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☆ How a ghostwriter makes $200,000 a year crafting tweets for superstar VCs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

We spoke with one tech founder who moonlights as a ghostwriter for prominent VCs, and rakes in hundreds of thousands of dollars — sometimes for a single thread. Below, we've got an inside look at the lives of Twitter ghosts, a job that, in one ghostwriter's case, is "60% shitposting." Top VCs are paying ghostwriters big bucks to craft tweets for them. This person — a founder of a tech startup — started ghostwriting as a side hustle, taking five hours out of his week to come up with original tweets. VCs, on their hunt for the next superstar startups, must establish themselves on Twitter, and write the kind of content that will get the attention of young founders.

☆ Here's how OpenInvest is upping JPMorgan's ESG game and helping the bank partner with more fintechs
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

OpenInvest, a sustainable-investing robo-advisor, has spent the past 13 months integrating into JPMorgan following the bank's acquisition of the startup in August 2021. Such products would include ESG and values-aligned investment strategies for JPMorgan financial advisors, along with proxy voting and philanthropic giving. Josh Levin, OpenInvest cofounder and chief strategy officer, told Insider clients are able to view things like how much carbon or tobacco the client has avoided funding. OpenInvest is helping JPMorgan work with other fintechsMurray and Levin told Insider that JPMorgan's acquisition represents more than an opportunity to upgrade the bank's sustainable investing offering. And so, we're gonna be looking to work more readily with fintechs in the future," Murray told Insider.

☆ This new $250,000 SUV has optional bulletproofing, a swanky Cadillac interior, and up to 690 horsepower — take a closer look
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

The Vengeance is based on a Cadillac Escalade, but takes the imposing shape of an armored vehicle that could easily be owned by one of James Bond's nemeses. The Rezvani Vengeance.

☆ The decline of the American mall has left just 700 still standing. Soon there may be just 150 left.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

There may be just 150 malls left in the US in 10 years, according to one industry watcher. Other industry watchers predict a similarly painful fate for malls and retail stores more generally. In April, analysts at UBS projected that 40,000-50,000 American retail stores would shut down by 2027. They said traditional shopping malls are at particularly high risk because shoppers now prefer to make quick trips to close-by stores, per CNBC. According to Egelanian, the malls that will weather the storm will be premium locations with entertainment, dining, and luxury stores.

☆ I drove sporty electric SUVs from Tesla and Kia: Why I'd buy the $41,000 EV6 over the $66,000 Model Y
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I drove the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 to see how the two electric SUVs stack up. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderTesla sells some of the longest-range EVs on the market. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderThe EV6 is one of the quickest-charging electric cars you can buy. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderBut some buyers might prefer the Kia's sporty and bold interior over Tesla's minimalist and button-free aesthetic. The Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderThe Model Y's big touchscreen makes it a tech fan's dream.

☆ Elon Musk's battle with Twitter shows that even the brashest, loudest leaders can face a reckoning
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Ebony Flake | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Now, though, his latest fight with Twitter shows the perils of always leading with bravado: While scandal is unlikely to sink the CEO, he's making extra work for himself — more than he usually does. Musk's negotiations to buy Twitter were subsequently halted when he pushed for concessions the platform was unwilling to give. Duncan Levin, a criminal defense attorney who represents controversial clients, such as Harvey Weinstein, Clare Bronfman, and Anna Delvey, told Insider: "No one is scandal-proof. Musk's ability to bounce back from repercussions is the result of a complex interplay of a fierce, cultlike fandom and his transformational leadership style, experts told Insider. What's more, he's highly intelligent and ahead of most people, a former manager at Tesla previously told Insider.

☆ Here's how the $360 billion electric car battery market will impact the future of EVs — and how affordable they are for car-buyers.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

There's also money to be made: The EV battery market could hit $360 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey. At Insider, we've looked at white-hot EV battery technologies that give automakers the EV performance they need at the price their customers want. It just led a $400 million investment into the little-known EV battery startup that could make it work. Giants like Tesla, GM, and Ford are going to be desperate for EV materials in the next decade. The soon-to-be $339 billion battery industry is on a hiring tear to power the shift to electric cars.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Zscaler, BlackRock, Roblox and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Peter Schacknow | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Here are the companies making headlines before the bell:Angi (ANGI) – Angi shares added 2% in premarket trading after the online home services company named Joey Levin as CEO, replacing Oisin Hanrahan. Leggett & Platt (LEG) – Leggett & Platt tumbled 8.6% in the premarket after the industrial manufacturer slashed its full-year sales and earnings guidance. Meta Platforms (META) – Meta was downgraded to "neutral" from "overweight" at Atlantic Equities, which also lowered its price target for the Facebook and Instagram parent's stock to $160 per share. Roblox (RBLX) – Roblox slumped 4.3% in the premarket after the stock was rated "underweight" in new coverage at Barclays. Warner Music Group (WMG) – The music publisher's stock rallied 3.4% in premarket trading after Goldman Sachs began coverage with a "buy" rating.

