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In B2B marketing, content syndication has long been a staple for reaching decision makers, filling the sales pipeline, and accelerating leads. But in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape, relying solely on a single channel strategy could mean missing out on other high-impact channels. Today’s buyers are consuming content in new and varying ways—they’re tuning in to podcasts during commutes, streaming their favorite shows via connected TV, and gaining business news from social media platforms. To engage prospects effectively, marketers need to test and expand their digital toolkit with a diversified channel mix that can be anchored in tried and true syndication but complemented with a mix to optimize results. Understand the new B2B buyer Here’s the harsh reality for B2B organizations today: Engaging prospects is harder than ever. Buying groups are getting larger, buying decisions are taking longer, and buyers typically don’t want to engage with sales teams until they are farther down the buying process. How B2B buyers approach purchase decisions has changed as well. Millennials and Gen Z members of the buying committee are remaking B2B buying dynamics. As digital natives, these buying demographics bring a fundamentally different mindset to the decision-making process that’s more tech-savvy and focused on efficiency. Instead of relying on the traditional combination of in-person meetings, email exchanges, and/or phone calls, they’re using more media channels to gather information and conducting self-guided digital journeys that mirror the consumer-grade digital interactions they have in their personal lives. Revenue teams must adapt to this new breed of buyer by changing how they engage them. Focusing too heavily on one channel may limit reach and can neglect personalization opportunities. A diversified, multifaceted approach that leverages the unique benefits and strengths of each channel ensures that brands meet prospects where they are, while reinforcing messages across different touchpoints. This holistic engagement nurtures prospects throughout the decision-making process, leading to higher conversion rates, better deals, and stronger brand awareness and trust. Craft the optimal channel mix So, what should the ideal B2B channel mix look like? Diversification is key to reaching buyers and standing out from the competition. It’s not about eliminating any one channel entirely but instead focusing on buyer trends and insights to craft a unified, multi-channel strategy that meets them where they already are. Podcast advertising has become a powerful and intimate way for B2B marketers to reach highly engaged audiences. With podcast listenership in the U.S. at an all-time high—up 23% since 2021—research reveals that of those who listen on their way to or from work, 15% consider this time an essential part of their day, and these listeners are 10% more likely to engage with ads. What’s more, our recent Harris Poll survey revealed that half of B2B marketers surveyed plan to invest more in podcast advertising in 2025. For marketers, podcasts offer a versatile channel to engage decision makers through direct sponsorships or dynamic ad insertion. With listeners already immersed in relevant topics, podcasts provide a distraction-free environment where tailored messages resonate more deeply compared to traditional banner ads, thanks to the more conversational tone of the medium. Connected TV (CTV) presents another growing opportunity for B2B marketers, especially as hybrid work trends increase and decision makers continue to cut the cable cord in favor of streaming platforms. CTV ads offer an immersive, non-skippable format that captures attention in a premium environment. With the ability to target specific demographics, interests, and even industries, CTV is a powerful tool for building brand awareness and reinforcing thought leadership in the early stages of the buyer’s journey. Additionally, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are becoming crucial for B2B engagement. LinkedIn remains the go-to for targeted professional campaigns, but these visually-driven channels also allow brands to create authentic, trust-driven relationships with younger, digitally-savvy buyers. The trick with social media is consistency. Marketers should focus on producing value-rich content that fosters dialogue, shares insights, and highlights customer success. By combining organic posts with targeted paid campaigns, social media can generate engagement and build a community around your brand. Finally, display advertising remains an important tool in the B2B marketer’s arsenal, particularly for retargeting. Though often seen as a legacy tactic, programmatic display ads help bring decision makers back into the funnel with personalized, repeated exposure. Retargeting high-value accounts or visitors who have engaged with specific pages can be a highly effective strategy to nurture leads and encourage conversions. The future of B2B marketing: Stay adaptable to changing dynamics As B2B marketing becomes increasingly complex, marketers must stay ahead of trends, technologies, and best practices to remain competitive. Professionals who prioritize continuous learning through training and certification courses are better prepared to pivot and implement new strategies, ultimately driving better results for their organization. Certification programs from reputable organizations go beyond basic training by ensuring your strategy comes from a more solid understanding of marketing basics. This certification not only serves as tangible proof of expertise, helping build credibility with clients, partners, and stakeholders, but also enables you to make stronger cases for experimental campaigns because you have a deeper understanding of all the steps required to achieve success. While content syndication will always have its place, marketers should embrace a more modern channel mix to thrive in today’s competitive B2B environment. The future of B2B engagement requires meeting your audience wherever they are, whether in their earbuds during a podcast, streaming shows after work, or scrolling through social media in search of insights. By combining a more diverse mix of channels, brands can create a comprehensive strategy that engages all decision-makers across multiple touchpoints, fostering deeper connections and driving long-term revenue growth. Keith Turco is the CEO of Madison Logic. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

