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If you’re looking to get your background check, you have several options at your disposal. Start by exploring reputable Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) that offer online requests for your report. You could additionally approach your local law enforcement agency or your state’s department of public safety for access to criminal history records. Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand the legal implications and costs involved in this process before proceeding. What steps should you take next to guarantee compliance and accuracy? Key Takeaways Visit a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) for comprehensive background checks that comply with FCRA guidelines. Check with your state’s Department of Justice or equivalent agency for state-specific criminal history reports. Use online platforms like Checkr for quick and easy background checks with transparent pricing. Contact local law enforcement agencies for basic criminal background checks or records. Ensure you have proper consent and identification ready when requesting your background check. Understanding Background Checks A background check is a critical step in the hiring process that helps employers verify candidates’ qualifications and guarantee they make informed hiring decisions. If you’re asking, “where do I go to get my background check,” it’s vital to comprehend the types of checks available. Employers often look into criminal records, employment history, and educational credentials to confirm accuracy. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the process, mandating that employers provide notice and obtain consent before conducting checks. This protects your privacy and rights. In Texas, specific laws, like the Texas Mini-FCRA, limit reporting certain criminal records to those within the last seven years for jobs paying under $75,000. Knowing these regulations can help you navigate the process effectively. Grasping background checks not just prepares you for what employers might see but likewise empowers you to clarify any misinformation that could arise during the hiring process. Types of Background Checks Available Various types of background checks can provide employers with vital insights into a candidate’s qualifications and history. One common type is a criminal history check, which reveals details about offenses, severity, and disposition, giving you a clear view of an individual’s legal background. Employment verification confirms past job titles, employment dates, and reasons for leaving, helping to establish work history. Education verification validates degrees earned and institutions attended, ensuring the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant. Furthermore, professional license verification checks the status of licenses held by an applicant, which is fundamental for roles requiring specific certifications. If you’re considering an FBI background check status, it’s important to know that this type of check will provide thorough data, including any federal offenses. Grasping these various checks can help you make informed decisions when selecting candidates for employment. How to Initiate a Background Check To initiate a background check, start by choosing a reliable screening provider that fits your needs, whether it’s an online service or a local agency. Next, gather all required information, such as the individual’s full name, date of birth, and any other pertinent details to guarantee an accurate search. Finally, submit your background check request according to the provider’s guidelines, making sure you comply with any legal requirements, like obtaining written consent if necessary. Choose Screening Provider Choosing a reliable screening provider is crucial when you’re ready to initiate a background check. A reputable Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), like iprospectcheck, can offer you customized services that meet your needs. Make sure the provider complies with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations, which mandate obtaining written consent from the individual before any checks are conducted. Evaluate the types of checks available, such as criminal history, employment verification, and education validation, to align with your hiring criteria. Consider factors like turnaround times; for instance, Checkr delivers 89% of criminal searches within an hour, enhancing efficiency. Finally, verify the provider’s credentials and confirm customer support is available to assist you throughout the process, including inquiries about your FBI background check status. Gather Required Information Initiating a background check requires you to gather essential personal information to guarantee accurate results. Start by collecting the following items: Your full name Date of birth Social Security number Any aliases or previous names used This information helps maintain the accuracy of your background check. Next, determine the type of check you need, such as criminal history or employment verification, to inform your choice of service provider. Research reputable agencies that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations. Additionally, be prepared to provide consent for the background check, as most providers will require your written permission, especially for services like FBI fingerprint clearance. Finally, consider any potential fees associated with the checks you select. Submit Background Check Request Once you’ve gathered the necessary personal information, submitting a background check request is the next step. In Texas, you can request a criminal history report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) online or by mail. If you need an FBI background check status, consider using IdentoGO, where you can submit your information at their designated centers. For employment or education verification, contact previous employers or educational institutions directly. Many companies, like iprospectcheck, offer customized background check services, delivering reports quickly. Legal Considerations for Background Checks When considering background checks in Texas, it’s essential to understand the legal framework that governs them. You’ll need to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires you to notify candidates and obtain their consent before proceeding. Moreover, be aware that Texas laws can influence what information you can use, particularly regarding the reporting of older convictions and the expungement of certain records. Texas Background Check Laws Comprehending Texas background check laws is vital for both employers and job applicants, as these regulations shape the hiring process and the handling of personal information. Here are four key points to take into account: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of consumer reports, ensuring privacy rights are protected. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) requires employers to delay criminal history inquiries until after a conditional job offer. Under the Texas Mini-FCRA, conviction records older than seven years can’t be reported for jobs paying under $75,000, with certain exceptions. If negative information arises, employers must follow the FCRA’s adverse action process for transparency. Fair Hiring Practices Fair hiring practices are essential for creating an equitable job market, especially in relation to conducting background checks. To comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you must obtain written consent before performing any checks, including checking your FBI background check status. In Texas, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) prevents local jurisdictions from implementing Ban the Box laws, meaning you can only inquire about criminal history after extending a conditional job offer. Federal laws likewise limit early inquiries for federal contractors, ensuring fairness in hiring. Furthermore, employers are required to conduct individualized assessments of criminal records, adhering to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits blanket exclusions based solely on convictions. Compliance With FCRA Grasping compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is crucial for any employer considering background checks. To guarantee you meet legal requirements, keep these key points in mind: Obtain written consent from candidates before conducting any background checks. Notify applicants if adverse actions are taken based on information from the checks, allowing them to dispute inaccuracies. Be aware that certain information, like bankruptcies over ten years old or criminal convictions over seven years old for lower-salary jobs, can’t be reported. Use a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that follows FCRA guidelines to maintain accuracy and relevance. Costs Associated With Background Checks When considering a background check, it’s important to understand that costs can vary considerably based on several factors, including the provider, the type of report you need, and how often you require these checks. For instance, detailed reports typically range from $20 to $100 or more, whereas name-based checks start around $5. Standard criminal history checks usually cost between $20 and $30, depending on the depth of the search. If you’re looking into motor vehicle records, expect costs from $4.50 to $22, depending on your state and provider. Furthermore, if you’re conducting in-house checks, consider extra costs for staff time and resources. If you need extensive services, utilizing a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) can help reduce overhead costs. Finally, the FBI background check status can be an important factor, but it’s often priced higher because of the extensive nature of the checks involved. Choosing the Right Background Check Provider How can you guarantee you’re choosing the right background check provider? Start by verifying they meet industry standards. Here are four key factors to evaluate: Accreditation: Look for providers accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) to confirm compliance with regulations. Comprehensive Services: Choose a provider offering services like criminal history checks, employment verification, and educational credential checks to get a complete picture. Turnaround Time: Assess how quickly they deliver reports. Some providers, such as Checkr, can provide criminal searches in as little as one hour, which is vital for urgent hiring. Transparent Pricing: Understand the costs involved, as they can vary greatly. Verify the provider complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and local laws, such as those concerning FBI background check status, to protect your company and candidates. Frequently Asked Questions Where Do I Obtain a Background Check? You can obtain a background check from several sources. Local law enforcement agencies often provide criminal history checks for a fee. Online services, like commercial background check GoodHire, offer quick results for various checks, including employment verification. The Texas Department of Public Safety has an online portal for statewide criminal history information. Furthermore, IdentoGO offers personal history checks and fingerprint services, ensuring secure transmission to the FBI. Always get written consent, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Alaska? In Alaska, a basic criminal history background check costs about $20 through the Department of Public Safety. If you opt for a fingerprint-based check, expect to pay between $35 and $50. Private companies may charge between $30 and $100, depending on the services offered. For more detailed checks, including credit history and employment verification, prices can range from $50 to $200. Some online platforms likewise provide discounted bundled services for multiple reports. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Louisiana? In Louisiana, background check costs typically range from $15 to $30, depending on the type of check and provider. A state police criminal history record check costs about $26 when obtained through the Louisiana State Police. If you need a fingerprint-based check for specific jobs, expect to pay around $50. Some local jurisdictions may offer free or reduced-cost checks, particularly for volunteer organizations or non-profits, so it’s worth exploring those options. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Ohio? In Ohio, background check costs vary between $5 and $50, depending on the type of check and provider. A basic criminal check typically costs around $30, whereas more thorough checks, like employment or education verification, may be higher. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation charges $22 for a standard check. Employers sometimes cover these costs, but candidates might need to pay for their own, especially when using third-party services. Conclusion To summarize, obtaining your background check involves choosing the right method and provider to guarantee accuracy and compliance with legal standards. You can access your report through reputable Consumer Reports or local law enforcement. Be mindful of the costs involved and the specific type of background check you need, as this can vary based on purpose. By following these steps, you can effectively gather the information you need during adherence to the relevant laws and regulations. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Where Do I Go to Get My Background Check?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Based on our analysis of the Zillow Home Value Index, U.S. home prices are up just +0.2% year-over-year between January 2025 and January 2026. That marks a deceleration from the +2.6% growth rate a year earlier—though national price growth has recently stabilized, ticking a tad higher from a low of -0.01% in August 2025. In the first half of 2025, the number of major metro area housing markets seeing year-over-year declines climbed. That count has since pretty much stopped ticking up. 31 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 10% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Jan. 2024 to Jan. 2025 window. 42 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 14% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Feb. 2024 to Feb. 2025 window. 60 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 20% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the March 2024 to March 2025 window. 80 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 27% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the April 2024 to April 2025 window. 96 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 32% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the May 2024 to May 2025 window. 110 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the June 2024 to June 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the July 2024 to July 2025 window. 109 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Aug. 2024 to Aug. 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Sept. 2024 to Sept. 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Oct. 2024 to Oct. 2025 window. 98 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 33% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Nov. 2024 to Nov. 2025 window. 106 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025 window. 100 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 33% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Jan. 2025 to Jan. 2026 window. As you can see above, in the first half of 2025, there was a notable increase in the number of housing markets slipping into year-over-year price declines as the supply–demand equilibrium (as measured by inventory) shifted more quickly toward homebuyers. Over the past seven months, however, the list of declining markets has begun to stabilize and inventory growth has also decelerated. Home prices are still climbing a little year-over-year in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest. In contrast, some pockets in states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado—where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels by a solid clip—are seeing modest home price pullbacks or flat pricing. Click here for an interactive version of the chart below Many of the housing markets seeing the most softness, where homebuyers have gained the most leverage, are primarily located in Sun Belt regions, particularly the Gulf Coast and Mountain West. Many of these areas saw even greater price surges during the Pandemic Housing Boom, with home price growth outpacing local income levels. As pandemic-driven domestic migration slowed and mortgage rates rose in 2022, markets like Tampa and Austin faced challenges, relying on local income levels to support frothy home prices. That Sun Belt softening was further compounded by an abundance of new home supply in the Sun Belt. Builders are often willing to lower prices or offer affordability incentives to maintain sales, which also has a cooling effect on the resale market. As a result, some buyers who might have previously opted for existing homes are instead choosing new construction with more attractive deals—which added further upward pressure to resale inventory growth over the past few years. Of course, while 100 of the nation’s 300 largest metro area housing markets are seeing year-over-year home price declines, another 200 are seeing year-over-year home price increases. Where are home prices still up on a year-over-year basis? See the map below. Below is a historical chart showing the year-over-year change in home prices across the 50 largest metro housing markets, with the yellow line representing the national aggregate, dating back to 2000. While the “range” [see chart above] between the strongest and weakest metro area housing markets right now is fairly normal historically speaking, the “bifurcation” (i.e., direction) itself—the share of markets with rising home prices versus those with falling prices—is wider than normal, given that national appreciation has stabilized into a softer market with growth barely above +0.0%. And the longer some markets remain in the “rising” camp while others stay in the “falling” camp, the wider the gulf can become between the relatively more resilient markets and the weaker ones. For example, home prices in the Hartford, CT metro area are now +21.2% above their 2022 peak, while home prices in the Austin, TX metro area sit -27.8% below their 2022 peak. Some of that “bifurcation” boils down to mean reversion, with many of the outright home price declines occurring in markets that overheated further during the Pandemic Housing Boom. Note: For the historical chart below, we analyzed the 200 largest markets rather than the 300 used above, as some markets ranked 201 to 300 lack complete data going back to 2000. When weighted by population (not visualized), the housing market appears slightly weaker than the chart below suggests—which aligns with the fact that, among just the 50 largest housing markets, 25 (roughly 50%) are currently posting negative year-over-year price growth, and nationally aggregated home prices are up just +0.2% year-over-year using the Zillow Home Value Index. View the full article

