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Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Real Estate Demand Is On The Rise Throughout The US 

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According to a new index from the National Association of Realtors, a multitude of markets throughout the US are showing an increased demand for commercial real estate throughout the country. 

South Carolina, in particular, ranked the highest among all US states in future potential demand for commercial real estate. The National Association of Realtors works to provide a clear vision for investors throughout America when it comes to pursuing their next big venture. The data they report utilizes figures from local economies and past patterns to predict future demand. 

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This specific index looks at over 300 metropolitan markets, analyzing office, industrial, retail, and multifamily sectors while measuring the economic conditions within each region, CNBC reports. 

Government data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau for population and movement also helped inform the rankings. The office sector looked at growth in professional and business services employment. For industrial they looked at manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing employment growth. 

The NAR also measures growth in retail trade along with leisure and hospitality employment. In the multifamily sector, they incorporated population growth and net migration domestically and internationally. 

“It doesn’t say, ‘OK, go there and just buy property,’ but it says … where the data shows that the momentum is building, the demand is building,” Nadia Evangelou, principal economist and director of real estate research at NAR, said. 

The association also compared those selected markets to 2022, which is considered the peak of the pandemic migration boom. According to the index, out of all the markets analyzed, Raleigh, North Carolina is the only major one that is stronger today than it was in 2022. 

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Austin, Texas, Miami and Naples, Florida, once considered to be “superhot” markets, have all declined within the market within the past four years. 

Within the index the strongest metropolitan market is St. George, Utah due to their office employment growth. 

“It also has very strong population growth and in-migration, and its industrial demand is above average,” Evangelou said. 

“So St. George, for example, is the No. 1, because one industry happened to have a good year, so there is a broader momentum over there.”

Evangelou also said that small and midsized markets could provide some of the best opportunities for investors. 

The index also broke down where each of the four sectors is seeing their strongest demand, which includes Salem, Oregon and Fairbanks, Alaska. 

“When we take a look at New York, San Francisco and the big coastal markets, we see that the large markets are still generally weaker than the fast-growing Sunbelt and smaller markets in this index,” said Evangelou.

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Multiple Nations Are Turning To Brazil For Rare Earth Minerals, Raising Environmental Concerns 

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Brazil is emerging as an alternative to China’s dominance when it comes to rare earth minerals, leading to a global race to secure the materials that are used for nearly everything. From clean energy resources, smart technology, medical equipment, batteries, lights, and so much more, having access to these minerals is integral for nearly every industry. 

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US Teenagers Advocating For Their Digital Wellbeing As Schools Across The Nation Ban Phones 

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While educators and parents are looking forward to this upcoming school year without having to worry about screens, many students are advocating for their own digital wellbeing, and are trying to ensure they’re a part of the important conversations surrounding the internet’s impact on growing minds. 

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US Experiencing Covid-19 Surge In Every State 

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Every state in the US is currently experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases, with healthcare professionals and experts warning citizens to be on the lookout for symptoms, and stay diligent with healthy lifestyle practices. 

Dr. John Brooks, an infectious disease doctor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia who also used to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told NPR about how as a country, “we’re now in the midst of a growing summer surge of Covid.” 

“I think most of us kind of feel like it’s fading away and are certainly very grateful for that. But nationally we’re seeing [Covid-19] ticking up pretty much everywhere.”

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According to the CDC, the disease is mainly spreading in the South and West, but is also rising in the Northeast and Midwest. As of right now, however, the virus is still at very low levels, and the current wave of infections is following along the trend of getting milder each year, with less people being hospitalized or dying. 

“What we’re seeing is very likely evidence of growing herd immunity if you will,” Dr. Brooks said. 

“More and more people have had one or more infections that give them some immunity against the virus and have had more than one vaccination, or maybe both, and all of that really has begun to offer us a lot of protection.”

The most important thing that doctors want US residents to remember is Covid-19 never disappeared, and is still greatly impacting communities around the nation. Many are still finding themselves feeling intensely sick for up to two weeks, and for some people, Covid can still cause serious disease, hospitalizations, and in the worst of cases, death. 

Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, emphasized this point to NPR, stating that “Covid-19 is still dangerous, particularly for older adults, infants, and people who are immunocompromised.” 

“In a typical office if you have 20 colleagues, it’s likely that one or two of them are some degree of immunocompromised. So it’s very common that people have risk factors that make Covid-19 dangerous.”

Rivers also pointed out that unlike flu season, which sees a major surge in the winter months, Covid-19 has seen spikes twice a year since the initial pandemic in 2020. That biannual surge remains a mystery to experts. 

“It’s a big mystery as far as I’m concerned. It is the only seasonal respiratory virus that has a summer season. To my knowledge, we don’t know what is causing this seasonality.”

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Rivers advises the general public to stay up to date on their vaccines, and pointed out how she still wears a mask when she’s in crowded places. Staying consistent with your vaccines also allows the body to stay strong against the new and dominant strains that emerge. 

The CDC has not issued any updated recommendations for Covid-19 vaccinations due to litigation over the Trump administration’s work to overhaul immunizations in the US, according to reports. 

The administration itself no longer recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older routinely get an annual shot. Major medical groups, however, still highly recommend it. 

Major insurance companies throughout the nation have also emphasized that they will continue to cover the costs of vaccinations, and the shots themselves will also still be free through other government programs. 

Public health experts are worried about the opposing messages regarding vaccines and how they might confuse more vulnerable populations as well. 

Claire Hannan, for example, is an executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers which works to advocate for immunization and the multiple free programs that offer them throughout the US. 

“The message is that the Covid-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine will be available, they’re covered by insurers, they’re recommended by medical societies. People should get them and get them for their kids.”

Dr. Brooks also pointed out that there’s also now a new drug called Xocova that individuals can take right after they’ve been exposed to the virus to decrease their chances of getting sick from Covid-19. This will especially be useful for individuals working in the healthcare industry who are exposed to a myriad of sick patients every day. 

“It is something for people to just have in the back of their mind.”

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TSA Warns Travelers They Could Face Massive Fines If They Pack Certain Banned Items 

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently been emphasizing that travelers need to double check what they’re packing to ensure they can avoid potentially major fines. The easiest way to make sure your luggage is protected is to check the TSA’s website for a complete list of the banned items for carry-on and checked luggage. 

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Besides the risk of having some of your items confiscated or thrown away, when an item is flagged, even if it’s technically permitted, your luggage may have to go through additional screenings. 

One of the worst case scenarios for travelers who try to bring a prohibited item through is a fine up to  $17,062 in civil penalties per violation, per person. 

This month, the TSA tweeted at travelers with children specifically that toys that are filled with more than 3.4 ounces of gel or dough are not allowed in carry-ons, in alignment with the TSA policy for liquids, gels, and aerosols. 

Squishy toys, slimes, and fidgets have grown greatly in popularity in recent years, leading to an uptick in confiscations at US airports. 

USA Today reported that many travelers also don’t realize a lot of household tools that seem fine are also banned, such as cordless curling irons and sporting equipment. 

Travel items like power banks for electronics and other lithium-ion battery devices must be kept in carry-ons as well. 

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“To avoid delays, always check TSA and airline rules before packing, keep your luggage organized, pack liquids and electronics separately for easy access, and make sure any items that could need extra screening are on top or in an easily accessible pocket,” Paul Stewart, travel expert and founder of My Baggage, told USA Today.

The publication listed out some of the items that are often confiscated by TSA that travelers may be surprised by: 

  1. Cordless curling irons – banned in checked baggage
  2. Bowling balls – banned in carry-ons
  3. Cast iron cookware – banned in carry-ons
  4. Corkscrews with a blade – banned in carry-ons
  5. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices – banned in checked luggage
  6. Foam toy sword – banned in carry-ons
  7. Gel-type candles – banned in carry-ons
  8. Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones – banned in carry-ons and checked luggage
  9. Screwdrivers longer than seven inches – banned in carry-ons
  10. Snow globes – banned in carry-ons if containing over 3.4 ounces of liquid

One exception to the 3.4-ounce rule is baby formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food, all of which are allowed in carry-ons. TSA has this rule in place because these items are medically necessary for babies and toddlers. 