UK prime minister will also talk up potential of AI to increase productivity across the state View the full article

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel that external circumstances dictate our existence. We attribute success and failure to factors beyond our control—the economy, the government, societal expectations, or unforeseen events. But here’s the thing: Blaming externalities diminishes our sense of agency and hinders our growth and fulfillment. The opposite is also true. Choosing personal sovereignty—claiming our power as the ultimate architects of our life experience—leads to a more empowered and authentic existence. The illusion of control From a young age, we are conditioned to seek validation and direction from external sources. Society’s norms, cultural expectations, and even well-meaning parents and leaders teach us to relinquish personal agency. Over time, this reinforces the myth that our locus of control is external. We learn to attribute our outcomes to others, creating a cycle of dependency and disempowerment. Psychologically, we create a self-serving bias. We attribute our successes to personal efforts while blaming our failures on others or external circumstances. The bias serves as a defense mechanism to protect self-esteem, but it also impedes our self-awareness and growth. The consequences of externalization When we habitually blame external circumstances for our unhappiness or failures, we surrender our power to create change. This leads to feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and resentment. It also stifles personal development, as we fail to recognize our role in shaping our experiences. For example, continually attributing a stagnant career to a difficult market or unsupportive colleagues prevents us from examining our own actions, decisions, and attitudes that contribute to the situation. By not acknowledging our part, we miss our opportunities for learning and growth. And we miss the chance to initiate change. What is personal sovereignty? Personal sovereignty is the recognition that we hold the ultimate authority over our lives. It involves taking full responsibility for our actions and outcomes. Yes, external factors influence us, but we hold the power to choose our responses. As psychologists often note, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Embracing personal sovereignty requires a shift from external validation to internal guidance. It means trusting our inner voices and aligning our actions with our core values and beliefs. This alignment promotes authenticity and empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and purpose. Let’s explore how to do this. The 6 steps to personal sovereignty Self-reflection: Regularly engage in introspection to understand your motivations, desires, and fears. Journaling or meditation can aid in this process, helping you to connect with your inner self. Accept responsibility: Acknowledge your role in your life’s circumstances. Recognize that while you can’t control external events, you do control your reactions and decisions. Challenge limiting beliefs: Identify and confront beliefs that constrain your potential. Replace them with empowering narratives that reflect your true capabilities. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries to protect your energy and focus. This includes saying no to commitments that don’t align with your values or drain your resources. Cultivate self-trust: Build confidence in your decision-making abilities. Start with small choices and gradually take on more significant decisions as your self-trust strengthens. Seek growth opportunities: View challenges as opportunities for learning. Embrace discomfort as a natural part of the growth process. We, alone, hold the power to choose. At the heart of personal sovereignty is the power of choice. Every moment presents an opportunity to choose our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. By consciously making choices that align with our best and most authentic selves, we reclaim our power and transform our life experiences. For example, my own background as a Soviet refugee could easily have made me angry or bitter, with ample reasons to justify a lackluster existence in the U.S. Instead, I chose to earn an advanced education that I continue today. I created a career path spanning decades that allows me to offer a better life for many communities in the U.S. and throughout the world. Kellan Fluckiger, my coauthor, can tell similar tales about choosing growth after decades of struggle with depression and self-sabotage. Well into his adult life he created a path of recovery and growth even after a near-death illness, to inspire millions, first through an award-winning choir and currently as a business coach who has written 12 No. 1 best-selling books, with more to come. These outcomes would not occur without the choice to take full responsibility for our own outcomes, regardless of the unexpected hurdles beyond our control. It’s also important for all of us to recognize that embracing personal sovereignty is a continuous journey, not a destination. It requires ongoing commitment, self-compassion, and courage. As we navigate this path, we not only enrich our own lives but also inspire others to reclaim their power and live authentically. Final thoughts In a world rife with uncertainties and external pressures, embracing personal sovereignty offers a pathway to empowerment and fulfillment. By recognizing our role as the architects of our life experiences, we move from a state of passive existence to active engagement. This shift enables us to live more authentically, make meaningful contributions, and experience deeper satisfaction. As we embark on this journey, let us remember that true power lies not in controlling external circumstances but in mastering ourselves. By reclaiming our personal sovereignty, we unlock the potential to create a life that truly reflects who we are and what we value. Gene Eidelman is the cofounder of Azure Printed Homes. Kellan Fluckiger is the founder of Kellan Fluckiger International, and the creator of Your Ultimate Life. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Republican-controlled House of Representatives had passed the measure on TuesdayView the full article

