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Helena couple grows Mid Valley Farm into community driven farmstand business
What started as a small family garden in the Helena Valley has grown into a thriving local farm operation — and now, the owners of Mid Valley Farm hope a new farmstand will help connect even more people with fresh, local food.
Frozen for years, this tiny animal miraculously springs back to life - Futura-Sciences
Siberia’s Secret Super-Survivor In a remote corner of the world, where only the boldest humans venture and always with layers of insulation, a small amphibian takes coexistence with extreme cold to a whole new level. Deep within the boreal forests of Siberia—imagine endless spruces and a carpet of snow that...
Roberts United Methodist Church hosts Small Business and Entrepreneurship Round-Up
BATON ROUGE — The Roberts United Methodist Church held its Small Business and Entrepreneurship Round-Up event on Saturday, connecting residents to local businesses.
Michigan health insurers seek large rate hikes for 2027
The proposed rate hikes are slightly smaller than last year's, but still in the double-digits for many plans.
Spidery Drone Goes Near-invisible By Spinning Really, Really Fast
Researchers demonstrate that something interesting happens when a small drone with a spindly airframe spins at a high speed: it very nearly turns invisible. The spidery device is shown mounted in i…
5 Small Business Ideas You Can Start for Less Than $1,000
These small business ideas require minimal startup capital but offer plenty of room to grow.
A small-business mecca in Philadelphia is leaning into World Cup fandom
World Cup boosts East Passyunk businesses in Philadelphia, leading to creative block parties despite denied city permits and limited support.
Seneca Chamber Announces Small Business Award Winners
The Seneca County Chamber of Commerce recognized five local businesses and organizations with its 2026 Small Business Awards. This celebration highlights com...
The Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner closed Small Business Bank in Lenexa on Friday
The Small Business Bank in Lenexa was closed Friday by the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner after "ongoing operating losses resulted in the bank’s capital becoming critically undercapitalized under federal and state law."
New liquor liability insurance program promises affordable coverage for at-risk businesses
Hundreds of businesses have closed, citing struggles with skyrocketing insurance policies needed to sell alcohol under state mandates. A partnership is working to secure those small businesses in South Carolina's future.
Small businesses fear closures if Las Vegas moves forward with parking fee changes
Good Sports: Madera United puts small town on the big stage with championship
Madera United's U14 girls squad plays with a smaller team than most of its competition. Coach Jesse Zapata says his girls have the drive to make up for the numbers.
Proposal Would Allow San Francisco Small Business Owners to Unionize
Supporters say the plan would help give small business owners a break as rent prices skyrocket in San Francisco.
Historic Strand Theatre renovation aims to bring entertainment back to Creston
CRESTON, Iowa – As some small Iowa communities work to keep their downtowns vibrant, the new owners of the Strand Theatre in Creston hope restoring the historic building will create a new gathering…
Ranking Member Markey, Senator Hirono Reject Trump’s SBA Policy Proposal that Harms Underserved Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Letter (PDF) (Washington, July 17) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) submitted a comment letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) opposing a proposed rule change by Trump’s SBA to the 8(a) Business Development Program that would harm underserved small business owners and entrepreneurs. The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by Congress more than 50 years ago to level the playing field for small business owners and entrepreneurs who have faced discrimination in starting and operating their businesses. The SBA’s proposed change ignores the existence of historic discrimination that minority and underserved small businesses have faced and continue to face. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “SBA’s proposed rule ignores present-day barriers that entrepreneurs from minority and underserved communities face. Discrimination is not dead; minority entrepreneurs continue to face reduced access to contracting opportunities and capital, as well as racial threats and targeting, including unequal treatment, refusal by others to work with minority-owned firms, being called racial slurs, and bias in the workplace. These barriers lead to wide underutilization of, and less revenue for, minority-owned businesses compared to majority-owned businesses, as supported by decades of disparity studies. The proposed rule diminishes the history of systemic racial and ethnic discrimination in the United States by claiming that remedies for discrimination create discrimination in and of themselves.” The lawmakers continued, “The program has always been open to anyone who can prove they have experienced prejudice or cultural bias in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and other facets of our society. Nonetheless SBA has moved forward with the proposed rule. It lacks a reasoned basis, purporting that the federal government has discriminated against White Americans, but offering no substantive qualitative or quantitative data or research in support. If the examples provided in the proposed rule are the only basis for what