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TECH TODAY

AT&T and Verizon attacked: Two of the largest U.S. telecom providers, announced they have secured their networks following cyberattacks from the China linked Salt Typhoon espionage group.

Bech Shuts down and customers locked out of accounts: The accounting startup that left thousands stranded after suddently shutting down last week will be acquired by Employer.com

AI Creating Boom Towns: Central Washington is a rural region but AI is changing it fast as electricians from around the country plug into its giant data centers.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 🏁

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HEADLINE NEWS 👀

AI Shenanigans & Tech Crystal Balls 2025 Predictions

Ah, December, the month when tech prophets don their metaphorical monocles and look ahead to the future. For years, we've gazed into the digital ether, nailing some predictions and, admittedly, missing the mark on a few (who didn't think Harry Potter AR would charm the world;)

But, like every year, this time we’re confident. No, really. 2025 is the year loose ends get tied, long standing promises come true, and the phrase "AI everything" becomes less of a tech buzzword and more of a lifestyle. So, grab a latte (or better when a glass of wine) folks because here’s what’s on the horizon.

Agent Provocateurs AI That Actually Gets Stuff Done

Forget AI as your personal poet or meme generator. The 2025 wave of AI agents is here to do actual work. These digital doers will book your flights, order your groceries, and finally help you snag those sneakers you’ve been eyeing.

Google’s Gemini 2.0, it’s calling itself the “model for the agentic era” (their words, not ours) and can already handle shopping sprees. OpenAI and Anthropic are jumping into the fray with platforms promising AI that clicks, types, and scrolls for you, your digital butler, minus the snark (but accepts tips).

David Singleton of /dev/agents calls the current state of tech “too much effort, not enough magic.” His new AI platform promises to fix that in 2025. And honestly? We’re here for it.

AI Gadgets - From Your Kitchen to Your Face

This year, it’s less about phones and more about AI powered “things.” Apple’s rumored 6 inch smart home display may be the Siri powered upgrade your kitchen never knew it needed. While Amazon’s Alexa will finally level up with generative AI.

Meanwhile, Meta’s RayBan smart glasses are poised for an upgrade, and Jony Ive (yes, that Jony Ive) is reportedly cooking up a mysterious AI gadget with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Will it be revolutionary, or just really expensive? Your guess is as good as ours.

TikTok A Time Bomb

TikTok’s fate hangs by a thread, or rather, by a January 19 deadline. If ByteDance doesn’t shed its Chinese ownership, the U.S. could ban the app outright. The Supreme Court and a certain second term president might have their say, but if all else fails, ByteDance could sell. Frank McCourt (yes, the former Dodgers owner and billionaire) is ready to swoop in with $20 billion.

The clock is ticking. Literally.

Forecasts That Don’t Flake

Let’s face it, weather apps are often wrong. But Google’s DeepMind has a new AI model, GenCast, that promises hyper accurate, 15 day forecasts. It’s fast, too, crunching weather data in eight minutes flat.

NOAA isn’t slouching either, boasting its most precise hurricane predictions in 2024. The future is fewer soggy picnics and better prepped disaster responses.

Cleaner Data Centers - Greener Energy

Big Tech’s data centers guzzle power, but in 2025, they’ll do it with a cleaner conscience. Microsoft is buying nuclear energy, Amazon’s experimenting with small modular reactors, and Google’s harnessing geothermal power. The next decade could see solar powered data centers with mega batteries for backup.

Goodbye, coal, say hello to sustainable cloud computing.

Crypto 2.0: - The Bull and the Rollercoaster

Bitcoin shattered $100,000 this month, and crypto friendly policies from the new administration could keep the party going. ETFs now make investing easier, while Wall Street’s former crypto skeptics are all in, before they get left behind.

Will this crypto boom last, or is it just another bubble waiting to pop? Either way, the adrenaline junkies aren’t complaining.

EVs Hit a Speed Bump

Federal EV subsidies might be heading for the chopping block in 2025, and steep tariffs on battery imports could throw another wrench in the works. Even Elon Musk seems okay with subsidies ending, though startups are nervous.

