First State Bank

Business

From Paycheck to Portfolio: The Financial and Emotional Leap to Full-Time Real Estate Investing

A wave of experienced investors on Reddit are sharing the pivotal financial and psychological benchmarks that convinced them to leave their W2 jobs behind. The consensus? It's less about net worth and more about sustainable cash flow, strategic planning, and navigating hidden hurdles like financing and healthcare.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

UAE's Non-Oil Trade Surpasses $1 Trillion, Narrows Gap with Saudi Arabia in Economic Diversification Race

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a milestone in its economic transformation, with non-oil trade exceeding $1 trillion for the first time in 2025. This rapid growth is closing the export gap with regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia, as both Gulf states accelerate their push beyond hydrocarbons.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Craft Spirits Consolidation: Kentucky's Casey Jones Distillery Acquired by Multi-State Beverage Group B3

Amidst a turbulent period for craft distilling, the founders of Casey Jones Distillery in Hopkinsville, KY, have sold their bourbon and moonshine operation to Pennsylvania-based B3 Beverage Company, securing the legacy of a family-run business while joining a growing portfolio of craft breweries and distilleries.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fat Brands, Twin Hospitality Delisted from Nasdaq as Bankruptcy Fallout Deepens

The parent company of Fatburger and Round Table Pizza, along with its Twin Hospitality spinoff, will be removed from the Nasdaq exchange effective February 4, transitioning to the over-the-counter market following Chapter 11 filings and over $1 billion in debt.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: How a Healthcare Real Estate Giant is Quietly Cashing In on the AI Revolution

While tech stocks dominate AI headlines, Welltower Inc. is leveraging artificial intelligence and demographic shifts to redefine senior living and create a powerful growth engine, positioning itself as a unique beneficiary of long-term healthcare trends.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

Fed Chair Contender Kevin Warsh Faces Defining Test: Preserving Central Bank Independence Amid Political Pressure

As speculation mounts over the next Federal Reserve leadership, top economists point to Kevin Warsh's crisis-era experience as a strength, but warn his legacy will hinge on a single, monumental challenge: shielding interest-rate policy from political influence.

Feb 2, 2026

World

Medvedev Warns of Global Alarm as New START Expiry Looms, Threatening First Unchecked Nuclear Era in Decades

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev cautions that the potential lapse of the last major U.S.-Russia nuclear arms treaty without a successor could plunge the world into an unprecedented era of strategic instability unseen since the Cold War.

Feb 2, 2026

World

New Allegation Emerges: Second Epstein Accuser Claims Encounter with Prince Andrew at Windsor Estate

A second woman has come forward alleging the late financier Jeffrey Epstein arranged for her to have a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew in 2010, according to a BBC report. The claim surfaces amid renewed scrutiny following a major document release by U.S. authorities.

Feb 2, 2026

Business

From Crash Prophet to Housing Alarmist: Peter Schiff Warns of Looming 'Emergency' in U.S. Real Estate

Economist Peter Schiff, famed for foreseeing the 2008 collapse, now predicts a severe market correction driven by high mortgage rates and unsustainable prices, potentially triggering widespread defaults. While today's market fundamentals differ, his warning underscores deep-seated affordability concerns.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

FAT Brands Faces Nasdaq Delisting Following Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

The parent company of numerous restaurant chains will be removed from the Nasdaq exchange on February 4, transitioning to high-risk over-the-counter trading after failing to meet listing requirements.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

SunPower Installs First REC Monolith Panels in Silicon Valley, Signaling Strong Demand for Premium Solar Tech

SunPower has completed its inaugural installation of high-efficiency Monolith solar panels from REC Silicon in California's Santa Cruz, with local installer Cobalt Power Systems reporting immediate sell-out of initial inventory. The move comes amid surging demand from tech-savvy homeowners and follows SunPower's recent quarterly revenue growth.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Advocate Health Announces Major Compensation Overhaul, Boosting Minimum Wage and Benefits Across Six States

Advocate Health, the nation's third-largest nonprofit health system, is investing over $800 million in enhanced compensation and benefits for its 165,000+ employees, raising its minimum wage and expanding tuition aid, mental health support, and paid volunteer time.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

NYISO Report Warns: Surging Natural Gas Prices to Drive Up State Electricity Bills for Years to Come

A new analysis from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) links volatile natural gas markets directly to rising consumer electricity costs. With gas fueling half of New York's power generation, increased demand and export levels are set to keep pressure on household budgets.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

The Hunt is Over: Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus Last Call Shutter Stores in Bankruptcy Liquidation

The thrill of the hunt for luxury bargains is fading for American shoppers as Saks Global closes dozens of off-price physical stores. Experts explain the deep-seated psychology behind bargain hunting and what the retail landscape loses with these closures.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Beyond the Hype: An Industrial Real Estate Giant Quietly Powers the AI Revolution

As sky-high valuations plague pure-play AI stocks, a global industrial landlord is emerging as a critical—and potentially undervalued—enabler of the artificial intelligence boom through its strategic pivot into data centers.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Trump Taps Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for Central Bank's Top Job, Signaling Policy Shift

Former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh, known for his hawkish stance but recently aligned with Trump's calls for lower rates, has been nominated by the former president to chair the Fed. The move, if confirmed, could test the institution's independence amid political pressure and an ongoing Justice Department probe.

Jan 30, 2026

World

Meta Faces Landmark Trial in New Mexico Over Allegations of Enabling Child Exploitation

Meta Platforms heads to a Santa Fe courtroom next week to defend itself in a high-stakes lawsuit. The State of New Mexico alleges the social media giant's platforms facilitated the sexual exploitation of minors and harmed their mental health for profit, marking the first such case against Meta to reach a jury.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

South Korea Proposes Sweeping Crypto Overshaul, Aiming to Align Digital Asset Rules with Traditional Banking

South Korean regulators are forming a task force to propose stricter anti-money laundering rules for cryptocurrency transactions by 2026, potentially removing minimum thresholds for identity disclosure to mirror traditional finance oversight.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Five Point Holdings Caps 'Record Year' Amid Housing Headwinds, Eyes Growth Through Land Banking and Entitlements

Despite a challenging housing market, Five Point Holdings (NYSE:FPH) reported record annual net income for 2025, driven by strategic land sales and the integration of its Hearthstone platform. The company navigated economic uncertainty with disciplined pricing and secured major entitlement approvals to fuel its long-term pipeline.

Jan 30, 2026

Business

Cullen/Frost Bankers Posts Strong Q2 Earnings, Driven by Texas Expansion and Loan Growth

The Texas-based financial institution reported a year-over-year increase in profits, deposits, and loans for the second quarter of 2025. While management highlighted the success of its organic branch expansion strategy, it also acknowledged intensifying competitive pressures in key lending markets.

Jan 30, 2026