constitutes discrimination to the agency, they are woefully insufficient. The final rule must provide strong evidence that there is discrimination against White individuals and show how the rule is narrowly tailored to address it. The record remains devoid of evidence of discrimination against White individuals on the basis of race.” Ranking Member Markey is fighting to protect federal programs that address historic discrimination against small business owners from minority and underserved communities, and for a small business agenda that ensures economic opportunity for all. In June, Ranking Member Markey released a statement condemning the SBA’s proposed changes to the 8(a) Business Development Program. Also in June, Ranking Markey released a new report highlighting Trump’s drastic reduction in federal contracting dollars awarded to American small businesses, including minority-owned small businesses. In February, Ranking Member Markey, alongside Senators Hirono and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-7), introduced the Strengthening Place-based Access, Resources, and Knowledge (SPARK) Act to spur entrepreneurship and increase access to capital and resources for underserved entrepreneurs nationwide. Ranking Member Markey previously held a field hearing in Roxbury, Massachusetts, to discuss how government and the private sector can come together to make entrepreneurship more accessible for underserved communities. Earlier in February, Ranking Member Markey secured funding with the Appropriations Committee for Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE Chapters, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and provisions to rein in the Administration’s attempts to eliminate programs that support women, veterans, and underserved entrepreneurs. In January, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to oppose rule changes that would gut protections against discriminatory lending practices that harm small businesses. In December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler expressing significant concerns with the SBA’s overly burdensome request and unclear guidance for extensive financial documentation over the holidays, as a part of their sweeping attempts to dismantle the 8(a) Business Development Program. In July and December 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator demanding answers about the Trump administration’s efforts to limit economic opportunity for American entrepreneurs, including immigrants. In May 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent a letter to the SBA Administrator rejecting President Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal and calling on SBA to immediately release funding for the entrepreneurial development programs, which include programs like the Women’s Business Centers and the Veteran’s Business Development Centers that support underserved small business owners. In April 2025, Ranking Member Markey introduced the New Start Act of 2025 to establish a five-year pilot program providing grants to support entrepreneurial development training for currently or formerly incarcerated individuals. In February 2025, Ranking Member Markey sent letters to the SBA Administrator and Government Accountability Office (GAO) condemning President Trump’s war on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies and asking how the SBA intends to implement Trump’s anti-DEIA executive orders. ###
'Not much we don't do' | In rural Ohio, a ministry started its own landscaping business to combat homelessness
Even though it can be hidden, homelessness still exists in small towns across Ohio. We went to a place in Clinton County that's doing something about it, despite a lack of resources.
Wagner's New Business Model
Wagner's leftover fighters run a tramadol empire in Central African Republic, fueling gold profits, militia violence, and ties to Sudan's war.
iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more.
Fed rate-hike voices swell before July decision, rates still seen on hold
Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack on Friday added her voice to a small but growing chorus of policymakers arguing the Fed may need to raise short-term borrowing costs to deal with persistently high inflation, setting up a charged debate at the central bank's July 28-29 meeting.
House Panel Examines AI's Impact on Main Street
House Small Business Committee examines AI adoption among small businesses. Learn how artificial intelligence is reshaping Main Street operations and policy...
8 Chicago officers face firing over federal small business loan fraud
The officers are among 28 cops accused of lying on government documents in order to receive funding meant to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Scientists create interactive screens that can appear on demand
Imagine reaching for a record or glancing at a map and seeing a display bloom from a small box, offering interactive guidance—and then vanishing moments later. A new device, inspired by science fiction ...
HelloNation Article Featuring Banking Expert Ozzie Hay Explains What Small Businesses in Rock Springs Should Know Before Applying for Commercial Loans
What should small business owners understand before applying for commercial loans in Rock Springs, WY? HelloNation answers that question in an article featuring insights from Banking Expert Ozzie Hay of RSNB Bank in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Genesee Co-op FCU joins statewide small business lending initiative
Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union joins Inclusiv Business Forward to expand affordable small business loans in Rochester and across New York.
