economy 12 - The Latremie Post

Kadena’s Sudden Shutdown Marks the End of a $3 Billion Experiment

In the early days of blockchain innovation, Kadena stood apart. It wasn’t the brainchild of idealistic coders or anonymous crypto veterans—it came from Wall Street’s inner circle. Two JPMorgan engineers, Stuart Popejoy and Will Martino, set out in 2016 to build something they believed could fix both the inefficiency of Bitcoin and the bureaucracy of traditional finance.

Their idea was ambitious: a proof-of-work network that could scale like Visa without compromising security. They called it Chainweb, a parallel blockchain structure capable of handling hundreds of thousands of transactions per second. Kadena’s smart contract language, Pact, was promoted as foolproof—an antidote to the bugs and exploits that plagued early DeFi.

For a while, it looked like they had cracked the code.

### The Hype Before the Fall

By 2021, the KDA token was one of the hottest names in crypto. Its market value soared to over $3 billion, and media outlets dubbed it “the Solana killer.” Venture funds circled. The founders, polished and professional, spoke of building a bridge between corporate finance and blockchain’s new frontier.

But Kadena’s dream began to fade just as quickly as it had caught fire.

The crypto winter of 2022 was brutal, but other projects adapted by pivoting to proof-of-stake or integrating with Ethereum. Kadena doubled down on its proof-of-work ideals and fell behind.

Inside the ecosystem, friction was building. The team’s relationship with Kaddex, its main decentralized exchange partner, deteriorated amid disputes over control and development priorities. While Kadena announced grant funds worth $150 million, only a fraction of that capital ever reached developers.

### October 2025: The Breaking Point

Then came the October crash—a global market shock triggered by Donald Trump’s 100% tariffs on China. Kadena’s token lost nearly half its value overnight, plunging below $0.25.

Four days later, Kaddex accused Kadena of blocking node access, effectively cutting off the DEX from the network. Within a week, Kaddex abandoned ship, announcing a migration to Ethereum.

The final blow came on October 21, when Kadena posted a short message on its official X account: “All operations will cease immediately due to unfavorable market conditions.” At first, traders assumed the account had been hacked, but confirmation came from the project’s Discord. Kadena was gone.

Within two hours, KDA had collapsed by over 60%, trading at less than nine cents. Its market cap was obliterated, losing more than $260 million.

### Collapse or Controlled Exit?

The crypto community was quick to speculate. Some accused the Kadena team of insider trading, alleging that key members had opened short positions before the announcement. Others dismissed those claims as baseless, arguing the project had simply run out of money.

Blockchain analysts who reviewed the data say the answer is less scandalous but more damning. Kadena’s treasury model was unsustainable. The company overpromised on grants, mismanaged reserves, and failed to communicate its financial situation until it was too late.

“It wasn’t a rug pull,” one developer said. “It was death by corporate mismanagement.”

### The Network That Keeps Breathing

Incredibly, the Chainweb network still runs. Blocks continue to be produced, and Kadena’s emission schedule—set to last until the year 2139—remains hardcoded into its system.

But without leadership, funding, or direction, the network has become a digital ghost town. Some diehards in the community have vowed to revive it through a decentralized effort. Others have already moved on, calling Kadena “a cautionary relic of the last bull run.”

One former contributor summed it up bluntly: “Kadena isn’t dead because of its tech—it’s dead because no one’s left to care for it.”

### From Wall Street Precision to Startup Chaos

The irony of Kadena’s collapse isn’t lost on observers. A project born from Wall Street’s obsession with order and discipline ended up succumbing to the same rigidity it tried to escape.

Its engineers designed one of the most advanced blockchains ever conceived, but its leadership failed to adapt to crypto’s unpredictable nature.

Today, Kadena stands as a reminder that innovation alone doesn’t guarantee survival. Vision needs community. Structure needs transparency.

And in crypto, the projects that thrive aren’t always the most sophisticated—they’re the ones that can evolve when the world changes.

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*The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.*

**Author:** [Author Name]
https://coindoo.com/kadenas-sudden-shutdown-marks-the-end-of-a-3-billion-experiment/

Uniswap Foundation Awards $9M Grant to Brevis for Trustless Router Rebate System

The Uniswap Foundation has awarded a grant of up to $9 million to Brevis, a leading zero-knowledge (ZK) infrastructure developer, to design and manage a Router Rebate Program. This initiative is the first of its kind, built entirely on zero-knowledge proofs, and aims to incentivize decentralized exchange (DEX) aggregators like 1inch and Matcha by providing gas rebates when routing user transactions through Uniswap v4 hooked pools.

## Driving Faster Uniswap v4 Adoption and Deeper Liquidity

The goal of this Router Rebate Program is straightforward: to accelerate the adoption of Uniswap v4, deepen liquidity in its pools, and reward routers that help power Uniswap’s next chapter. By offering a financial incentive, the program encourages aggregators to increase routing volume through Uniswap v4, ultimately benefiting the broader ecosystem.

