Why it matters: The technology may be ready — but the economics aren't. High costs are still preventing these new mobility platforms from reaching the scale needed to become durable, profitable businesses.
Stephen Colbert alleged that President Trump's talk show directive kept his interview with a Texas Democratic Senate candidate off CBS airwaves, but it didn't stop him from reaching millions online.
Why it matters: Colbert bypassed the late-night TV restrictions by posting his interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico on YouTube — exposing how FCC rules built for broadcast don't apply to today's digital platforms.
JPMorgan plans to open 160 new U.S. branches in 2026, even as the industry overall steadily shrinks its physical footprint.
Why it matters: While visiting a branch to get cash is increasingly unnecessary, brick-and-mortar branches still serve as a critical nexus between customers and their banks.
Federal Reserve officials appear deeply divided over interest rates, with several suggesting the possibility of higher borrowing costs if inflation remains stubborn, according to policy meeting minutes released on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Officials are split over how weak the labor market is and whether businesses will continue to pass along tariff-related costs to consumers.
Rev. Jamal Bryant says Black churches must reclaim their historic mantle of leadership — and guide the nation through what he calls a moral and civic crossroads.
Why it matters: Bryant, who called Rev. Jesse Jackson his "superhero" and "blueprint," is stepping into a prophetic tradition shaped by Jackson and other civil rights giants — many of whom are now gone.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for new talks on moving away from fossil fuels that would bring energy producers to the table.
Why it matters: It's fresh evidence officials hope to adapt the UN climate process to move far beyond pledges and find new avenues to spur on-the-ground steps.
CFTC chairman Mike Selig came out swinging in the fight against state regulations of prediction markets, declaring they aren't gambling, and that his agency has "exclusive jurisdiction" to regulate the space.
The big question: Is the CFTC prepared or equipped to take on the full scope of prediction markets in the age of retail trading?
Environmental and health groups filed suit Tuesday against EPA over the "endangerment finding" repeal and withdrawal of any CO2 standards for vehicles.
Why it matters: The litigation — which analysts expect to reach the Supreme Court — will help decide how much future presidents can crack down on emissions.
Job hoppers saw fat pay increases for a while, but not so much anymore.
The pay premium for switching jobs these days is at its narrowest since ADP began tracking in 2020.
Why it matters: In this low-hire, low-fire job market, employers don't have to work as hard to hire people. There's no need to lure workers with high wages if there's a surplus of folks hungry for new roles.
By the numbers: Median pay increased 4.5% from last year for those sticking with their employer, per an ADP analysis of private employers.
For job hoppers, the pay bump up was 6.4%.
The benefit for switching jobs appears to have peaked in April 2022, when switchers saw median raises of 16% during the so-called Great Resignation. (Good times!)
Zoom in: The pay premium varies by industry. Workers in construction, mining and finance had wider premiums, per ADP data.
The intrigue: The ADP data only looks at the private sector, and might be overstating the pay premium for job switching.
The premium has virtually vanished, per a separate measure from the Atlanta Fed, which tracks the three-month moving average of hourly median wage growth.
The raise for job stayers was 3.5% compared with 4% for switchers, per that wage growth tracker.
Most Americans say race doesn't drive their daily decisions, even as the country feels more divided than ever, a new national survey finds.
Why it matters: Politics and social media amplify racial division. But in daily life — at work, in friendships and in families — Americans report far more interracial contact, and far less race-based decision-making, than the national mood suggests.
An obscure, two-year-old company has emerged as a quiet power broker — literally — in the AI boom.
Why it matters: Houston-based Cloverleaf Infrastructure is lining up massive deals securing land and city-scale electricity to fuel data centers — the single biggest bottleneck in AI expansion.
This year's Winter Olympics are doubling as a proving ground for how artificial intelligence can help athletes train, organizers shuffle events, and fans experience a centuries-old celebration of what humans can physically do.
Why it matters: The same technology reshaping the world is also transforming an event that brings the world together.
Stephen Colbert criticized CBS and parent company Paramount onTuesday night over the posting on YouTube only of his interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico, who's running for a U.S. Senate seat.
The big picture: "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" interview segment didn't air on CBS because the comedian said the network barred him from broadcasting it due to concerns about a recent Trump administration directive to give equal time to candidates in an election.