GOP Package to Fund Iran War Runs Into Republican Doubts
The package is much smaller than the broader boost President Trump has been seeking, and its passage remains uncertain due to divides in the party.
Small business sentiment stable but cash flow concerns continue to rise
The quarterly Ipsos/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index in Q2 2026 is largely stable from Q1 2026
Philadelphia politics is shaped by low voter turnout.
Philadelphia’s low-turnout primaries and one-party rule let a small slice of voters shape who leads the city.
Watch UK's Burnham Pledges to Be 'Pro-Business' Leader
"I will be a pro-business leader of the Labour Party, as I was a pro-business mayor of Greater Manchester," Andy Burnham says in his first speech since formally becoming leader of the Labour Party. He will take over as prime minister from Keir Starmer on Monday.
Burnham Says He’ll Be a Pro-Business PM in London Speech
Andy Burnham said he’ll be a pro-business prime minister, in his first speech since formally winning an uncontested race to lead the governing Labour Party.
SpaceX IPO earns millions for US Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler
U.S. Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler multiplied the value of her investment in Elon Musk's SpaceX after she was nominated for the job, earning millions of dollars from the company's record initial public offering, a Reuters review of her financial disclosures showed.
All hail the World Cup town of East Rutherford, a deserving center of the universe
The small borough in northern New Jersey is about to host the biggest sporting event in the world.
Bizcap US Launches, Bringing Fast, Flexible Funding to SMBs
VICTORIA, AU / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2026 / Global non-bank funder Bizcap has officially launched in the US, expanding its international footprint and bringing its proven funding model to one of the world's largest small business markets. Already ...
Burnham to say his government will be ‘unashamedly Labour’ in first speech as party leader
‘Special conference’ to take place at noon where Burnham will be formally announced as Labour leader
Kansas City burglary ring leader sentenced as small business owners call it ‘a long time coming’
The alleged leader of a burglary ring that targeted more than 100 Kansas City businesses was sentenced Thursday.
EU Orders Google to Give Rival AI Apps the Same Android Access as Gemini
The European Commission today formally ordered Google to give third-party AI services the same access to Android device features that Gemini has. Europe's Digital Markets Act requires software makers like Apple and Google to grant equal interoperability to third-party apps and services, and the EC is enforcing it. DMA interoperability rules are why Siri AI won't be available in the European Union when iOS 27 launches.
GameStop CEO Says Physical Video-Game Sales Are ‘Irrelevant’ to Business
GameStop Corp. Chief Executive Officer Ryan Cohen dismissed concerns about the demise of physical discs for video games, insisting that those sales make up a small part of the company’s overall business and reiterating that his long-term strategy is to focus on gaming collectables and purchasing e-commerce giant eBay Inc.
Senators Coons, Lankford introduce bill to help unemployed workers start small businesses
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act today, legislation that would modernize the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program so that laid off workers can more easily receive their normal unemployment insurance even while working full-time to start […]
How street festivals help Oakland’s small businesses
From First Fridays to the Laurel StreetFair, business owners say Oakland’s rich roster of festivals drive foot traffic and serve as "stewards of public safety."
Is the stock market a good measure of Trump’s success?
It’s a metric that leaves out small businesses, not to mention many Americans
The Best Small-Business Payroll Software
Here are the payroll software providers that are highly rated and offer entrepreneurs peace of mind.
Series of break-ins reported at businesses in Harwood Heights strip mall
Darden Alum’s AI Finance Platform Lightens the Load for Startups and Small Businesses
For Michael Fajardo (MBA ’20), the word is a nod first to Michael Porter, the strategist whose Five Forces framework he studied at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. But it also meant something simpler: a person who carries the bags, lightens the load and helps someone keep moving.
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D Review
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D delivers fantastic gaming performance thanks to 3D V-Cache. Priced at $330, it offers more FPS than the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, at a similar price point. Energy efficiency is impressive with low temperatures, making it an strong choice for gamers wanting high-tier CPU performance without breaking the bank.
