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As Spring Break kicks off across the U.S., drivers are seeing a modest but expected rise in gas prices, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of gas has climbed three cents since last Thursday, now sitting at $3.15. Gas prices typically begin their seasonal climb in spring and tend to peak during the summer months. However, despite the recent uptick, the national average remains about 40 cents lower than the same time last year. AAA attributes the lower year-over-year average to weak crude oil prices and subdued gasoline demand. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that gasoline demand fell slightly, from 8.81 million barrel…

Gas prices across the U.S. ticked up this week, according to a new report from AAA. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.17, up slightly from $3.167 one week ago and 5 cents higher than one month ago. The moderate increase in gas prices is being attributed to rising demand as warmer spring weather encourages more drivers to hit the road. Despite the bump, prices remain significantly lower than this time last year, when the national average stood at $3.66 per gallon. A key factor keeping prices in check is the lower cost of crude oil, currently around $62 per barrel, down from $82 per barrel at this time in 2024. Fuel Supply and Demand …

With millions of drivers preparing to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, gas prices have remained stable nationwide, providing welcome news for travelers. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline holds at $3.19, unchanged from the previous week and significantly lower than one year ago, when prices stood at $3.61. AAA reported on May 22 that current prices represent the lowest Memorial Day average since 2021, when the national average was $3.04 per gallon. Experts attribute the stability to a supply surplus in the crude oil market, with production outpacing demand. The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows …

The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline surged nearly 27 cents in just one week, reaching $3.25, according to AAA Gas Prices. Driven primarily by escalating crude oil prices tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, small business owners may find this development offers both challenges and opportunities. As gas prices soar, now sitting at levels last seen in early April 2025, small businesses, especially those reliant on transportation or fuel-intensive operations, must evaluate the implications for their bottom line. This price increase mirrors a similar spike experienced during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in March 2022. …

After a period of relative stability, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has climbed by 4 cents over the past week, reaching $3.12, according to AAA. The price increase comes despite crude oil prices remaining below $70 per barrel and is largely attributed to the seasonal transition to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce due to its reduced volatility in warm temperatures. The national average for public electric vehicle (EV) charging remained unchanged at 34 cents per kilowatt hour. Supply and Demand Factors New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decline in gasoline demand, which dropped from 9.18 million barre…

As gas prices are a significant concern for small business owners, recent forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) promise some relief. According to their latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, retail gasoline prices are expected to decrease by 6% in 2026. While this may sound like great news, regional differences and underlying factors present both opportunities and challenges that small businesses must navigate. The forecast indicates a general decline in gasoline prices across the United States, with an average drop in 2026 before a slight increase of 1% in 2027. Despite this uptick, prices in 2027 will still remain below the levels seen in 2025, exc…

Google has rolled out its latest enhancements to the Gemini app, aiming to empower small business owners with tools tailored for efficiency and personalization. These updates, detailed in the recent Gemini Drops announcement, promise to streamline various tasks, enhance creative capabilities, and offer unique educational support. One of the standout features is “Personal Intelligence.” This tool connects various Google apps to deliver personalized assistance for activities ranging from vacation planning to project management. Small business owners can choose which apps to integrate and adjust their personalization settings as needed, providing a flexible approach to prod…

For small business owners navigating the complexities of modern technology, the introduction of Gemini CLI extensions promises a significant upgrade to workflow efficiency. Google has unveiled this new framework designed to allow users to customize and enhance their command-line interface (CLI) experience, integrating tools typically used across various platforms directly into the terminal. Gemini CLI is an open-source, AI-powered agent that streamlines tasks for developers and businesses alike. With the rapid growth of more than one million developers already utilizing this innovative tool since its launch, the release of the Gemini CLI extensions presents a golden oppo…

As small business owners gear up for a bustling year ahead, effective budgeting becomes more critical than ever. Enter Google’s Gemini app, a powerful tool that’s poised to alleviate some of the financial planning headaches traditionally faced by entrepreneurs. With a few straightforward prompts, Gemini offers the ability to streamline budgeting processes, discover potential savings, and map out future financial goals. Navigating through the often complex world of finances can feel intimidating, especially when planning budgets. The Gemini app takes away the guesswork, presenting a tailored approach to budgeting that could lead to significant savings. Gemini’s capabilit…