On a snowy Friday in January, dignitaries from both political parties braved the chill of a central New York winter for the groundbreaking ceremony of Micron Technology’s planned $100 billion manufacturing complex in Clay, a town not far from Syracuse. Over the next 20 years, Micron is promising the region thousands of jobs and the revitalization of a community hard hit by the decline of manufacturing. Since President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, billions of public dollars have flowed into domestic semiconductor manufacturing as the United States seeks to revitalize an industry that was born in the U.S. before it was largely outsourced to East Asia. Both Democrats and Republicans have argued that domestic chip production is essential to national security, citing the role advanced semiconductors play in military systems as well as in critical infrastructure like financial and telecommunications networks. In order to expedite the development of up to four fabrication plants in central New York state, Micron may receive as much as $25 billion in public subsidies, including $6.1 billion from the federal CHIPS Act, $5.5 billion from New York state and billions more in refundable manufacturing tax credits. But some residents and advocates question whether the Micron project, as it’s currently planned, will bring more harm than good. The facility will consume vast amounts of water and energy while producing substantial hazardous waste, according to the company’s environmental impact statement. Emissions and contaminated wastewater and soil from the notoriously dirty semiconductor industry pose potential environmental and health risks for surrounding areas, while exposure to its toxic chemicals has been linked to cancers and reproductive harm. Community members want enforcement measures to ensure the company follows through on promised environmental safeguards and its pledge to create 9,000 jobs. “We’re not trying to stop any progress, but we don’t want this just bulldozed into our area,” said Gracia Roulan, a nurse practitioner who has lived in Clay all her life and is part of the local group Neighbors for a Better Micron. Roulan said advocates like her want to ensure the project is “truly better for the community,” and raised concerns about potential pollution of the local water system and the clearing of the “beautiful marshes all around the area,” which provide a home to endangered species. To make way for the new structures, the project will fill more than 200 acres of wetlands. For its part, the company touts the project’s benefits to the region, including a promise to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in education, worker training and affordable housing over the next two decades. “Micron is committed to being a great member of the community and a responsible environmental steward,” Anna Newby, a Micron spokesperson, said in an email to Capital & Main. The company has committed to developing new wetlands to offset those that will be destroyed. Newby said the environmental review process Micron undertook for its central New York project was “thorough.” Yet just hours before Micron broke ground, Neighbors for a Better Micron, alongside national worker advocacy group Jobs to Move America, filed a lawsuit against the project in New York Supreme Court for Albany County, arguing that the state permitting process was “unnecessarily rushed” and did not adequately consider public input. The suit names Micron along with state and local agencies, contending that despite the state’s reputation for having some of the strongest environmental laws in the country, the review process fell short, particularly given the size and scope of the project. “The lawsuit points to the agency’s failure to balance economic benefits and environmental harms,” said Meredith Stewart, litigation director at Jobs to Move America. She said the court should reverse the environmental approval and require agencies to revisit the impact of the project in order to ensure harms are adequately addressed. But in New York and elsewhere around the country, proponents of semiconductor projects would like to see less, not more, environmental review. Lawmakers in famously eco-friendly California recently approved legislation allowing semiconductor companies to bypass environmental impact studies. In 2024, President Biden signed a law exempting most publicly funded semiconductor projects from federal environmental review, a move supporters said would speed construction and help the U.S. compete with China. Micron’s project nonetheless underwent federal — as well as state — scrutiny, with the federal review triggered by its impact on wetlands. Under the new law, the Commerce Department oversaw the federal process, and at Micron’s groundbreaking, Secretary Howard Lutnick praised his agency’s rapid pace. “See, this groundbreaking only got scheduled at the end of December — because the The President administration cleared out all of the environmental and other things that tend to get in the way,” Lutnick said. The lawsuit brought by advocates asserts that community members were given insufficient time — just 32 business days — to review and provide public comment on an environmental impact statement that exceeds 700 pages or roughly 22,000 pages including supportive materials. “Environmental review is one of the only levers that the public has to learn what the impact [of a project] might be on their community,” said Judith Barish, director of CHIPS Communities United, a coalition of unions and community groups advocating for a safer and more equitable semiconductor industry. Some residents worry that the project will strain local infrastructure. When the project is completed, the company expects it to use 48 million gallons of water from Lake Ontario each day, enough to supply more than 585,000 homes. The county is developing a new wastewater treatment plant, and upgrading an existing one, to deal with the increase in volume. The project also poses risks to resident and worker health, advocates say, as the semiconductor industry has a well-documented history of toxic pollution. In order to transform raw silicon into the advanced components that power nearly all modern devices, chipmaking relies on hundreds of chemicals, many of them harmful. One of the biggest culprits, according to advocates, is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), so-called forever chemicals that do not easily break down in the environment and are central to semiconductor manufacturing. Communities near semiconductor manufacturing facilities have faced contamination of soil and groundwater, while workers in chip fabrication plants have reported elevated rates of cancers and reproductive health issues. Beyond environmental risks, many activists say that Micron’s claims about the project’s benefits are vague or lack the teeth of enforcement. They would like to see the billions of dollars in subsidies awarded to the company conditioned on whether it delivers on its promise to create thousands of jobs. Advocates also want the company to hire from the community and are concerned they may simply import workers into the area. A 2023 study found that more than a third of projects subsidized by state governments between 2004 and 2015 failed to meet their job creation goals. Researchers said the true figure may be higher because many states have weak disclosure requirements. Roulan pointed to a history of industrial projects in the region that came with pledges to improve the community but instead left behind pollution, the most famous example being the now defunct Allied Corporation’s contamination of Syracuse’s Onondaga Lake, which contributed to the lake being designated a Superfund site. “We want development, we want to see jobs come here,” Roulan said. “But not at any cost.” Last month, a separate coalition of advocacy groups in the Syracuse area, including Jobs to Move America, launched an effort to urge Micron to sign a legally binding community benefits agreement, a contract negotiated between a private company and community stakeholders that outlines benefits and mitigations that the company agrees to provide. The group, Central New York United for Community Benefits, sent a letter to Micron’s CEO just days after the groundbreaking ceremony, requesting a meeting. A community benefits agreement, the group said, could help ensure strong wages and benefits for the project’s permanent workforce and protect residents’ access to clean air and water. Micron has pledged to hire 80% of its initial construction workforce locally and to use a project labor agreement, ensuring unionized construction labor. Newby said in an email that the company had already invested more than $15 million in local organizations and educational institutions as part of its pledge to invest $250 million over 20 years in a state fund aimed at developing the semiconductor manufacturing workforce in central New York state as well as supporting “community needs” such as affordable housing. Meanwhile, Roulan is already seeing changes following the groundbreaking — “giant trees going out by the truckful” and “tons of traffic changes” around the area, which she said were signs of major disruption to come. —Kalena Thomhave, Capital & Main This piece was originally published by Capital & Main. View the full article

Small businesses are taking bold steps into 2026, choosing to increase their marketing budgets even amid economic uncertainty. A recent report from Constant Contact reveals that 68% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) expect to boost their marketing expenditures to combat looming inflation, highlighting a resilient mindset in a challenging economic landscape. Amidst ongoing concerns about rising costs—cited as the primary worry by 41% of small business owners—the data suggests a strategic pivot. Instead of retreating from marketing efforts, these entrepreneurs are gearing up to seize new opportunities. “Small business owners are entering 2026 with a clear directive: do more, but do it smarter,” said Smita Wadhawan, Chief Marketing Officer at Constant Contact. This insight underlines a collective shift in thinking about marketing as an essential investment rather than a discretionary expense. The report shows that 74% of small business owners plan to invest more time in marketing strategies in 2026. With apprehension about economic pressures, the focus is on maximizing the effectiveness of both financial resources and time spent. Key findings from the Q1 2026 Small Business Now report reflect a landscape where investment in marketing is outpacing fears of economic downturn: Refusal to Cut Budgets: While almost half of SMB owners highlight inflation as a major concern, 74% plan to invest more time into marketing, and 68% are setting aside larger budgets. Notably, only 14% anticipate cuts in their marketing budgets. Barriers to Engagement: The quest for engaging customers remains a significant challenge. The report identifies customer engagement as the top barrier to effective marketing in 2026, with 44% of respondents indicating difficulty in connecting with their audiences. In response, 50% of SMBs are experimenting with efficiency strategies, and 33% are eager to test new marketing tools and technologies. The Rise of AI: More than half of the surveyed small business owners (54%) are already leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in their marketing efforts. Many are enhancing their strategies, with 45% using AI to analyze trends and 44% employing it to create content. Preference for Digital Channels: With a clear shift from traditional advertising, social media (68%) and email marketing (41%) are poised to be the leading channels for driving business in 2026. In-person events (29%) and traditional advertising (26%) lag behind, echoing the larger trend towards digital engagement. For small business owners, this focus on digital marketing opens up new avenues, but also introduces potential hurdles. Businesses will need to closely monitor customer engagement while ensuring that their increased marketing efforts yield tangible results. The pressing question is: how do they connect effectively with an audience that increasingly demands authentic and engaging content? The findings underscore a pivotal moment for small businesses. As they allocate more resources to marketing, understanding the dynamics of digital engagement becomes crucial. Employing AI tools could streamline these efforts, freeing up time and energy for more creative and strategic pursuits. In an environment where customer connections are paramount, the practical application of enhanced marketing budgets cannot be understated. Small businesses that leverage efficiency strategies while embracing innovative tools may find themselves at a distinct advantage in navigating both economic challenges and customer expectations. The report suggests that as 2026 unfolds, small business owners aiming to thrive will need to stay adaptable. Balancing the need for increased marketing with an eye on efficiency and engagement can help to ensure sustainability and growth, even in tough economic times. To read more about the findings of the Constant Contact report, visit Constant Contact. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Small Businesses Boost Marketing Budgets Amid Economic Uncertainty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, will head to the Pentagon on Tuesday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about how the military uses the company’s artificial intelligence models. And it’s likely to be a tense meeting, as sources first told Axios. Contract talks between the AI startup and the Department of Defense have gone off course in recent weeks as Anthropic has insisted on some safeguards for how its technology will be used. While the San Francisco-based company is willing to loosen some of its usage restrictions for the Department of Defense, it doesn’t want its models used for at least two specific purposes: spying on Americans or developing autonomous weapons. Heading into Tuesday’s meeting, the two factions seem to have differing views on how those contract talks have been proceeding. While a spokesperson for Anthropic said in a statement Monday that the company is having “productive conversations, in good faith” with the Pentagon, a Defense Department spokesman said last week that Anthropic’s relationship with the Pentagon is under review. “Anthropic knows this is not a get-to-know-you meeting,” a senior Defense official told Axios. “This is not a friendly meeting.” ANTHROPIC’S ROLE IN NATIONAL SECURITY Anthropic is currently the only AI company available in the military’s classified networks and was among several companies awarded a $200 million contract with the Defense Department to in July “advance U.S. national security.” The company has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to supporting national security, including again on Monday. In June, it announced Claude Gov, a suite of models it built exclusively for U.S. national security customers. And yet, Amodei has become vocal about balancing the opportunities that AI presents with the concerns that it poses. In a lengthy piece published last month, the Anthropic co-founder warned: “Humanity is about to be handed almost unimaginable power, and it is deeply unclear whether our social, political, and technological systems possess the maturity to wield it.” At the India AI Impact Summit last week, Amodei that he’s concerned about the autonomous behavior of AI systems and the potential for misuse of AI by individuals and governments. THE MADURO FACTOR Another factor that’s strained the relationship between Anthropic and the Pentagon came to light last week: Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation at the start of the year to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as The Wall Street Journal reported. That mission would seem to violate Anthropic’s usage guidelines that prohibit, among other things, that Claude not be used to incite violence or for criminal justice and surveillance. The company’s usage policy, most-recently updated in September, is intended to “strike an optimal balance between enabling beneficial uses and mitigating potential harms.” But Anthropic also notes that the company “may enter into contracts with certain governmental customers that tailor use restrictions to that customer’s public mission and legal authorities if, in Anthropic’s judgment, the contractual use restrictions and applicable safeguards are adequate to mitigate the potential harms.” POKING THE BEAR Anthropic has tried to set itself apart from the rest of the universe of AI developers with a “safety-first” approach that’s even seen it take a swipe, via a Super Bowl ad, at OpenAI’s recent decision to incorporate ads into the ChatGPT platform. While Amodei has emerged as a contrarian of sorts, at times, by pushing back on unrestricted use of its Claude AI model for the U.S. military, Amodei is effectively poking the bear that is Hegseth. As Axios reported last week, Hegseth has threatened that the Pentagon could declare Anthropic to be a “supply chain risk,” which would void its contracts and force other companies that work with the Pentagon to certify they aren’t using Claude in any related workflows. “Our nation requires that our partners be willing to help our warfighters win in any fight,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told media outlets last week. “Ultimately, this is about our troops and the safety of the American people.” View the full article

