PYMNTS

While there are signs in the broader economy that a consumer-led recession could be on the way, real estate investment trust Simon Property Group remains optimistic about its shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations. The firm has been telling analysts for well over a year that lower-income consumers have been...

Simon Property Group Remains Optimistic About Consumer Spending in Retail

In the connected economy, there are simple business models (think subscriptions), complex business models (think platforms like Uber), and then there’s insurance. The insurance sector is so large and complicated that it’s hard to get a read on how big it is. Some estimates put it at $12 trillion cutting across health ($1.3 trillion), property and casualty ($1.5 trillion) and auto ($652 billion). And that’s just three categories.

One Inc CEO Says Insurance Market Is Ripe for Embedded Payments

Thrive Capital reportedly raised $5 billion for its biggest-ever pair of venture capital funds. The fundraising is a sign that the artificial intelligence boom is reviving investor enthusiasm, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday (Aug. 5). Thrive told its investors Sunday (Aug. 4) that it received commitments for the full...

Report: OpenAI Backer Thrive Capital Raises $5 Billion

Mexico-based FinTech Aviva has raised $5.5 million in seed funding. “This oversubscribed round highlights the strength of our model’s unit economics, as well as our mission to provide innovative and accessible financial services to a market of 70 million people who are still underserved or receive very low-quality products,” the company wrote in a recent LinkedIn post.

Aviva Raises $5.5 Million to Provide Financial Services to ‘Underserved’

America’s private equity giants have reportedly invested $162 billion in anticipation of a deal-making revival. Apollo, Ares, KKR and Blackstone invested that amount between April and June, with Apollo making up more than 40% of the total, the Financial Times (FT) reported Sunday (Aug. 4). The group’s executives told...

Private Equity Firms Invest $162 Billion on ‘Pent Up’ Deal Supply

Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Kentucky’s Community Actions Partnerships have announced the starts date for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy, aimed at helping Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program to help with summer cooling costs to begin enrollment July 16

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Florida State

Homeowners' Associations (HOAs): many Floridians belong to them and only now are they getting more protections from them. Effective July 1, 2024, House Bill 1203 is requiring HOAs to follow a more strict set of guidelines in favor of homeowners.

New Florida Law Cracks Down On Homeowners’ Associations

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

South Carolina State

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Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Mars is reportedly in discussions to acquire snack maker Kellanova in a deal worth about $30 billion. The purchase could come about “imminently,” The Wall Street Journal reported Monday (Aug. 5), citing unnamed sources. The acquisition would be among the biggest deals of 2024. Kellanova was once part...

Mars Bids for Snack Giant Kellanova in $30 Billion Deal

Pompano Beach, FL

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Akeena

In a shocking revelation, Kings Mart, a grocery store in Pompano Beach, has been slapped with a series of severe health violations by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The inspection, carried out by Francis Odio, uncovered a disturbing range of problems that have led to the immediate closure of several sections of the store.

An inspection found bugs in the food and rodent poop on the shelves at a Florida grocery store

Newark, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Nygee Johnson, also known as “Gito,” a 25-year-old member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, has admitted his role in a racketeering conspiracy. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Johnson pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court on July 17, 2024, to a superseding indictment charging him with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy.

Rollin' 60s Crips Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

New Jersey State

Collingswood, NJ

CAMDEN, N.J. – Ralston Boswell, 34, of Collingswood, New Jersey, has admitted to participating in schemes to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and unemployment insurance benefits. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Plea: Man's PPP & Unemployment Fraud - $209K Scam

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Illinois State

MOD Pizza has over 500 locations across the country with 22 restaurants in Illinois. The Washington-based chain offers fast-casual fare known for its customized, artisan-style pizzas. Customers can choose from over 40 toppings and 8 sauces to create their own masterpiece.

Bankruptcy Looms for Major Pizza Chain With Chicago Suburban Locations

Bucks County Beacon

Conservatives have done the United States a huge favor by explaining in detail what they’ll try to do if Donald Trump is reelected. Project 2025 , a “presidential transition project” of the Heritage Foundation, helpfully lays out how a group of former Trump officials would like to transform the country into a right-wing dystopia where the rich thrive and the rest of us die aspiring to be rich.

Project 2025’s Plan to Gut Medicare and Medicaid

NewsBreak

Block Reports Q2 Growth; Announces Reorganization and Banking Ambitions

The theme of digital-first infrastructure and value-added services built atop it is one that Block, owner of Cash App, Square, and Tidal, leaned into during Thursday’s...

Block Reports Q2 Growth; Announces Reorganization and Banking Ambitions

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