PENN Entertainment (NASDAQ:PENN) Shows Strong Breakout Setup with High Technical Strength
PENN ENTERTAINMENT stock shows a strong uptrend with a 7/10 Technical Rating and a high 9/10 Setup Rating, signaling a tight consolidation pattern near resistance for a potential breakout entry.
‘86 47’: How Trump’s war on dissent gave his opponents a political rallying cry
The president’s attempts to bury a meme — and his political opponents — turned a small bit of political speech into an international symbol of protest.
👓 No Smalls thing
And meet the Flyers' newest multimillion-dollar man
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Public Views on Fraud in Government Health Programs
As the 2026 midterms approach, health care costs remain voters' top health priority, but fraud in government health programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, is resonating with Republican voters, 55% of whom say it's extremely important for candidates to address. Most voters say there is at least “some” fraud in government health programs, but larger shares say there is fraud in the tax system, defense, and foreign aid, while the smallest share sees fraud in the ACA Marketplaces.
Poll: Costs Are the Top Health Care Issue for Voters in the Midterms, But Fraud Tops Republicans' List As Trump Administration Pushes Crackdown
Health care costs top the list of voters’ health care priorities for the midterm elections, though more than half of Republican voters say it is extremely important for candidates to discuss the issue of fraud in government health programs, according to a new KFF Health Tracking Poll. Most voters say there is at least “some” fraud in government health programs, but larger shares of voters see fraud in the tax system, defense, and foreign aid than in federal health programs. The smallest share of voters sees fraud in the ACA marketplaces.
New small business banking resource in Birmingham
New small business banking resource in Birmingham
Christmas in July Small Business Bash
Oak Park Church in Mobile is hosting its Christmas Small Business Bash!
SBA loans available for residents, businesses hit by April storms
Wisconsinites affected by severe April storms are now encouraged to apply for disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
3/4 of small businesses don't trust AI for basic tasks
Bluevine reports that while 74% of small businesses are using AI tools, 82% face barriers like data security concerns, and 78% don't fully trust AI for basic tasks.
Always.bank launches new digital platform + business hub in downtown Birmingham
🏢 NEW DOWNTOWN WORKSPACE: Always.bank launched a digital banking platform and opened BasePoint, a new downtown Birmingham office space combining small business banking with coworking areas.
Chicago Needs A ‘Small Business Bill Of Rights’ To Reduce Red Tape, Local Leaders Say
Ald. Desmon Yancy is set to introduce a resolution outlining policy goals for the city to lessen regulations, fees and bureaucratic delays for small businesses.
How to Address Philadelphia’s Low Density of Businesses
Small-business experts and advocates in Philadelphia gathered in June to discuss a confounding reality of the city’s economy.
CCIB names Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. as inaugural Indigenous Small Business of the Year Award recipient
TORONTO, ON, July 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) is proud to announce that Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) is the inaugural recipient of the Indigenous Small Business of the Year Award, in recognition of its work creating economic opportunities through Indigenous-led forestry, wildfire rehabilitation and environmental stewardship. CCR is an Indigenous-owned forestry organization representing the communities of Tŝideldel, Tl’etinqox, and Y
One small pen for one giant fee: Buzz Aldrin’s mission-saving felt-tip up for auction
Sotheby’s expects second man on moon’s marker, crucial to Apollo 11 return, to reach astronomical sum
Small business optimism picks up in June, survey says
Owners reported stronger sales expectations and better conditions ahead, even as inflation and hard-to-fill jobs continued to weigh on growth.
Here’s What Northcoast Thinks About Six Flags Entertainment (FUN)
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN) is one of the best small cap stocks to buy with the highest upside potential. Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN) received a rating update from Northcoast on July 8, with the firm initiating coverage of the stock with a Neutral rating. For reference, in its financial results for fiscal Q1 […]
Kane: DC should stand up for small business’ privacy
If it’s wrong to snoop on people overseas without a warrant, how is it right to snoop on American entrepreneurs?