A reader writes: I work for a small nonprofit in the U.S. A colleague and I were invited to attend a conference later this year through our service on an external committee where we represent our agency. All conference expenses would be covered by the external partner; the only cost to our organization would be our salaries during that time. Our executive director approved both of us attending, but with the condition that we use PTO for the days we’re away. The rationale given was that the conference is not required by our organization, is considered voluntary professional development, and the agency lacks funding to offer comparable opportunities to the rest of the staff. We’ve agreed to these terms, but it feels off to use PTO for what is essentially a work-related trip where we’re representing our employer. I understand employers have discretion over PTO policies, but I’m wondering whether this is standard practice and how reasonable it is. How would you recommend raising this concern or advocating for this time to be treated as paid work rather than PTO, especially in a small nonprofit context? No, this isn’t standard practice and it isn’t reasonable. That doesn’t change because you’re at a small nonprofit. In fact, it’s almost more offensive because it’s a small nonprofit: you’re probably already not making a ton of money, and now they’re going to make you use PTO to attend a work conference on top of that? But even if you were well-paid, this should be a no-brainer: you’d be representing your employer, the conference is work-related, it’s work time. In fact, I’d recommend that you not attend at all if you have to use PTO for it. It’s absurd that you’d lose multiple days of vacation time in order to do something for work. If you want to give it one more shot, though, then say this: “We don’t want to give up X days of vacation time for a work trip where we would be working and representing the organization. Does our attending have value to Org? If so, this should be considered work time, not vacation time. If it doesn’t have value to Org, then it won’t make sense for us to attend and we’ll plan not to.” The post should we have to use PTO to attend a work conference? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Friday’s news of a major shakeup at Microsoft’s Xbox division caught the gaming world by surprise. Phil Spencer, who has run Xbox for almost 12 years, announced his retirement, effective immediately—just months after Microsoft insisted he was “not retiring anytime soon.” Asha Sharma, the president of Microsoft’s CoreAI product, was tapped to run the division. Once a powerhouse earner, Xbox has seen its profitability and influence shrink in recent years. (Xbox president Sarah Bond, long seen as Spencer’s heir apparent, was passed over and also left the company.) Sharma may face an uphill battle. Microsoft has not reported updated Xbox console sales or Game Pass subscription numbers in years. The available figures haven’t been encouraging. Xbox hardware revenue fell 32% year over year in the recent holiday quarter. Overall gaming revenue dropped 9%, and Xbox content and services, which includes Game Pass, declined 5%. Sharma has already taken some knocks online for lacking a deep history in video games. Some of that online blowback reflects the sexism that often runs rampant in gaming. (Sharma will be the first woman to run a major console manufacturer.) But criticism of her gaming pedigree also reflects a kind of gatekeeping. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software, has said he was not a gamer when he took charge—and still isn’t. Yet Take-Two has delivered a string of hits under his leadership, most notably the Grand Theft Auto franchise, and its share price has increased 15-fold since he took the job. “I don’t think anyone wants or needs my specific creative expertise, such as it is,” Zelnick once said. “It’s my job to attract, retain and provide the resources to the best creative talent in the business.” Dwindling sales and a divided focus Time will tell if Sharma follows that same path. But if she does, instead of focusing on big individual launches, she’ll have to persuade gamers to buy both hardware—and a subscription service that increasingly makes that hardware feel optional. The Xbox Series X and Series S have faced inventory issues in recent months and remain expensive when available. With memory shortages affecting a wide range of consumer technology products, a price cut anytime soon appears unlikely. At the same time, Microsoft has been pivoting away from consoles, expanding Game Pass across multiple platforms, including as an app on Samsung TVs. (An Xbox mobile store was planned but never launched.) Despite that shift, Microsoft has also been working on a next-generation Xbox, once expected to debut next year, though that timeline could slip due to component shortages. Starting over? Sharma’s promotion could mark a reset, shifting focus back to consoles and exclusive titles rather than the “Xbox anywhere” strategy of recent years. Even then, some hurdles remain. Microsoft’s hands are tied with its biggest franchise, Call of Duty, which it acquired through the Activision-Blizzard takeover three years ago. Under its agreement with regulators, Microsoft must continue offering those games and features to Sony through 2033. Still, the company has deep development resources, even after steep layoffs. The Halo franchise has struggled but could rebound with a strong release. Bethesda Softworks, acquired in 2021, is developing a new Elder Scrolls title and controls proven franchises such as Fallout and Doom. Microsoft also has Gears of War, Fable, Forza, and strong relationships with independent developers. Refocusing on consoles could require changes to Game Pass. The service’s appeal lies in offering new titles on Day One without requiring individual purchases. But with AAA games now costing $200 million or more to develop, Game Pass will need either a surge in subscribers or structural changes to remain viable. (A price increase could be challenging, as the top tier already costs $30 per month.) Whatever direction Sharma chooses, she faces a steep climb. Spencer may have been beloved by gamers, but Microsoft’s biggest bets of the past six years have largely fallen short. And as headwinds gather across the gaming industry, Microsoft is no longer the dominant force it was in the Xbox 360 era. Regaining that ground will require steady leadership. View the full article

Behind every smooth construction project is tight document control. When shop drawings, material data and product samples start moving between contractors and design teams, things can quickly get messy. A well-managed submittal log keeps that flow organized, prevents approval delays and protects your project schedule from unnecessary disruption. What Is a Submittal In a Construction Project? In practical terms, a construction submittal is any shop drawing, product data sheet, material sample or technical document a contractor sends to the architect or engineer for review before work proceeds. Its purpose is simple: confirm that what will be purchased, fabricated or installed matches the project specifications and contract documents. What Is a Submittal Log? A submittal log is a structured tracking document used in construction projects to manage and control the entire submittal process from identification to final approval. It lists every required construction submittal pulled from the project specifications and tracks who is responsible, when it must be submitted, how long it has been under review and whether it is approved, rejected or pending resubmission. By centralizing this information, the submittal log gives the project team a clear, organized record that supports document control, protects the project schedule and ensures compliance with contract requirements. ProjectManager is an award-winning construction project management software that’s designed for managing construction projects from start to finish. It’s equipped with features such as Gantt charts, timesheets, workload management charts and real-time dashboards and reports. In addition to its core construction planning, scheduling and tracking tools, it offers unlimited cloud-based document storage, online collaboration tools and AI project management insights that help project managers ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA-1600x772.pngLearn more What Should Be Included in a Submittal Log for a Construction Project? In construction, a submittal is a formal document or physical sample submitted by a contractor or subcontractor to the architect or engineer for review and approval before fabrication, procurement or installation. Construction submittals verify that materials, equipment and systems comply with the contract documents and technical specifications. Shop drawings: Detailed drawings prepared by subcontractors or fabricators that show dimensions, materials, connections and installation methods for structural steel, HVAC systems, electrical layouts or other building components. Product data: Manufacturer-issued technical sheets describing performance characteristics, materials, model numbers and installation requirements, ensuring selected products meet the project specifications and design intent. Material samples: Physical samples of finishes such as flooring, paint, roofing or façade materials submitted for aesthetic approval and quality verification before bulk ordering and installation. Equipment data and cut sheets: Technical documentation for major equipment like chillers, generators or elevators, including capacity, power requirements and compliance certifications needed for engineering review. Mix designs: Concrete or asphalt mix design submittals prepared by suppliers that specify proportions, strength requirements and testing data to confirm compliance with structural performance criteria. Testing and inspection reports: Laboratory and field reports verifying that installed materials, welds, soil compaction or fireproofing meet quality control standards and contract requirements. Operation and maintenance manuals: Comprehensive documentation submitted near project closeout containing warranties, maintenance procedures and manufacturer guidance for building systems and equipment. Get your free Construction Submittal Log Template Use this free Construction Submittal Log Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File What Is the Purpose of a Submittal Log? Across a construction project, submittals don’t just “flow” on their own—they require tracking, follow-up and coordination to move from preparation to approval. The purpose of a submittal log is to actively manage that workflow by assigning responsibility, setting submission dates, tracking review turnaround times and documenting approval status. By clearly showing what has been sent, what is under review, what was rejected and what must be resubmitted, it prevents gaps in communication, reduces procurement risk and protects the project schedule from avoidable delays tied to document control failures. Beyond that primary objective, a submittal log can also achieve the following secondary purposes: Improves coordination between the general contractor, subcontractors and design team by clearly identifying who must prepare, review and approve each shop drawing, product data sheet or material sample before procurement begins. Supports procurement tracking by linking approved submittals to material orders, helping teams avoid purchasing non-compliant products that could trigger rework, change orders or costly schedule impacts. Creates a documented approval trail that protects the contractor during disputes by showing when submittals were sent, how long reviews took and whether delays were outside the contractor’s control. Helps forecast potential schedule risks by highlighting long-lead items and overdue reviews that could affect critical path activities or disrupt planned construction sequencing. Strengthens overall document control by centralizing submittal numbers, specification references and revision histories in one place, reducing confusion across RFIs, project schedules and quality control processes. When to Make a Submittal Log Most project teams create the submittal log immediately after contract award and before construction activities begin. As soon as the project schedule is being developed and procurement planning starts, the project manager or document control lead compiles submittals from the specifications to avoid early delays. As construction progresses, the submittal log becomes a live tracking tool that’s reviewed in coordination meetings and updated alongside the construction schedule. It flags overdue reviews, tracks resubmittals and highlights long-lead items affecting procurement. Throughout the build, it supports document control, protects the critical path and keeps subcontractors accountable. Who Is Responsible for Maintaining a Construction Submittal Log? On most construction projects, the general contractor is responsible for creating and maintaining the submittal log. In practice, this task is typically handled by the project manager, project engineer or document control specialist. They build the log from the project specifications, update it regularly and coordinate with subcontractors and the design team to keep submittals moving and aligned with the project schedule. Project manager: Oversees the entire submittal process, reviews the submittal log during coordination meetings and ensures that pending approvals, long-lead items and critical path activities are not delayed due to incomplete or overdue submittals. Project engineer: Often manages the day-to-day tracking of submittals by updating the log, assigning submittal numbers, following up on review turnaround times and coordinating resubmissions when items are rejected or require revisions. Subcontractors: Prepare and submit shop drawings, product data and material samples in accordance with the specifications, while responding to review comments and providing corrected resubmittals to keep procurement and fabrication on track. Architect or engineer of record: Reviews submitted documents for compliance with the contract documents, marks them as approved, approved as noted or rejected and returns them within the agreed review period to avoid impacting the project timeline. Document control specialist: Maintains organized records of all submissions, approval statuses, revision histories and correspondence, ensuring that the submittal log remains accurate, auditable and consistent with other project documentation such as RFIs and change orders. Submittal Log Template for Excel This construction submittal log template for Excel helps project teams track, review and manage submittals from receipt through approval. It captures specification references, submission dates, review cycles, status updates and responsible parties, giving contractors clear visibility into pending actions, approval timelines and potential schedule impacts. /wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Construction-submittal-log-for-Excel.png Submittal Log Example Imagine a residential construction project consisting of a 250-unit apartment complex with structured parking, a swimming pool, fitness center and shared amenities. Multiple subcontractors are submitting shop drawings, product data and material samples while procurement and field work move in parallel. Below is a simplified submittal log example for that project. Submittal No. Specification Section Description Responsible Subcontractor Date Submitted Status 033000-01 033000 – Cast-in-Place Concrete Concrete mix design for foundations and podium slab Concrete Contractor 03/10/2026 Approved 051200-02 051200 – Structural Steel Structural steel shop drawings for parking structure Steel Fabricator 03/18/2026 Approved as Noted 084413-03 084413 – Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls Curtain wall product data and shop drawings Facade Contractor 03/25/2026 Under Review 233000-04 233000 – HVAC Air Distribution HVAC equipment data and ductwork shop drawings Mechanical Contractor 04/02/2026 Rejected – Resubmit 093000-05 093000 – Tiling Tile material samples for pool deck and bathrooms Finishes Subcontractor 04/08/2026 Approved Free Related Construction Project Management Templates ProjectManager offers dozens of free construction project management templates designed to help teams track progress, control costs, manage documentation and stay aligned with the project schedule from preconstruction through closeout. Construction Daily Report Template This construction daily report template helps project teams document site activity, labor hours, equipment usage, weather conditions and work completed each day, creating a reliable record that supports progress tracking and dispute resolution. Request for Information (RFI) Template The RFI template provides a structured format for submitting and tracking clarification requests related to drawings, specifications or scope gaps, helping prevent delays, miscommunication and costly rework during construction execution. Change Log Template Use the change log template to record scope changes, design revisions and approved change orders, giving project managers a centralized view of cost impacts, schedule adjustments and decision history throughout the project lifecycle. ProjectManager Is Ideal for Managing Construction Projects ProjectManager is award-winning construction project management software built to support projects from planning through closeout. It includes robust tools for creating construction schedules, allocating resources, tracking costs and comparing estimates against actual project performance. With unlimited cloud-based document storage and AI-driven project insights, teams can manage drawings, costs and progress in one centralized platform. Watch the video below to see how it works. Related Construction Project Management Content Our content library features over 100 construction blogs, templates, ebooks and other types of content to help construction project managers better understand the many moving parts that must be managed to deliver successful construction projects. Here are some of them. 48 Construction Documents (Templates Included) Construction Reporting: Types of Construction Reports What Are Construction Submittals and Why Are They So Important? Construction Document Management: A Quick Guide ProjectManager is online project management software with the tools you need for construction project management. Our features make planning, monitoring and reporting on your project more efficient and effective. Being online means our software is accessible everywhere and at any time. Plus, the data you get is more accurate because it’s updated immediately. Try ProjectManager for free today. The post Submittal Log in Construction: Example & Free Template appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

