2024 has been a whirlwind year for investors. The U. S. stock market has been on a roll, breaking records and defying expectations. The S&P 500 index surged 24. 3% by December 20, marking the first time since 1998 that it jumped by at least 20% for two consecutive years. Tech giants like Apple and N
A 26-year-old man named Luigi Mangione has entered a not guilty plea in a New York court, facing severe charges related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. He was arraigned on Monday in the New York State Supreme Court. The Manhattan district attorney's office has pinned multiple charges on Man
In a significant move just before the end of his term, President Joe Biden has chosen to spare the lives of 37 out of the 40 people on federal death row. Their sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This decision comes after Biden imposed a moratorium on
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has taken a stand against federal agencies negotiating telework contracts with employees. She's particularly concerned about the potential waste of taxpayer money and decreased productivity. With the incoming Trump administration, federal unions are rushing to finalize tele
You've heard of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in DC. But what about Texas? State reps like David Lowe and Brian Harrison are talking about creating their own DOGE. They think the Texas Film Commission is a great place to start cutting waste. But can t
The Federal Reserve decided to trim interest rates by a quarter percentage point on December 19. But they also tweaked their forecast, hinting that rate cuts won't speed up. Are high yields still the hot commodity for investors? Let's dig in! Investors often chase after stocks that promise high ret
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is facing a tough challenge. With more people needing help and not enough dermatologists, wait times are getting longer. This is a big problem, especially for serious conditions like malignant melanoma, where early treatment can make a real difference. To tackl
The U. S. Senate recently passed a bill to raise Social Security payments for many retired public service workers. This includes teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other state and local employees. The bill will end long-standing cuts to their benefits, but it may add $195 billion to federa
Did you know that even plants and animals can sometimes use a compound called methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), also known as dimethyl sulfone? This naturally occurring substance is part of our world, but when it comes to horseracing, it's a bit controversial. Both MSM and its relative dimethyl sulfoxide
As federal workers like Johnny Zuagar, a statistician at the U. S. Census Bureau, prepare for Christmas, they’re also bracing for potential job furloughs due to government funding issues. With the possibility of a shutdown looming, many are cautious about spending on holiday gifts, worrying about wh