Delaware County business owner throws out ceremonial first pitch ahead of All-Star Game
Shana Pistilli, the owner and founder of the Rubato School of Music, won the 2026 MLB and Mastercard Small Business Contest on Friday.
iOS 27: My favorite new iPhone features (other than AI)
The iOS 27 public beta is here, and the headlining changes are Siri AI and the array of new Apple...
Small Business Case Outcomes in U.S. Supreme Court Term
Small Business Case Outcomes in U.S. Supreme Court Term
Regulations Limit Possibilities for Small Business
Opinion piece highlights historic contributions of small business and how regulatory burdens limit small business’ growth potential.
Gold ‘Iran war participation trophy’ appears in DC for Trump
A protest group called The Secret Handshake placed a 10-foot-tall gold trophy on the National Mall for President Trump. In a press release, the group said the trophy is intended for de-escalating the ongoing conflict through “positive reinforcement.”
A small group of citizens rally for mental health coverage in Detroit
Detroit therapists and advocates protest insurance policy changes that could limit patient access to mental health.
Baseball fans celebrate the sport’s biggest stars outside Independence Hall ahead of All-Star Game in Philadelphia
The MLB All-Star Game starts at 8 p.m., featuring the best players from the National League and American League.
Small Business Administration pop-up office opens in Janesville to provide aid after April floods
The federal Small Business Administration officially open a service center in Janesville on Wednesday, launching a set of services for residents and local organizations hit by flooding and storm damage
Workshop gives Marquette County small business owners tips on hiring in the modern world
Topics included what candidates look for in a company and how to make yours more enticing for potential hires.
AI Is Quietly Fueling America’s Small-Business Boom
New U.S. business applications hit 5.6 million in 2025 and have risen 24% since ChatGPT launched, Citadel Securities reported in a July research note,
COCC Business Center Administrator Earns Pat Tillman Scholar Honors
Central Oregon Community College’s Keith Sherrill, who oversees the Small Business Development Center’s small business management program, has been named a 2026 Pat Tillman Scholar. The national honor, which recognizes leadership impact and service to others, awards academic aid to approximately 60 U.S. military service members, veterans or spouses each year. Fewer than 3% of […]
Poll: Small Business Only American Institution With Bipartisan Support
New Gallup survey shows that voters of all stripes mistrust banks, big business, tech companies, the media and Congress, but have enduring trust in Main Street.
Walmart Cuts Prices Again. Small Businesses Should Do The Opposite
Small businesses can't win a price war with Walmart. These proven plays from bundling value to building loyalty help owners compete without cutting prices
Small Business Optimism Picks Up in June
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.1 points in June to 97.4, nearing its 52-year average of 98.0. Expectations for better business conditions and real sales expectations improved substantially and primarily drove the rise in the Index. The Uncertainty Index fell 2 points from May to 89, remaining well above its historical average of
Small Business Optimism Rises as Oil Prices Moderate
Small business optimism increased in June, driven by owners’ expectations for better business conditions and sales, the National Federation of Independent
Senate Democrats Block Defense Bill Over War in Iran
The vote reflected how the political debate over the conflict in the Middle East has sapped bipartisan support for a normally popular measure.
Greater Milwaukee Foundation offers loans to disadvantaged businesses
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is offering low-interest loans up to $50,000 for local small businesses.
Britons urged to take ‘small steps’ to prepare for potential national crises
Government to launch campaign to help people cope with events such as weather emergencies or cyber-attacks
'State of States' analysis shows Florida outperforms in small business development
Insurance costs pose a challenge, but that's largely mitigated by low taxes.
GOVERNOR MEYER LAUNCHES DELAWARE COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
Governor Matt Meyer joined Delaware Division of Small Business Director CJ Bell to launch the Delaware Commercial Corridor Initiative (DCCI), a new statewide program designed to help small businesses improve their storefronts, buildings and operations while revitalizing Delaware's downtown and commercial districts. The initiative pairs targeted grant funding with capital from lending institutions to drive visible improvements. Through DCCI, the Division of Small Business will invest $4.5 million in state Strategic Fund dollars to help existing brick-and-mortar small businesses make property and equipment improvements that strengthen their businesses and improve the appearance of commercial corridors.