## From Infrastructure Provider to Ecosystem Builder

This grant marks a significant milestone for Brevis. Previously known primarily as a ZK data coprocessor powering off-chain computation, Brevis is now stepping directly into the Uniswap ecosystem as a builder. The company will deploy, manage, and maintain the rebate system that connects zero-knowledge proof technology with on-chain economic incentives.

This collaboration brings real utility to zero-knowledge proofs in the DeFi space—not just for enhanced privacy but also for automated and cryptographically verified economic transactions.

## What the $9 Million Grant Covers

The Uniswap Foundation’s $9 million grant will fund the full development, deployment, and long-term management of the Router Rebate Program. Here’s what it entails:

– Up to $9 million in cashbacks will be distributed to DEX routers that integrate Uniswap v4 hooked pools.
– Rebates will be calculated and verified trustlessly using Brevis’s ZK Data Coprocessor and Pico zkVM.
– The program establishes a direct incentive loop: increased routing activity through Uniswap v4 results in more liquidity and fees flowing back into the ecosystem.

As the largest DEX by trading volume, Uniswap currently maintains over $5.6 billion in 24-hour activity. The introduction of a router rebate system could further solidify its dominance by enhancing aggregator integrations and improving execution speed.

## How the Rebate System Works

Gas costs remain a significant challenge for DeFi users, as every transaction consumes gas, and tracking these costs accurately can be complex. Brevis’s solution simplifies this process with zero-knowledge proofs:

1. Routers direct orders through Uniswap v4 hooked pools.
2. Brevis calculates the gas costs off-chain using its data coprocessor.
3. A zero-knowledge proof (ZK proof) is generated to verify the accuracy of the gas cost calculation.
4. The router submits this ZK proof on-chain to claim the gas rebate.

This creates a fully automated, trustless refund system with no need for centralized tracking, manual audits, or trust assumptions. Every rebate is cryptographically verified before payment, ensuring transparency and security.

## Why This Matters for Uniswap v4

Uniswap v4’s innovative architecture—centered around hooks and custom liquidity pools—enables new automated features but also introduces complexity for aggregators. The rebate program incentivizes routers to integrate with v4 early, leading to:

– ⚡ Faster Uniswap v4 adoption by major DEX aggregators.
– 🌊 Deeper liquidity in hooked pools as transaction volume scales.
– 🔄 Improved swap execution for end users through better routing efficiency.

Crucially, this program maintains DeFi’s trustless principles while fostering ecosystem growth.

## The Brevis ZK Advantage

Brevis has earned a strong reputation for developing scalable zero-knowledge proof systems capable of processing and verifying data from any on-chain or off-chain source. Its ZK Data Coprocessor securely performs heavy computational tasks—like gas tracking and routing cost analysis—off-chain and produces proofs for on-chain validation.

The use of Pico zkVM ensures this process is lightweight and verifiable without reliance on centralized servers or manual intervention. In essence, Brevis brings machine-verifiable economic computations to Uniswap v4, enhancing trust and automation within the protocol.

## Season 2 Activation: A Major Milestone

According to Brevis, the rebate integration is scheduled to launch in Season 2 after internal testing and protocol audits. This phase will focus on validating the entire system—from routers submitting proofs to automatic on-chain rebate distributions.

This development marks a significant advancement in how decentralized exchanges can reward routing activity. If successful, Uniswap’s rebate model could become a new DeFi standard for trustless incentive systems.

Brevis commented, “Tasks will focus on testing or using the trustless gas rebate system. This is a significant step for both Brevis and the Uniswap ecosystem.”

## A New Era for Decentralized Trading

The partnership between Uniswap and Brevis represents more than just a funding agreement—it signals a strategic direction toward increased automation and verifiability in decentralized trading. This system:

– Automates gas rebates.
– Verifies rebates trustlessly with zero-knowledge proofs.
– Removes the need for intermediaries.
– Maintains economic fairness and transparency.

As one analyst noted on X, “This isn’t just about rebates, it’s about turning proofs into incentives.”

## Ecosystem Impact

The program is expected to spark heightened competition among leading DEX aggregators such as 1inch, Matcha, and ParaSwap, each vying for a share of the $9 million reward pool. Aggregators that adapt quickly to the rebate mechanism could gain immediate profitability advantages, channeling more user activity through Uniswap v4 over competitors.

Over time, this competition should deepen liquidity, reduce slippage, and increase the total value locked (TVL) across v4 pools.

## Conclusion

The Uniswap Foundation’s $9 million grant to Brevis is more than a simple funding announcement—it’s a blueprint for how DeFi incentives can evolve by leveraging zero-knowledge technology. By aligning protocol economics with cryptographic trust, Uniswap is paving the way for a future where proof replaces trust at every layer of its stack.