It’s a good day to be the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. This morning, the company unveiled its latest innovation in the weight-loss drug wars: the KwikPen. Per a press release , the KwikPen contains a months-worth of Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 designed to combat obesity, and it’s designed to make taking the medicine more convenient. Alongside the announcement of this new innovation, Eli Lilly’s main competitor, Novo Nordisk, dropped the news that its experimental drug, CagriSema, perfomed worse for patient weight loss in a head-to-head trial against Eli Lilly’s proprietary drug, tirzepatide. A November study from the health policy non-profit KFF found that about one in eight American adults were using a GLP-1 for weight loss or to treat a chronic condition. And as the weight-loss drug market soars, its two most dominant players—Eli Lilly and competitor Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic—are battling it out to offer the most convenient, most effective, and least expensive iterations of their respective drugs. Right now, Eli Lilly appears to be the leader in the GLP-1 race amidst multiple difficult headwinds for Novo Nordisk. As of this writing, Novo Nordisk stock is down nearly 16% since market open, while Eli Lilly is up by nearly 5%. Weight-loss drugs take new, more convenient forms Over the past several months, both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have invested in novel drug formats to retain customers and reach new audiences. Back in December, Novo Nordisk received FDA approval for a first-of-its-kind, once-daily pill for weight loss. The pill, which is an oral form of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 Wegovy, offers a less invasive way for users to administer weight-loss drugs, which are typically delivered via an injector. Eli Lilly is currently in the testing phases of its own oral GLP-1, but it does not yet offer anything similar to the Wegovy pill. In the meantime, the KwikPen will presumably make taking Zepbound a bit easier for Eli Lilly’s customer base. Currently, patients use a separate autoinjector for each of their weekly doses of the drug. Each KwikPen, by contrast, comes pre-loaded with four doses, meaning one pen lasts for a full month. It’s available in six strengths, ranging from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. For cash-paying patients, the KwikPen will be available via Eli Lilly’s direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect. Eli Lilly pulls ahead Eli Lilly may be lagging behind Novo Nordisk in GLP-1 pill design, but it’s notched several more significant wins against its top competitor in recent months. Novo Nordisk has been fighting an uphill battle as the weight-loss drug market becomes more crowded, including by the proliferation of compounded (aka copycat) versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro made by smaller manufacturers. In its fourth quarter report, released in early February, Novo Nordisk announced strong revenue of $12.34 billion, but warned that its sales and profit growth would decline by between 5% and 13% in 2026 amidst growing competition and lower U.S. prices. These same struggles have caused the company’s stock price to plummet by more than 55% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly has been buoyed by the major success of Zepbound since its 2023 debut, as customers opt for the medicine given its greater effectiveness for weight loss than Ozempic. In its February fourth quarter report, Eli Lilly boasted revenue of $19.3 billion and guided for its sales to grow by a whopping 25% in 2026. The company’s stock has risen by more than 25% year-over-year. Now, Novo Nordisk is taking yet another blow, as a Feburary 23 report showed that its new experimental drug CagriSema could not demonstrate non-inferiority against Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide. Based on Novo Nordisk’s report, “if all people adhered to treatment, people treated with CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg achieved a weight loss of 23.0% after 84 weeks compared to 25.5% with tirzepatide 15 mg.” As GLP-1 usage continues to become more mainstream, pharmaceutical giants will be fighting an increasingly competitive battle for market share. View the full article

Advertisers contacting Google Ads support may now need to grant explicit authorization before they can even submit a help request — giving a Google specialist permission to access and make changes directly inside their account. Here’s what’s happening. Users are first routed to a beta AI chat. If they opt to submit a support form instead, they must tick an “Authorisation” box. The wording allows a Google Ads specialist, on behalf of the company, to reproduce and troubleshoot issues by making changes directly in the account. The fine print is clear. Google doesn’t guarantee results. Any adjustments are made at the advertiser’s own risk. And the advertiser remains solely responsible for the impact on campaign performance and spending. Why we care. The required checkbox shifts more responsibility onto advertisers at a time when automation and AI already limit hands-on control. If support makes changes, the performance and spend risk still sits with the advertiser. Between the lines. This creates a trade-off between speed and control. Granting access could accelerate troubleshooting, but it also opens the door to account-level changes that may affect live campaigns — without any assurance of improved outcomes. The bottom line. Getting support may now mean temporarily handing over the keys — while keeping full accountability for whatever happens next. First seen. This new caveats to getting support was spotted by PPC specialist Arpan Banerjee who shared spotting the message on LinkedIn. View the full article

Boom Supersonic wants to build the world’s first commercial supersonic airliner. Founded in 2014, the company set out to make air travel dramatically faster — up to twice the speed of today’s passenger jets — while also aiming for a smaller environmental footprint. For years, Boom has focused on developing the high-performance engine technology needed to sustain supersonic flight. Though the company has not yet debuted its revolutionary jet, last year it identified a new and potentially lucrative application for its novel technology: generating electricity for the data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom. Many of these data centers want the kind of flexible, around-the-clock energy associated with combined-cycle natural gas turbines. These heavy-duty machines burn gas to spin turbines and generate electricity, then capture the associated heat and use it to spin the turbines some more. As far as fossil fuel generation goes, they are among the most efficient options for dispatchable baseload power. But with demand for these turbines surging and supply increasingly tight, developers are turning to creative alternatives. The upshot of all this creativity is clear: Much of the data center build-out is poised to be powered by natural gas — and the climate consequences that come with it. Boom Supersonic inked a $1.25 billion agreement with a developer called Crusoe, which is building a suite of data centers for the artificial-intelligence startup OpenAI. The turbine company agreed to provide Crusoe with 29 jet-engine gas turbines that the developer could position at data centers across the U.S. The deal is just one example of developers and tech companies straining to find power sources for the data centers sprouting up nationwide. Meta’s data center in El Paso, Texas, will draw fuel from more than 800 different mobile mini-turbines. Meanwhile, the construction equipment company Caterpillar has supplied gas engines to a data center in West Virginia. And the developer Crusoe used “aeroderivative” turbines based on airplane models for its massive Stargate data-center campus in Abilene, Texas, where power demand is a whopping 1.2 gigawatts. It’s not just the U.S. New proposed natural gas capacity has surged worldwide over the past year. The energy analysis firm Global Energy Monitor reports that projects totaling more than 1,000 gigawatts of gas-fired power are now in development worldwide — a roughly 31 percent jump in just the last year. The United States leads the pack, accounting for about a quarter of that pipeline. More than a third of the new U.S. capacity will power data centers. The analysis also notes that two-thirds of gas project developers in the U.S. have yet to identify who will manufacture their natural gas turbines. This rush to build out natural gas generation will have serious consequences for the climate. Early boosters of the data center boom suggested that new AI facilities would draw power from renewable sources such as solar and wind farms. While that has happened in some cases, developers are also rapidly locking in years of additional fossil fuel usage. An analysis from researchers at Cornell University found that the build-out could add as much as 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by 2030, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 10 million passenger cars. “This is a huge proposed build-out,” said Cara Fogler, deputy director of research, strategy, and analysis at the nonprofit Sierra Club, which has been tracking gas plant expansions by utilities. “Existing coal that’s not coming offline and planned gas that’s trying to come online are potentially boxing out clean energy.” As Silicon Valley’s AI boom drives demand for ever more computing power, data center developers have struggled to keep up, largely because securing the massive amounts of electricity needed to run these facilities has become so difficult. The rush has led to long wait times to secure power from traditional utilities. As a result, developers and tech companies are increasingly taking matters into their own hands by generating power on-site. According to an analysis by Cleanview, a data firm tracking the energy transition, at least 46 data centers with a combined capacity of 56 gigawatts — equivalent to that of roughly 27 Hoover Dams — are using this “behind-the-meter” approach, as it’s known in industry parlance. The chief executive of Bloom Energy, a startup that builds behind-the-meter fuel cells for data centers, said in a recent call with investors that the startup’s order backlog has more than doubled over the past year. “On-site power has moved from being a decision of last resort to a vital business necessity,” said company executive K.R. Sridhar. He noted that while most of the company’s previous business was in states like California with high electricity costs, now “states where we are growing fastest have robust natural gas infrastructure and favorable regulatory and policy frameworks for on-site power generation.” One of those states is Texas, which is the epicenter of the build-out so far. Unconventional gas power will anchor campuses like that of Titus Low Carbon Ventures, which is building half a dozen data center parks across the Lone Star State. In September, the company signed a deal with power developer Gruppo AB to source Jennbacher gas generating engines, each of which provides just a few megawatts of power. The company will plug in hundreds of these boxy generators to provide baseload power alongside solar and wind. “We could’ve elected to go with gas turbines,” said Jeff Ferguson, the president of Titus, in an interview with Grist. Instead of sourcing traditional gas turbines, he opted to buy “reciprocating engines,” which are smaller gas-powered generators that are similar to passenger car engines. “We think that reciprocating engines are a better solution for data centers,” he said, adding that ”the difference is in the ability to manage transient loads,” or rapid fluctuations in power demand that are very common at the facilities. Not only is it unlikely that 200 generators will ever go offline all at once, but the engines are also much faster to start up and stop than turbines — they can come online in around a minute, as opposed to an hour for a traditional power plant. Ferguson likened it to the difference between accelerating in a Corvette and a jet plane. But experts say these substitute gas sources are even worse for the climate than traditional power plants, which use more efficient combined-cycle turbines that employ both gas and steam. The worst offenders are not turbines at all but rather internal-combustion engines like the ones in most automobiles. “Internal combustion [engines] have better ramp up/down time[s] but are less efficient when compared to a gas turbine,” said Jenny Martos, a researcher who runs the gas plant tracker for Global Energy Monitor. “All gas power technologies produce emissions, but generally engines produce more emissions than the others.” Texas has almost 58 gigawatts of natural gas power in various stages of planning and construction, according to the latest estimates from Global Energy Monitor. That’s more than the next four states combined, and more than every country on Earth except for China. Nearly half of the power plants under construction in Texas will provide power exclusively to data centers, without connecting to regional energy grids. These projects span the state, from OpenAI’s Stargate campus in central Abilene to Meta’s data center in El Paso, where the company has contracted with a Houston-based microgrid developer to set up 813 modular generators. The projects are also popping up in rural areas of the country with few other economic development prospects. A developer called BorderPlex is proposing a $165 billion data center campus called Project Jupiter in southern New Mexico, powered by two microgrids that operate on simple-cycle gas turbines, which just burn gas to generate energy without capturing and deploying their waste heat. The project’s 2,880 megawatts of generation are more than the entire generation capacity of central New Mexico’s main utility. “I’ve never seen something quite this big before, dollar-wise, scale-wise,” said Colin Cox, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, which is opposing the project. “To call this a microgrid defies common sense.” Remaining behind the meter allows the project to avoid seeking approval from regulators who would enforce compliance with the state’s climate laws — even though Project Jupiter’s carbon emissions alone could outweigh the actions that New Mexico has taken to lower emissions over the past several years. The project’s developer has promised jobs and tax revenue to rural Doña Ana County, but the future is murky. It remains unclear whether demand for artificial intelligence products will keep up with the historic capital expenditures being made by companies like OpenAI. If the bubble were to pop, the state would be left with a gas turbine that didn’t serve any users — an asset that the state would not need and that, under its climate laws, it would not be allowed to use. “They’ll just be stranded assets,” said Cox. “You can’t do anything with a gas turbine besides run gas through it to make it spin.” View the full article