Will domestic battery production rise to the occasion, or will EV prices drop to keep the wheels turning? While the ride could get bumpy in 2025 there will be winners.

From Health Tracking to Longevity Hacks

Why settle for counting steps when you can track your biological age. Apps like FaceAge and January are set to make 2025 the year of longevity tech, analyzing selfies and meals to keep you feeling (and looking) younger.

For those less squeamish, glucose monitors like DexCom’s Stelo can connect your diet, sleep, and stress to blood sugar. The future of health is here, just don’t skip leg day 💪 

Self Driving Cars - Pinkie Promise This Time

Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla are set to make 2025 the year autonomous vehicles finally take the wheel. Waymo’s driverless Ubers will hit Atlanta and Austin. While Amazon’s Zoox expands to Vegas and Miami.

And Tesla, with Musk stationed in Mar-a-Lago, is optimistic about fully autonomous cars by year’s end. Of course, optimism is Tesla’s middle name, so maybe don’t throw out your car keys just yet.

Final Prediction - Humans vs. Tech

If longevity tech lives up to its promise, we’ll be writing these predictions for another 80 years. But for now, here’s to a 2025 filled with AI agents, crypto chaos, and TikTok drama. Cheers 🥂

Rivian’s $6 Billion Loan Comes With Strings Attached

Rivian Automotive, the struggling EV maker, took a $6 billion loan from the U.S. Energy Department, and it came with strings attached. To secure the funds, Rivian agreed to a neutrality pact with the United Auto Workers (UAW) promising not to oppose unionization at its Illinois factory once the company hits profitability targets.

This follows President Biden's executive order urging federal loans to favor projects supporting unions. Ford Motor made a similar deal with the UAW for its Tennessee EV plant, coinciding with a $9.6 billion federal loan.

The stakes are very high. Rivian lost over $107,000 per vehicle in the year’s first nine months, while Ford’s EV losses are half that amount. They both trail Tesla, which remains union free and profitable. Rivian hopes to turn things around by selling emissions credits, but a Trump Administration rollback of Biden’s EV mandates could erode that revenue.

Rivian’s deal highlights the risks of industrial policy. When politics overtake profits, taxpayers often pay the price.

President Jimmy Carter, Humanitarian, Dead at 100

Jimmy Carter, America’s longest lived president, passed away Sunday at 100 in his modest Plains, Georgia, home. Nearly two years ago, he chose to forgo further medical treatment, facing his declining health with the same quiet resolve that marked his life.

A peanut farmer and naval officer turned governor, Carter emerged as a beacon of honesty in the post Watergate era, promising never to lie to the American people. In 1976, he rode that promise to the presidency. His single term was turbulent, defined by gas shortages, inflation, and the Iran hostage crisis, but also by historic achievements, including the Camp David Accords and a nuclear arms agreement with the Soviet Union.

Carter’s greatest legacy, however, came after he left the White House. As a former president, he championed peace, human rights, and global health, earning a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Through the Carter Center, he helped eradicate disease, monitor elections, and fight for the world’s poorest.

Chip Carter, his son, called him a hero “to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” He added, “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together.”

Carter’s resilience defied the odds. In 2015, he beat melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. In early 2023, he entered hospice care, yet lived on, captivating admirers worldwide with his strength. His story was not without shadows, allegations surfaced last year of a covert effort to sabotage his 1980 reelection campaign, a reminder of the challenges he faced even after leaving office.

In November, Carter lost Rosalynn, his wife of nearly 80 years. Their partnership was a love story for the ages, spanning presidencies, pandemics, and the home they built in Plains, Georgia.

Jimmy Carter’s funeral will mark the first for a U.S. president since George H.W. Bush in 2018. He leaves behind a legacy of humility, service, and an unwavering belief in the power of humanity to do good.

💰️ Smart Money Matters 💰️ 

Culture Corner

For Many Americans Homeownership Math Ain’t Math’in

Rising Costs Push Homeownership to Breaking Point. Skyrocketing insurance premiums and property taxes are squeezing homeowners across the U.S., rewriting the financial math of owning a home.

