MANUFACTURING

Aug 08 2025TECHNOLOGY

Intel's Rocky Road: Can the Chip Giant Regain Its Footing?

Intel, once a titan in the tech world, is facing some serious challenges. The company is struggling with slow business growth and political headwinds. President Trump has publicly opposed Intel's current CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, due to his past investments in China. This opposition has raised concerns about national security and has put Intel in a tough spot. The situation ...

reading time about 1 minute
Aug 06 2025TECHNOLOGY

Tiny Tech Titans: The Power of Computer Chips

Computer chips are everywhere. They are in phones, cars, and even missiles. Without them, modern life would grind to a halt. These tiny pieces of tech are now a big deal. Countries fight for control over them. They are like chess pieces in a global game. Most advanced chips come from Taiwan. A single company, TSMC, makes about 90% of them. This includes chips for ph...

reading time less than a minute
Aug 05 2025BUSINESS

Building a Stronger Workforce: Skills, Health, and Local Solutions

In Northwest Indiana, leaders are pushing for a shift in how we prepare workers for the future. They say we need to focus more on skills like teamwork, respect, and showing up on time. These are not just "soft skills" anymore; they are essential for success in any job. The demand for skilled workers in trades is growing fast. By 2050, many jobs will be open due to a...

reading time about 1 minute
Jul 16 2025TECHNOLOGY

The Changing Face of the EV Race: BYD and Tesla's Battle

The electric vehicle (EV) market is heating up, and the competition between BYD and Tesla is at the heart of it. Just a few years ago, Tesla was the clear leader, with BYD admiring its success. But things have changed. BYD has been working hard and is now giving Tesla a run for its money. Tesla's once-unshakable lead is slipping. Sales are dropping in many places, a...

reading time about 1 minute
Jul 11 2025BUSINESS

China's Airplane Maker Gets a Big Boost from the US

China's aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, just got some good news. The US has allowed GE Aerospace to start sending jet engines to them again. This is a big deal because COMAC is trying to compete with Boeing and Airbus. The engines are crucial for their planes, the C919 and the smaller C909. The US had stopped the engine shipments earlier this year. This caused problem...

reading time less than a minute
Jul 07 2025POLITICS

Trump's Trade Moves: What's the Real Deal?

President Trump is pushing hard to finalize trade deals before tariffs increase for many countries. His main goals? Boost American manufacturing, increase U. S. revenue, balance trade, and pressure other nations to play by America's rules. Trump sees tariffs as a magic fix. He believes they can bring back manufacturing jobs, reduce the U. S. deficit, and make other ...

reading time about 3 minutes
Jul 03 2025BUSINESS

A Guitar Pedal Maker's Clever Way to Beat Tariff Trouble

In the world of small businesses, finding creative solutions to big problems is key. One such business, Keeley Electronics, has been hit hard by U. S. tariffs on imports from China. The company, which makes guitar pedals, relies on a specific component called a potentiometer, which can only be sourced from China. This has led to a significant increase in costs for th...

reading time about 1 minute
Jul 02 2025BUSINESS

How Employee Stock Ownership Plans Shape Company Success

In the fast-paced world of smart manufacturing, companies are always looking for ways to boost performance and keep their employees motivated. One popular strategy is Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), which give workers a stake in the company's future. But how exactly do ESOPs affect a company's performance over time? This is where things get interesting. A re...

reading time about 1 minute
Jun 29 2025HEALTH

Why Freeze-Drying Drugs Matters for Your Health

Freeze-drying, or lyophilization, is a big deal in medicine. It's a process that makes drugs last longer, especially important ones like antibiotics. In fact, most of the antibiotics on the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines list are freeze-dried. This means they can be stored for a long time, ready to use when needed. But why is this important? Well, i...

reading time about 1 minute
Jun 27 2025BUSINESS

Nike's Big Move: How Tariffs Are Shaking Up the Game

Nike is feeling the heat from U. S. trade policies. The sportswear giant warns that tariffs could add a cool $1 billion to its costs this year. To soften the blow, Nike plans to cut back on making its products in China. This shift is a big deal because China currently makes about 16% of Nike's shoes sold in the U. S. By the end of May 2026, that number will drop to a...

reading time about 1 minute