Prosecutors accuse suspect of trying to burn down a large retail store in Warsaw last yearView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. TV tech has improved a lot over the years, with high-end buyers focused on subtle differentiators like the number of local dimming zones. But if all you're looking for is a big screen with decent smart features, good visuals, and a low price, the 75-inch LG UR9000 is a great option. This set is $449.99 (originally $1,099.99) on Woot, a 59% discount and the lowest price it has reached according to price tracking tools. (Remember that Woot only ships to the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. If you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping; otherwise, it’ll be $6.) LG UR9000 Voice Assistant: Alexa, Resolution: 3840 x 2160, Ports: USB + Ethernet + HDMI, Refresh Rate: 60Hz $449.99 at Woot $1,099.99 Save $650.00 Get Deal Get Deal $449.99 at Woot $1,099.99 Save $650.00 The LG UR9000 didn't exactly win any awards when it was released in 2023 as a slightly higher end budget 4K set. It doesn't get very bright compared to pricier models, with 516 nits in SDR and 610 in HDR, making watching HDR movies in direct sunlight or very bright rooms a lesser experience. LG also cut costs on the contrast and local dimming features. However, since this is an IPS panel, the viewing angles are great, which is a plus if you plan to place this massive TV in your living room. It'll also handle reflections from lamps or lights well. It's also a good option as a gaming TV or as an oversized computer monitor, as it has a low input lag of 10.4 ms at 1080p with 60Hz. If size isn't as important for you as some of the specs this TV lacks, you can spend $50 more for the 65-Inch Hisense U6, which it's a much better TV according to PCMag's review. But if you're someone who games casually, love watching sports, and wants a giant 75-inch screen at a low price, the UR9000 will serve you well. View the full article

