
Scientists have uncovered a surprising hidden ability of light that allows it to develop spinning, twisting behavior as it travels through empty space, without special lenses, mirrors, or materials. Researchers discovered that light’s internal geometry can naturally produce left- and right-handed patterns, challenging long-standing assumptions about how light behaves. By carefully arranging a beam’s structure, scientists can control where and how these spinning patterns emerge, unlocking a new way to manipulate light.
Takeaways from probe into Roger Marshall's medical billing
A Kansas City Star analysis found that as a rural Kansas doctor before voters sent him to Washington, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall charged an unusually high interest rate on patients’
Actor Selma Blair arrested and accused of abusing flight attendants
LOS ANGELES, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Actor Selma Blair has been arrested after flight attendants reported a "physically abusive passenger" on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to
Trading Christian Walker Could Solve Houston's Infield Problem
Is trading Walker actually worth it?
How worried should Catholics be about the pope’s health?
Pope Leo XIV announced on Sunday that he will undergo surgery this week to remove a “nodule” from his lung. The pope made the announcement at the end of his Sunday Angelus address, asking for prayers. “Dear all, recently, during some checkups, the doctors discovered a nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and was well-localized,” Leo said. “The doctors felt it was necessary to intervene, and so, following their advice, I decided to have surgery to remove it. The procedure is already scheduled for the next few days. I thank you for your spiritual support and I entrust myself to your prayers.” The Vatican press office subsequently added that Leo is scheduled to undergo surgery at the Gamelli hospital on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The pope is expected to spend up to a week in the Gamelli recovering, after which, for the moment, he is still expected to undertake his largest and longest to-date Apostolic journey, heading to Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru, beginning Nov. 6. Prayers have, understandably, poured in from dioceses around the world, accompanied by the best wishes of heads of state and international institutions. So how worried should Catholics be for the health of the pope? The Vatican’s messaging around Leo’s pending surgery is, in many ways, a new approach to papal health issues. But, despite the pope’s personal candour, the Holy See’s messaging perhaps raises as many questions as it answers. Subscribe — Leo’s decision to announce his own medical status and pending hospital stay during the Sunday Angelus is, it should be said, already something of a big deal. Traditionally, the health of popes simply hasn’t been discussed publicly or officially, until circumstances made it absolutely necessary. Memorably, in 2023 Pope Francis was rushed to the Gemelli in an ambulance, exhibiting signs of cardiac arrest according to many close to him, only for the Sala Stampa to put out a statement insisting he was merely going in for “pre-scheduled” tests. That Pope Leo has decided to announce his condition himself, with remarkable frankness, is a significant comms policy shift around the Apostolic Palace. This might reflect a deliberately more open posture, as opposed to the traditional, otiose evasiveness, and the first fruits of an American pope and American prefect of the Dicastery for Communications favoring honesty as a baseline. Equally, it must be allowed, it could be that the pope’s situation is serious enough that there would be no keeping it under wraps or playing it off, and the decision was made to be as open as possible to head off speculation about the papal health. Certainly, Leo appeared to make every effort to sound reassuring — stressing that, whatever the diagnosis is, exactly, it is “well-localized” and “early stage.” Of course, for everyone listening, talk of a “nodule” in a lung will immediately send thoughts — and prayers — running to concerns about words not used, like “cancer,” “tumor,” “begnin” or “malignant.” To be clear, none of those words may yet be medically appropriate. And there is every reason to believe and assume that Leo is giving almost as much information as he may have himself at this stage. But the context of the pope’s announcement and the timing of his surgery do reasonably raise reasonably serious concerns for Leo. We don’t know, and this isn’t to say anyone has the right to expect to know, when the routine medical checks made this discovery. It could have been last week, last month, or even earlier. As such, it isn’t really possible to say with what kind of urgency Leo is being brought in for surgery. However, there is clearly some serious urgency to the matter. Leo making the announcement and going into hospital this week, of all weeks, means he is having to miss the balance and conclusion of his global meeting of the heads of the world’s bishops conferences, which he convened in Rome this week. That, as the Vatican has announced, has meant some serious changes to the schedule, with the newly minted dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Tagle, subbing in for the closing Mass on Wednesday, and the meeting’s organizers announcing that the final working document/summary of the meeting being delayed until Leo can read and feed into it. Those changes suggest that the timing of Leo’s surgery isn’t of his own choosing, and he is acting on the best medical advice he can get by moving urgently. Had this issue been discovered weeks ago, it seems reasonable to assume the pope would have seen it dealt with before the meeting began. And were it possible to delay it, even by a few days to allow the meeting to conclude as scheduled, the expectation would surely be he’d have opted for that. It cannot be excluded that Leo is simply having to fit in with the schedules of his medical team, but a man who occupies arguably the most important and prominent role in Italy, if not Western Europe, could generally be assumed to be the one whose calendar others work around. All this points to a very recent medical discovery leading to a “days matter” diagnosis, or at least suspected possible diagnosis. Of course, another factor weighing in the balance is Leo’s upcoming apostolic visit to three South American countries, including a return to Peru, where he spent many years as a priest and bishop. It is entirely possible that the doctors, and the pope himself, are more concerned about the potential knock-on effects of surgery, and the time needed for recovery, for a 71-year-old — even one as physically sound and actively sporty as Leo. The pope is due to depart Rome November 6 for his 10-day three-country trip, returning on Nov. 17. It may be that Leo has simply made the decision to allow maximum time for his own post-op recovery, and even allow for potentially unforeseen circumstances, so that he is at full strength for the landmark trip. While it might be an inconvenience, and clearly a last-minute wrench in the works for the Amoris meeting, it is possible that Leo simply weighs the importance of that conference more lightly in the balance than even the possibility of missing his homecoming trip to Peru, or even having to scale back his itinerary for the trip. If that is the case, it would suggest a real abundance of caution by the pope approaching his Latin American tour, and a sobering indication of where Leo ranks the non-synodal meeting currently underway in Rome. In any event, what can be said for certain is that the pope having to take this, of all weeks, out of his schedule for surgery and an extended hospital stay is extremely unfortunate timing. It is clear that this is a decision Leo has made on the advice of his doctors. Together, they clearly consider that the risks of delaying, even by a little as a few days, represents an unacceptable risk for the pope. Even expecting and allowing for Leo’s full and speedy recovery, that should be a very sobering thought for Catholics everywhere. Subscribe
Trump rally brings business to local food trucks
A big event draws crowds, and food trucks usually follow. Two local businesses were ready for President Donald Trump’s rally Monday. They got prime spots outside the Covelli Centre and were r…
Mental health concerns emerge after Tamarac man accused of fatally stabbing mother
Neighbors say concerns about the suspect’s behavior were well known.
This era’s public health threat is digital (Opinion)
We addressed car safety through design standards, such as airbags. Policymakers could treat infinite scroll, autoplay, streaks, algorithmic recommendations as design choices potentially subject to similar public policies.