Insurers are hiking rates due to mounting disaster losses and costly repairs, while surging home values have driven property taxes higher. In September, 32% of the average single family mortgage payment went to taxes and insurance, an all time high, according to Intercontinental Exchange.

In some cities like Miami and Omaha, one in four homeowners spends more than half their monthly mortgage on taxes and insurance. Nationwide, 9% of homeowners face this burden, up from 4% in 2014.

The financial pinch isn’t just hitting new buyers. Older homeowners on fixed incomes are struggling to keep up. “Even retirees who paid off their mortgages years ago didn’t budget for these kinds of increases,” said Joshua Stewart of housing nonprofit Fahe.

Take Michael and Lisa Landry of New Orleans. They bought their home in 2015, paying $725 a month for taxes and insurance. Today, that figure is $2,448, more than their mortgage payment. “Had I known this, we wouldn’t have moved here,” said Michael, who fears they’ll have to sell when he retires.

Many are already opting out. In Florida, for example, the number of uninsured homeowners has risen sharply, with 21% of Miami homeowners forgoing insurance in 2023. But skipping coverage could spell disaster after a storm.

Rising costs are also eating into housing affordability. High taxes and insurance premiums are forcing some to lower asking prices, while others struggle to qualify for refinancing. “You have less budget for the mortgage itself,” said Andy Walden of Intercontinental Exchange, “which drives down home prices.”

For now, homeownership remains a costly dream for many, and for some, it’s turning into a nightmare.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS NEWS

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)

Federal Courts Hit Pause on Beneficial Ownership Filings—For Now

UPDATE Dec 22, 2024: Businesses just got a reprieve, or maybe a ticking time bomb. For now, the federal government isn’t enforcing the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). But the situation remains fluid.

What Happened: The CTA, effective January 1, 2024, requires over 30 million businesses to report ownership details to FinCEN by January 1, 2025, under threat of fines and jail time. Its aim is to Combat money laundering and terrorism. But lawsuits challenging its constitutionality quickly followed.

Alabama and Texas Rulings: In March 2024, an Alabama court ruled the CTA unconstitutional, allowing local plaintiffs to skip compliance. On December 3, 2024, a Texas court escalated matters with a nationwide injunction, calling the CTA an overreach. FinCEN has since halted enforcement, sparing businesses penalties, at least for now.

What’s Next: On December 13, the DOJ appealed to overturn the injunction, with a ruling expected by December 27. A reversal could force businesses into a last minute scramble before the January 1 deadline, or prompt FinCEN to extend it.

What Should Businesses Do?

Here are your options:

1. Monitor Developments: Hold off filing until the legal dust settles.

2. Prepare Documents: Gather BOI data to stay ready.

3. File Early: Avoid uncertainty and meet potential deadlines.

The Unknowns: The incoming administration might abandon the appeals, shelving the CTA entirely. Until then, the courts have offered businesses a temporary reprieve, but no certainty. Stay tuned.

ECONOMY

Coffee Shortage Drives Bean Prices To 50 Year High

Coffee’s in a climate crisis, with rising prices and shrinking farms, and Thaleon Tremain isn’t just listening to market trends.

As CEO and co-founder of Pachamama Coffee in California, Tremain insists coffee is a luxury. He prices his beans accordingly so farmers in Peru, Nicaragua, and Ethiopia can earn a living wage. But he’s concerned because coffee prices are climbing for the wrong reasons.

Extreme weather (droughts and floods) have battered global coffee crops, slashing supply. At the same time, demand keeps climbing. Prices hit a nearly 50 year high this month. While they may dip, Tremain sees instability threatening his business and farmers’ livelihoods. For consumers? Higher latte prices are inevitable.

“Supply isn’t meeting demand,” Tremain said.

Coffee is finicky. It thrives in misty, tropical climates with rich, disease-free soil. The U.S., aside from a tiny Hawaiian crop, grows little coffee and imports more than any other country. This reliance makes prices vulnerable to extreme weather.

