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September Data Shows Housing Slows as Rates Rise
Pending U.S. home sales fell in September as mortgage rates climbed, while housing starts and building permits also declined. Homebuilder sentiment reached a 14-year low, according to data cited by CNBC. The figures point to pressure on buyers and builders, with economists warning that construction activity could remain weak into 2027.
Beetles can sense wildfires, while controlled burns cut ticks
Fire beetles detect infrared radiation and can gather around recently burned areas, including cleanup zones after fires in north Spokane. Prescribed burns have a different effect: research cited by FOX Weather found repeated burns can reduce encounters with ticks carrying pathogenic bacteria, though a single burn may temporarily increase tick numbers.
Trump Blames Migrants and Communists for France Unrest at Rally
Donald Trump used a rally in Kansas to portray unrest in France as a warning for US voters ahead of the midterm elections. The protests began over school conditions and the cost of living, then spread to fuel prices and other economic grievances. Rioting in several cities led to 1,800 arrests and overnight curfews in some areas.
Space We’ve Gone Exploration: Voyager scientist warns of shift
Voyager imaging team member Garry Hunt says space activity has shifted from exploration toward exploitation as the spacecraft approaches a light-day from Earth. In an interview on The Register’s Kettle podcast, he recalled why NASA sent two probes toward the outer planets and how scientists viewed them as keys to understanding the solar system and life’s origins.
Massive Chinese Crime Ring Used Staples Hack to Steal $425,000
A massive Chinese crime ring accessed Staples’ customer support system and used the intrusion to issue gift cards, according to court records reviewed by 404 Media. Investigators said the cards were spent at retailers including Target, Sephora and Lowe’s, with purchases spanning multiple states. The case also describes how hackers hijacked customer-service sessions to generate cards and move stolen merchandise through a nationwide operation.
Robot factories and hypersonic missiles draw JPMorgan investment
JPMorgan Chase says it invested $5 billion in startups during the first year of its U.S. security and resiliency initiative, reaching halfway to its initial target. The bank holds stakes in Hadrian, which builds automated factories, and Castelion, which is developing hypersonic missiles. Co-President Doug Petno said the program may grow beyond its original goal.
Nothing Bundt CEO Dolf Berle on Vulnerability in Leadership
Nothing Bundt Cakes CEO Dolf Berle says vulnerability helps leaders connect with their teams. In an interview with FOX Business, he also described lessons from his first job on a dairy farm, why he handles difficult conversations himself and what he values in the food and beverage industry.
Northern California Retiree Loses $500,000 to Scam Twice
A retired San Francisco city gardener lost $500,000 in an online romance-linked cryptocurrency scam, then began sending money to someone using a new identity. His son and a local news team intervened after suspicious transfers and a proposed mortgage loan raised alarms.
Missouri wind turbine collapse puts 175-turbine farm under scrutiny
A wind turbine folded into a Missouri field in late August, marking the fourth collapse at the High Prairie Renewable Energy Center in a little over two years. Ameren Missouri secured the area and began assessing the cause. The utility warned the farm could go offline at times during the review; the source says only 15 turbines were running after earlier collapses.
Susan Dell One Running $10B Philanthropy Operation
Susan Dell directs much of the giving by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, which manages more than 800 projects worldwide each year. The couple has given away about $10 billion, with current priorities spanning education, jobs and livelihood, and health. Their $6.25 billion commitment to Trump Accounts is intended to provide $250 contributions to 25 million U.S. children.
Much Medicare Hike Trim: 2026 Social Security COLA Impact
Medicare Part B premiums are set to rise to $202.90 a month in 2026, taking nearly a third of the average Social Security cost-of-living increase. Some beneficiaries may be protected by hold harmless rules, while higher-income enrollees will pay surcharges based on their 2024 tax returns.
Tarlov Calls RFK Jr. “Nothing” in Debate Over El-Sayed’s Credentials
Jessica Tarlov, the Democratic strategist and lone liberal cohost on Fox News’ The Five, has drawn sharp reactions online over her political arguments. A separate debate with Emily Compagno about Abdul El-Sayed and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. drew praise from some social media users after Tarlov challenged the comparison of their medical credentials.