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported a decline in small business optimism for February, with its Small Business Optimism Index falling by 2.1 points to 100.7. Despite the decline, this marks the fourth consecutive month the index has remained above the 51-year average of 98. However, the index remains 4.4 points below its recent peak of 105.1 recorded in December. Meanwhile, the Uncertainty Index rose by four points to 104, marking the second-highest reading ever recorded. “Uncertainty is high and rising on Main Street, and for many reasons,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Those small business owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months dropped and the percent viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell, but remains well above where it was in the fall. Inflation remains a major problem, ranked second behind the top problem, labor quality.” Key Findings from the Survey The net percentage of owners expecting the economy to improve dropped by 10 points to a net negative 37% (seasonally adjusted). The percentage of owners viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell five points to 12%, marking the largest monthly decrease since April 2020. Sixteen percent of owners identified inflation as their most significant problem, a two-point decrease from January, placing it just below labor quality as the primary concern. A net 32% of owners reported raising average selling prices, a 10-point increase from January and the third highest in survey history. A seasonally adjusted net 29% of owners plan price hikes over the next three months, up three points from January and the highest level in 11 months. Reports of labor costs as the single most important problem rose three points to 12%, nearing the highest recorded level of 13% from December 2021. Hiring Challenges and Wage Trends The survey revealed continued hiring difficulties among small businesses. A seasonally adjusted 38% of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in February, up three points from January and the highest reading since August 2024. Among the 53% of owners hiring or trying to hire in February, 89% reported few or no qualified applicants. A net 15% of small business owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, a three-point decrease from January. Labor quality remains the top challenge for business owners, rising one point to 19%, overtaking inflation as the leading issue. Seasonally adjusted, a net 33% of owners reported raising compensation, unchanged from January, while a net 18% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down two points from January. Capital Expenditures and Sales Performance Capital spending among small business owners remained steady, with 58% reporting capital outlays in the last six months, unchanged from January. Among those making expenditures: 37% invested in new equipment. 30% purchased vehicles. 13% expanded or improved facilities. 12% spent on new fixtures and furniture. 5% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. The percentage of owners planning capital outlays in the next six months declined by one point to 19%. Sales trends showed some weakening, with a net negative 12% of owners reporting higher nominal sales over the past three months, down two points from January. The net percentage of owners expecting higher real sales volumes declined by six points to 14%, marking the second consecutive monthly drop. Inventory and Financing Conditions Inventory levels remained stable, with a net negative 6% of owners reporting inventory gains, unchanged from January. The percentage of owners planning inventory investment declined by one point to a net negative 1%. Financing conditions showed minimal change. A net 2% of small business owners reported that their last loan was harder to obtain than previous attempts, down one point from January and the lowest reading since February 2022. Three percent of owners cited financing and interest rates as their top business problem, unchanged from January, while a net 4% reported paying a higher rate on their most recent loan. New Business Health Assessment For the first time, NFIB introduced a new question assessing how small business owners view the overall health of their business. According to the survey: 11% rated their business health as excellent. 55% reported it as good. 27% described it as okay. 6% classified their business health as bad. The NFIB Small Business Economic Trends report has been conducted quarterly since 1973 and monthly since 1986. The February 2025 survey was based on responses from a random sample of NFIB members and was released on March 11, 2025. This article, "NFIB Survey: Small Business Optimism Declines in February" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported a decline in small business optimism for February, with its Small Business Optimism Index falling by 2.1 points to 100.7. Despite the decline, this marks the fourth consecutive month the index has remained above the 51-year average of 98. However, the index remains 4.4 points below its recent peak of 105.1 recorded in December. Meanwhile, the Uncertainty Index rose by four points to 104, marking the second-highest reading ever recorded. “Uncertainty is high and rising on Main Street, and for many reasons,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Those small business owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months dropped and the percent viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell, but remains well above where it was in the fall. Inflation remains a major problem, ranked second behind the top problem, labor quality.” Key Findings from the Survey The net percentage of owners expecting the economy to improve dropped by 10 points to a net negative 37% (seasonally adjusted). The percentage of owners viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell five points to 12%, marking the largest monthly decrease since April 2020. Sixteen percent of owners identified inflation as their most significant problem, a two-point decrease from January, placing it just below labor quality as the primary concern. A net 32% of owners reported raising average selling prices, a 10-point increase from January and the third highest in survey history. A seasonally adjusted net 29% of owners plan price hikes over the next three months, up three points from January and the highest level in 11 months. Reports of labor costs as the single most important problem rose three points to 12%, nearing the highest recorded level of 13% from December 2021. Hiring Challenges and Wage Trends The survey revealed continued hiring difficulties among small businesses. A seasonally adjusted 38% of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in February, up three points from January and the highest reading since August 2024. Among the 53% of owners hiring or trying to hire in February, 89% reported few or no qualified applicants. A net 15% of small business owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, a three-point decrease from January. Labor quality remains the top challenge for business owners, rising one point to 19%, overtaking inflation as the leading issue. Seasonally adjusted, a net 33% of owners reported raising compensation, unchanged from January, while a net 18% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down two points from January. Capital Expenditures and Sales Performance Capital spending among small business owners remained steady, with 58% reporting capital outlays in the last six months, unchanged from January. Among those making expenditures: 37% invested in new equipment. 30% purchased vehicles. 13% expanded or improved facilities. 12% spent on new fixtures and furniture. 5% acquired new buildings or land for expansion. The percentage of owners planning capital outlays in the next six months declined by one point to 19%. Sales trends showed some weakening, with a net negative 12% of owners reporting higher nominal sales over the past three months, down two points from January. The net percentage of owners expecting higher real sales volumes declined by six points to 14%, marking the second consecutive monthly drop. Inventory and Financing Conditions Inventory levels remained stable, with a net negative 6% of owners reporting inventory gains, unchanged from January. The percentage of owners planning inventory investment declined by one point to a net negative 1%. Financing conditions showed minimal change. A net 2% of small business owners reported that their last loan was harder to obtain than previous attempts, down one point from January and the lowest reading since February 2022. Three percent of owners cited financing and interest rates as their top business problem, unchanged from January, while a net 4% reported paying a higher rate on their most recent loan. New Business Health Assessment For the first time, NFIB introduced a new question assessing how small business owners view the overall health of their business. According to the survey: 11% rated their business health as excellent. 55% reported it as good. 27% described it as okay. 6% classified their business health as bad. The NFIB Small Business Economic Trends report has been conducted quarterly since 1973 and monthly since 1986. The February 2025 survey was based on responses from a random sample of NFIB members and was released on March 11, 2025. This article, "NFIB Survey: Small Business Optimism Declines in February" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Within three months of becoming CEO of the Honest Company in 2023, Carla Vernón slashed 25% of its eco-friendly goods. That seems tame in comparison to what happened when Brad Charron joined Aloha as CEO in 2017: He killed off every product category. Now on the other side of major rebrands and company pivots, these CEOs say there wasn’t necessarily a playbook to follow when they joined their respective companies as outsiders. While assuming the role of turnaround CEO proved difficult—and not one either would like to undertake again—there are many lessons learned, which they shared during a discussion at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW. When Charron was initially approached about becoming chief marketing officer of Aloha, he was unimpressed with the product lineup and after about an hour meeting with the team, he concluded the organic, plant-based food company wouldn’t be in business a year from then. He ultimately decided to join Aloha as CEO, giving himself a made-up title of “re-founder,” and initiated a company re-start, killing off all of existing products like trail mix and chocolates and launching the current lineup of protein bars, powders and drinks. “It was a complete destruction because that was what was needed,” Charron told the SXSW audience. “You couldn’t step-change your way to fixing all that illed it.” While Vernón’s changes at Honest were less drastic, she had the added pressure of overseeing a publicly-traded company—“Wall Street gave me no grace.” Honest had gone public less than two years before she arrived and while private, it had experimented with launching products in a wide variety of categories, she said. One of her first tasks as CEO was to evaluate the wide range of Honest items, from the core or “hero” products beloved by consumers to those with varying success by financial metrics—and everything in-between. In the end, 25% of the products were slashed. “People think that that’s risky, but our company grew revenues for the first time in two years when we had less variety in our portfolio because we could focus on what mattered and what was good,” she said. “Product quality is your number one focus.” EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES Empowering employees to have a sense of ownership at both Honest and Aloha was also key to these turnaround success stories, the CEOs said. “There is more scrutiny and skepticism of the outsider, both from the employee base and from the investor base, who has to figure out whether they can trust you managing their money,” Vernón said. “One of the things I introduced is that every single full time employee—I don’t care if that is the office mom or if that is the CFO—they are all shareholders, and so they are all invested in us figuring out how to be aligned with our retail partners and with our investors.” Charron likewise focused on ensuring employees felt a sense of ownership in Aloha. “The most precious thing we have in the world is our time, and there’s nothing worse than wasting your energy and your heart and your soul on something that’s not symmetrically set up for a future success,” he said. “I had to find people who would be willing to kind of put their skin on the line a little bit and be an employee-owner mentality.” NAVIGATING DIFFICULTY Even though he came into a situation he knew would be difficult—and proved to be difficult—and Charron said it was important to recognize that fixing so much that was broken wouldn’t happen quickly. “Everything across the entire ecosystem of the company needed to be questioned and we needed to have patience that eventually we were going to build something that was going to work,” he said. “That’s really kind-of the core discipline that has gotten Aloha to where it is today.” Vernón had more time pressure to enact a pivot—her first earnings call was eight weeks after she became CEO—and she needed the buy-in of the board of directors and investors. While she said working at Honest has been “the thrill and adventure of a lifetime,” there were some “tough” days early on and that’s when she leaned on her support network. “It was a very, I think fragile moment for us as a company and I am so proud that we’ve come through actually stronger.” View the full article