Additionally, to make getting through the line easier, travelers should inform the TSA officer of the specific liquids they have, remove them from their carry-on, and store it in clear bottles. 

For a full list of banned items, be sure to thoroughly go through the TSA’s website while they’re packing their carry-ons and luggage. 

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4 Million Americans No Longer Receiving Food Assistance Through SNAP As Major Cuts Continue 

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), has been experiencing major changes and a consistent decline in participation since last July, after a Republican tax and spending package became law. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act had a high volume of changes to the food assistance program following the White House calling SNAP “bloated” while saying it was failing to “serve as temporary help for those who encounter tough times,” according to NPR.

The “most drastic” changes haven’t even occurred yet, however there are already over 4 million people who are estimated to have lost the critical food aid between last July and April, a lot of which are children. 

President of child advocacy group the Children’s Defense Fund, Starsky Wilson, told reporters how “alarmed” he was at how quickly the tax law has impacted so many American citizens. 

“We’re upset about how quickly this has happened. There are some supports that are still staged to go away later this year. So there could be an even greater sense of desperation among children and their families as we come to the end of this year.”

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SNAP itself has been restricting their eligibility throughout the past year, specifically in October when the food assistance program began restructuring their funding model. In order for the program to stay functional, every state will need to pay millions of dollars in additional costs. 

These increased costs have food policy experts warning that many states will likely be driven to scale back, or completely withdraw, from SNAP. Wilson pointed out that if this were to occur, other government assistance programs, like food banks, will not be able to “fill the gap.”

“There’s no replacement for SNAP if a state gets rid of it.”

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act states that more adults must prove that they work or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month in order to gain access to the benefits. These requirements now apply to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents with a child between the ages of 14 and 17, and people who are between 55 and 64. 

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the changes made to the work requirements alone will reduce SNAP members by 2.4 million people a month between 2025 and 2034. 

Certain immigrant groups are also now ineligible for food stamps, and while only a small fraction of SNAP recipients are noncitizens, according to data from the federal government, it means that refugees who are seeking asylum and victims of domestic abuse or trafficking, cannot receive federal food aid. 

To look at the bigger picture, last year about 42 million people, roughly 1 in 8 Americans, received food stamps in order to buy their groceries. As of April this year, the total is now 37 million people, according to data from the Agriculture Department. 

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a left-leaning think tank, reported that SNAP participation is down by 11% between last July and April, nationally. Arizona has seen the biggest impact with SNAP enrollment being about half the size it was last year. On average there have been over 400,000 fewer participants. According to the Arizona Food Bank Network, there are more Arizona citizens going to food banks every month than those using food stamps. 

Natalie Jayroe, the CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, said: “We think of ourselves as the canary in the coal mine. We are showing the rest of the country a really scary scenario.”

Louisiana, Florida, and Oklahoma have also seen some of the deepest declines in SNAP users. The CBPP also cited data showing that 19 states, which provided the numbers of children on SNAP, saw over 1 million kids lose their food benefits within the last year. 

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The Agriculture Department also told NPR in July that SNAP benefits in general do tend to fluctuate so the drop within the past year isn’t necessarily connected to any singular policy, and could even be a good sign. “A lot of it is people taking the program that shouldn’t have been, and then a lot of it is just a better economy,” Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins said on FOX Business. 

However, senior policy analyst at CBPP, Katie Bergh, juxtaposes this sentiment and pointed out that even though unemployment rates have remained relatively steady, food prices have continued to increase. “What that’s telling us is that this is not happening because fewer people need help affording groceries. It’s the result of these policy changes.”

Bergh also emphasized that part of the issue is that many state agencies are currently struggling with the amount of staff they have and the high volume of paperwork backlogs. 

“People are calling and calling, and they can’t get through to anyone, or they’re being asked for more and more and more documentation of every aspect of their lives, and maybe they don’t have a way to document everything.”