To effectively boost your social media marketing, you need to implement strategies that align with your business goals and audience preferences. Setting clear and measurable objectives is essential, as is comprehending who your audience is. Choosing the right platforms and creating engaging content will keep your brand relevant. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, whereas nurturing community engagement builds loyalty. Curious about how to integrate these elements for maximum impact? Let’s explore the details further. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals for social media marketing to ensure clarity and measurable success in your campaigns. Understand your target audience by analyzing demographics and utilizing social listening tools for insights. Choose the appropriate social media platforms based on your audience demographics and content type. Collaborate with relevant influencers to enhance brand visibility and engagement within niche markets. Foster community engagement through interactive content and consistent communication to build brand loyalty. Set Clear and Measurable Goals Setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for any successful social media marketing strategy. To effectively promote your brand, you need to set clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Using the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can help you establish these objectives. For example, you might aim to increase Instagram followers by 20% in six months or generate a set number of leads through targeted campaigns within a quarter. Regularly reviewing your progress with tools like Google Analytics guarantees you’re on track and allows you to refine your strategies. By implementing these social media strategy services, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your marketing efforts and boost return on investment. Understand Your Target Audience To succeed in social media marketing, it’s essential to comprehend your target audience. Analyzing demographics like age, gender, location, and income level helps you tailor your messaging effectively. Utilize social media monitoring tools to gain insights into audience behavior and engagement patterns, guiding your content strategy. Creating detailed buyer personas can humanize your audience, enabling personalized communication that resonates with their needs. Furthermore, social listening tools allow you to monitor sentiment and feedback, helping you adjust your strategies in real-time. Engaging your audience through polls and open-ended questions can provide valuable direct feedback, refining your grasp of their interests and improving content relevance. Comprehending your target audience is key to enhancing your marketing effectiveness. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms Grasping your target audience lays the groundwork for selecting the right social media platforms. Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial, as different platforms cater to distinct demographics. For example, TikTok and Instagram attract younger users, whereas LinkedIn is popular among professionals aged 30 and above. Research shows that 73% of marketers find their social marketing efforts effective, underscoring why social marketing is important. Platform Best For Instagram Visual content TikTok Short, engaging videos LinkedIn Professional networking X (formerly Twitter) Concise updates and trends Create Engaging and Relevant Content Creating engaging and relevant content starts with developing clear content pillars that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Incorporating high-quality visuals and storytelling techniques can greatly boost your posts’ appeal, making them more memorable and relatable. Content Pillars Development Developing content pillars is essential for establishing a consistent and impactful social media presence, as they serve as the foundation for your messaging strategy. Start by identifying core themes that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience. This guarantees your messaging framework remains consistent across all platforms. Tailor your content formats to suit each platform; for example, use visually rich storytelling on Instagram and professional insights on LinkedIn. Create educational and entertaining content, as combining these elements is increasingly favored by consumers. Utilize audience insights and analytics tools to refine your strategies based on engagement metrics. Encourage user-generated content through campaigns that motivate your audience to share their experiences, thereby enhancing community engagement and broadening your brand’s reach. Visual and Video Appeal When you leverage visual and video content in your social media strategy, you greatly improve your ability to engage with your audience. Here are key strategies to improve your visual and video appeal: Use high-quality images, as posts with visuals receive 94% more views. Create videos, since 80% of consumers prefer watching them over reading text. Incorporate short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels to capture younger audiences. Utilize storytelling in your visuals to cultivate emotional connections, boosting brand recall by 22%. Storytelling Techniques Integration Storytelling techniques are essential tools in social media marketing, allowing brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways. By integrating storytelling techniques, you can create engaging and relevant content that resonates with consumers. For instance, incorporating user-generated stories and testimonials can promote authenticity, as 79% of consumers say this type of content influences their purchasing decisions. Moreover, visual storytelling through compelling images and videos can greatly boost engagement, with posts featuring visuals attracting 94% more views. Highlighting your brand’s values through consistent narratives can increase consumer trust by 23%. This storytelling techniques integration not only improves emotional connections but also solidifies brand identity, making your marketing efforts more effective and impactful in the long run. Collaborate With Influencers To effectively collaborate with influencers, you first need to identify those who align with your brand values and target audience. Building authentic partnerships won’t just improve credibility but additionally increase engagement through shared content. Furthermore, leveraging multi-channel strategies can maximize your reach, ensuring that your message resonates across various platforms. Identify Relevant Influencers How can you effectively identify the right influencers for your brand? As a social marketing expert, you’ll want to focus on influencers who resonate with your audience. Here are four steps to guide you: Define Your Audience: Understand who your target customers are and what they value. Use Tools: Utilize platforms like BuzzSumo or Influencity to find influencers within your niche. Analyze Engagement: Look for micro-influencers with 1,000 to 100,000 followers, as they typically have higher engagement rates. Check Authenticity: Verify the influencers share relatable content that aligns with your brand values and not just promotional messages. Build Authentic Partnerships Identifying the right influencers is just the beginning; building authentic partnerships is where the real value lies. Collaborating with influencers can greatly improve your brand’s visibility, as 82% of consumers trust social media posts from favored creators in their purchase decisions. Micro-influencers, with their smaller yet more engaged audiences, often yield better results and are a cost-effective option. Brands engaging in influencer marketing typically see an impressive return of $6.50 for every dollar spent. Authentic partnerships build trust; 61% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand endorsed by someone they follow. Moreover, utilizing influencer-generated content can enhance your brand storytelling, as 79% of consumers are swayed by user-generated content, boosting your social media presence effectively. Leverage Multi-Channel Strategies Leveraging multi-channel strategies through influencer collaborations can greatly improve your brand’s visibility and engagement. To maximize social media advertising effectiveness, consider these key points: Collaborate with influencers whose values match your brand; 70% of consumers prefer brands that align with their beliefs. Utilize micro-influencers, as they often yield 60% higher engagement rates owing to their authentic connections with niche audiences. Recognize that posts featuring influencers can generate engagement rates 2-5 times higher than traditional brand posts. Track your ROI; influencer campaigns typically return an average of $6.50 for every dollar spent, showcasing their financial potential. Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies To effectively monitor performance and adjust your social media strategies, it’s essential to regularly utilize the built-in analytics tools provided by each platform. Start by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, reach, and follower growth to understand the impact of social media on business. Analyze metrics like click-through and conversion rates to evaluate your campaigns and identify what resonates with your audience. Set aside time weekly or monthly to review this data, allowing you to make timely adjustments based on audience engagement patterns. Implement A/B testing for posts to experiment with different visuals and captions. Use insights from your analysis to refine your overall marketing strategies, ensuring future content aligns with audience interests and maximizes your return on investment (ROI). Foster Community Engagement and Interaction Building on the insights gained from performance monitoring, cultivating community engagement and interaction plays a key role in improving your social media presence. To effectively boost your social media marketing, consider these strategies: Engage with your audience regularly through comments, likes, and shares, as 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. Use interactive content like polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions to increase user interaction and community involvement. Highlight user-generated content to build trust and encourage participation, since 79% of people say it influences their purchasing decisions. Maintain consistent communication by responding to messages and comments within 24 hours to promote brand loyalty and make followers feel valued. Implementing these strategies can lead to stronger community ties and improve your overall marketing efforts. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media is a strategy that suggests sharing five pieces of original content, five from other sources, and five that engage directly with your audience. This balanced approach guarantees a diverse feed, promoting both valuable information and community interaction. What Is the Best Strategy for Social Media Marketing? The best strategy for social media marketing involves aligning your goals with your target audience’s preferences. Start by defining clear objectives, like increasing engagement or generating leads. Use analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as reach and conversion rates. Customize your content for each platform, maintain consistency in posting, and engage your audience with interactive elements. Finally, regularly assess and refine your strategies based on the data collected to improve effectiveness. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media is a content strategy that suggests you allocate your posts as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% should provide educational or informative content, and 20% can focus on promotional messages. By following this approach, you balance audience engagement with sales, ensuring your followers receive value without feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. This strategy can improve brand loyalty and help you measure content performance effectively. What Are the 7 P’s of Social Media Marketing? The 7 P’s of social media marketing are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence. You need to guarantee that your product meets your audience’s needs as your pricing reflects its value. Choose the right platforms for Place to effectively reach your audience. Use engaging content and targeted promotions to communicate your brand message. Consider the People involved and the Processes that support your strategy, along with the Physical Evidence of your brand presence. Conclusion By implementing these seven strategies, you can markedly improve your social media marketing efforts. Setting clear goals helps you measure success, whereas comprehending your audience guarantees your content resonates. Choosing the right platforms is vital for reaching your target demographic, and engaging content keeps them interested. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, and monitoring performance allows for necessary adjustments. Finally, cultivating community engagement builds loyalty, guaranteeing your brand remains relevant and effective in a competitive environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

To effectively boost your social media marketing, you need to implement strategies that align with your business goals and audience preferences. Setting clear and measurable objectives is essential, as is comprehending who your audience is. Choosing the right platforms and creating engaging content will keep your brand relevant. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, whereas nurturing community engagement builds loyalty. Curious about how to integrate these elements for maximum impact? Let’s explore the details further. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals for social media marketing to ensure clarity and measurable success in your campaigns. Understand your target audience by analyzing demographics and utilizing social listening tools for insights. Choose the appropriate social media platforms based on your audience demographics and content type. Collaborate with relevant influencers to enhance brand visibility and engagement within niche markets. Foster community engagement through interactive content and consistent communication to build brand loyalty. Set Clear and Measurable Goals Setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for any successful social media marketing strategy. To effectively promote your brand, you need to set clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Using the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can help you establish these objectives. For example, you might aim to increase Instagram followers by 20% in six months or generate a set number of leads through targeted campaigns within a quarter. Regularly reviewing your progress with tools like Google Analytics guarantees you’re on track and allows you to refine your strategies. By implementing these social media strategy services, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your marketing efforts and boost return on investment. Understand Your Target Audience To succeed in social media marketing, it’s essential to comprehend your target audience. Analyzing demographics like age, gender, location, and income level helps you tailor your messaging effectively. Utilize social media monitoring tools to gain insights into audience behavior and engagement patterns, guiding your content strategy. Creating detailed buyer personas can humanize your audience, enabling personalized communication that resonates with their needs. Furthermore, social listening tools allow you to monitor sentiment and feedback, helping you adjust your strategies in real-time. Engaging your audience through polls and open-ended questions can provide valuable direct feedback, refining your grasp of their interests and improving content relevance. Comprehending your target audience is key to enhancing your marketing effectiveness. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms Grasping your target audience lays the groundwork for selecting the right social media platforms. Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial, as different platforms cater to distinct demographics. For example, TikTok and Instagram attract younger users, whereas LinkedIn is popular among professionals aged 30 and above. Research shows that 73% of marketers find their social marketing efforts effective, underscoring why social marketing is important. Platform Best For Instagram Visual content TikTok Short, engaging videos LinkedIn Professional networking X (formerly Twitter) Concise updates and trends Create Engaging and Relevant Content Creating engaging and relevant content starts with developing clear content pillars that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Incorporating high-quality visuals and storytelling techniques can greatly boost your posts’ appeal, making them more memorable and relatable. Content Pillars Development Developing content pillars is essential for establishing a consistent and impactful social media presence, as they serve as the foundation for your messaging strategy. Start by identifying core themes that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience. This guarantees your messaging framework remains consistent across all platforms. Tailor your content formats to suit each platform; for example, use visually rich storytelling on Instagram and professional insights on LinkedIn. Create educational and entertaining content, as combining these elements is increasingly favored by consumers. Utilize audience insights and analytics tools to refine your strategies based on engagement metrics. Encourage user-generated content through campaigns that motivate your audience to share their experiences, thereby enhancing community engagement and broadening your brand’s reach. Visual and Video Appeal When you leverage visual and video content in your social media strategy, you greatly improve your ability to engage with your audience. Here are key strategies to improve your visual and video appeal: Use high-quality images, as posts with visuals receive 94% more views. Create videos, since 80% of consumers prefer watching them over reading text. Incorporate short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels to capture younger audiences. Utilize storytelling in your visuals to cultivate emotional connections, boosting brand recall by 22%. Storytelling Techniques Integration Storytelling techniques are essential tools in social media marketing, allowing brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways. By integrating storytelling techniques, you can create engaging and relevant content that resonates with consumers. For instance, incorporating user-generated stories and testimonials can promote authenticity, as 79% of consumers say this type of content influences their purchasing decisions. Moreover, visual storytelling through compelling images and videos can greatly boost engagement, with posts featuring visuals attracting 94% more views. Highlighting your brand’s values through consistent narratives can increase consumer trust by 23%. This storytelling techniques integration not only improves emotional connections but also solidifies brand identity, making your marketing efforts more effective and impactful in the long run. Collaborate With Influencers To effectively collaborate with influencers, you first need to identify those who align with your brand values and target audience. Building authentic partnerships won’t just improve credibility but additionally increase engagement through shared content. Furthermore, leveraging multi-channel strategies can maximize your reach, ensuring that your message resonates across various platforms. Identify Relevant Influencers How can you effectively identify the right influencers for your brand? As a social marketing expert, you’ll want to focus on influencers who resonate with your audience. Here are four steps to guide you: Define Your Audience: Understand who your target customers are and what they value. Use Tools: Utilize platforms like BuzzSumo or Influencity to find influencers within your niche. Analyze Engagement: Look for micro-influencers with 1,000 to 100,000 followers, as they typically have higher engagement rates. Check Authenticity: Verify the influencers share relatable content that aligns with your brand values and not just promotional messages. Build Authentic Partnerships Identifying the right influencers is just the beginning; building authentic partnerships is where the real value lies. Collaborating with influencers can greatly improve your brand’s visibility, as 82% of consumers trust social media posts from favored creators in their purchase decisions. Micro-influencers, with their smaller yet more engaged audiences, often yield better results and are a cost-effective option. Brands engaging in influencer marketing typically see an impressive return of $6.50 for every dollar spent. Authentic partnerships build trust; 61% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand endorsed by someone they follow. Moreover, utilizing influencer-generated content can enhance your brand storytelling, as 79% of consumers are swayed by user-generated content, boosting your social media presence effectively. Leverage Multi-Channel Strategies Leveraging multi-channel strategies through influencer collaborations can greatly improve your brand’s visibility and engagement. To maximize social media advertising effectiveness, consider these key points: Collaborate with influencers whose values match your brand; 70% of consumers prefer brands that align with their beliefs. Utilize micro-influencers, as they often yield 60% higher engagement rates owing to their authentic connections with niche audiences. Recognize that posts featuring influencers can generate engagement rates 2-5 times higher than traditional brand posts. Track your ROI; influencer campaigns typically return an average of $6.50 for every dollar spent, showcasing their financial potential. Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies To effectively monitor performance and adjust your social media strategies, it’s essential to regularly utilize the built-in analytics tools provided by each platform. Start by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, reach, and follower growth to understand the impact of social media on business. Analyze metrics like click-through and conversion rates to evaluate your campaigns and identify what resonates with your audience. Set aside time weekly or monthly to review this data, allowing you to make timely adjustments based on audience engagement patterns. Implement A/B testing for posts to experiment with different visuals and captions. Use insights from your analysis to refine your overall marketing strategies, ensuring future content aligns with audience interests and maximizes your return on investment (ROI). Foster Community Engagement and Interaction Building on the insights gained from performance monitoring, cultivating community engagement and interaction plays a key role in improving your social media presence. To effectively boost your social media marketing, consider these strategies: Engage with your audience regularly through comments, likes, and shares, as 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. Use interactive content like polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions to increase user interaction and community involvement. Highlight user-generated content to build trust and encourage participation, since 79% of people say it influences their purchasing decisions. Maintain consistent communication by responding to messages and comments within 24 hours to promote brand loyalty and make followers feel valued. Implementing these strategies can lead to stronger community ties and improve your overall marketing efforts. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media is a strategy that suggests sharing five pieces of original content, five from other sources, and five that engage directly with your audience. This balanced approach guarantees a diverse feed, promoting both valuable information and community interaction. What Is the Best Strategy for Social Media Marketing? The best strategy for social media marketing involves aligning your goals with your target audience’s preferences. Start by defining clear objectives, like increasing engagement or generating leads. Use analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as reach and conversion rates. Customize your content for each platform, maintain consistency in posting, and engage your audience with interactive elements. Finally, regularly assess and refine your strategies based on the data collected to improve effectiveness. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media is a content strategy that suggests you allocate your posts as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% should provide educational or informative content, and 20% can focus on promotional messages. By following this approach, you balance audience engagement with sales, ensuring your followers receive value without feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. This strategy can improve brand loyalty and help you measure content performance effectively. What Are the 7 P’s of Social Media Marketing? The 7 P’s of social media marketing are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence. You need to guarantee that your product meets your audience’s needs as your pricing reflects its value. Choose the right platforms for Place to effectively reach your audience. Use engaging content and targeted promotions to communicate your brand message. Consider the People involved and the Processes that support your strategy, along with the Physical Evidence of your brand presence. Conclusion By implementing these seven strategies, you can markedly improve your social media marketing efforts. Setting clear goals helps you measure success, whereas comprehending your audience guarantees your content resonates. Choosing the right platforms is vital for reaching your target demographic, and engaging content keeps them interested. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, and monitoring performance allows for necessary adjustments. Finally, cultivating community engagement builds loyalty, guaranteeing your brand remains relevant and effective in a competitive environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If Domino’s earnings on Monday prove anything, it’s that people are still eating pizza—even if fast food sales, in general, are slumping. “There seems to be a narrative out there that pizza is a challenged and declining category,” Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner said in an earnings call on Monday. “That is just not true, looking back to 2019, you’ll find a category that has generally grown approximately 1-2% each year, including last year 2025.” Weiner did, however, acknowledge the market was “mature.” The pizza giant reported strong fourth-quarter earnings results, with revenue coming in at 1.54 billion, beating estimates of $1.52 billion. It also reported a 15% quarterly dividend hike, but missed earnings estimates, posting adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.35 for the fourth quarter, compared to estimates of $5.39. The Ann-Arbor based company also said its New York Style Pizza and Parmesan Stuffed Crust were massive hits in 2025. Shares of the Domino’s Pizza Inc. (DPZ) rose 6.4% in morning trading on the news, and were up 2.2% by early midday trading at the time of this writing. “In 2025 we demonstrated that when we execute our Hungry for MORE strategy it delivers MORE sales, MORE stores, and MORE profits,” Weiner also said in an earnings release. Domino’s same-store sales in the U.S. grew 3.7% for the fourth quarter—a 3% growth for fiscal 2025. In the earnings call, Domino’s chief financial officer Sandeep Reddy also mentioned how the company plans to capitalize on its competitor’s recent store closings. “We opened 25 [stores] with a massive gap against all of our competitors including the bigger national competitors,” Reddy said. “Guess what’s happened since that time? One of our national competitors has announced that they’ve had a negative same store sales in the mid single digits. And they also talked about closing a number of stores up to 250 stores in the first half of the year.” (As Fast Company previously reported, Pizza Hut has said it is closing 250 restaurants this year.) “All this plays into our strategy to continue to gain market share because we will go into that one to 2% growth in the industry with less doors outside, which we can actually take share from effectively and grab those sales,” Reddy added. Meanwhile, good news for fast food lovers: Domino’s is also expanding quite a bit. The chain reported it opened over 700 stores globally and in the U.S. last year. Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with more than 22,100 stores in over 90 markets across the globe. It posted global retail sales of over $20.1 billion in 2025. The company had a market capitalization of $13.36 billion at the time of this writing. View the full article

