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☆ DeSantis’s Legislative Record
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Journal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Kim Strassel, Jason Riley and Dan Henninger. But as Mr. DeSantis readies a 2024 presidential campaign, what deserves to get more attention is the agenda he recently helped usher through Tallahassee. Mr. DeSantis is blessed with Republican supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature, so he can’t claim total credit. Some planks of his platform are controversial among conservatives, and others could prove politically unpalatable to a national electorate. Yet there’s no denying that Mr. DeSantis gets things done.

☆ Here's how much emergency savings you need amid economic uncertainty, according to financial advisors
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nirunya Juntoomma | Istock | Getty ImagesAn emergency fund is a key piece of your financial plan, especially amid economic uncertainty. But the right amount of cash depends on your household and occupation, according to financial experts. Most Americans aren't prepared for a financial emergency, according to a recent CNBC/Momentive survey of more than 4,000 U.S. adults. "Rules of thumb overlook a number of important factors," said certified financial planner Andy Baxley at The Planning Center in Chicago. However, a one-income household with "highly variable pay" may aim for nine months of emergency savings, he said.

☆ The pharmacy that quietly powered top startups in the hottest part of healthcare is trying to reinvent itself after losing customers and closing facilities
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Rebecca Torrence | Blake Dodge | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

"We were shocked," a former employee in Truepill's business development division said of the layoffs. Insider spoke with five former and two current Truepill employees about the challenges the company is confronting after a tumultuous year. Truepill was hiring employees rapidly, accumulating about 1,800 employees by the spring of 2022, according to one former employee in Truepill's business division. Since then, there's been a companywide push to inch closer to profitability, one of the current employees told Insider. It's also downsizing its Miami pharmacy, the current employee said.

☆ US credit card debt stands at a record of nearly $1 trillion. 5 moves to pay down your balance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

While balances are higher, nearly half of credit card holders carry credit card debt from month to month, according to a separate Bankrate report. Here's what experts recommend:Five ways to tackle high-interest credit card debt1. Snag a 0% balance transfer credit card. Cards offering up to 21 months with no interest on transferred balances are one of the best weapons Americans have in the battle against credit card debt, Schulz said. Ask for a lower credit card rate.

☆ An obituary for the Metaverse, the latest fad to join the tech graveyard
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Matt Turner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

On the agenda today:An obituary for the metaverse, the latest fad to join the tech graveyard. BlackRock is wrestling with who could succeed Larry Fink. Also read:Who will succeed Larry Fink? BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Thos Robinson/Getty Images for The New York TimeWall Street has long been fascinated by succession stories. CEO Larry Fink, now 70-years old, has the rare distinction of leading a Wall Street behemoth he helped found.

☆ Shifting to life post-Covid: How remote work transformed this city in the Midwest
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Michigan Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. said Cathleen Edgerly, executive director of Downtown Lansing, Inc., a nonprofit working on the culture and sustainability of the downtown. Lansing had the largest share of job listings in March with at least one day of remote work of any city, according to WFH Map. And an analysis by Bloomberg found remote work has cost Manhattan more than $12 billion annually. Lansing, Michigan, USA at the Michigan State Capitol during the evening.

☆ How to explore Greece's lesser-known islands like a local
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | Morgan Awyong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

But now it wants tourists to get to know lesser-known locations across its thousands of sprawling islands. Currently, Germany and the U.K. represent Greece's largest inbound tourism markets by revenue, followed by the United States, France and Italy. An eco-paradise surrounded by 24 islets, Lipsi forms part of the Dodecanese island collection in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Alonissos, SporadesDivers' delight Alonissos, part of the Sporades group of islands, is a diver's paradise and the site of Greece's first underwater museum. Alonissos, part of the Sporades archipelago in the northwest Aegean Sea, is known for its diving spots, including Greece's first underwater museum, the "Parthenon of the Wrecks."

☆ Here's the best time to redeem Series I bonds to maximize your interest
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Meanwhile, annual inflation rose to 4.9% in April, the smallest jump in two years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced Wednesday. But after a series of interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve, alternatives like Treasury bills, certificates of deposit or money market accounts have emerged as competitive options for cash. "You lose that last three months of interest," said Ken Tumin, founder and editor of DepositAccounts.com. watch nowIf you're selling I bonds within five years, it's easy to get confused by how much interest you're giving up. (You can find the rate by purchase date here and rate change by purchase month here.)