The upcoming cost burden on states is one of the biggest, and most difficult, challenges that America will be facing. Previously, the federal government split the bill 50-50 with states to cover administrative expenses, like paying and training state agency staff members. In October of this year, the federal government will only be paying 25% with states having to take on the remaining expenses. 

In October 2027, the federal government will no longer cover the full cost of food benefits. 

“There’s really an existential crisis in the future of SNAP,” said Lexie Kuznick, the director of policy and government relations for the American Public Human Services Association.

Kuznick also emphasized how changes to SNAP in general “have ripple effects,” not exclusive to low-income Americans. The National Grocers Association estimates that the drop in shoppers who typically receive food aid will reduce grocery store sales throughout America by $88 billion from now until 2034. 

“Groceries are a significant cost in the lives of low-income families, and it truly is a lifeline for them to be able to meet their family’s needs. We also know how critical the benefits are for entire communities,” Kuznick stated. 

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US Weekly Unemployment Filings Fall To Lowest Since 1969

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United States applications for unemployment benefits hit the lowest level in over five decades last week as layoff rates remain historically low despite global economic uncertainty. 

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The amount of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits in the week ending on July 18th declined by 22,000 to hit 187,000, the Labor Department reported this week. This marks the lowest number of weekly applications for jobless benefits since 1969, according to data from the Labor Department. 

The weekly filings of unemployment benefits are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are the closest thing to a real-time indicator of the health of the US job market, according to AP. These recent filings are also well below the 215,000 estimate that was given from data firm FactSet. 

There has been a lot of economic concern in relation to the US military attack on Iran, and while it has been impacted, the US job market has remained relatively stable with historically low layoff rates. 

While everything is relatively stable at the moment, analysts and financial experts have warned that a prolonged war and higher than average energy costs could eventually start to impact the job market, as companies will have to reduce certain costs by lowering the amount of people they employ. 

Carl Weinberd, chief economist at High Frequency Trading, stated that “the economic crisis caused by the energy supply shock is not over yet. But the labor market has yet to show any sign of wear and tear from the surge in oil prices.” 

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The price of a barrel of US crude has increased by nearly 5% on Thursday to over $91, marking the highest level in around six weeks. Gas prices in the US are also remaining above $4 a gallon, on average. 

The government also reported that employers have been pulling back on hiring, and have only added 57,000 jobs to the market. That marks less than 50% from the previous month and is telling that many companies are remaining cautious about adding to their work population based on the current economic state. 

The unemployment rate also dropped to 4.2% from 4.3% in May. It’s also important to note that a lot of the unemployment filing rates are also caused by out-of-work individuals who gave up looking for new jobs and are no longer counted as unemployed. 

Reports indicate that weekly jobless aid applications have remained mainly between 200,000 and 250,000 since the recession that occurred during the pandemic. However, hiring has been slowing within the past two years and especially in 20205 due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, his administration’s layoffs in the federal workforce, and the after effects of high interest rates. 

The total number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the previous week ending in July 11th was down by 2,000 to just under 1.8 million.

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US Issues Worldwide Travel Warning For Americans Traveling Abroad 

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The US State Department has issued a rare worldwide travel warning for Americans that are planning to travel abroad. 

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On July 18th the State Department gave a new travel advisory that warned of “unforeseen escalation” worldwide  due to the tensions between the US and Iran. 

Within the warning, the State Department shared that US diplomatic facilities within, and outside of, the Middle East have been targeted. Due to this, overseas locations that are associated with the US or Americans could be vulnerable to attacks. Places like embassies, consulates, or US-owned hotel brands or businesses, might be more vulnerable to attacks, according to the warnings. 

Reports indicate that the warning was released for worldwide travel, and any location associated with the US or American people around the world are an easy target for Iran-supporting groups. 

Additionally, the agency warned that international travel could also be disrupted due to airspace closures and flight cancellations. 

The travel advisory from the State Department stated: 

“The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, the exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate.”