If you've been dealing with Google Messages issues—particular with regards to sending photos and videos—you aren't alone. Messages users are complaining about images that are slow to load when sent via RCS. Media shows up blurry for minutes at a time before users can actually open them. Photos and videos are also arriving compressed, which is something to be expected on SMS, not RCS. Luckily for those affected, Google has taken notice. In a Tuesday post on the company's support website, a community manager acknowledged the "frustrating issues" with sending media in Google Messages, and shared some good news: The Google team has been "actively working on this," and has issued updates dedicated to "significantly improving media receiving performance." There doesn't appear to be a new update to install to solve the issues on the users' end, which likely indicates these changes are happening behind the scenes on Google's side. Still, it doesn't hurt to keep Google Messages itself updated. Head to its Play Store page to make sure you're running the latest version of the app. If not, you'll want to hit Update. Hopefully, following all these changes, you'll shake these media issues for good. Despite the company's optimism about the update, the post does suggest the problems here could be complicated. It doesn't help that Google avoids identifying the specific features in question that they've addressed, simply noting them as slowdowns and failures with media. As such, Google encourages users to continue sharing any issues they run into. Whether that means Google knows these particular issues could still be present when sending and receiving media in Google Messages isn't clear, but it's good context moving forward. How to report Google Messages bugs to GoogleIf after today, you're still experiencing these media problems, or any issues at all with Google Messages, you should tell Google about them. To do so, open the app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then choose Help & feedback. Tap Send feedback at the bottom of this page, then choose whether you'd like Google Play services to access your device logs. (Choosing not to is fine.) From here, you can write out your feedback, and including screenshots or system logs if you like, before sending the feedback as an email. View the full article

The legislative proposal highlights tensions around broader utilization of partial claim-style mortgage options and the VA's particular difficulty funding one. View the full article

Champion of light regulation expected to be welcomed by Wall Street View the full article