☆ Buyer beware: Some Amazon Prime Day deals may not be what they seem, according to a new study
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A new study warns that Amazon deals might be price hikes in disguise. When you consider vacuum cleaners, for example, the addition of a list price was accompanied by a price hike 22% of the time. One day, a "List Price" of $300 pops up on the page with a slash through it. List prices are based on amounts Amazon customers recently paid and other retailers recently charged, Amazon said. Still, the study's authors warned that consumers shouldn't always take Amazon deals at face value.

☆ OpenInvest cofounders share lessons learned from getting acquired by JPMorgan and how fintechs can 'maintain that special sauce' after getting bought
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Asia Martin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

One of those acquisitions was OpenInvest, a deal JPMorgan announced last June and completed months later in August. But I think that JPMorgan, and maybe others in the space, have learned 'how do we maintain that special sauce," said Levin. Here's three things the OpenInvest cofounders have learned since last year about how best to transition into a bigger organization. Though it's still in the middle of its integration, OpenInvest has already begun to roll out fund reporting to the bank's wealth management businesses. All of those deals seem to have helped the bank streamline certain parts of integration, Murray said.

☆ Electric cars won't overload the power grid — and they could even help modernize our aging infrastructure
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-09 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Electric cars won't overwhelm the US grid anytime soon, energy and transportation experts say. EVs don't consume a lot of energy now, and it will be decades before electric cars take over fully. On his Fox News show, Carlson bashed electric cars as a "new way to overburden California's already collapsing energy grid." More electric cars plugging in will increase energy demands over time, necessitating a more robust grid and smarter charging habits, they say. Even at 2030 estimates, some 5.6 million electric cars, trucks, and vans would only comprise 4% of peak loads.

☆ We got an early look at Chevy's $105,000 electric truck: See its ingenious bed that can expand from 6 to 11 feet
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-03 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Car companies are betting on a future full of electric vehicles. One great way to sell Americans on the idea: Give them the trucks they know and love, but without the gas. The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Tim Levin/Insider

Kardashian, who is reportedly worth $1.8 billion, agreed to pay $1.26 million to settle the charges over a promotion on Meta 's Instagram for EthereumMax's crypto asset, the SEC said. She will also cooperate with an ongoing investigation, and has agreed to not promote crypto securities for three years, the regulator added. Kardashian had already felt regulatory heat over her EthereumMax promo, which she posted on Instagram in June of last year. She started the post by asking her approximately 250 million Instagram followers, "ARE YOU INTO CRYPTO??? Her failure to disclose the payment was a violation of federal securities laws, the SEC said.

☆ People are roasting BMW for unveiling a 'hideous' $160,000 SUV with 644 horsepower — see the polarizing XM
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The BMW XM SUV. The BMW XM SUV. The BMW XM SUV. The BMW XM SUV. The BMW XM SUV.

☆ Honda's smallest SUV is stylish inside and out but disappointingly slow. See 5 pros and cons of the 2023 HR-V.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

I tested the 2023 Honda HR-V, the newest version of Honda's smallest SUV. Pro: Stylish inside and outThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V dumps its predecessor's stubby proportions and quirks in favor of a smooth, modern, and ultimately more high-end look. Con: Sluggish on the highwayThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderTo be sure, nobody is buying a small SUV for its zero-to-60-mph time. Pro: Roomy interiorThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderThe new HR-V shares a chassis with the Civic sedan rather than the pint-sized Fit hatchback (which has been canceled in the US). Pro: Generous safety features and driver aidsThe 2023 Honda HR-V. Tim Levin/InsiderAll HR-Vs come with ample safety and driver-assistance tech as part of the Honda Sensing suite.

☆ I've driven 15 different electric cars. These are my 13 favorite features, from the F-150's frunk to Rivian's camping kitchen.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

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"One of the best defenses to this matter is to delay, delay, delay." New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference in New York on Sept. 21, 2022. "The core of that argument is the financial statements that were relied upon by these banks were marked as non-audited financials," Levin said. They know how to read these financial statements." "It's going to be very difficult to overcome some of that," Levin said of the inflated financial statements.