9th Circuit rules for California small-business owner in challenge to federal anti-money laundering rule
A Southcrest business owner challenged a rule FinCEN said was aimed at combatting money laundering
Leonard Spencer lands support from West Orange Political Alliance
Spencer touted his support for small businesses and investments in workforce development.
U.S. small business owners grew more optimistic in June but inflation worries are climbing
The NFIB's optimism index rose to 97.4 in June, nearing its 52-year average, as 21% of owners named inflation their top business problem
Trump administration claims healthcare fraud crackdown has saved taxpayers $5.56B in six months
A new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General shows most of the money comes from a small number of huge cases, where the federal government was able to reclaim hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid funds being abused by criminal defendants.
OnPay Named Best Online Payroll Service for Small Businesses by business.com
ATLANTA, July 14, 2026--OnPay, a leading payroll, HR, and benefits administration provider, today announced it has been recognized as the Best Online Payroll Service for small businesses in business.com’s annual review of the industry’s leading platforms.
Wisconsin's small businesses face headwinds to growth
Wisconsin small businesses aim to survive and grow.
This baseball newsletter is proving that smaller audiences are good business
By serving baseball’s biggest obsessives instead of chasing mass appeal, Lance’s Pitcher Notes is showing how niche media can thrive
U.S. Small Business Confidence Improved in June
The National Federation of Independent Business said its small-business optimism index rose 2.1 points in June to 97.4, versus economists’ expectations of 95.7.
US small-business sentiment rebounds in June, inflation a major worry for many
WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - U.S. small-business sentiment increased in June, but the share of owners reporting that inflation was their "single most important" problem was the highest in nearly two years, and more said they had raised average selli...
US small-business sentiment rebounds in June, inflation a major worry for many
U.S. small-business sentiment increased in June, but the share of owners reporting that inflation was their "single most important" problem was the highest in nearly two years, and more said they had raised average selling prices.
US Small-Business Optimism Rises by Most in More Than a Year
An index of US small business optimism rose in June by the most in more than a year as lower oil prices offered firms some relief.
Cleveland business trying to rebuild after alleged drunk driver crashes into building
Cleveland police said a suspected drunk driver lost control of her SUV early Sunday morning and slammed into a small business on the city’s west side.
Steph Curry’s Brother Still Unsigned Amid Warriors’ LeBron James Wait
Steph Curry wants to play with LeBron James, but his own brother remains unsigned as the Warriors hold off on smaller roster moves. The post Steph Curry’s Brother Still Unsigned Amid Warriors’ LeBron James Wait appeared first on HEAVY.
Empire Towers shutdown leaves Glen Burnie businesses in limbo
The lack of information has residents, small business owners, their employees' clients and customers feeling unseen, frustrated, confused and worried.
Opal’s Hallmark in St. Clair Shores is closing after nearly 50 years in business
A longtime small business in St. Clair Shores is preparing to close its doors after nearly five decades, prompting a rush of customers to stop in one last time to shop and share memories.
Uber Blew Its Whole 2026 AI Budget By April. Small Businesses Are Next
Uber spent its 2026 AI budget in four months. Anthropic built spend caps into Claude Enterprise. The cap-and-trace playbook small businesses need now.
