ECONOMIC IMPACT

Nov 17 2025BUSINESS

Malls and Money: Why One Shopping Center is Winning the Race

In the world of shopping malls, two big names in Alabama are facing very different futures. Brookwood Mall and Riverchase Galleria have both seen better days, but one is getting a big makeover while the other is struggling to keep up. Brookwood Mall was once the place to be. People loved going there for birthdays, holidays, and just hanging out. But times have chang...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 17 2025BUSINESS

Tech Giants' AI Spending: A Financial Tightrope Walk

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have been pouring massive amounts of money into AI. Over $600 billion has been spent between 2023 and this year alone. These companies started with strong financial positions, so the spending hasn't caused major issues yet. But the constant outflow of cash is starting to show. Their financial health might need a s...

reading time less than a minute
Nov 15 2025BUSINESS

Trump's Tariff Flip: What It Means for Your Groceries

Let's talk about how Trump's recent tariff changes might affect your grocery bill. First, let's understand what's happening. Trump has decided to cut tariffs on some important food items. This includes things like coffee, cocoa, bananas, and certain types of beef. He's also taken some fruits off the tariff list, such as tomatoes, avocados, coconuts, oranges, and pin...

reading time about 3 minutes
Nov 14 2025POLITICS

Chicago's Mayor Makes Budget Moves, But Will It Be Enough?

Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson is trying to make his $16. 6 billion budget work by making some changes. He's facing a lot of pushback, though, and it's not clear if these changes will be enough to get the support he needs from the City Council. One of the big changes is about a tax on businesses. Originally, Mayor Johnson wanted to charge a $21 per-employee tax on ...

reading time about 2 minutes
Nov 14 2025HEALTH

Cuba's Battle Against Mosquito-Borne Viruses: A Growing Challenge

Cuba is currently facing a significant health challenge with the spread of mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue and chikungunya. These illnesses have been affecting a large portion of the population, making it difficult for many to go about their daily lives. The situation has been worsening due to economic struggles that have limited the government's ability to ...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 13 2025POLITICS

U. S. Government Reopens, but Political Battles Linger

The U. S. government has finally reopened after the longest shutdown in history. This shutdown lasted 43 days and caused major problems. Air traffic was disrupted, food assistance for low-income families was cut, and over a million workers went without pay. The political fight that caused the shutdown is still not resolved. The deal to reopen the government only las...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 12 2025FINANCE

The End of an Era: Philadelphia's Last Penny Press

The Philadelphia U. S. Mint is about to make history by producing its final circulating penny. This decision comes after President Trump signed off on ending the 1-cent coin due to rising production costs. Making a penny now costs nearly 4 cents, which doesn't make sense economically. Pennies have been made in Philadelphia since 1793, shortly after the Coinage Act w...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 12 2025BUSINESS

Europe's Tech Lag: Can China Help?

Europe is falling behind in tech. A well-known industry expert, Louis Gallois, recently pointed this out. He said Europe is slow to make decisions and stuck in bureaucracy. Meanwhile, China is way ahead. Gallois suggested Europe should work more with Chinese companies. This could help Europe learn and catch up. This idea might sound odd. After all, relations between...

reading time less than a minute
Nov 12 2025OPINION

Afghan Women's Fight for Rights: Why the World Should Care

Afghanistan's women are facing tough times. Since the Taliban took over in 2021, they've been banned from many jobs and schools. This isn't just a local issue. It affects everyone, everywhere. Afghan women are strong. They've been through a lot, but they keep going. Many used to be doctors, lawyers, and teachers. Now, they weave rugs to make a living. This isn't jus...

reading time about 1 minute
Nov 12 2025POLITICS

Trump's $2, 000 Checks: A Double-Edged Sword for the Economy?

President Donald Trump has suggested giving Americans $2, 000 checks using money from tariffs. This idea has sparked a lot of discussion among experts. Some worry it could make inflation worse, while others think it might help the economy. Inflation is already high. Adding more money into people's hands could push prices up even more. Experts like Erica York from th...

reading time about 1 minute