With focus turning to increased domestic production, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange plans to launch a new lumber futures trading exchange in late March. View the full article

Now the structured mortgage securities are cheap enough that CLO investors are watching them more closely, according to strategists and investors. View the full article

The final (final) deadline for the Department of Homeland Security's REAL ID requirement is upon us, and unlike so many instances in the two decades since the new rules were passed, it doesn't appear that air travelers are getting another extension to obtain an identification that complies. The 2005 REAL ID Act aimed to standardize state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards by 2008, though the rollout was delayed until 2020, then 2023, then 2025. Starting May 7, anyone age 18 and over passing airport security or entering certain federal buildings with their license will need a REAL ID. Many states have issued REAL IDs in recent years upon license renewal or upgrade, so if yours has a gold or black star in the corner, you are already good to go. However, if you've procrastinated this change, you may still be able to fly with an alternative ID. Alternatives to REAL ID for air travelIf you need to go through a TSA checkpoint after May 7 and don't have a REAL ID-compliant license, you can use one of the following alternative forms of identification: U.S. passport U.S passport card DHS Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (available to residents in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington only) TSA will also accept IDs like Enhanced Tribal Cards, permanent resident and border crossing cards, Department of Defense IDs (and other federal worker credentials), and foreign passports. TSA does accept expired IDs up to a year after expiration, and you may still be allowed to clear security without a valid ID upon completion of an identity verification process. To get a REAL ID, you'll need to check your state's requirements. Typically, these include proof of your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, and residency status. You'll also need to go in person to have your photo taken and pay a fee. REAL ID is only required for clearing security at airports (and some federal buildings)—you do not need one to drive or vote. View the full article

Some “copycat” versions of popular weight-loss drugs will soon be restricted in the U.S. The change comes as a federal judge declined an injunction that would’ve allowed compounding pharmacies to keep making more affordable versions. In a Good Morning America segment, Dr. Tara Narula, ABC News chief medical correspondent, explained how compound-drug creation works to meet demand. “When a drug is in short supply, the FDA allows these compounding pharmacies to essentially create copycat drugs. But when the drug companies say, ‘we are able to meet the demand,’ then those compounding pharmacies can no longer sell those drugs,” Narula said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now begin restricting the creation of the compound drugs. In 2022, the popularity of weight-loss drugs was rising too quickly for drug companies to keep up with demand. Patients turned to compound versions, which were made by licensed pharmacists but were not FDA approved. Last year, around 200,000 prescriptions for copies of Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy alone were being filled each month. But now, the makers of the original versions of the drugs say they are no longer facing shortages and have removed the drugs from the FDA’s shortage list. Three weeks ago, the FDA made that declaration in a press release, and, at the same time, announced that selling copycat versions “with rare exceptions” was now “illegal.” In the release, Dave Moore, president of Novo Nordisk and executive vice president of U.S. operations and global business development, said, “We are pleased the FDA has declared that supply of the only real, FDA-approved semaglutide medicines is resolved, affirming that Novo Nordisk is meeting or exceeding current and projected nationwide demand. No one should have to compromise their health due to misinformation and reach for fake or illegitimate knockoff drugs that pose significant safety risks to patients.” Still, patients who rely on copycat weight-loss drugs pay a fraction of the price tag for the real thing, which averages around $1,000 per month. Narula said that patients’ wallets will certainly be impacted by the FDA’s move. “This is all going to affect people who are getting these drugs, usually at a much lower cost and much easier to find,” Narula said. Telehealth companies, such as Hims & Hers Health, which capitalized on the supply issues by selling compound versions, may also be hard hit. Hims’s shares have already tumbled, dropping 46% since semaglutide was taken off the FDA’s shortage list. To that end, a Change.org petition organized by the GLP-1 Collective, a nonprofit that advocates for access to the drugs, has sprung into action to combat the FDA’s latest moves. The petition has garnered more than 24,700 signatures at the time of publication. The petition not only urges the FDA to allow compounding pharmacies to keep making the drugs, it also asserts the importance of generic versions of the drugs, insurance coverage, and competitive pricing. View the full article

Moscow’s soldiers step up the offensive just hours after Kyiv backs 30-day, US-brokered armisticeView the full article