One day after the worldwide travel alert was released, July 19th, the US State Department also stated that they have learned Iran planned to target locations in central Manama, the capital of Bahrain, an island nation just south of Iran. 

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On the same day, Iran fired drones and missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan after the US went through eight consecutive nights of attacks on Iran. 

“We urge all Americans to remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ instructions, and review the latest guidance from the US Embassy,” the warning wrote. 

The alert itself also gave the suggestion of seeking cover in the lowest level of a home or building, away from doors or windows, if travelers hear a loud explosion or warning sirens. 

The State Department recommends that Americans who are currently traveling, living abroad, or planning to travel to one of the locations they’ve warned about, should enroll at step.state.gov to receive updates and the latest security alerts, as well as monitor breaking news. 

The Department also recommends following the “U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp or following @TravelGov on X, (formally Twitter). 

Additionally, US travelers who are preparing to take a trip can look up their destination on travel.ttate.gov to see if there are any active travel advisories or alerts. There are currently 23 nations with a Level 4, Do Not Travel advisory from the US.

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Harvard Astronomer Known For His Alien Theories Picked To Lead White House UFO Council

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A Harvard astronomer known for his black hole studies and polarizing theories about aliens, Avi Loeb, has been chosen to lead a team for the White House to study the national security risks of UFOs.

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Solar Power Generating More Energy Than Coal In The US For The First Time 

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For the first time on record, solar power is generating more energy than coal and became the leading source of new power in the United States, despite President Donald Trump boosting coal use over clean energy. 

This week, global energy thinktank Ember, a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association, and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie released data that showed a continuous growth of solar power and a decline of coal in America, despite federal policies trying to lead the nation in the opposite direction. 

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Electricity in general is produced by converting sources of energy into electrical power. These sources of energy are generally fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable resources. Burning coal, oil, and natural gases have long emitted carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which traps heat and warms the planet. 

On the other hand, solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and nuclear energy are carbon-free. 

The data showed that in May of this year, solar energy provided more of the country’s electricity than coal for the first time with 12.8%, according to Ember. Coal, on the other hand, supplied 12.2%, which is its fourth-lowest monthly share ever, the Guardian reported.

“For years solar power has risen in the US electricity mix,” said Nicolas Fulghum, senior energy and data analyst at Ember. 

“At the same time, coal power has lost its status, first as the largest source in the US mix, and then gradually over the years has fallen even further.”

Fulghum went on to explain that solar also became the third-largest source of electricity in the US in May, while coal hit an all-time monthly low in April, which is what allowed solar energy to overtake. 

Electricity demand has been constantly increasing within the 21st century. In the last few years especially, new technologies such as artificial intelligence, growth in domestic manufacturing, and electric transportation and heating have all contributed to the type of energy being consumed around the US. 

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Fulghum stated that he’s expecting more months of solar energy exceeding coal, and eventually, this will become an annual pattern.  

He added that this milestone shows that solar “has staying power” during a time period in the world where renewable energy isn’t being supported on a federal level. 

Ember gets its hourly and monthly data from the US Energy Information Administration. According to the International Energy Agency, globally, electricity from renewables is increasing quickly with renewables becoming the largest global energy source. It’s projected that renewable energy will be used for almost 45% of electricity by 2030. 

Last week Trump announced a plan to boost the struggling US coal industry by spending up to $700 million to support both coal-fired power plants and coal exports. 

Martin Pochtaruk, CEO and founder of Heliene, a solar panel manufacturer based in Canada, stated that regardless of Trump stating that coal is coming back, investors will invest their money in what the data shows is bringing the best return, and solar power is becoming the fastest-growing fuel, according to the Guardian. 

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement: “The President has reversed the Left’s devastating policies, saved the American coal industry, prevented the retirement of more than 17 gigawatts of power, and saved lives during heightened demand periods.”

Seia said that while Trump is trying to bring back the coal industry to its original power, solar has been the top source for new power for five years. Both Seia and Wood Mackenzie stated that solar and battery storage were almost the only energy resources being built in the first quarter, and made up 91% of all new generating capacity.