The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The conservative-majority court agreed to take up a case from Boulder, Colorado, one of multiple lawsuits alleging the companies deceived the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change. Governments around the country have sought damages totaling billions of dollars, arguing it’s necessary to help pay for rebuilding after wildfires, rising sea levels and severe storms worsened by climate change. The lawsuits come amid a wave of legal actions in states including California, Hawaii and New Jersey and worldwide seeking to leverage action through the courts. The case out of Boulder County will likely have implications for those other lawsuits. Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil appealed to the Supreme Court after Colorado’s highest court let the Boulder case proceed. The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been tossed out. “The use of state law to address global climate change represents a serious threat to one of our Nation’s most critical sectors,” attorneys wrote. President Donald The President‘s administration weighed in to support the companies and urge the justices to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court decision, saying it would mean “every locality in the country could sue essentially anyone in the world for contributing to global climate change.” The President, a Republican, criticized the lawsuits in an executive order, and the Justice Department has sought to head some off in court. Attorneys for Boulder had agued that the litigation is still in early stages and should stay in state court. “There is no constitutional bar to states addressing in-state harms caused by out-of-state conduct, be it the negligent design of an automobile or sale of asbestos,” they wrote. City officials said the case was about dealing with problems people are facing in Colorado. “Our case is, fundamentally, about fairness. Boulder is already experiencing the effects of a rapidly warming climate, and the financial burden of adaptation should not fall solely on local taxpayers,” said Jonathan Koehn, its climate initiatives director. The Supreme Court also asked the two sides to present arguments on whether the case is truly ready to be heard by the justices. Arguments are expected in the fall. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press View the full article

SerpApi filed a motion to dismiss Google's DMCA lawsuit, arguing the search giant lacks standing to invoke copyright law over publicly visible search results. The post SerpApi Challenges Google’s Right To Sue Over SERP Scraping appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Sony’s PlayStation 5 is a powerful machine, but if you just plugged it right into your TV and never bothered to go into the settings, there’s a chance you’re not seeing its full potential. From enabling 120 fps gameplay to customizing your Welcome hub, there’s a lot you can do with the PS5, if you’re willing to tinker a little bit. Here are the 10 best tips and tricks to getting the most out of Sony’s current gaming console. Enable 120Hz and 4K on your PS5Just because you bought a fancy new PS5 doesn’t automatically mean you’re getting the best performance out of it possible. If you have a 4K TV or a monitor that can support a 120Hz refresh rate or above, you’ll want to double check your video output settings to ensure your console is taking advantage of it. First, before even turning on your device, make sure it’s connected via an HDMI 2.1 cable. This is necessary for frame rates above 60 at 4K. Your PS5 should have come with one, and you’ll know if it’s the right one if it has a boxy rectangle on either side of the cable. Also ensure that you’re plugging your cable into a port that can accept HDMI 2.1, which will look different based on your screen. On my LG C1 TV, this port says “4K @ 120Hz” above it. Next, while your console may detect what your screen can handle and adjust its settings accordingly, head to Settings > Screen and Video to manually check them and make some adjustments that need some human fine tuning. I like to leave most of the settings on this page to Automatic to allow the PS5 to pick the best choices for the wide variety of content it can play, but you can select any of the settings on this page to see your options and force an output. If you don’t see 4K (labeled as 2160p) or 120Hz as options here, this is your sign you might need to swap your HDMI cable. To see what settings your PS5 is using at any particular moment, select “Current Video Output Signal” at the top of this page to check your work. While I mostly like to rely on the PS5’s Automatic settings, one specific change you might want to make would be applying VRR to unsupported games, which could improve fidelity at the cost of introducing instability. If you scroll down far enough on this page, you can also adjust when your console displays HDR, and go through an HDR setup wizard by selecting “Adjust HDR.” You can also customize your console’s display area by selecting Screen from the sidebar on the left, which is handy if your display has an unusual aspect ratio. While you’re here, you can adjust how long you need to be away from your controller before the console dims your screen. Finally, if you have a PS5 Pro, you can up the graphics quality on some supported PS4 games. This is under Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enhance Image Quality for PS4 games. Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) Digital Console Slim $499.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $499.99 at Amazon Mute the PS5's startup beep Let’s say you’re having trouble sleeping, and instead of rolling around in bed, you decide to sneak out to the PS5 for a secret gaming session. Except, uh-oh, the nasty beep that the console plays at startup alerts your partner, and now you have some explaining to do. To keep this from happening, let’s turn off that beep ahead of time. Under Settings > System > Beep and Light, toggle on Mute Beep Sound to get rid of the sound your PS5 plays at startup. Or, if you just want to make it quieter, you can do that under Volume. While you’re here, you can also customize how bright the LED strip on the front of the console gets, under Power indicator > Brightness. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to turn it off entirely. Change the widgets on your PS5's home screen Credit: Sony See all those widgets at the bottom of the Welcome Hub when you turn your PS5 on? Did you know that you can actually customize them? It’s especially handy if you’re like me and can’t stand seeing what are essentially ads taking up more than half of your display. To adjust your PS5 Welcome Hub widgets, simply press X while hovering over the Welcome Hub tile, then navigate to the controls in the top-right corner. Here, you can select Presets to choose from various options set up by Sony, or select Edit Widgets to toggle specific widgets on and off. Personally, I disabled the News, PlayStation Plus, Wishlist, and PlayStation Store widgets, since they’re pretty much only there to sell you things. Once you’re done selecting the widgets you want to see, before leaving Welcome Hub setup, navigate to the Settings cog and choose if you want to enable the carousel-like Large Layout, where you want notifications (Temporary Widgets) to show up, and if you want your widgets to match your broader System Appearance settings (more on that later). If you have the News widget active, you can also customize which games show news here. Finally, to the left of the Settings cog, you can choose a background for the Welcome Hub, picking from options either prepared by Sony, bundled with certain games you own, or pulled from your Media Gallery. Turn on your PS5's surround sound and connect Bluetooth headphonesYour PS5 can do more than basic stereo sound, even if you don’t own a physical surround sound setup. That’s thanks to the power of various virtual surround sound codecs, which come baked into the console. To turn these on, head over to Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Audio Format (Priority). Here, you can choose between Linear PCM, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, and DTS. Not all of these options support virtual surround sound, and I’ll admit I’m not enough of an audiophile to know the best one for every setup, but because it supports height data, Dolby Atmos has been the most versatile pick for my soundbar. Alternatively, you can also use Sony’s own 3D Audio technology by selecting 3D Audio (TV) or 3D Audio (Headphones) from the sidebar. Personally, I haven’t found the results here to be as rich as Dolby Atmos, but that makes sense. These are built for gamers using TV speakers or headphones, so they aren’t the best option if you’ve got a soundbar or external speaker setup. Still, they’re worth trying out if you listen over your TV’s internal speakers or via a headset. Note that only Sony’s own headsets will connect to the console wirelessly by themselves, but there are ways around that, which my colleague Jake Peterson has written about here. Make rumble more responsive on the PS5Sony’s so proud of the rumble and haptics in the PS5 controller that it updated its classic DualShock branding to DualSense alongside the controller’s launch. But weirdly, the haptics aren’t as strong as they could be out of the box. That’s because the PS5 controller has a microphone built-in, and Sony has intentionally weakened its haptics to prevent interference from being picked up on the mic. If you’re like me, and you barely use the microphone in your controller, there are two ways to fix that. The first is more temporary, and simply involves pressing the clear button above the microphone icon on your controller to mute it, which will strengthen the haptics until you turn it back on. It’ll also display an orange light while the mic is off. The second doesn’t require you to manually flip your mic on and off, and will get rid of that orange light. You can enable it by toggling on Mute under Settings > Sound > Microphone > Microphone Status When Logged In, but know that you’ll need to toggle this back to On if you need to use the microphone again. Turn off (or reduce) the PS5's DualSense trigger haptics Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Sony might be proud of the haptics in its brand new controller, but personally, I think they’re a little bit too strong, especially when it comes to the triggers. With the PS5, Sony introduced its new adaptive triggers, which add resistance to trigger pulls in certain games for heightened realism. But while having the controller fight back against you the first time you try to tighten a bowstring in a Horizon game might be a fun novelty, it gets tiring pretty quick. Luckily, you can customize this, as well as fine tune any of the other haptics. Under Settings > Accessories > Controller (General), select Trigger Effect Intensity to choose how strong the adaptive trigger resistance should be, and select Vibration Intensity to set the strength for more general rumble. Personally, I have Vibration Intensity set to Strong, and Trigger Effect Intensity turned off. Install SSD or use HDD for PS4 games or offloaded PS5 gamesThe PS5 comes with a good amount of storage by default, and while amounts differ depending on your model, it’s usually enough for five to seven AAA games. But if you want more storage, you can actually install a supported M.2 SSD into your PS5 without much hassle. Sony has exact installation instructions here, plus a guide on determining if an SSD is supported. While specific steps will vary depending on your PS5 model and which SSD you get, you generally only need a screwdriver to complete installation. Even better? The new SSD won’t replace your existing internal storage, so you can use them in tandem. To install games to your SSD once it’s installed, you’ll first need to change your Installation Location to M.2 SSD under Settings > Storage. Then, simply install a game as usual. If you want to move games that are already installed on your PS5’s internal storage to your SSD, head to your Game Library, highlight the games you want to move, press the Options button, and select Move Games and Apps. If you’re also using expanded USB storage, select Movable to M.2 SSD Storage after this step. Speaking of USB storage, the PS5 also supports external USB drives. You can see requirements here—not every device is guaranteed to work. Also note that while you can play PS4 games directly off USB storage, PS5 games need to be installed to an SSD to work. However, you can keep a PS5 game offloaded to USB storage and then load it onto either your console’s SSD or your custom M.2 SSD when you’re ready to play, bypassing the need for a download. Quickly customize game difficulty, subtitles, and graphics on the PS5The first thing I do whenever I boot up a new game isn’t start my adventure, but dive deep into the settings to see what I can customize. It’s not the best first impression, but there’s usually a switch I can flip that will make the game play much better for me, especially if it ups the frame rate. Luckily, Sony’s aware of this optimization sickness I suffer from, and is doing its best to help. Under Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets, you can set a number of preferences for how your games should play ahead of time, and your PS5 will automatically configure them for you when you boot up a supported game. It’s not a fully robust selection, since Sony can’t predict every game’s needs, but you can choose a preferred difficulty here, whether the game should be played in first-person or third-person (if both are available), which language you’d like to play in, whether subtitles should be turned on, your online multiplayer permissions, and most crucially for me, whether your games prefer Performance Mode or Quality Mode (called Resolution Mode here). Finally, I can set my PS5 games to default to smooth performance over the prettiest visuals. Get hints from the PS5's Game Help featureLet’s say you’re struggling in a game, but you don’t want to bother to pull up an internet browser and look up a walkthrough. This is where the PS5’s Game Help feature comes in. It’s not available for every game, but if you’re stuck, it’s worth looking for. Just press the PlayStation logo button on your controller, and if it’s there, select the Game Help card. From here, your PS5 will suggest hints towards specific goals based on where you are in your game, and might even show you videos from other players. It’ll also warn you if you’re about to see spoilers, so you can back out before looking at a hint. It’s fairly self explanatory, and while the hints aren’t always detailed enough for my needs, I do appreciate that Game Help also estimates how long it’ll take you to complete certain goals, as well as show you your progress towards them. As a busy 30-something, it’s a great way to know how long my play sessions might be ahead of time. As for where Game Help gets its gameplay videos, it’s from players who’ve opted in to share them. To start sending videos to Game Help, head to Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Auto-captures > Community Game Help. Select On next to Participate, and Sony may occasionally look at your gameplay and upload select sections from it to its servers to serve as a guide towards other players. Voice or party chat audio won’t be recorded and uploaded videos won’t take up space on your console, but depending on the game, usernames or text-based chat messages shown in gameplay footage might be shared. Change your PS5 console’s theme to a retro style Credit: Sony Finally, this one’s just for fun. Back in 2024, Sony introduced themes to the PS5 home screen that mimicked the look of the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4. These left the system shortly afterwards, but came back for good in April of last year. To try them out, head to Settings > System > Appearance > Appearance and Sound and choose a console you’d like to mimic. Personally, I like the PS2 theme, but I’ve gone for the PS3 look for now, because my husband has a lot of fondness for that console’s XMB menu. Now, if only Sony would add even more themes to the list. Maybe an Astro Bot look? View the full article