Small business owners are always on the lookout for innovative tools to enhance operations and improve customer interactions. Recent updates to Google’s Gemini audio model could be the game-changer many have been seeking. With features like live speech translation and advanced audio capabilities, businesses can enhance both customer service and internal communications. Gemini’s new updates are already generating buzz among early adopters. “Users often forget they’re talking to AI within a minute of using Sidekick, and in some cases have thanked the bot after a long chat,” said David Wurtz, VP of Product at Shopify. This highlights how advanced AI can make interactions mo…

In an exciting development for small business owners, Google Workspace has announced new beta features for its Gemini tool in Google Sheets. This innovative addition aims to transform the way businesses manage and analyze their data, allowing users to create, organize, and edit entire spreadsheets simply by describing their needs. Gemini in Sheets has recently showcased remarkable success in automating complex data manipulation, achieving a 70.48% success rate on the full SpreadsheetBench dataset—a public benchmark that tests models on their ability to handle real-world spreadsheet tasks. This performance not only outpaces competitors but also comes close to the proficie…

In an age where productivity often collides with the chaos of daily commuting, a new tool from Android aims to transform travel into an opportunity for efficiency. With the recent introduction of Gemini, small business owners can now harness the power of technology to make the most of their drive time, turning what was once unproductive time on the road into actionable tasks. Gemini integrates seamlessly with Gmail and promises to help users manage emails while on the go. This development could prove particularly beneficial for small business owners who often juggle numerous responsibilities. Instead of arriving at the office with a backlog of unread messages, entreprene…

Small business owners often face the daunting task of starting from scratch, whether that means drafting a proposal, organizing data, or creating content for marketing. However, new enhancements from Google Gemini promise to streamline these processes, making it significantly easier to produce high-quality work without the initial struggle of a blank page. In its latest update, Google Gemini integrates advanced capabilities into the suite of Google Workspace tools, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. As small businesses increasingly rely on digital tools, these new features aim to boost efficiency and productivity by bridging the gap between data sources and actio…

As New Year’s resolutions fade into the background amid busy lives, Google’s Gemini platform aims to bring a sense of structure and accountability to personal goals—invaluable tools for small business owners striving to enhance productivity and personal growth. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities, Gemini helps users not only set but also stick to their goals, making it a versatile assistant for entrepreneurs. The recent announcement from Google highlights Gemini’s unique ability to create organized, actionable plans across various domains—from fitness and decluttering to career advancement and budgeting. Small business owners can leverage these features to refine thei…

In an era where technology is reshaping how small businesses operate, Google has unveiled a game-changing feature that could enhance efficiency and productivity for entrepreneurs. The introduction of Opal, an AI-powered tool for creating mini applications, is now integrated directly into the Gemini web app. This move opens a plethora of opportunities for small business owners looking to customize their workflows and improve client interactions. By accessing Opal through the Gems manager within the Gemini platform, business owners can swiftly begin crafting reusable mini apps tailored to their unique needs. This development is especially valuable for small businesses that…

In an era where effective communication is pivotal for small businesses, Google’s latest updates to its Gemini Live AI tool promise to revolutionize how entrepreneurs and their teams engage with technology. With nuanced understanding of speech patterns and adaptive learning capabilities, Gemini is set to enhance interactions for business owners, making learning and communication far more intuitive. Google’s updates aim to create conversations that resonate with the complexity of human speech, encapsulating everything from tone to rhythm. Adopting this technology can provide significant advantages to small business owners keen on streamlining their operations or enhancing…

As small business owners strive to balance efficiency and creativity, the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are emerging as a game-changer. Recent insights from Lenovo highlight how integrating AI into workflows not only frees up time but also enhances creative potential, paving the way for innovative practices that could redefine productivity in small enterprises. Gavin Yarbrough, a content creator and student at UNC Chapel Hill, seamlessly leverages AI tools like ChatGPT to optimize his work. By analyzing data from his top-performing videos, AI condenses hours of investigation into mere minutes. “I use AI to open up more time in the day to be producti…