Researchers have also sought to quantify fairness and bias in AI models through various socio-ethnic parameters. For example, Stanford University's artificial intelligence index report scores for bias across AI models. It found a "counterintuitive" correlation between fairness and bias: models that scored better on fairness metrics demonstrated stronger gender bias, and less gender-biased models were more toxic. Driving AI technology advancements — being a "key player or enabler across the AI ecosystem to make businesses and society better." Some investors believe AI itself can help investors monitor and track ESG efforts by companies.

☆ How big companies are contending with a frenzy of demand for Ozempic from their workers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Demand for expensive weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy is soaring. Companies that foot the bill for their workers' health coverage are mulling whether to pay for them. Across the US, companies are facing a critical decision: whether to foot the bill for the expensive weight-loss drugs that have exploded in popularity in recent months. Andrews estimated that more than half the companies in the alliance covered weight-loss drugs. Andrews' comments offer a window into how big US companies are grappling with the rising demand for and high costs of weight-loss treatment.

☆ If Supreme Court affirms Biden student loan forgiveness plan, some college 'stopouts' may reenroll
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"The reality is that today's students work, they may have children or parents to support — there's an opportunity cost." watch nowStruggles for those with student debt, no degreeAt the very least, the Supreme Court's pending decision on Biden's student loan forgiveness plan will shed more light on the financial burden of college. Increasingly, borrowers are struggling under the weight of ballooning student debt balances. Forgiveness could prompt reenrollmentOn the flip side, loan forgiveness would reduce that burden, making it more likely that previously enrolled students would reenroll, according to Brown. "Loan forgiveness could be a key strategy to bring students who have some college, but no degree, back to finish their coursework," she said.

☆ In a new hacking crime wave, much more personal data is being held hostage
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Kevin Travers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gorodenkoff | iStock | Getty ImagesThe cybersecurity world faces new threats beyond targeted ransomware attacks, according to experts at the recent RSA cybersecurity industry conference in San Francisco. McMann said hackers are now focusing on stealing customer or employee data and then threatening to leak it publicly. At the end of March, OpenAI documented a data leak in an open-source data provider that made it possible to see personal AI chat histories, payment information, and addresses. The team patched the leak in hours, but McMann said once data is out there, hackers can use it. "For example, the LastPass breach saw one of four key individuals targeted on their personal computer, through a personal public IP address getting in through an unpatched solution," he said.

☆ As retirement age change sparks protests in France, here's what could happen in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Damien Meyer | Afp | Getty ImagesAn increase in pension retirement age to 64 from 62 in France has sparked ongoing protests. The U.S. could be poised for a similar change with the Social Security retirement age. Today, that higher retirement age is still getting phased in. People born in 1960 and later now must wait until 67 to receive their full "retirement age" benefits. For example, if you are eligible for a $1,000 monthly benefit at full retirement age, you would get just $700 per month if you started at age 62.

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Joe Biden has tried ChatGPT, Silicon Valley goes sober, and leaked Shopify audio
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

And Silicon Valley is catching on, too. My colleague Samantha Stokes did a deep dive into the growing trend of techies avoiding alcohol. Silicon Valley goes sober. My colleague Samantha Stokes examined this growing trend in Silicon Valley and gives some insight into the drying industry. In other news:Screenshot of Hot Chat 30002.

☆ Davos vs. Milken: Battle of the high-profile conferences
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Arguably the biggest financial conference of the year just wrapped in Beverly Hills. Insider's Dakin Campbell, who was on the ground at Milken, has a report on the five biggest topics discussed this year. Dakin's report got me thinking about how Milken stacks up against another high-profile conference: Davos. Milken is also designed, thanks to its namesake, with a keen eye on what the finance industry wants, he added. Click here to read more about the biggest topics being discussed at the Milken Conference.

☆ Making these 5 moves can help you save big on the massive cost of college
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sharon Epperson | In Sharoneppersoncnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

As the mother of a college sophomore and high school senior, I know thinking about paying for college is daunting. Financial aid is determined by income information that is not necessarily up to date. If your circumstances are now different, that should be brought to the financial aid office's attention, he said. If you're concerned about making ends meet based on the financial aid award letter your child has already received, you can still ask for more aid. "So performing well throughout your high school career is not only important for admission but also for scholarship awards."

"My belief is that we don't get inflation down to 2% without a recession," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. As the economy fluctuates, experts say there are several key risk areas that consumers may want to keep an eye on. That still leaves about 1.6 open jobs to every available worker, which is "very good," according to Andy Challenger, senior vice president at outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Pricey car loan 'quickly becomes untenable'Auto loan delinquencies are already rising, particularly for borrowers with weaker credit profiles, McBride noted. In 2022, consumers paid $133.1 billion in credit card interest and fees, a 23.1% increase from the estimated $108.1 billion they paid in 2021.

