Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles from the September 1, 2025 edition


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  • Chuck E. Cheese Arrested in Orlando After Allegedly Stealing Customer's Credit Card

    Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 2, 2025

    In a bizarre turn of events that left children in tears and parents in disbelief, a man dressed as Chuck E. Cheese, the beloved mascot of the family entertainment chain, was arrested at an Orlando location on July 3, 2025, for allegedly stealing a customer's credit card. The incident, captured on newly released bodycam footage, has sparked outrage and raised questions about security at the popular pizza and arcade chain. The drama unfolded at the Chuck E. Cheese on...

  • California Housing Market Faces Deepening Slump as Sales Hit 17-Month Low

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 2, 2025

    The California housing market is showing signs of a significant slowdown, with home sales plunging to their lowest level in 17 months. According to data from the California Association of Realtors (CAR), May 2025 saw 254,190 single-family homes sold, marking a 4% year-over-year decline-the largest drop since December 2023. This persistent downturn, coupled with a 37% drop from the pandemic peak and a 25% decline from the long-term average, has sparked concerns about a potentia...

  • How global e-commerce brands can recover US import tariffs: Duty drawback explained

    Stacker, Thomas Taggart for Passport|Updated Sep 1, 2025

    How global e-commerce brands can recover US import tariffs: Duty drawback explained Rising tariffs and trade enforcement are reshaping the economics of international e-commerce. For brands importing into the U.S. and shipping globally, duty costs have climbed significantly—especially with reciprocal tariffs and de minimis exemptions phasing out, which once allowed duty-free treatment on low-value imports. And the pressure is showing up in brand strategies. A July 2025 study c...

  • The 7 biggest mistakes all landlords make

    Stacker, Ryan Squires for TurboTenant|Updated Sep 1, 2025

    The 7 biggest mistakes all landlords make From the outside, becoming a landlord might seem simple enough. You buy or renovate a property, find a tenant, and collect rent every month. But don’t be fooled by dreams of easy, passive income — getting started can be surprisingly tricky. Even if you think you know what you’re doing, pitfalls abound. And while some are relatively harmless, just as many of those common landlord mistakes will cost you money and time in the long run. Tu...

  • Understanding business lines of credit: Everything you need to know

    Stacker, Nicole Cruz for Redline Capital|Updated Sep 1, 2025

    Understanding business lines of credit: Everything you need to know If you’re a small business owner, you already know how critical it is to maintain smooth cash flow. Whether it’s handling unexpected expenses, funding a new project, or preparing for seasonal fluctuations, access to flexible funding can make all the difference. That’s where a business line of credit comes in. Redline Capital breaks down exactly how business lines of credit work, their benefits, and how they...

  • Can AI chatbots really replace human therapists?

    Stacker, Kellen Smith MSW, LSW for LifeStance Health|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Can AI chatbots really replace human therapists? Artificial intelligence chatbots (a.k.a. “AI Therapists”) have surged in popularity as tools for mental health support, primarily because they offer cheap or even free access to therapy. In 2024, the global market for chatbots in mental health and therapy reached USD 1.37 billion, according to Acumen Research. Data from a recent YouGov Surveys: Self-Serve poll of 1,500 U.S. adults reveals that approximately a third of Ame...

  • Best places to live in America

    Stacker, Aine Givens, Andrea Vale|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Aerial view of Tampa suburbs. Gianfranco Vivi // Shutterstock Best places to live in America What makes somewhere an ideal hometown? The answer has changed throughout the decades. In recent years, southern states have welcomed an influx of new residents, but moving preferences may be trending toward the Midwest. According to Redfin's April 2025 analysis of Census Bureau data, states in America's heartland—including Texas, Ohio, and Michigan—saw a 2.65% population increase betw...

  • Why do foreign investors buy American farmland?

    Stacker, Sarah Melotte for The Daily Yonder|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Why do foreign investors buy American farmland? Foreign investors own almost 46 million acres of farm land in the United States, according to data from the 1978 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA), a federal law meant to track international interest in American land. Foreign-owned farmland had a total estimated value of $82.6 billion in 2023, the last year of available data, the The Daily Yonder reports. Data map showing the number of agricultural acres owne...

  • Cold email templates that actually get replies

    Stacker, Jesse Fernandez for Apollo.io|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Cold email templates that actually get replies Most sales reps think cold email is broken. "Nobody reads cold emails anymore," they say. "Email is dead." They're wrong. What's broken isn't the channel — it's the approach. Apollo.io analyzed thousands of cold emails sent to CEOs, founders, VPs of sales, and other executives to understand why some emails get forwarded to procurement teams while others get deleted in three seconds. The difference isn't luck. It's science. The 8...

  • Can you get a business credit card with no personal guarantee?

    Stacker, Ken Boyd for Ramp|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Can you get a business credit card with no personal guarantee? Running a business is a stressful pursuit, especially if you have to put up a personal guarantee to get your business credit card. When you personally guarantee your company's credit card debt, you’re responsible for repaying it if your business can’t. That’s what makes business credit cards with no personal guarantee so attractive: The business, not the owner, is responsible for all debts. This creates a clear...

  • Firing of Santa Monica Police Chief Batista

    Arthur Jeon, Letter to the Editor|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    Dear Council, This is a long one, sorry. But like many people in the city, I'm trying to understand the sudden firing of Chief Batista. It's obvious he was fired despite all the niceties mouthed (except "he wants to spend time with his family"). No reason has been given, and as far as I can see there isn't one. So I ask the council this question: Do you really think you can find somebody who is moderate and temperate enough for your delicate natures? Somebody who will put up...

  • HUGH PEEPLE RELEASE NEW ALBUM 'What Do You Mean- HUGH PEEPLE' With A Live Standout Performance On The Sunset Strip

    Christine Peake, PeakePRGroup.com|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    If you have not seen HUGH PEEPLE perform at the West Hollywood Hotel Ziggy yet, it is time you did! Celebrating the release of their debut album "What Do You Mean- HUGH PEEPLE" the band performed to a packed house at the Hotel Ziggy on the Sunset strip! HUGH PEEPLE have a stellar lineup with a first class pedigree. Founded by Nathan Cowles who is also the songwriter and co-Producer, alongside multi-talented Danny Saber (Producer and guitarist for HUGH PEEPLE). Saber is known...

  • **Kidnapping of Three Children Ends in Violent Crash on Pacific Coast Highway Friday Night

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Aug 30, 2025

    MALIBU, Calif. — A harrowing carjacking and kidnapping incident involving three young children culminated in a multi-vehicle crash on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near Kanan Dume Road in Malibu on Friday, August 29, 2025, leaving the children and two adults injured. The suspect, who fled the scene on foot, was apprehended by authorities after a dramatic pursuit. The incident began around 6:40 p.m. at a 7-Eleven convenience store on the 5100 block of East Olympic Boulevard in Ea...