A hub for independent voices and hard truths
NFIB small business optimism index rose 0.1 points in April to 95.9, holding below the 52-year average of 98.0. Labor quality emerged as the top problem for owners with a record 34 percent reporting unfilled job openings. Nearly 46 percent …
Small business owners across several states are reducing employee hours and in some cases staff numbers because of sharp increases in liability and health insurance premiums. Many report premiums jumping 20-40 percent in the past year. This is forcing difficult …
The U.S. eliminated six Iranian small boats attempting to interfere with commercial shipping – CENTCOM Commander Adm Brad Cooper — Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) May 4, 2026 Right now CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is on a call with journalists. He …
Early this morning, a massive cargo vessel identified as the MSC Francesca was swarmed and hit by IRGC fast boats near the Omani coast. This escalation comes exactly as Tehran confirms they have received a formal U.S. counter-proposal, turning the …
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The pilot of a small plane was injured Monday after crashing his aircraft in the parking lot of an auto parts store in Southern California, authorities said. The crash was reported shortly after 11 a.m. by …
This is what you should be looking at. pic.twitter.com/BPr4C3u7Fl — Travis Rothell (@TRothell62855) April 20, 2026 Nearly 40% of Americans said they have less than $500 in cash savings. pic.twitter.com/3ek6LlBGQ3 — DARWIN (@D4RW1NEXE) April 14, 2026 Nearly 40% of Americans …
Past periods of rising small business uncertainty led to hiring slowdowns and reduced capital spending due to weaker demand visibility and tighter credit conditions US small businesses are highly concerned about the economy: The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dropped …
In Phoenix, a pilot dodged cars and street poles on a normally busy street to make an emergency landing. The two passengers on board were not injured and credited the pilot with a life-saving landing. NBC News’ Tom Costello has …
Pressure is starting to show up in places people do not usually look first, and the numbers behind it suggest households and small businesses are both getting pulled tighter at the same time. Middle class Americans are selling plasma to …
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP STATES THAT TEMPORARY OIL PRICE SPIKES DUE TO THE IRAN CONFLICT ARE A "SMALL PRICE TO PAY" FOR WORLD SAFETY AND EXPECTS PRICES TO FALL QUICKLY AFTER THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE IS RESOLVED. — First Squawk …
Authored by Charles Hugh-Smith via oftwominds, While the top 10% who manage the TINA Economy are fixated on their ballooning stock market wealth, the bottom 90% are melting away. Some day that might actually have consequences. Let’s start with a …
Crypto Rover @cryptorover 🚨BIG WARNING: THE FIRST MAJOR DOMINO HAS FALLEN. Today, Blue Owl Capital announced that it permanently halted redemptions for Blue Owl Capital Corp II (OBDC II), its $1.7 billion private credit fund aimed at retail investors. And …
TRUMP’S SBA CHIEF FINDS 7,000 FAKE LOANS WORTH $430M IN MINNESOTA ALONE Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler says her team found 6,900 fraudulent small business loans in Minnesota that stole $430 million from taxpayers. It took them 2 days to …
Business owner: I have seen a constant increase of 25-50% in the cost of our equipment because of tariffs. Our most recent project, I received a $30,000 tariff bill. That cost was never forecasted and could have never been anticipated …
It smells like the start of something bigger in 2026. Small caps and banks are getting crushed today. Tech stocks used to be risk plays but since 2021 they are treated as "safe havens" from slowing economic growth. Even energy …
Strong consumers do not flee bulk stores for bargain bins. Small business employment shrank again in December according to Paychex. We will get a clearer picture once we get the ADP and payroll data later this week. pic.twitter.com/KmzIqUJ6fG — Peter …
On a frigid day after Mass at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in rural Nebraska, worshipers shuffled into the basement and sat on folding chairs, their faces barely masking the fear gripping their town. A pall hung over the room just …
US small business bankruptcies are surging as if there is a recession: A record 2,221 small firms have filed for bankruptcy under Subchapter V year-to-date. Subchapter V allows businesses and individuals with under $3 million in debt to reorganize more …
Forget 2007. The US consumer today is facing a worse crisis. It's not Systemic Leverage; it's Household Arithmetic. My new memo breaks down the structural squeeze: why the 2026 economy faces a consumer solvency crisis, not a liquidity crisis. — …
Yikes. ADP employment report shows -32,000 jobs lost in November. Most industries were doing layoffs. The only ones still are hiring are hospitality and healthcare. But look at employment by firm size. There's a K-shaped economy among firms, too. Larger …
This was all pre planned. Government printed dollars. Lowered rates to 0%. You thought you were getting free monies to buy LED TV! In reality you were paying for this with your future and the elites were capturing every single …
via EricThompsonTech Why YSK: Most people think anxiety comes only from big life problems, but a lot of stress today comes from tiny, constant spikes of stimulation. Your brain never gets a chance to rest because it’s always reacting to: …
In the sewer business, they say a good flush beats a full house. This one isn’t a good flush. It’s the other kind that fills your house with a stinking mess you have to live with. by David Haggith Adam …
Affordability crisis rattling mom-and-pop shops… “Surging import costs. Mounting payroll and healthcare expenses. A shortage of affordable loans. And a stressed-out workforce. Small businesses are facing mounting pressure from America’s affordability crisis. Doug Scheffel, owner of a family-run ETM Manufacturing …
The ripple effect: U.S. grocers and convenience store operators say their sales fell immediately after the federal government halted SNAP food assistance benefits on Nov. 1. (AP Video: Jessie Wardarski/Nick Ingram) The federal government shutdown has created delays in some …
Farmer Justin Rhodes says the state redefined “CAFO” so even 3 cows and a milking stand count as a factory farm. Cease-and-desist letters. $100K “upgrades.” Family farms shut down. 🚨 “Oregon is using satellites to hunt small farms.” Farmer Justin …
the housing market in canada is incredibley expensive, I saw a house in a rural area about 10 mins out of town. A house in a 20 acres with five bedrooms, five bathrooms. THE asking price is 1.5 million dollars …
Google has eliminated more than one-third of its managers overseeing small teams, an executive told employees last week, as the company continues its focus on efficiencies across the organization. “Right now, we have 35% fewer managers, with fewer direct reports” than …
Are office buildings the last prop holding banks from imploding? Small banks are hiding massive losses in CRE. Massive, like going out of business levels of losses. That's why they're kicking the can hoping they don't have to foreclose. There's …
This is absolutely ridiculous Vegas resident shows that restaurants have started adding in small print at the bottom of their menus a “concession fee of 4.85%” to be added onto your total bill. This fee is for offsetting operational costs …