Author and alternative medicine guru Deepak Chopra is the latest celebrity to come under scrutiny after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than three million pages of files on the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. A slew of famous names pop up in the DOJ’s files, released on January 30, including business leaders like Casey Wasserman and powerful politicians like former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Chopra was among them, and a new investigation from CNN reveals the extent of his ties with Epstein. On February 4, Chopra posted on X defending his appearance in the files and distancing himself from Epstein’s crimes, which include operating a sex-trafficking ring and sexually abusing underage girls. “I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity,” he wrote. “Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time.” Fast Company has reached out to Deepak Chopra for further comment. I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms. I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and… — Deepak Chopra (@DeepakChopra) February 4, 2026 Now, those email exchanges are under scrutiny, particularly Chopra’s frequent references to Epstein’s “girls.” Chopra and Epstein maintained frequent contact over text and email from 2016 to 2019, the year that Epstein was arrested. Their messages, which number in the hundreds, according to reports, also indicate several in-person meetings at Epstein’s properties in New York City, Paris, and South Florida. In at least two exchanges, Chopra encouraged Epstein to bring his “girls” on trips. In 2017, he wrote, “If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls,” while inviting Epstein to Israel, later adding, “Your girls would love it as would you.” Later that year, Chopra invited Epstein to Switzerland, again inviting him to come “with your girls.” It is unconfirmed if Epstein accepted these invitations, nor is it clear the age of the “girls” Chopra referenced. Girls frequently came up in Epstein and Chopra’s conversations. In 2017, while discussing philosophy, Chopra wrote to Epstein, “God is a construct Cute girls are real.” In 2016, after sending Epstein a video of himself with actress Kat Foster, Chopra described her as “innocent and smart at the same time,” to which Epstein replied, “secondary to cute.” Over text, the two once discussed Chopra’s apparent seduction of a woman whose name was redacted. Epstein wrote, “I liked watching you zero in on your prey. Made me smile.” Chopra responded: “I not a predator Just a lover.” Chopra also expressed support for Epstein in early 2019 ahead of his arrest in July. In a text exchange, Chopra said he was “sending love” to Epstein from India. Epstein replied, “Can you send it in female form.” In a later exchange, Epstein complained about “another round of very bad press.” Chopak advised him to “Stay silent” and “Meditate.” When Epstein reached out again noting “the toxicity of my press,” Chopak replied, “I am not concerned about that.” Being named in the Epstein files is not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing. Chopra maintains his innocence: A recent video circulating on X shows Chopra being approached at an airport and asked about his appearance in the Epstein files. Chopra replied: “No misconduct. Zero.” View the full article

The justices have closed one door of trade policy while leaving an entire corridor wide openView the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Back on January 7, President Donald The President announced: “I am immediately taking steps to ban large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, and I will be calling on Congress to codify it.” On January 20, The President went further, outlining elements of the proposed “ban.” The order directed multiple federal agencies—including HUD, the Department of Agriculture, the VA, the GSA, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency—to issue guidance within 60 days limiting the federal government’s role in facilitating institutional purchases of single-family homes that could otherwise be bought by owner-occupants. Specifically, within 60 days, the government-sponsored enterprises (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) would no longer be permitted to approve, insure, guarantee, or securitize single-family home purchases by “large institutional investors.” The order also stated that, within 30 days, the administration would define “large institutional investors” and that build-to-rent transactions would be exempt. On Thursday (February 19), the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House has settled on a key detail of its proposed ban—one it plans to send to Congress—prohibiting large investors, defined as entities owning 100 or more homes, from purchasing additional single-family houses. Because the threshold is set at 100 homes, the policy would affect not just major institutional landlords, but also some larger individual investors. The plan still includes the build-to-rent exemption and adds another carveout: large investors can continue to purchase homes in need of “significant repair.” Those two proposed exemptions are notable given that most institutional activity right now is in build-to-rent, and when purchasing scattered-site homes, institutional investors—at least when they are actively buying—tend to target properties that require sizable renovation spending. Notably, this proposal would not mandate large investors to liquidate existing holdings. The measure announced on Thursday would need congressional approval, and its prospects are uncertain. According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, passage is still far from guaranteed. At the height of the Pandemic Housing Boom, large investors—those owning at least 100 single-family homes—made up an all-time high of 3.1% of home purchases in Q2 2022, according to John Burns Research and Consulting. That period, at the tail end of the boom, was when yields were particularly attractive as borrowing costs were ultra-low, home prices were soaring, and rents were climbing rapidly. However, since mortgage rates spiked and capital markets shifted, their share has fallen to around 1.0% of transactions over the past three years. The math isn’t as favorable right now. ResiClub members (paid tiers) can find an interactive version of the map below here On a national level, “large investors”—those owning at least 100 single-family homes—only own around 1% of total single-family housing stock. That said, in a handful of regional housing markets, institutional and large single-family landlords have a much larger presence. Markets like Phoenix and Atlanta became major hubs for institutional single-family rental investment following the 2008 housing crash as the asset class started to institutionalize. Firms such as Invitation Homes, Progress Residential, and AMH built sizable portfolios in these metros by acquiring distressed homes. That early activity helped establish a reliable local SFR ecosystem—including property management firms, leasing infrastructure, and contractor networks—that makes it easier to scale and expand single-family rental and build-to-rent operations today. View the full article

A turf war has broken out between the fandoms of Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones over the highest-rated episode spot on IMDb. Released last month, the Game of Thrones spin-off A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set a century before the events of the HBO drama, has garnered much praise. A Guardian reviewer said it has “saved the Game of Thrones universe.” Fans appear to agree, as the fifth episode, In the Name of the Mother, which aired February 15, briefly secured a rare 10/10 rating on IMDb. Unfortunately for fans, it didn’t last long. For over a decade, “Ozymandias”—the 14th episode of the fifth and final season of Breaking Bad, and the climax of the series—had been the only television episode to secure a perfect 10 rating on IMDb. It’s an accolade fans weren’t prepared to give up lightly. Taking matters into their own hands, according to reports across Reddit and X, fans of the crime drama started review-bombing the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode with one-star ratings to tank its score. The “Ozymandias” episode of ‘BREAKING BAD’ has dropped to a 9.9 on IMDb. It held a 10/10 rating on the platform for almost 13 years. pic.twitter.com/9zLtW00a01 — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 20, 2026 One IMDb reviewer admitted as much, writing, “I like this episode. I like this show overall. Hell, I love this episode. But… its not 1% as good as the episode mentioned in the title of this review is. I therefore decide the leave this one star review in order to defend the number one episode.” What followed was an all-out review-bombing war between the two fandoms. On the IMDb review page for “Ozymandias,” a slew of reviews titled “The Lannisters Send Their Regards” or “Winter came for Breaking Bad! The North remembers” started appearing. Meanwhile, of the hundreds of one-star reviews A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has accumulated on IMDb so far, many hit back “in the name of walter white” or “For Heisenberg.” For the first time in 13 years, the Breaking Bad episode lost its perfect score on the site. At the time of writing, neither episode is in the top 10 list on the platform—or even the top 100. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, now with an average score of 9.5, sits at number 519 on the best TV episode ranking. “Ozymandias,” now with an average score of 9.6, has dropped to number 461. The only winner here? Six Feet Under, which has now slipped into the top spot. View the full article

A reader writes: I’ve been job searching for a few months now. I just got a call from HR at an organization I applied to a few weeks ago asking me if they had a few minutes to chat — they wanted to go through the position with me, give me some quick updates on the role, and let me know the salary so they could see if I still wanted to be considered. I told them of course, but I only had 15 minutes before a meeting. They said that was fine. Cut to: they’re asking me about my background, my current role, my strengths and weaknesses, what I’m looking for in a new role, and why I’m excited about their mission. It became a 25-minute first round interview. Luckily, I was at a computer so I could quickly google their mission (I’d applied long ago and have applied to many places since then, I almost couldn’t remember their exact mission!). Is this normal? I’ve never had a spur-of-the-moment interview before. And would there have been a polite way to ask if we could reschedule the call? If I had known this was an interview, I would’ve rescheduled so I could’ve been more prepared, but she really made it seem like it would be just five minutes on the phone. I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. The post surprise phone interviews are the worst appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

AI is reshaping how work gets done in institutions, both public and private. However, the impact is uneven—consumer AI chat interfaces like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Gemini are fundamentally mismatched to the realities of government work. That doesn’t mean government agencies aren’t turning to AI. They cannot hire their way to capacity, so they’re looking to technology to lighten the load. More than half of local governments report difficulty filling positions, a problem especially potent in larger metros. San Francisco’s local government, for example, has more than 4,700 open positions. Since 2020, state government employment has increased, but much of that is a bounce-back from the pandemic, not true growth needed to deliver services with the efficacy governments want. But drop-in chatbots can’t make a significant impact on operations because data within government agencies—and even within individual departments in agencies—is exceedingly siloed. State and local governments are managing budget constraints. IT teams are stretched thin. It’s no surprise, then, that consumer AI tools don’t meet their promise in government institutions. They fundamentally lack all the information they need to be effective in a public service context. THE TOOL GAP Commercial software tools, including AI chatbots, are built for private companies with hierarchies, contracts, and linear processes. Government work is inherently different. Public institutions are cross-organizational, the work is omnidirectional, and success necessitates constant collaboration across agencies, nonprofits, and community partners. Emergency management departments, for example, must identify points of contact within local police departments, fire departments, sheriff’s offices, emergency medical services, utility companies, FEMA regional offices, and community emergency response teams to effectively deliver their service—coordinating disaster response and recovery operations. The sum of these problems—from data siloes to budget constraints to technological roadblocks—is that consumer AI struggles in government institutions because these tools lack the necessary context. Try asking ChatGPT “Provide our current reimbursement process” or “Create a survey to gather feedback on the latest heat season coordination.” These are tasks that require explicit, non-public knowledge. To execute such tasks, AI needs not only access to data that lives across disparate systems, but also governance and rules specifying which definition is best suited for each purpose. And even if you get a good answer, traditional AI is not built to help users know what to do next. THE PATH FORWARD Embedding AI is the path forward to deploy AI in government, effectively overcoming data silos to tackle inter-organizational work. Embeddedness refers to AI that lives directly within the platforms where work happens, within coordination, memory, and decision-making systems—not inside a chatbot. Government is uniquely suited to benefit from AI that’s truly embedded because it has the perfect raw material to make AI maximally useful: conversations, decisions, workflows, institutional memory, and loads of information. In other words, government has context. Unfortunately, most AI chatbots today assume their users work inside of a single organization, and therefore only need context from one organization’s systems. For government, that’s not the reality. A homelessness coordinator in Essex County or an election administrator in New York isn’t just working “at” one organization: they’re juggling relationships, meetings, decisions, and shared knowledge across constantly shifting agencies, nonprofits, contractors, and community partners. The hardest parts are aligning, coordinating, remembering, onboarding, and maintaining shared understanding across people who come and go. Because government work is inherently lateral, true embedded AI has information not only across one organization’s systems but also across its partners’ systems, too. Taking the idea of embeddedness one step further, it’s vital for AI to seemingly “disappear” into public servants’ workflows. If AI is one more tool, one more thing government employees must be trained on, then AI is notembedded in the way it needs to be. Public servants don’t want or need another new widget. They need technology that helps them do what they do faster, better, and more accurately. That is embedded AI. Consider this example: It’s common for certain AI tools to send a summary and action items after a meeting. But embedded AI goes further. It would ask the user if they wanted a follow up email to socialize action items. It could draft the follow-up email, too. Then, after a couple of days, the embedded AI would surface engagement data, showing that someone assigned an action item hasn’t read the follow-up email, and the AI would ask the user if they want a follow-up email, and then draft the note. When a public servant is searching for information, the next step is usually to read it to send something to somebody or take an action. AI that supports that next step without explicit prompting or forcing the user to switch tools is the kind of technology that can help public servants better deliver services more quickly. This is the shift that accelerates action. THE END GOAL It’s vital we do not lose sight of the goal. State and local governments are where the rubber meets the road, turning rules into real services—from handling daily operations to helping low-income people get nutrition assistance, providing veterans services, supporting people experiencing homelessness, and everything in between. Yes, chatbots and similar tools can help one person be more effective. But when AI is embedded, benefits are magnified; people and entire programs are faster and more effective. That means the people who rely upon municipal government services are better served. And that is the ultimate promise of technology, like embedded AI efficiently deployed in government—better communities for all. Madeleine Smith is the CEO and cofounder of Civic Roundtable. View the full article