Brazil, the world’s largest coffee exporter, suffered a severe drought this year, devastating its arabica harvest. Vietnam, the top producer of robusta beans (used in instant coffee), saw crops battered by drought followed by heavy rain.

The result, futures for arabica beans surged to $3.30 per pound in December, breaking a record “Prices will only ease when supply improves,” said David Oxley, a climate economist.

But climate change suggests relief isn’t coming. Rising temperatures and deforestation are shrinking coffee growing regions. Rutgers University’s Kevon Rhiney warns, “The areas suitable for coffee will shrink over time.”

Meanwhile, demand is booming, especially in China, where consumption has jumped 60% in five years. Pandemic era supply chain bottlenecks and inflation haven’t helped. Big players like Nestlé and J.M. Smucker are hiking prices and shrinking packaging.

Independent roasters like Scott Conary of Carrboro Coffee Roasters face tough choices. He raises prices gradually but sees transportation and storage costs skyrocketing. Still, Conary hopes higher prices will make consumers appreciate coffee’s agricultural roots and support smaller producers “People aren’t paying enough for coffee,” he said.

For Tremain and others, the message is clear, coffee is a luxury worth protecting. But as the climate shifts, its future grows increasingly uncertain.

FINANCE

Made in America Walmart’s $12.98 T-Shirt

The shelves at Walmart are packed for the holidays, but a $12.98 cotton T-shirt made in America stands apart.

In 2023, less than 4% of clothing bought in the U.S. was made domestically, battered by cheap imports. Yet, with Walmart’s muscle and commitment to American manufacturing, a North Carolina based company, American Giant, has managed to make these shirts profitable.

Bayard Winthrop, founder of American Giant, credits Walmart’s guaranteed orders for giving suppliers the confidence to invest in automation, slashing production costs. Without it, these shirts couldn’t compete with cheaper imports from China or Vietnam.

The shirts are designed for efficiency, seamless tubular knits, rugged cotton, and automated patches. Despite labor intensive processes, new machinery and tweaks to production helped keep the price under $13.

American Giant, known for its premium American made apparel, typically charges $40–$60 for T-shirts and $148 for hoodies. But Walmart’s bulk order enabled a lower price point for its customers.

Since pledging in 2013 to prioritize American made goods, Walmart has upped its investment in domestic products, helping counteract decades of decline in U.S. manufacturing. Still, price conscious shoppers and rising inflation present challenges for scaling efforts like this.

“We can make almost anything here, so long as it doesn’t require too much labor,” Winthrop said. But while the T-shirts have been a success, the question remains, will Americans pay more for products made at home?

Despite renewed efforts from companies and government tariffs, U.S. textile plants continue to close. Yet Walmart and American Giant’s partnership hints at what’s possible when retail giants invest in domestic supply chains.

As Winthrop puts it, “If little old me can spin up a program for Walmart, big brands with their resources should do the same.”

POLITICS

Biden’s CHIPS Act Spurs “Tiny Taipei” In The Arizona Desert

Helen Wang clocks out from her shift at the sprawling TSMC microchip plant outside Phoenix and heads home, not to rest, but to cook. Her side hustle? Spicy beef soup and pork noodles for her fellow Taiwanese workers craving a taste of home.

Two years ago, there were almost no Asian grocery stores or Taiwanese restaurants near this suburban edge of the Sonoran Desert. Then the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) arrived, bringing thousands of Taiwanese workers and their families. Now, this corner of Arizona is transforming into a vibrant “Tiny Taipei.”

Strip malls once dominated by taquerias and nail salons now host boba tea shops and stir fry joints. Supermarkets stock Taiwanese noodles and sauces. Mandarin echoes in schools and daycare centers, where 282 Taiwanese students are enrolled.

TSMC’s gleaming, spaceship like factory is a key piece of President Biden’s push to bolster U.S. chip production through the $52 billion CHIPS Act. The company is pouring $65 billion into its Arizona operations, with production slated to start in 2025.