Study after study shows that humans can't really multitask but we all keep trying to do it anyway. Why is that? In part, I blame our nice big computer monitors, which can fit lots of open windows at once. I have a habit of leaving a chat window open in the background when I should be focused on my writing, and I bet you do something similar, even if you know—and agree—with the research that suggests this only increases your distractibility. Recently I stumbled upon Monocle, a $4 indie Mac application that seeks to solve this problem. Monocle blurs everything on your screen except for your current window. The idea is that this will force you to focus on the task at hand, instead of constantly monitoring several open windows. Sure, you could do the same thing by using all of your applications in full screen or by only having one application open at the time, but this approach means you can still switch easily between windows when that's actually useful (as opposed to whenever your attention wanders). If this sounds a bit abstract, perhaps some screenshots will make things a bit more clear. Here's a cluttered Mac desktop with multiple windows open: Credit: Justin Pot And here's what that same desktop looks like with Monocle running: Credit: Justin Pot The currently open window is clear, as is the menu bar. All of the other windows, not to mention the wallpaper, are blurred. In theory, blurring everything you're not currently working on will make it easier to focus. If this strikes you as too extreme, Monocle offers a compromise of sorts: an option that blurs only the bottom three quarters of each window. This allows you to note what's open without getting sucked in: Credit: Justin Pot There are a few more features in the settings worth exploring. You can exclude certain applications from triggering the effect, if you want. You can also adjust the graininess of the blurring and set up keyboard shortcuts for turning the feature on and off. I tested out Monocle for a couple of days, mostly while writing. That, for me, is the primary task I do better at when I am solely focusing on the task at hand. For this use case, I found Monocle super helpful. It's also the only time I really left the blurring turned on. That's because there are all sorts of tasks that actually require typing in one window while looking at another. When I'm researching, for example, I tend to have two windows open: Obsidian for my notes, and a browser for the information I'm gathering. I constantly need to be looking at both of those windows at once. I think most people have at least some tasks that likewise require multiple windows, and leaving blurring on during tasks like that isn't going to be useful at all. The good news is, you can toggle the blurring using either a keyboard shortcut or by clicking a menu bar icon. I recommend doing this often—it's a good way to learn the kinds of work where you do (and do not) benefit from having multiple windows open. I also recommend hiding your Mac's menu bar in addition to turning on the app—that blocks out even more things that could disrupt your focus. If you're curious about Monocle, the app offers a seven-day free trial. Try it out for yourself and see if it's helpful. View the full article

A trio of trends — rates, prices and economic uncertainty — will dominate the 2025 Spring buying season and likely affect activity, Realtor.com warned. View the full article

OpenAI has announced the release of new tools designed to help developers and enterprises build AI agents that can independently accomplish tasks on behalf of users. The update includes a suite of APIs and tools aimed at simplifying the development of agentic applications. According to OpenAI, “We’re launching a new set of APIs and tools specifically designed to simplify the development of agentic applications.” These tools include the Responses API, built-in tools for web search, file search, and computer use, the new Agents SDK, and integrated observability tools for tracking agent workflow execution. Responses API: A New Foundation for AI Agents OpenAI’s new Responses API combines elements of the Chat Completions API with tool-use capabilities from the Assistants API, offering developers a more flexible approach to building AI agents. The API allows users to leverage multiple built-in tools, including web search and file search, making it easier to integrate real-world data into AI applications. “The Responses API is designed for developers who want to easily combine OpenAI models and built-in tools into their apps, without the complexity of integrating multiple APIs or external vendors,” OpenAI says in a blog post. The company noted that the API does not train models on business data by default, even when stored on OpenAI’s platform. Built-In Tools: Web Search, File Search, and Computer Use Developers can now access new built-in tools to enhance AI agent capabilities: Web Search: Provides real-time search capabilities with citations from sources such as news articles and blog posts. File Search: Enables retrieval of information from large document repositories using optimized queries and metadata filtering. Computer Use: A research-preview tool that allows AI agents to interact with digital environments, automating tasks on a computer through mouse and keyboard actions. These tools aim to improve AI agents’ ability to complete multi-step tasks by integrating external data and automating complex workflows. The Agents SDK for Workflow Orchestration To facilitate the management of multi-agent workflows, OpenAI has introduced the open-source Agents SDK. This toolkit allows developers to configure AI agents, manage task handoffs, enforce guardrails, and trace agent execution. “The Agents SDK is suitable for various real-world applications, including customer support automation, multi-step research, content generation, code review, and sales prospecting,” OpenAI noted. Companies like Coinbase and Box have already leveraged the Agents SDK to develop AI-powered applications for research, data extraction, and customer support automation. Future Plans and Industry Impact OpenAI envisions AI agents becoming integral to various industries by enhancing productivity and automating complex tasks. “With today’s releases, we’re introducing the first building blocks to empower developers and enterprises to more easily build, deploy, and scale reliable, high-performing AI agents,” OpenAI stated. The company plans to continue expanding its platform with additional integrations and tools to support AI-driven automation across industries. Image: OpenAI This article, "OpenAI Introduces New Tools for Building AI Agents" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

