Rural America’s economies are often left out by a design flaw in federal funding

Picture yourself living the American Dream. You likely have more opportunity than your parents did. Through hard work, smart choices and perhaps some good luck along the way, you have financial stability and a great deal of freedom to choose your next steps in life. Chances are also good that you live in or near […]

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Mark Zuckerberg thinks workplaces need to ‘man up’ − here’s why that’s bad for all employees, no matter their gender

When Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared on a Jan. 10, 2025, episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he lamented that corporate culture had become too “feminine,” suppressing its “masculine energy” and abandoning supposedly valuable traits such as aggression. The workplace, he concluded, has been “neutered.” Perhaps not surprisingly, Zuckerberg has also embraced stereotypically masculine pursuits […]

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Blackstone Invests $300 Million in DDN, Boosting Data Storage Firm’s Valuation to $5 Billion

Data storage company DDN has secured a $300 million investment from private equity giant Blackstone, which values the firm at $5 billion. This funding highlights the growing demand for advanced data storage solutions, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the increasing need for scalable, high-performance data management. DDN, a leader […]

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Google Invests Over $1 Billion in AI Startup Anthropic to Strengthen Competitive Edge

Google has made a significant investment exceeding $1 billion in the AI startup Anthropic, further intensifying the tech giant’s focus on advancing artificial intelligence capabilities. The move comes as part of Google’s strategy to strengthen its position in the competitive AI market, where it faces increasing rivalry from OpenAI and other industry players. Anthropic, a […]

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Ardian Raises €3.2 Billion for Sixth Expansion Fund to Target High-Growth Companies in Western Europe

Private equity firm Ardian has successfully raised €3.2 billion (approximately $3.3 billion) for its sixth expansion fund, aimed at investing in mid-sized, mission-critical, and high-growth companies across key Western European markets. The fund will focus on supporting businesses that are poised for significant expansion, particularly in industries where rapid development and strategic transformation are essential. […]

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How nonprofits pitch in before, during and after disasters strike

Los Angeles is reeling after fires of historic proportions raced through many communities in January 2025, destroying thousands of homes. The Conversation U.S. asked Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, an associate research professor and director of the Idaho Policy Institute at Boise State University, and an expert on sustainable management and nonprofit administration, to explain what role […]

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I’m an economist. Here’s why I’m worried the California insurance crisis could trigger broader financial instability

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have made one threat very clear: Climate change is undermining the insurance systems American homeowners rely on to protect themselves from catastrophes. This breakdown is starting to become painfully clear as families and communities struggle to rebuild. But another threat remains less recognized: This collapse could pose a threat […]

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Neighbors and strangers pulled together to help LA fire survivors – 60 years of research shows these unsung heroes are crucial to disaster response

As wildfires swept through neighborhoods on the outskirts of Los Angeles in January 2025, stories about residents there helping their neighbors and total strangers began trickling out on social media. Accounts of Hollywood stars clearing streets for emergency vehicles to get through and raising money for fire victims were widely circulated. But there were many […]

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AI Startups Dominate VC Investment in 2024: What to Expect in 2025

In 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) startups attracted a significant share of venture capital (VC) funding, securing one-third of all VC dollars globally. In North America, this figure surged to nearly 50%, highlighting the growing dominance of AI within the tech investment landscape. This surge in AI funding reflects both the excitement around transformative AI technologies […]

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How do you create a workplace that people want to work in? We embedded in a company to find out

It’s been five years since the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 disrupted the traditional office workplace. For a while, it seemed COVID-19 killed the office. Companies are now returning to the office in ever greater numbers. As professors who have researched remote work and collaboration for decades, we have our counterarguments. But there are lessons to […]

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