☆ Fights over political lines have fueled the aging of America's government. But that may be changing.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-25 | by ( Grace Panetta | Walt Hickey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +15 min

Redistricting and fights over political lines have fueled the aging of America's government. Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois outside a January 6 committee hearing on June 13, 2022. Partisan gerrymandering, the redrawing of political district lines to favor one political party over the other, has gotten increasingly tactical. In all, 14 House incumbents lost renomination in 2022, the highest number in a single cycle since 1992. If you're a Democrat in a Republican district, your days are probably numbered."

☆ I drove the Tesla Model Y and found 7 reasons to buy Elon Musk's $66,000 electric SUV over rivals
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I tested a 2022 Model Y SUV and came away impressed by its quick acceleration, roomy cabin, and tech features. Sporty drivingThe Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderDespite not being the higher-priced Performance version, the Model Y Long Range I sampled was plenty sporty. Range fit for road tripsThe Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderTesla remains one of the range leaders in the US. Packed with techThe Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderThe SUV's crisp and feature-packed touchscreen makes it a tech-lover's paradise. Effortless SuperchargingThe Tesla Model Y. Tim Levin/InsiderTesla's extensive and exclusive network of Supercharger stations makes it incredibly easy to charge when on the go.

☆ Legal consequences are murky for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after he flew migrants to Martha's Vineyard
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Nicole Gaudiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Former federal prosecutors say criminal laws may have been broken during the transport of migrants. Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyFormer federal prosecutors say Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have broken criminal laws when he sent Venezuelan migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. Levin said one possibility is human trafficking laws, even though he said those statutes are intended for cases of sex trafficking or human trafficking for profit. "Whether a federal prosecutor's office or a state prosecutor's office is going to go forward with that kind of charge against a sitting governor, we'll see," she said.

☆ Prepare to pay up to $17,000 over MSRP for these 15 cars with the worst dealer markups, including the Jeep Wrangler and Porsche Cayenne
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-23 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

On average, dealers are asking 10% above MSRP for new vehicles, according to a recent study by the car-shopping website iSeeCars. Compare that to pre-pandemic times, when salespeople would hand out aggressive discounts to move cars off of their lots. View of a used car dealership in Ridgewood, Queens New York on January 19, 2022. Pablo Monsalve/VIEWpress/Getty ImagesSource: iSeeCars

☆ Alex Jones' billion-dollar judgement: The conspiracy theorist has turned career-ending setbacks into profit windfalls, but this could be too much to overcome
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Ashley Collman | Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +22 min

Robbie Parker was later falsely called a crisis actor, and the Parkers are among those who sued Alex Jones for defamation. Longtime informal adviser to Donald Trump, Roger Stone (right), and and Alex Jones (left) speak to reporters in December 2018. Picture showing a computer screen displaying the Twitter account of Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones taken on August 15, 2018 in Washington DC. "Alex Jones is likely to continue being Alex Jones, which means he's likely to try all kinds of shenanigans to avoid accountability," said Holt. "The money awarded in damages does not repair what Alex Jones has done to those parents' lives, but it could be a step towards dismantling the toxic empire that Alex Jones has built around his brand."

☆ Open enrollment season for 2023 employee benefits is getting underway. What to watch for
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hinterhaus Productions | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesIt's that time of year, when workers get to make some decisions about their employee benefits. Many companies are beginning to hold their annual open enrollment period, which is when employees can sign up for 2023 health insurance — as well as consider other benefits, if your employer offers them. Some may offer extras like supplemental life or disability insurance, pet insurance or help with education costs. "People tend to [review] their benefits very quickly," said Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. For 2023, the annual cap on HSA contributions is $3,850 for self-only coverage and $7,750 for family coverage.

☆ Chinese Tesla rival Xpeng launched 'the world's fastest-charging electric SUV.' See the sleek, $43,800 G9.
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Tim Levin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Charging up should be a breeze, too. According to Xpeng, buyers won't need to sit and wait for ages while their EV slowly replenishes its battery pack.

☆ Why hundreds of Twitter workers are fleeing the company
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Jordan Parker Erb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Two months after Elon Musk declared his intent to acquire Twitter in a $44 billion deal, the billionaire spoke directly with employees at the company. Musk's meeting with Twitter employees covered everything from aliens to layoffs, but did little to reassure workers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. According to the Twitter workers, who asked not to be identified, the business saw a net loss of more than 700 full-time staff as of September. Pittsburgh tech workers on why they chose the lesser-known tech hub. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet that the company would "ask for an exemption to Iranian sanctions."

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