OpenAI has announced the release of new tools designed to help developers and enterprises build AI agents that can independently accomplish tasks on behalf of users. The update includes a suite of APIs and tools aimed at simplifying the development of agentic applications. According to OpenAI, “We’re launching a new set of APIs and tools specifically designed to simplify the development of agentic applications.” These tools include the Responses API, built-in tools for web search, file search, and computer use, the new Agents SDK, and integrated observability tools for tracking agent workflow execution. Responses API: A New Foundation for AI Agents OpenAI’s new Responses API combines elements of the Chat Completions API with tool-use capabilities from the Assistants API, offering developers a more flexible approach to building AI agents. The API allows users to leverage multiple built-in tools, including web search and file search, making it easier to integrate real-world data into AI applications. “The Responses API is designed for developers who want to easily combine OpenAI models and built-in tools into their apps, without the complexity of integrating multiple APIs or external vendors,” OpenAI says in a blog post. The company noted that the API does not train models on business data by default, even when stored on OpenAI’s platform. Built-In Tools: Web Search, File Search, and Computer Use Developers can now access new built-in tools to enhance AI agent capabilities: Web Search: Provides real-time search capabilities with citations from sources such as news articles and blog posts. File Search: Enables retrieval of information from large document repositories using optimized queries and metadata filtering. Computer Use: A research-preview tool that allows AI agents to interact with digital environments, automating tasks on a computer through mouse and keyboard actions. These tools aim to improve AI agents’ ability to complete multi-step tasks by integrating external data and automating complex workflows. The Agents SDK for Workflow Orchestration To facilitate the management of multi-agent workflows, OpenAI has introduced the open-source Agents SDK. This toolkit allows developers to configure AI agents, manage task handoffs, enforce guardrails, and trace agent execution. “The Agents SDK is suitable for various real-world applications, including customer support automation, multi-step research, content generation, code review, and sales prospecting,” OpenAI noted. Companies like Coinbase and Box have already leveraged the Agents SDK to develop AI-powered applications for research, data extraction, and customer support automation. Future Plans and Industry Impact OpenAI envisions AI agents becoming integral to various industries by enhancing productivity and automating complex tasks. “With today’s releases, we’re introducing the first building blocks to empower developers and enterprises to more easily build, deploy, and scale reliable, high-performing AI agents,” OpenAI stated. The company plans to continue expanding its platform with additional integrations and tools to support AI-driven automation across industries. Image: OpenAI This article, "OpenAI Introduces New Tools for Building AI Agents" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The new Pixel 9 lineup launched last summer—and the Pixel 9a is around the corner—so it's no surprise there's been a drop in prices for the Pixel 8 lineup. Amazon is offering the higher end Pixel 8 Pro for $599 (though prices seem to vary a bit based on location), but if your budget is a bit tighter, you can get the Pixel 8a for $399 (originally $499) after a $100 discount. That matches the Pixel 8a's lowest-ever price, according to price-checking tools. (The Pixel 9a is likely to cost $499 when it launches, so if you want to save yourself some money and don't need the latest device, this is a great choice.) Google Pixel 8a Unlocked Android Phone with Google AI, Advanced Pixel Camera and 24-Hour Battery - Bay - 128 GB $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $399.00 at Amazon $499.00 Save $100.00 The Pixel "a" series is the Pixel lineup's budget option. These devices tend to be missing some features of their pricier counterparts, but they often end up a better value for the money. For example, the Pixel 8a was available to preorder last May, and the biggest "cut" from the Pixel 8/8 Pro was the camera. Here is what assistant tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt had to say about the differences between the two: The 8a’s camera is 64MP main wide/12MP ultrawide on the rear and 13MP on the front. By comparison, the regular Pixel 8 is 50MP main wide/12MP ultrawide on the rear and 10.5MP on the front. However, due to improved light sensing and pixel size, the Pixel 8’s camera may be a better choice for some. The Pixel 8a has the same Tensor G3 processor as the Pixel 8/8 Pro, a slightly smaller 6.1-inch 120Hz “Actual” display, and a slightly better camera system in terms of pixels, but it may have weaker sensors. Still, the 8a is getting Google Gemini Nano support, like the other Pixels, along with seven years of guaranteed software support as well as the same new drop features. (You can read our full review of the 8a here.) View the full article

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Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., has filed a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule barring medical debt from credit reports. View the full article

City cheers crackdown on red tape but there are questions over how much it can boost growthView the full article