☆ Here's how the Federal Reserve's latest quarter-point interest rate hike impacts your money
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Federal Reserve Bank building Kevin Lamarque | ReutersWhat the federal funds rate means to youThe federal funds rate, which is set by the U.S. central bank, is the interest rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another overnight. On the flip side, higher interest rates also mean savers will earn more money on their deposits. As the federal funds rate rises, the prime rate does, as well, and your credit card rate follows suit within one or two billing cycles. With this rate increase, consumers with credit card debt will spend an additional $1.7 billion on interest, according to an analysis by WalletHub. Interest rates for the upcoming school year will be based on an auction of 10-year Treasury notes later this month.

☆ That simple 'hi' text from a stranger could be the start of a scam that ends up costing you millions
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

The scammer networks operate fake trading platforms that look "exactly the way they should look," Friedman told CNBC. "When I was looking at who had messaged, I was like, 'I don't know if this person is real,'" Kaimi told CNBC. When pressed, Kaimi told Mike about his financial difficulties, stemming from past credit-card debt. "I thought I was someone who knew when they were being scammed, was able to discern things," Kaimi told CNBC. But when Kaimi told Mike he was planning to withdraw his funds, the penny dropped.

☆ The Federal Reserve is expected to hike rates one more time. What that means for you
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"Yet another rate hike from the Fed means today's sky-high credit card interest rates will rise even further in the very near future," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. Cardholders should expect their current cards' interest rates to rise in the next billing cycle or two, he said. Auto loan rates rose to more than 6.5%Even though auto loans are fixed, payments are getting bigger because the price for all cars is rising along with the interest rates on new loans. Federal student loans are already near 5%Wavebreakmedia | Istock | Getty ImagesFederal student loan rates are also fixed, so most borrowers aren't immediately affected by rate hikes. Interest rates for the upcoming school year will be based on an auction of 10-Year Treasury notes later this month.

☆ 10 Things in Tech: Amazon Slack, industry extinction, and top EVs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Community: Inside Amazon's little-known Slack channel. And that's playing out inside an internal slack channel called #focus-and-pivot-info for employees put on performance improvement plans — also known as PIPs. Go behind-the-scenes of Amazon's little-known Slack channel here. Right as tech companies shrink their headcounts, AI is gaining popularity in the workplace, writes Insider's editor in chief for business, Matt Turner. Thousands of anonymous tech employees fretted over the future of tech compensation.

☆ Heading into retirement? Here are 4 key tips for mapping out a game plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Claiming Social Security benefits• Key deadline to watch: By age 60, you should go to the Social Security Administration website and review your statement, recommends Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at EBRI. When to claim Social Security retirement benefits is one of the big questions retirees face. At full retirement age — 66 or 67, depending on your date of birth — you will receive 100% of the benefits you earned. "The later you can file for Social Security, the better it is as far as the amount you're going to get," John said. While you may start your Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, eligibility for Medicare generally does not start until age 65.

☆ After being on pause for more than 3 years, student loan payments are expected to resume soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Three companies that serviced federal student loans — Navient , the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (also known as FedLoan) and Granite State — all said they'd be ending their relationship with the government. Impacted borrowers should get multiple notices, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. But if you can afford it, the standard repayment plan is just 10 years. To calculate how much your monthly bill would be under different plans, use one of the calculators at Studentaid.gov or Freestudentloanadvice.org, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit. If you do decide to change your repayment plan, Mayotte recommends submitting that application with your servicer before payments turn back on.

☆ Tart cherry juice is a key ingredient in TikTok's 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail'—but can it actually improve your sleep?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The concoction, which consists of magnesium, prebiotic soda and, the key ingredient, tart cherry juice, first blew up when wellness influencer Gracie Norton said it gave her the best sleep of her life. Tart cherry juice is often touted for its positive impact on sleep, but how true are those claims? Can tart cherry juice actually improve your sleep? Tart cherry juice has many different health benefits, and sleep can be one of them. Azizi Seixas Sleep and Circadian Sciences Expert at the University of Miami Miller School of MedicineBut that isn't the only reason why tart cherry juice may positively affect sleep, he says.

☆ TikTok is looking more and more like a record label. It’s annoyed many in the music industry.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Allbirds is one of the brands I'm looking at. TikTok is looking more and more like a record label. When TikTok launched SoundOn, a song-distribution and artist-services platform, some in the industry wondered whether it was trying to muscle its way into record labels' territory. TikTok is now looking to hire people who will "identify, sign, and develop new artists" as well as "design live show and merchandise strategies for artists globally." Get a front-row seat to TikTok's transformation into a record label here.

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