But the factory's success, and the future of its immigrant workforce, hangs in the balance. President elect Donald Trump has criticized the CHIPS Act and raised concerns about foreign workers. A debate over skilled visas and allegations of discrimination within TSMC has only added to tensions.

Inside the plant, cultural clashes simmer. American employees struggle with TSMC’s grueling hours, while Taiwanese workers navigate life in the desert, far from Taiwan’s dense, bustling cities. Outside, the community is adapting. Taiwanese entrepreneurs are opening businesses, from bubble tea cafes to Asian grocery stores, while local churches and organizations help new arrivals learn English and settle in.

“It all happened so quickly,” says Wen Chang, a restaurateur who moved to Arizona to serve the growing community. His Taiwan Bistro, just minutes from the plant, delivers boxed lunches to workers and hosts karaoke nights where Taiwanese engineers introduce American colleagues to dishes like three cup chicken.

For many families, the move offers opportunity but also challenges. Spouses often give up careers, struggling with visas and language barriers. Some, like Kate Yu, turn to entrepreneurship. A former computer engineer, Yu now runs Taiwan Mama, a popular cafe serving braised pork belly and milk tea. “When we came here, we didn’t know what to do,” Yu says. “Cooking gave us comfort.”

Despite the challenges, Taiwanese families are finding their footing. Children join baseball teams and celebrate Lunar New Year at school. Families buy homes with palm trees and backyard pools, blending their heritage with a quintessential American dream.

“This is what we want from America,” says Wang, reflecting on her new life in Arizona. Whether they stay for good or return home, these families are reshaping the desert into something distinctly their own.

THE GRIND FACTORY ⚙️

UNIQUELY INTERESTING

💡 Epiphany Moments

At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the world sings Auld Lang Syne, often with more heart than harmony. But where did this nostalgic anthem come from?

The phrase Auld Lang Syne translates to “old long since” or, loosely, “for old times’ sake.” It’s a toast to friendships and memories. The song’s roots trace back to Scottish poet Robert Burns, who wrote it down in 1788, claiming he’d heard it from an old man. Its melody comes from traditional Scottish folk music, ensuring its sentimental charm.

Fast forward to the 1920s, Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo turned it into a New Year’s staple. His orchestra played it every December 31 during radio broadcasts, and by 1929, it became the song for ringing in the new year.

Its magic s in its Simplicity. Auld Lang Syne is a global reminder to cherish the past while welcoming the future. So when the clock strikes twelve, and you belt it out with linked arms, you’re not just singing, you’re part of a centuries old tradition. Cheers to that 🥂 

 🍎 One Smart Apple

Kay Jewelers began in 1916 when two brothers, Sol and Edmund Kaufmann, opened a quirky little shop in Reading, Pennsylvania. Back then, Kay sold more than jewelry, think eyeglasses, radios, and even silverware. But diamonds, as it turns out, really are forever, and the brothers soon pivoted to focus exclusively on fine jewelry.

Fast forward, Kay grew into a national darling for engagement rings 💎 and sparkly sentimentality, powered by its catchy slogan, “Every kiss begins with Kay.” In 1987, it joined the Signet Jewelers family, leveling up into a jewelry giant. Now, with stores everywhere and a thriving online shop, Kay remains America’s go to for marking life’s big moments, one kiss (and diamond) at a time. 🍏 

 HEALTH & LONGEVITY •ᴗ•

Two Life Anchors That Support Longevity

The two most important components of achieving longevity are physical health and mental well being. To successfully achieve your goals of attaining longevity place these two lifestyle components at the top of the priority list.

1. Physical Health: Consistent exercise, a balanced diet rich in whole foods, adequate sleep, and preventive healthcare are essential. These habits reduce chronic diseases, improve cardiovascular health, and support the body’s resilience over time.

2. Mental Well-Being: Stress management, meaningful social connections, and a sense of purpose are critical. A positive mindset and emotional health significantly influence longevity, as they help reduce stress related illnesses and improve overall quality of life.

Together, these components create a balanced foundation for a longer, healthier, more enjoyable life.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR 💋

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