In terms of background checks, knowing which sites offer the best services can save you time and resources. The top five highest-rated options include Iprospectcheck, First Advantage, Checkr, HireRight, and Sterling. Each of these platforms has unique strengths, from rapid processing times to thorough offerings customized for large employers. Grasping what each site can provide is crucial, especially if you’re looking for efficiency and reliability. Let’s explore what sets these platforms apart. Key Takeaways Checkr: Known for rapid results, delivering 89% of checks within one hour, ideal for high-volume employers. Iprospectcheck: Offers personalized searches with competitive pricing and a free background check option, ensuring compliance with regulations. First Advantage: Specializes in large-scale screenings, providing customizable checks and quick turnaround times for multinational employers. HireRight: Features a strong BBB rating, customizable checks, and a focus on customer satisfaction with reliable turnaround times. Sterling: One of the oldest providers, known for extensive checks and strong enterprise-level service, enhancing its offerings post-acquisition by First Advantage. Iprospectcheck Regarding background screening, Iprospectcheck stands out as a reliable choice for businesses looking for customized solutions. Founded in 2009 and based in California, this family-owned provider offers personalized searches that comply with FCRA and local regulations. With pricing options from $24.95 for Basic checks to $79.95 for Premium checks, it accommodates businesses of all sizes. Iprospectcheck is known for its fast turnaround times, often delivering results within one to five business days, which can improve candidate retention in critical industries like staffing and healthcare. They additionally provide an absolutely free background check with no credit card required, allowing you to assess their services risk-free. As one of the highest rated background check sites, they prioritize compliance and ethical practices, ensuring you receive reliable and accurate information. You can further explore their BackgroundCheck free trial background check to experience their offerings firsthand. First Advantage In relation to background screening, First Advantage is a prominent choice for large-scale employers, particularly those operating on an international level. Founded in 2003 and based in Georgia, this global provider specializes in background screening services customized for enterprise-level and multinational corporations. Their pricing structure accommodates various needs, starting from $29 for basic checks to $75 for premium packages. You can likewise take advantage of a 7 day free trial background check to explore their offerings. First Advantage provides customizable searches, including drug screening and coordination of physicals and vaccinations, all in the process of ensuring compliance with FCRA regulations. The turnaround times for background checks typically range from one to four business days, which improves hiring efficiency. Furthermore, First Advantage integrates seamlessly with various applicant tracking systems (ATS), supporting HR functions for large-scale screenings and streamlining the hiring process for employers. Checkr Even though many companies seek efficient solutions for background screening, Checkr stands out as a strong option for high-volume employers. Founded in 2014 and based in San Francisco, Checkr automates the background screening process, enhancing efficiency and speed. With pricing starting at $29.99 for the Basic+ package, you can choose from higher tiers for more thorough checks customized to your needs. One of Checkr’s key advantages is its fast turnaround times, delivering 89% of checks within one hour, greatly improving the candidate experience. In addition, Checkr is FCRA-compliant, ensuring adherence to legal standards. The platform likewise offers customizable packages, allowing you to adjust the screening process to fit specific requirements. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and strong integration capabilities with various applicant tracking systems (ATS), Checkr positions itself as a reliable choice for employers looking for streamlined background checks. HireRight As you navigate the environment of background screening options, HireRight emerges as a prominent choice for employers seeking personalized solutions. Founded in 1995 and based in Nashville, this global provider offers a range of highly customizable background checks suited to your needs. With pricing starting at $39.95 for the Basic package, you can additionally opt for the Advantage and Advantage Plus packages at $69.95 and $79.95, respectively. HireRight boasts a strong BBB rating of A+, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service. The company guarantees fast turnaround times for background checks, typically ranging from one to five business days, which helps streamline your hiring process. Their thorough suite of services includes criminal background checks, employment verification, and drug testing, all compliant with FCRA and relevant regulations. This makes HireRight a reliable partner in your background screening efforts. Sterling Sterling stands out as one of the oldest background screening providers, having been established in 1975. Specializing in personalized searches and extensive background checks, it caters primarily to enterprise-level companies. With over 103,000 checks completed annually, Sterling demonstrates considerable experience in the background screening industry. The company offers a wide range of services, including criminal background checks, employment verification, and drug testing, all customized to meet the high-volume needs of large organizations. Pricing for Sterling‘s services varies greatly, starting from under $50 to several hundred dollars per check, depending on the complexity and customization required. In 2024, Sterling announced its acquisition by First Advantage, which is expected to improve its capabilities and expand its service offerings within the background screening market. This acquisition may enhance the efficiency and reliability of their services, making Sterling a compelling choice for businesses seeking thorough and adaptable background checks. Frequently Asked Questions Is Been Verified or Truthfinder Better? When deciding between Been Verified and TruthFinder, consider your needs. Been Verified offers unlimited reports for a monthly fee, which can save you money if you need multiple checks. Conversely, TruthFinder thrives in providing detailed public records and features like reverse phone lookup. Both services have positive ratings, but if you value extensive data, TruthFinder might suit you better, whereas Been Verified offers more cost-effective options for frequent users. Which Background Check Is Legit? To determine which background check service is legit, look for providers that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state regulations. Services like Checkr and iProspectCheck are known for their legal practices. Whereas TruthFinder and Intelius offer extensive public records access, they’re not FCRA-compliant for employment checks. Always check customer reviews and ratings, in addition to certifications from organizations like the Better Business Bureau, to guarantee reliability and trustworthiness. What Is the Most Used Background Check? The most used background check service is Checkr, known for its fast, automated screening process. It boasts an impressive completion rate of 89% of checks within one hour, making it a go-to for many employers. Other services, like iprospectcheck and First Advantage, cater to specific business needs, but Checkr’s efficiency and speed set it apart. Its ability to provide quick, reliable results helps businesses streamline their hiring processes effectively. What Is the Hardest Background Check to Pass? The hardest background check to pass often involves criminal history checks, where felony convictions can impact your chances of employment or housing. Furthermore, extensive employment verification checks can be tough if your resume contains discrepancies in job titles or dates. Credit history checks pose challenges for those with poor credit scores. Finally, international checks can be complex because of varying laws, making it difficult if you have overseas work or residency history. Conclusion To conclude, choosing the right background check service depends on your specific needs. Iprospectcheck offers affordability and speed, whereas First Advantage caters to larger employers with extensive requirements. Checkr is ideal for quick processing times, and HireRight shines with its customer service. Sterling, with its long-standing reputation, provides thorough checks suited for enterprise-level clients. Evaluating these options will help you select the best fit for your background screening needs, ensuring a reliable hiring process. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Highest Rated Background Check Sites" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In terms of background checks, knowing which sites offer the best services can save you time and resources. The top five highest-rated options include Iprospectcheck, First Advantage, Checkr, HireRight, and Sterling. Each of these platforms has unique strengths, from rapid processing times to thorough offerings customized for large employers. Grasping what each site can provide is crucial, especially if you’re looking for efficiency and reliability. Let’s explore what sets these platforms apart. Key Takeaways Checkr: Known for rapid results, delivering 89% of checks within one hour, ideal for high-volume employers. Iprospectcheck: Offers personalized searches with competitive pricing and a free background check option, ensuring compliance with regulations. First Advantage: Specializes in large-scale screenings, providing customizable checks and quick turnaround times for multinational employers. HireRight: Features a strong BBB rating, customizable checks, and a focus on customer satisfaction with reliable turnaround times. Sterling: One of the oldest providers, known for extensive checks and strong enterprise-level service, enhancing its offerings post-acquisition by First Advantage. Iprospectcheck Regarding background screening, Iprospectcheck stands out as a reliable choice for businesses looking for customized solutions. Founded in 2009 and based in California, this family-owned provider offers personalized searches that comply with FCRA and local regulations. With pricing options from $24.95 for Basic checks to $79.95 for Premium checks, it accommodates businesses of all sizes. Iprospectcheck is known for its fast turnaround times, often delivering results within one to five business days, which can improve candidate retention in critical industries like staffing and healthcare. They additionally provide an absolutely free background check with no credit card required, allowing you to assess their services risk-free. As one of the highest rated background check sites, they prioritize compliance and ethical practices, ensuring you receive reliable and accurate information. You can further explore their BackgroundCheck free trial background check to experience their offerings firsthand. First Advantage In relation to background screening, First Advantage is a prominent choice for large-scale employers, particularly those operating on an international level. Founded in 2003 and based in Georgia, this global provider specializes in background screening services customized for enterprise-level and multinational corporations. Their pricing structure accommodates various needs, starting from $29 for basic checks to $75 for premium packages. You can likewise take advantage of a 7 day free trial background check to explore their offerings. First Advantage provides customizable searches, including drug screening and coordination of physicals and vaccinations, all in the process of ensuring compliance with FCRA regulations. The turnaround times for background checks typically range from one to four business days, which improves hiring efficiency. Furthermore, First Advantage integrates seamlessly with various applicant tracking systems (ATS), supporting HR functions for large-scale screenings and streamlining the hiring process for employers. Checkr Even though many companies seek efficient solutions for background screening, Checkr stands out as a strong option for high-volume employers. Founded in 2014 and based in San Francisco, Checkr automates the background screening process, enhancing efficiency and speed. With pricing starting at $29.99 for the Basic+ package, you can choose from higher tiers for more thorough checks customized to your needs. One of Checkr’s key advantages is its fast turnaround times, delivering 89% of checks within one hour, greatly improving the candidate experience. In addition, Checkr is FCRA-compliant, ensuring adherence to legal standards. The platform likewise offers customizable packages, allowing you to adjust the screening process to fit specific requirements. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and strong integration capabilities with various applicant tracking systems (ATS), Checkr positions itself as a reliable choice for employers looking for streamlined background checks. HireRight As you navigate the environment of background screening options, HireRight emerges as a prominent choice for employers seeking personalized solutions. Founded in 1995 and based in Nashville, this global provider offers a range of highly customizable background checks suited to your needs. With pricing starting at $39.95 for the Basic package, you can additionally opt for the Advantage and Advantage Plus packages at $69.95 and $79.95, respectively. HireRight boasts a strong BBB rating of A+, reflecting its commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service. The company guarantees fast turnaround times for background checks, typically ranging from one to five business days, which helps streamline your hiring process. Their thorough suite of services includes criminal background checks, employment verification, and drug testing, all compliant with FCRA and relevant regulations. This makes HireRight a reliable partner in your background screening efforts. Sterling Sterling stands out as one of the oldest background screening providers, having been established in 1975. Specializing in personalized searches and extensive background checks, it caters primarily to enterprise-level companies. With over 103,000 checks completed annually, Sterling demonstrates considerable experience in the background screening industry. The company offers a wide range of services, including criminal background checks, employment verification, and drug testing, all customized to meet the high-volume needs of large organizations. Pricing for Sterling‘s services varies greatly, starting from under $50 to several hundred dollars per check, depending on the complexity and customization required. In 2024, Sterling announced its acquisition by First Advantage, which is expected to improve its capabilities and expand its service offerings within the background screening market. This acquisition may enhance the efficiency and reliability of their services, making Sterling a compelling choice for businesses seeking thorough and adaptable background checks. Frequently Asked Questions Is Been Verified or Truthfinder Better? When deciding between Been Verified and TruthFinder, consider your needs. Been Verified offers unlimited reports for a monthly fee, which can save you money if you need multiple checks. Conversely, TruthFinder thrives in providing detailed public records and features like reverse phone lookup. Both services have positive ratings, but if you value extensive data, TruthFinder might suit you better, whereas Been Verified offers more cost-effective options for frequent users. Which Background Check Is Legit? To determine which background check service is legit, look for providers that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state regulations. Services like Checkr and iProspectCheck are known for their legal practices. Whereas TruthFinder and Intelius offer extensive public records access, they’re not FCRA-compliant for employment checks. Always check customer reviews and ratings, in addition to certifications from organizations like the Better Business Bureau, to guarantee reliability and trustworthiness. What Is the Most Used Background Check? The most used background check service is Checkr, known for its fast, automated screening process. It boasts an impressive completion rate of 89% of checks within one hour, making it a go-to for many employers. Other services, like iprospectcheck and First Advantage, cater to specific business needs, but Checkr’s efficiency and speed set it apart. Its ability to provide quick, reliable results helps businesses streamline their hiring processes effectively. What Is the Hardest Background Check to Pass? The hardest background check to pass often involves criminal history checks, where felony convictions can impact your chances of employment or housing. Furthermore, extensive employment verification checks can be tough if your resume contains discrepancies in job titles or dates. Credit history checks pose challenges for those with poor credit scores. Finally, international checks can be complex because of varying laws, making it difficult if you have overseas work or residency history. Conclusion To conclude, choosing the right background check service depends on your specific needs. Iprospectcheck offers affordability and speed, whereas First Advantage caters to larger employers with extensive requirements. Checkr is ideal for quick processing times, and HireRight shines with its customer service. Sterling, with its long-standing reputation, provides thorough checks suited for enterprise-level clients. Evaluating these options will help you select the best fit for your background screening needs, ensuring a reliable hiring process. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Highest Rated Background Check Sites" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article