Show Notes
A new Marsh survey finds employers expect health benefit costs to rise about 8% next year — the biggest increase in more than two decades. Employers are already eyeing ways to shift more costs onto workers. That's on top of a separate Aon report showing employees paid nearly 10% more in out-of-pocket care in 2026 than the year before, an increase of roughly $2,100.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods is Avoiding a DUI conviction after reaching a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and will lose his driver’s license for five years, pay at least $1,500 in fines, complete 50 hours of community service, and cover damages from the crash. The golfer was originally charged with DUI after a rollover crash in March.
The Los Angeles Angels are set for a change in ownership, and it could mark the start of a new era. Rams owner Stan Kroenke has agreed to buy the team from Arte Moreno in a record $4 billion deal, ousting the Angels owner after 20+ years. With the team’s playoff drought stretching back to 2014, fans are hopeful that Kroenke’s record of investing in Southern California sports will pay off. The deal still needs MLB approval.
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After a nearly year-long legal battle, the biggest merger in Hollywood history closed on Tuesday. The $111 billion deal combines Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, and the mega media company is now called Skydance. In addition to the two legacy film studios, it includes the streaming services HBO Max and Paramount+, and two of the biggest news outlets in the country, CNN and CBS. Three industry experts spoke to the Associated Press about what those changes could mean for Hollywood.
For decades, American restaurants have been super-sizing their menus. Now, with about 30 million Americans on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic, many are scaling back. Customers who eat less are ordering less, often choosing smaller items like appetizers over full-priced entrées. McKinsey found GLP-1 users are buying fewer snacks and sodas, a sign the weight-loss drugs are changing how and what people eat. For restaurants, that means smaller checks just as costs climb.
Nvidia is making a big bet on itself. The chipmaker authorized what it calls the largest stock buyback in history, adding $150 billion to its existing program and bringing its total authorization to $235 billion.
Diesel prices are hitting record highs, averaging $6.50 a gallon, up more than 70% since the start of the Iran war, according to AAA. The spike comes right as U.S. farmers are harvesting corn and soybeans, two of the country's largest commodities. Missouri farmer Jason Kurtz says he's paid twice as much for diesel this year. Farmers are also experiencing elevated costs for fertilizer and chemicals.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after their reporters were denied entry to the White House and stripped of their press credentials.