Author: Sarah Collins

Data centers, AI, and high-performance computing are pushing the grid to its limits, and today’s power infrastructure can’t keep up. The world needs a scalable, carbon-free, and 24/7 reliable energy source to fuel this next era of innovation. That’s where small modular reactors (SMRs) come in —a transformational breakthrough in nuclear energy that could provide the scalable, carbon-free power needed to fuel the AI revolution. As the world faces an urgent need for secure and sustainable energy, SMRs provide a powerful solution. They can stabilize power grids stressed by fluctuating renewable sources, supply off-grid locations with reliable electricity, and even…

Data centers are expanding at an unprecedented pace, driven by the need to build and train more AI models by the day. But here’s the shocking truth: AI-driven applications like ChatGPT consume 25 times more energy than a simple Google search. This will translate to datacenters worldwide consuming as much energy as Japan in 2022. And this is only the beginning. The global energy demand from AI is projected to triple by 2030, increasing from 1% to over 3% of total electricity consumption. To meet this rising demand, a reliable, scalable, and environmentally sustainable solution is becoming the go-to for…

Las Vegas Raiders Announce Major Changes The Las Vegas Raiders are making significant changes to their football operations, announcing the firing of General Manager Tom Telesco on Thursday. This move comes shortly after the dismissal of head coach Antonio Pierce earlier this week. Team Statement The Raiders released an official statement regarding Telesco’s departure: “The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Tom Telesco of his duties as General Manager. We appreciate his efforts in helping build a foundation for the future. We wish Tom and his family all the best.” A Brief Tenure for Telesco Telesco, 52, was hired as the…

Wildfires Force Evacuations and Disrupt Communities Three intense wildfires fueled by the powerful Santa Ana winds are raging across Southern California, prompting tens of thousands to flee their homes. The fires have extended evacuation orders into parts of Los Angeles, impacting daily life and even professional sports events. NFL Contingency Plan for Rams-Vikings Game The Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on Monday in the NFL wild-card round. While the stadium is located 10 miles southeast of the Palisades fire, the NFL has announced a contingency plan to move the game to State…

A Crucial Test for Markets The stock market is preparing for its first significant challenge of 2025 as investors eagerly await the U.S. jobs report, due on January 10, to gauge economic stability. The report is expected to reflect a labor market that supports continued equity gains without stoking fears of overheating. After the S&P 500 posted a 23% gain in 2024—marking its best two-year performance since 1997-1998—investors are cautiously optimistic but remain vigilant. The labor market’s performance will be pivotal in shaping economic and Federal Reserve policy expectations for the year. “Investors are going to want to see confirmation…

The U.S. dollar extended its gains for a third consecutive session on Thursday, driven by concerns over tariffs under the incoming Trump administration and persistent inflation fears. U.S. Treasury yields dipped slightly but remained elevated, with the benchmark 10-year note yield hitting an 8½-month high of 4.73% on Wednesday. Economic Resilience and Inflation Concerns Recent economic data highlights a labor market showing solid performance, rekindling inflation concerns and fueling expectations for a slower pace of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Minutes from the Fed’s December meeting reflected policymakers’ worries about inflation potentially increasing due to new administration policies, potentially impacting…

Gold prices reached a near four-week high on Thursday, buoyed by safe-haven demand as investors evaluated how the policies of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might affect the economy and inflation. “Safe-haven demand is modestly supporting gold, offsetting downside pressure coming from a stronger dollar and higher rates,” said Giovanni Staunovo, UBS analyst. Stronger Dollar and Treasury Yields “Market uncertainty is likely to persist with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president,” Staunovo noted. Impact of Trump’s Tariff Policies Reports suggest Trump is considering a national economic emergency declaration to implement universal tariffs on U.S. allies and…

Why the Odds Have Improved After years of unsuccessful attempts, the stage is set for Minnesota to potentially legalize sports betting in 2025. Two key factors are bolstering its chances this year: Opposition Voices Concern While momentum is growing, a strong bipartisan opposition warns of the potential societal costs. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, gambling addiction survivors shared harrowing testimonies about the personal and financial toll of problem gambling. Sen. Marty and his team argue that mobile gambling, which provides easy access to betting, poses significant risks. “It’s like having a casino in your pocket,” Marty said. The Legislative…

Pelicans’ Injury Report After making a strong return from a hamstring injury and scoring 22 points in 28 minutes during Tuesday’s game against Minnesota, Zion Williamson will miss Wednesday’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers due to return to competition reconditioning. The game tips off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on GCSEN (TV) and WWL (radio). Williamson will be joined on the sidelines by teammates Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain) and Trey Murphy (left ankle sprain). Additionally, Dejounte Murray is listed as questionable with right elbow soreness and a right shin contusion. Trail Blazers’ Injury Report Portland will…

The 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.687% on Wednesday, briefly crossing 4.7%, its highest level since late April. This movement reflects investor responses to strong economic data, which suggest the Federal Reserve will take a cautious approach in its 2025 rate cut strategy. Note: Yields and prices move inversely, with one basis point equaling 0.01%. Data Supporting Treasury Yield Trends Economic indicators released on Wednesday provide mixed signals: The focus now shifts to the Federal Reserve’s December meeting minutes, set for release at 2 p.m. ET. Investors anticipate insights into the central bank’s cautious rate cut outlook. Last month, the Fed…