The Quintessential Trump-era Politician
In 2020, I wrote an article about collaboration and collaborators. The title was History Will Judge the Complicit, and it started with the story of two famous East Germans, Markus Wolf and Wolfgang Leonhard, who both landed in East Berlin just after the end of the war. Although they came from very similar backgrounds, the former stuck with the regime, eventually becoming its spy boss; the latter, horrified by the brutal reality of Soviet-style communism, escaped. By way of juxtaposition, I also wrote about Lyndsey Graham and Mitt Romney. These two men also made very different decisions when confronted by Donald Trump’s assault on the ideals that they had both grown up believing: A glance at their biographies would not have led many to predict what happened next. On paper, Graham would have seemed, in 2016, like the man with deeper ties to the military, to the rule of law, and to an old-fashioned idea of American patriotism and American responsibility in the world. Romney, by contrast, with his shifts between the center and the right, with his multiple careers in business and politics, would have seemed less deeply attached to those same old-fashioned patriotic ideals. Most of us register soldiers as loyal patriots, and management consultants as self-interested. We assume people from small towns in South Carolina are more likely to resist political pressure than people who have lived in many places. Intuitively, we think that loyalty to a particular place implies loyalty to a set of values. But in this case the clichés were wrong. It was Graham who made excuses for Trump’s abuse of power. It was Graham—a JAG Corps lawyer—who downplayed the evidence that the president had attempted to manipulate foreign courts and blackmail a foreign leader into launching a phony investigation into a political rival. It was Graham who abandoned his own stated support for bipartisanship and instead pushed for a hyperpartisan Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden’s son. It was Graham who played golf with Trump, who made excuses for him on television, who supported the president even as he slowly destroyed the American alliances—with Europeans, with the Kurds—that Graham had defended all his life. By contrast, it was Romney who, in February, became the only Republican senator to break ranks with his colleagues, voting to impeach the president. “Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office,” he said, is “perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.” In the wake of Graham’s unexpected death on Saturday, I wrote about him again. He was, in many ways, the quintessential politician of Trump’s Washington, a man who shifted 180 degrees. Graham had been a fervent American patriot, proud reserve officer and military lawyer; he became one of the most important defenders of a president who believes soldiers are “suckers and losers” and shows no respect for law of any kind. As his politics changed, his language grew coarser and his behavior grew worse: He urged Israel to “level the place” in Gaza, and insulted the Danish prime minister in Munich, prompting a colleague, Senator Elissa Slotkin, to issue an apology. Here’s an excerpt from the article, which you can read in The Atlantic (gift link here) Like his close friend John McCain, Graham believed that America should stand at the center of a broad democratic alliance. The few times I met him were in that context, at the Munich Security Conference or at other European-American gatherings, which he once attended with great regularity. He also took seriously the practice of American democracy at home. In a 2014 conversation with The Atlantic, he described himself as a pragmatic politician who eschewed populist slogans. “I know Washington is broken, but what’s broken about it is everybody yelling and nobody trying to fix it,” he said. “I’m trying.” When Donald Trump first appeared in U.S. politics, Graham recognized him immediately for what he was: the spokesman for an alien ideology, one radically different from the idealistic patriotism that Graham had practiced and preached since childhood. Trump privately mocked the military that Graham loved as nothing but “suckers and losers.” He put falsehoods, cynicism, and personal greed at the center of his politics, while expressing disdain for transparency, accountability, and democracy itself. In 2015, Graham described Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” who should “go to hell.” Also as a “nutjob.” When Trump won, Graham understood, as did so many others, that he would have to make some important choices. For a while, he went silent. In the spring of 2016, I saw him at one of those conferences in Europe. He seemed too depressed to speak. But then, like many other Republicans—and, more important, like many other people who have lived under political occupation or experienced radical regime change—he made the decision to abandon his previous ideals, to bury the patriotism that was once so important to him, and to become, instead, a loud, opportunistic collaborator. As I wrote in 2020, it’s very hard to look in to anyone’s heart and to understand their motivations from the outside. But it does seem that Graham had a deep need to be relevant, to be in the game, to be a player, at any cost. And that, rather than any particular achievement, is what he will be remembered for. Continuing to monitor conflicts of interest, ostentatious emoluments, outright corruption and policy changes that will facilitate outright corruption. (Read my original article, Kleptocracy Inc and check out the SNF Agora Institute chart) June 27 Trump diverted funds from more than 900 projects nationwide—including safety upgrades at national parks—to finance beautification projects around Washington, including $700,000 used to fix a White House walkway. June 28 After a years-long Department of Justice investigation into Abbott Laboratories over its management of a baby formula facility where potentially deadly bacteria turned up enough