David Lidsky's Blog, page 191

How bogus stories about Amazon laying off 14,000 managers spread like wildfire across the internet

A false figure made it into a string of recent news stories and social posts, demonstrating how the drive for clicks and engagement can win out over facts.

If you’ve been on Google or virtually any social media website over the past few days, you might have seen stories about Amazon layoffs making the rounds.

Attorney General Pam Bondi charges 3 in Tesla attacks, vows crackdown on ‘domestic terrorism’

Attacks on Elon Musk’s Tesla vehicles, charging stations, and showrooms have shot up since President Trump took office.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced “severe charges” against three people the Department of Justice claims are behind “the violent destruction of Tesla properties.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick went on TV to pump Tesla stock—but shares are falling amid massive Cybertruck recall

It’s not the first time the Trump administration has tried to buoy White House advisor Elon Musk’s car company.

Tesla can’t seem to catch a break as anger over CEO Elon Musk’s interference in the U.S. government continues to spill over to his business. Shares of Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) fell about 2% early Thursday as investors continue to trim their positions and short the stock in the face of declining sales in Europe and China, amid Musk’s ongoing controversial behavior.

To innovate, immerse yourself in the industry

You can’t spot a breakthrough from behind the desk.

For decades, human organs, some of the most fragile cargo imaginable, have been transported on ice. Not because it was the best method, but because that’s how it had always been done. A process with life-or-death consequences remained unchanged simply out of habit.

The gender gap in healthcare out-of-pocket costs needs bridging

How can we address healthcare’s “pink tax” so women aren’t shouldering such a large cost burden?

Despite ongoing efforts to address increased costs, out-of-pocket spending on healthcare continues to rise. Higher insurance copays and deductibles, increased medication costs, and rising inflation rates are just a few of the factors contributing to this trend. As a result, millions of Americans find themselves racking up medical debt, deferring critical medical treatment, or neglecting chronic health conditions.

The future of benefits is hiding where you might not expect it

Small businesses are realizing that 401(k) plans and other offerings can help them attract and hire employees.

In an unpredictable labor market, where job gains in January fell below expectations and the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Employers can’t afford to rest on their laurels. While the economy has remained relatively strong, shifts in the job market have been historically inevitable, and companies must constantly evaluate their operations to ensure they’re attracting and retaining the best talent.

March Madness: Disrupter bets $1 million that AI bracket will beat pro gambler

Alan Levy wants AI to bring an advantage to the average Joe: either the weekly football bettor who doesn’t have access to reams of data or the March Madness bracket filler who goes by feel or team mascot.

Perhaps the surest sign that artificial intelligence really is taking over the world will come the day it wins your favorite March Madness bracket pool.

These Social Security offices are expected to close in 2025 due to DOGE cuts

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the 26 Social Security offices listed as expected to close this year, along with the termination date for each lease.

Dozens of Social Security Administration offices across the country are slated to close this year due to actions taken by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency as part of the Trump administration’s unprecedented effort to shrink the size of government.

DOGE official appointed to leadership role at USAID after helping dismantle the agency

Jeremy Lewin is a DOGE official who has worked with Musk’s government-cutting efforts at USAID and other federal agencies.

A senior official at Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is taking a leadership role at the U.S. Agency for International Development, giving DOGE direct authority over an agency that it has worked to dismantle, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.

Greenpeace loses massive lawsuit; must pay hundreds of millions of dollars to pipeline company

In an explosive verdict, Greenpeace was found liable for defamation and other claims in conjunction with protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

A North Dakota jury on Wednesday found Greenpeace liable for defamation and other claims brought by a pipeline company in connection with protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.