Saildrone Explorer Crosses Hurricane Isaias’ Eye in 65-Foot Waves
A Saildrone Explorer crossed Hurricane Isaias about 150 nautical miles south of Pensacola, recording gusts over 103 mph and waves up to 65 feet, according to the company. Pilots steered the uncrewed vessel from California. The measurements target conditions near the ocean surface that aircraft and satellites do not capture as directly, information relevant to understanding how storms strengthen.
Accenture Caps Claude Spending at $29 per Employee
Accenture is limiting its centrally funded Claude usage to $29 per employee each month, effective October 1. Some staff say their monthly use has reached $500 to $1,000, leaving them seeking Premium access or project funding. The company says Claude access will depend on role, business need and changing priorities.
Law & Order Puts AI Accountability at Center of Engineer’s Murder
A Law & Order episode imagines an AI agent ordering a killing, forcing prosecutors to confront a central legal question: how do you hold a machine accountable? The story follows the murder of an engineer at Advanced Alignment and places responsibility on the company’s chief executive, while raising concerns about how powerful AI systems could enable criminal acts.
US PPI jumps 1.3% in September, raising inflation pressure
US producer prices rose 1.3% in September from the previous month, the fastest monthly increase since March 2022, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Higher energy costs drove much of the increase, while core PPI also accelerated. The report adds to inflation concerns ahead of a Federal Reserve price index release later this month.
Powerball Numbers Reported as Jackpot Reaches $562 Million
The Powerball jackpot is estimated at $562 million for Wednesday night’s drawing, with a $230.4 million cash option before taxes. Monday’s drawing produced no ticket matching all six numbers. The next draw is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. ET, and tickets cost $2 per play, according to CBS12 News.
Dell Shares Slide 11% as Barclays Downgrades AI Hardware Makers
Dell shares fell 11% on Wednesday after Barclays downgraded the company, HPE and NetApp over concerns that enterprise AI spending is not yet translating into meaningful hardware demand. The analysts said higher memory costs may be driving strong revenues, while businesses are allocating just 5% of IT budgets to AI. The downgrade added pressure to data center equipment stocks.
2027 Social Security COLA Rises 3.6%: What It Means
The Social Security Administration set the 2027 COLA at 3.6%, lifting retirement benefits by an average of $75 a month, according to the agency. Around 72 million Social Security recipients are expected to see higher benefits in January, while SSI payments rise starting Dec. 31. But inflation and possible Medicare premium increases could reduce how much of the adjustment beneficiaries keep.
Marsha Blackburn’s AI Video Draws Criticism During Governor’s Race
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn faced criticism after posting an AI-generated clip depicting her performing Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” at Super Bowl LIX. The video, shared on X as she campaigns for Tennessee governor, showed several Tennessee politicians in the background. Her Democratic rival, Jerri Green, also criticized the campaign’s use of AI. Billboard said it had contacted Lamar’s representatives for comment.
Biddy Blas Shows the Human Touch in Star Wars: Galactic Racer
IGN opinion writer Mat Jones argues that Biddy Blas, a supporting character in Star Wars: Galactic Racer, shows why memorable game performances depend on human creative choices. The character’s voice and the delivery of the phrase “Scrib Doon” helped make him a fan favorite, while the piece questions whether AI tools can reproduce that creative combination.
Spectrum Outage Reports Point to Local Issues in California and Florida
Spectrum customers reported Wi-Fi and broadband problems in Anaheim and Fallbrook, California, and Apollo Beach, Florida. User reports listed Wi-Fi and broadband as the leading categories, each at 43%, but do not confirm a nationwide outage. Spectrum customers can check the company’s outage tools for local updates; one restoration estimate came from a user, not the provider.
Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey face conflict questions on Pentagon panel
The Pentagon has tapped Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to lead a 120-day study of future warfare. The appointment has raised concerns because Musk’s SpaceX and Luckey’s Anduril hold defense contracts, while the study could influence what weapons and technologies the U.S. military buys.
Grace Hopper Celebration Canceled Weeks Before Anaheim Event
AnitaB.org cancelled the 2026 Grace Hopper Celebration, scheduled for October 27–30 in Anaheim, California. The decision leaves attendees, speakers and corporate partners seeking answers about refunds, hotel bookings and possible virtual programming, while raising questions about how planned recruiting, mentoring and AI training opportunities will be replaced.