Axios

The performances during last year's Super Bowl by Justina Miles, the first female deaf performer for the game's halftime show, nearly stole the spotlight from Rihanna.

Why it matters: That moment, however, like others before it, hasn't been enough to change the messy relationship between the business world and the Deaf community.

Consumers cooled spending last month as inclement weather rocked much of the U.S., according to new data from Bank of America Institute.

By the numbers: Total card spending per household fell 0.2% from the prior year after rising by the same amount in December, the bank says, citing its internal data.

One year ago, a slew of surprises pointed to more entrenched inflation and a tighter job market, tilting the Fed in a hawkish direction and fueling more interest rate increases. This February, there are some superficial similarities in the data — but the differences are more important.

Why it matters: Economic activity appears to be expanding like gangbusters at the start of 2024. But it is happening against the backdrop of benign inflation and a loosening labor market, setting off fewer alarm bells at the Fed.

New York Attorney General Letitia James amended the state's lawsuit Friday against cryptocurrency firms Digital Currency Group, Genesis and Gemini, saying the alleged fraud cost investors more than $3 billion.

Why it matters: The new figure nearly triples the amount the AG initially alleged was lost in the Gemini Earn program.

At least 85 journalists have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began Oct. 7, according to the latest tally from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) out Friday.

The big picture: It's a staggering number of journalist deaths to be documented across such a short period of time. Many others have been reported missing or injured.

Belgium's government is shopping around an avant-garde solution to Ukraine's money problems, now that further direct aid to the country seems all but dead in the U.S. Congress.

Why it matters: The war has dragged on — this month marks two years. Ideas that once seemed far-fetched or too difficult are now being given serious consideration.

Chicken wings, the ultimate Super Bowl food, cost less than they did last year, offering consumers welcome relief.

Why it matters: Cooling inflation has leveled the playing field this year for some game-day staples, data shared with Axios shows.

Money can't buy happiness, the old adage says. But maybe combining it with marriage can help.

Why it matters: Marital status is a stronger predictor of American adult wellbeing than education, race, age and gender, according to newly released data from the Institute for Family Studies and Gallup.

The founder of HyperVerse, one of the many iterations of a crypto project accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of being a pyramid scheme, continues to promote new projects.

Why it matters: It's become increasingly cool in crypto to publicly challenge regulatory authority, but Sam Lee, who's also wanted on U.S. criminal fraud charges, is testing the limits.

The U.S. government's debt is on track to rise to $54 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The big picture: Raw numbers don't tell you much about whether a given level of debt is burdensome or not. The rubber-meets-road test of sustainability is how much of the nation's resources go to service that debt every year — and the news is gloomy.

Most of the biggest U.S. office leases got renewed last year, according to a new report first shared with Axios.

Why it matters: Instead of locking down a new space, many companies are staying put as they continue to adjust to a workweek that's part remote, part in-office.

Here's what's new on Netflix, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and Apple TV+.

What we're watching: The teachers of "Abbott Elementary" are back, polyamorous dating gets a reality show and new documentaries for true crime fans.

U.S. trade figures are a normally dry affair, but the latest release contained a few surprises.

Driving the news: The vast trade deficit rose modestly in December, government data showed on Wednesday, but contracted by nearly 19 percent for the full year, after hitting a record in 2022.

Americans under 40 saw their wealth rise by a staggering 80% since pre-pandemic — a far higher rate than any other age group, per new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Why it matters: This is about "stonks and stimmies" — as well as the risk-taking proclivities of youth.

For the first time in two years, CEOs are optimistic about the economy, according to a survey out Wednesday morning.

Why it matters: CEOs, they're just like us ... Overall consumer confidence also hit a two-year high in January.

Coca-Cola is spicing up the soda aisle by adding its first permanent soda flavor in three years — Coca-Cola Spiced.

Why it matters: It's the latest sign that the soda wars are taking off again and follows the January 2023 launch of Pepsi's Starry.

The U.S. deficit is expected to climb over the next 10 years with higher interest payments set to account for a historic share of government spending, the Congressional Budget Office said on Wednesday.

Why it matters: New projections from the nonpartisan agency show deficits jumping from $1.6 trillion this year to $2.6 trillion in 2034, alongside a slightly less gloomy prediction for the nation's fiscal health than previously estimated.