DATA POINTS
- 35% – The accuracy rate of Punxsutawney Phil’s ability to predict an early spring
- 99 – the number of Beyonce’s Grammy nominations; the most nominations ever
- 9,474 – The number of investigations opened into threats against members of Congress in 2024
- 10,000 – The number of troops Mexico agreed to deploy to the border in exchange for a one-month pause on tariffs
- 19 M – The number of birds affected by the bird flu
- $23 B – The amount Americans are expected to wager on this year’s Super Bowl
The Latest Overdoes Trends
A surprising trend is surfacing nationwide: drug overdose deaths are declining. While the numbers bring a bit of hope, it may be too early to celebrate as the reasons behind the drop are as complex as the crisis itself. Narcan is more accessible than ever, treatment programs are expanding, and some users have adapted to the constantly shifting drug supply. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: deaths may be declining not just because of better interventions but because fentanyl has already claimed so many lives.
The fight against fentanyl isn’t just in treatment centers—it’s now a trade battle. The Trump administration slapped tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China in a bid to act against drug trafficking. While the goal is to disrupt fentanyl supply chains, critics warn that these trade measures may do little to stop fentanyl smuggling while straining relationships with key allies. Some say it’s necessary; others argue it won’t stop smuggling and could do more harm than good.
We can laud progress, but we can’t ignore the deeper issue—addiction isn’t going anywhere. Fewer overdoses don’t mean fewer struggles. Continuing investment in these recovery support systems is crucial. Without it, funding could dry up just as lives start to turn around.
Read More At The Washington Post
Changing Homes Amid a Changing Climate
Climate change is already reshaping where people live, and it’s starting to impact the housing market. A recent study by the First Street Foundation estimates that U.S. home values could drop by $1.47 trillion by 2055 as people move away from areas with high climate risks, including hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding.
Some places, like Florida and parts of Texas, are still growing despite the risks, mainly because of jobs, warm weather, and lower taxes. As insurance rates skyrocket and disasters become more common, these areas could hit a tipping point where people start leaving. Meanwhile, cities like Buffalo and Cincinnati—farther from coastlines and major disaster zones—are being called potential “climate havens.”
This shift isn’t always just about escaping danger; it’s about finding new opportunities. Communities welcoming newcomers have a chance to grow, reduce brain drain, and foster economic development, but they’ll need smart planning to handle the changes. Climate migration is happening, whether we’re ready for it or not.
Cold Ice, Hot Politics
The race to the Arctic is heating up – and Russia is taking a winning position. Last year, NATO-allied wargames training in the region were succeeded by Russian nuclear submarines practice-firing cruise missiles near Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Last year, in an unprompted move, Russian and Chinese bombers and patrol boats flew a joint mission near Alaska. It’s a tense geopolitical landscape, especially since Russia and Alaska are only 53 miles of ocean from each other.
The Arctic is no stranger to military planning. During the Cold War, both the U.S. and Russia shored up their northern shores for rapid response strikes. The decades following have seen mutual collaboration, but rising feuds between the two have caused the area to once again retreat into defense.
The issue is more than one of military might, however. The Arctic is warming nearly 4x faster than anywhere else on planet Earth. As more ice becomes water, new shipping routes emerge for whichever country can assert dominance in the region. Both Canada and Russia are considering new installations to strengthen their control of the nascent trade routes. Naturally, where a cargo ship can travel, a warship can as well.
The Arctic plays a critical role in preserving the delicate, natural balance of Earth’s ecosystem. Can it also play a role in preserving the delicate balance of geopolitics?
Read more at the Wall Street Journal
An Ode to Marketing Fanatics
Would you pay $8 million for 30 seconds of something? For the largest companies in the United States, that’s an easy question to answer. The opportunity to reach millions of Americans at once during the biggest day in sports is quickly approaching for these brands. Super Bowl LIX is here – and so are marketing’s best and brightest (hopefully). Legacy brands and new-found disruptors will be hosting their own competition: who can create the most memorable commercials during the game?
You can expect appearances from NFL icons like Rob Gronkowski and Jason Kelce (unlike Travis Kelce’s role on-screen). There will be interesting twists to garner engagement, though. Mars’ Twix will run a “Second Screen Staredown” game which will award two solid gold bars to viewers who stare at their phone’s camera. The ad campaign is a part of the trend of “second screening,” the act of using two screens for comparable media (i.e., checking twitter on your phone while watching the game). The rise of sports betting and fantasy sports created an environment where fans are just as interested in real-time stats as the game itself – and marketers won’t pass up on the chance to get in on the action.
With so much happening on the field and in between turnovers, this year’s Super Bowl is one you won’t want to miss.
Who Chooses School Choice?
President Trump has made fighting DEI principles a key pillar of his 100-day plan. His next battle on this front will be tackling education reform. The latest scores show that both fourth- and eighth-grade students are falling behind where they should be, which the National Assessment of Educational Progress calls “unacceptable.” Trump sees DEI as part of the problem. He signed three executive orders that direct federal agencies to “end indoctrination” in K-12 education, launch investigations in campus protests, and enact a federal school choice initiative.
The school choice issue has been around for years, but it’s largely up to states to determine the best path forward. And states are moving quickly.
Tennessee recently approved a $447 million statewide, publicly funded school voucher program that will allow more students to enroll in private schools, increase teacher bonuses, and guarantee school funding. South Dakota lawmakers shot down former Governor Kristi Noem’s proposed $4 million education savings account program that would have provided $3,000 per student to cover private school tuition or homeschooling options. During his State of the State address, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced school choice is one of the seven emergency issues for lawmakers to tackle in the upcoming session.
Education is a critical issue for all Americans, but determining which level of government can enact reforms and fund programs can be tricky business, especially if students are not taught about it in school.
See you next week!
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