DATA POINTS
- 4,000 – The number of 3-pointers Steph Curry has made in his career so far, an NBA record
- $135.92 – The average cost of a concert ticket in 2024
- 2,000 MW – The amount of electricity that the Hanford Solar Farm, the largest proposed solar farm in the U.S., is expected to generate. This is enough to power all the homes in Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver
- 151,000 – The number of new jobs added in the U.S. last month
- 172,017 – The number of jobs cut from U.S.-based employers last month – the highest February total since 2009
- $129.6 B – The amount of money Texas made from exports to Mexico in 2023 – Texas’ #1 trading partner for the last 16 years.
Half a Decade
It’s hard to believe that it’s been FIVE (yes, you read that right!) years since the world as we know it was upended. From the moment the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020 – the entire world changed. Grocery store shelves were wiped out, masks became the hottest accessory, and Zoom meetings quickly became the new standard—where everyone learned the art of business on top (a dress shirt) and party on the bottom (pajamas).
Five years later, we’ve come a long way. COVID might still be hanging around, but we’ve learned to adapt. Offices became flex spaces, remote work is now a permanent “feature” (don’t tell Elon!), and online shopping has become an intense Olympic-level sport.
But while things have calmed down, the pandemic has left some lasting marks. Economic fallout, healthcare stress, decreased academic proficiency, and “Zoom fatigue” still linger. But one thing is certain—we’re all a little more resilient.
Shutting down the Shutdown?
In a high-stakes meeting just hours before the House vote on a seven-month funding patch, Vice President JD Vance urged House members to pass the bill to avoid a government shutdown. Government funding expires at midnight on Friday.
The funding package, officially known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), aims to maintain important government functions while negotiations on long-term policies continue. Vance’s argument to advance the CR draws from past experiences, such as the 2018-2019 government shutdown, which resulted in widespread public dissatisfaction with the Republican party. By pushing for unity, Vance hopes to prevent a similar fallout and keep credibility with voters.
With time running out, Vance is pushing for unity and practical action to avoid another GOP-led shutdown that could hurt the party and turn voters away.
Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has decided to back the legislation to avert a shutdown – a move that surprised Washington and brought criticism from his Left flank.
Is Snack Food Junk Food? Not Necessarily.
Regardless of the fad diet you’re trying, the snacks you’re eating might be counteracting your healthy meals. For most adults, the snacks they consume can account for up to 25% of their daily caloric intake. While you might think one or two Chips Ahoy cookies won’t disrupt your diet, they do more harm than good.
Researchers found that those who chose fruits and veggies as a snack instead of cookies or chips had lower percentages of visceral fat around their organs and lower body weights. They found that saturated fat snacks, like cookies and chips, put snackers at a higher risk for increased cholesterol levels or heart disease.
If fruits and veggies aren’t your jam, try healthier alternatives to your crunchy kryptonite, like popcorn with no added sugars or grain-free tortilla chips.
Read More at The Washington Post
Power Up
This week in Houston, energy leaders found themselves in rare agreement: we need more power generation, and we need it now. AI, data centers, and an increasingly electrified world are guzzling energy at a breakneck pace, and the industry is scrambling to keep up. The old ideological battles over renewables vs. fossil fuels are increasingly irrelevant for those who are demanding power. The new mantra is “Just build it.”
Whether wind, solar, oil, gas, or nuclear, the focus has shifted from picking and choosing favorites to generating as much power as possible, as fast as possible. Company executives know the obvious: if the grid fails, nobody wins. The conversation is less about carbon purity tests and more about raw capacity. With AI data centers and demand rewriting the playbook, even the most stubborn players know it’s not just about energy transition, it’s about powering up our overall generation capacity.
America’s Cinematic Mirror
Hollywood has always been a mirror of American culture, and lately, that reflection seems to be changing. Historically, the entertainment industry has leaned progressive, with shows like “The West Wing” and “The Newsroom” promoting left-of-center ideology. But the tides may be turning, and Hollywood is making space for conservative voices.
Tim Allen’s sitcom “Shifting Gears” is part of this trend, with dialogue that questions political correctness. The return of “Duck Dynasty” and police reality shows also show a growing demand for right-leaning content. But is this a real change in culture, or is it just Hollywood giving viewers what they want?
Entertainment often mirrors the political climate. In the Reagan era, patriotic action films were popular (Wolverines!). After 9/11, war dramas became common. Today, with Trump’s growing influence, networks are targeting conservative audiences. For example, Amazon has added reruns of “The Apprentice” to Prime Video, tapping into nostalgia for those who prefer classic TV.
If Hollywood is now following rather than leading, what does that mean for the broader cultural conversation? Will this trend last, or is it just a temporary reaction to political tides? One thing is clear: the battle over culture is playing out on our screens, and Hollywood is no longer dictating the rules.
Read More at The Wall Street Journal
See you next week!
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