Amid the backdrop of an evolving workforce, Lenovo has identified a trend that may reshape how small business owners approach not just hiring, but workplace culture: the creativity-driven mindset of Generation Z. The company recently highlighted ways Gen Z is redefining professional identity, leveraging their creative skills to foster collaboration, innovation, and even influence corporate structures. Gen Z, those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, are not just digital natives; they embody a culture of creation that permeates every aspect of their lives. “I love connecting with people and understanding their point of view and being able to express my own,” says …

As the digital landscape becomes increasingly saturated, many in Gen Z are yearning for authentic in-person connections. Lenovo’s recent observations highlight an intriguing trend: younger generations are leveraging social media not just for screens but to foster real-world engagements. Small business owners should take note of these shifts as they aim to engage a demographic deeply integrated with technology yet hungry for community. Jesse Perlmutter, 23, exemplifies this movement. After relocating to New York City, she found herself immersed in various interest-based groups organized predominantly through Instagram. “I left the first run club with three new contacts in…

If you want to utilize the strength of social media marketing, it’s crucial to approach it systematically. Start by identifying your target audience and setting specific, measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Next, focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience on each platform. After that, you’ll need to measure your success to guarantee your strategy is effective. Comprehending these steps can set you on the right path to effectively grow your brand. Key Takeaways Define SMART goals for your social media strategy to ensure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Research your target audien…

Getting started with DaVinci Resolve is straightforward, and you’ll soon find it a potent tool for video editing. Begin by downloading the software and installing it on your computer. After setting up a new project, you’ll need to configure essential settings, like resolution and frame rate. As you navigate the interface, focus on key areas such as the Media Pool for importing clips. Ready to learn how to improve your projects with text, changes, and color correction? Key Takeaways Download DaVinci Resolve from the Blackmagic Design website and install it following the prompts for a seamless setup experience. Create a new project by naming it and configuring project set…

In recent years, TikTok has taken social media by storm. Today, TikTok is available in over 150 countries, has over 1 billion users, and has been downloaded over 200 million times in the United States alone. Similar to YouTube, TikTok’s social media platform’s most appealing draw is its capability to share videos. TikTok is all about user-generated content, and besides sharing videos, TikTok’s social media platform has evolved into a marketing channel for brands where they use the platform to connect with consumers between the ages of 13 and 60. If you own a business, TikTok marketing can be a great medium for your brand to connect with your customers. With TikTok marke…

Small business owners are always on the lookout for innovative ways to enhance their brand visibility and reach new customers. Google Gemini’s latest initiative, the Global AI Film Award, offers a promising avenue for small enterprises to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in creative storytelling, potentially expanding their marketing horizons and audience engagement. The newly launched Global AI Film Award is now accepting applications, and it presents an exciting opportunity for individuals and businesses alike to showcase their creativity using Google AI tools. With the rise of short-form video content, this competition encourages filmmakers to harness the power o…

In an era where email overload is the norm, Google is stepping up its game with the introduction of AI-powered features in Gmail that could reshape how small businesses manage communication. With 3 billion users already relying on Gmail, the tech giant is making significant improvements that promise to enhance productivity and streamline information retrieval. The latest innovation, dubbed the Gemini era, introduces features designed to transform Gmail into a proactive inbox assistant. Small business owners, often swamped with a multitude of emails, can expect to experience substantial benefits from this update. One of the standout enhancements is the AI Overviews featu…

A new survey from GoDaddy Inc. reveals that while nearly half of U.S. microbusiness owners anticipate a weakening national economy in the coming months, most still maintain confidence in the growth prospects of their own enterprises. According to data released May 5, 2025, by the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, 49% of the 2,100 surveyed business owners expect the national economy to decline in the next six months, a 17-point increase from 2024. Despite this shift in sentiment, 66% of respondents expressed positive revenue expectations, with only 9% forecasting a decline in sales. “Small business owners are realistic about the economy, but they believe in themselves…