evidence to criminally charge the firm, top department officials instead opted for a financial penalty—illustrating the department’s move away from strict corporate enforcement under the Trump administration. June 29 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stacked the Defense Policy Board—which is charged with providing independent national security recommendations to the Office of the Secretary of Defense—with Trump allies, including tech billionaire Marc Andreessen, who has invested in defense contractors like OpenAI and SpaceX, after purging the panel last year. Trump purchased between $1 million and $5 million worth of stock in Axon—which makes about 90% of US tasers—two weeks before ICE solicited bids for a $220 million taser contract. The White House unveiled limited-edition US passports for America’s 250th birthday, featuring a portrait of Trump overlaid on the Declaration of Independence. June 30 Trump made around $1.2 billion from his various crypto companies last year, including more than $500 million from World Liberty Financial and $600 million from sales of his meme coin. Trump is considering issuing 250 pardons to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. These are expected to be largely doled out through the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s informal network of intermediaries. White-collar defense attorneys say they can typically win pardons for clients for $2 million. Last year, Trump administration officials awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500 million to Clark Construction for the White House ballroom—negotiations in which the president was directly involved. July 1 The Amazon MGM Studios documentary about Melania Trump earned the First Lady more than $10 million. Trump made hundreds of individual stock purchases worth as much as $12.8 million the day before his announcement pausing “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days sent the S&P 500 soaring nearly 10%—one of the largest single-day gains ever. Mar-a-Lago and Trump National Doral saw record surges in revenue during Trump’s first year in office, earning $77.5 million and $121.9 million respectively, compared to average annual revenues of $25 million and $75 million during Trump’s first term. Entities across the Persian Gulf paid more than $300 million to Trump’s businesses last year, including $263 million from the sale of half his stake in World Liberty Financial to a firm backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a top UAE royal and brother of the country’s president. Kash Patel failed to properly disclose his stock purchase of a Department of Justice contractor, MicroStrategy, worth up to $250,000 last year, despite laws requiring disclosure within 45 days of the trade. July 2 Trump has been directing administration officials to steer more government contracts—so far worth more than $2.4 billion—to Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin aerospace firm, after Amazon gave $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, donated to the White House ballroom project, and reached a $40 million deal to license a Melania Trump documentary. Alongside the billions he made from cryptocurrency last year, Trump earned millions of dollars from real estate licensing fees, including $21 million from organizations in the UAE and $9.2 million in Saudi Arabia, along with smaller sums from merchandise sales, including $4.7 million from Trump Watches and $35,920 from 45 Guitar, a guitar brand endorsed by the president. House Democrats accused consultants tied to the Trump administration of financial fraud, alleging they gave prospective donors to America250—the bipartisan committee created by Congress to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial—the banking and routing numbers for Freedom 250, the White House’s fund for events like the UFC cage fight. Democrats also allege that Freedom 250’s CEO traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos to solicit donations from foreign government officials and business leaders. The Trump administration’s proposed rollback of gun regulations would lift the prohibition on mailing handguns to individuals, a significant win for GrabAGun—the direct-to-consumer firearm retailer on whose board Donald Trump Jr. sits and in which he holds a 1.1% ownership stake. GrabAGun currently must rely on a middleman to transfer firearms to customers. Trump’s financial disclosure revealed that he made more than 21,000 securities trades during his first year back in office, growing his investment account to at least $858 million across stakes in around 1,600 companies, compared to the 13 total trades Joe Biden made during his entire presidency. July 4 Nearly 1 million people who bought the president’s meme coin—Trump Coin—collectively lost $3.8 billion on the token, while he walked away with $636 million. July 6 Shares of Dell closed up 4.4% after Trump recommended people buy the firm’s computers during a speech announcing the launch of Trump investment accounts for children, boosting the more than $1 million worth of shares the president owns in the company. July 9 Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh named crypto investor and Trump ally Marc Andreessen to a task force aimed at modernizing the Federal Reserve, including rethinking its approach to inflation—a key factor keeping interest rates elevated. Palm Beach International Airport has officially changed its name to Trump International Airport—a move that will require Florida to pay royalties to the president’s family for licensing his name. I was there a few months ago, during a trip to Barcelona. The sculptures were a revelation, I’d never seen so many together before. Each one has its own personality. Enjoy the good weather, if you are lucky enough to have it. History Will Judge the Complicit The Quintessential Politician Autocracy Inc Open Letters, from Anne Applebaum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
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