If this rebate model succeeds, it won’t just make trading more affordable and efficient—it will redefine how infrastructure and incentives interact in decentralized finance.

For Brevis, this partnership marks a major evolution—from a ZK infrastructure provider to a core builder within the largest DEX ecosystem in crypto.

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*Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always conduct your own research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services.*
https://themerkle.com/uniswap-foundation-awards-9m-grant-to-brevis-for-trustless-router-rebate-system/

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after Biden’s ‘war on crypto’

**President Donald Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao**

*By OAN Staff, Katherine Mosack | 9:09 AM Friday, October 24, 2025*

President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement on Thursday, saying that Trump “exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.”

“In their desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry, the Biden Administration pursued Mr. Zhao despite no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims,” she noted. “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.”

The pardon clears Zhao of his 2023 conviction for violating the Bank Secrecy Act and failing to maintain anti-money-laundering controls in his currency exchange. At the time, prosecutors claimed that Binance was a hub for illicit transactions where criminal organizations laundered billions.

Binance paid a $4.3 billion fine to settle federal charges and was subsequently banned from operating in the United States. After serving four months in prison, Zhao stepped down from his role as CEO.

“Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice,” Zhao wrote on X Thursday. “Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto.”

In another post on Friday, CZ reflected, “Overall, I think I have always been lucky. It (the process) was extremely painful, but it didn’t break me. My official record was tarnished for a bit, but my reputation held strong. No one, not a single person, stopped doing business with me. My family, friends and community supported me. I was never alone. Thank you for your support! Let’s keep building.”

A representative of Binance stated that the company “remains focused on building a secure, transparent, and user-first platform that reduces fees and increases access to the financial system for all.”

During a roundtable in the White House State Dining Room on Thursday, Trump commented on Zhao’s case, saying, “Let me just tell you that he was somebody that, as I was told, I don’t know him, I don’t believe I’ve ever met him, but I’ve been told by, a lot of support, he had a lot of support, and they said that what he did is not even a crime.”

He continued, “It wasn’t a crime, that he was persecuted by the Biden administration, and so, I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.”

Last year, the Trump family also launched a crypto firm called World Liberty Financial, which is hosted on Binance.

The pardon has drawn criticism from Democrats, who claim that the decision may present a conflict of interest given the Trump family’s growing wealth derived from cryptocurrency.

Crypto investors, however, have welcomed the news of Zhao’s pardon. The Wall Street Journal reported that Binance’s BNB token has surged almost 80% this year, making it the fourth-largest cryptocurrency after bitcoin, ether, and tether, according to CoinMarketCap.

Following the news of Trump’s clemency decision, Bitcoin rose nearly 2% on Thursday.

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/trump-pardons-binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-after-bidens-war-on-crypto/

Final Fantasy XIV: How to get and use Jellyfish Umbrella

How to Farm Jellyfish Umbrella in Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV offers a wide range of useful crafting reagents, including the intriguing Jellyfish Umbrella. Despite its name, the Jellyfish Umbrella isn’t an actual umbrella but a crafting reagent used in creating a few in-game items. If you want to save yourself the hefty cost of 80,000+ gil for crafting a really cool lamp, you can farm the necessary reagents yourself fairly quickly—without the need for extensive farming. Of course, if you prefer to farm by defeating enemies, we’ll also point out the best spots for that.

Frankly, spending just a small amount of gil to buy Jellyfish Umbrella materials can be easier, whether you’re crafting potions or lamps. We’re here to help you get exactly what you need.

Where to Farm Jellyfish Umbrella

As an older crafting reagent, Jellyfish Umbrella isn’t required for any Yok Huy daily quests. However, you can farm it by hunting four different enemies primarily located in La Noscea:

Aetherbound Aurelia — Eastern La Noscea (35.1, 30.9)
Bloodshore Bell — Eastern La Noscea (31.4, 26.5)
Dark Matter Aurelia — The Ragnarok (10.8, 11.9)
Sea Wasp — Western La Noscea (13.6, 17.4)

If you plan to farm the Jellyfish Umbrella, the Bloodshore Bell at Eastern La Noscea (Costa Del Sol) is your easiest option. Just travel to the coordinates above. These enemies aren’t part of any local FATEs, so you can farm them at any time without interruption.

Alternatively, if you want to skip farming altogether, you can simply purchase Jellyfish Umbrella from the Market Board or buy directly in Ul’dah at the Alchemists’ Guild located in Hustings Strip for just around 27 gil per Jellyfish Umbrella. There is also an option to obtain them from the Kobold faction if you have Rank 1 reputation, but this method is generally not worth the time and effort.

What Is Jellyfish Umbrella Used For in Final Fantasy XIV?

While Jellyfish Umbrellas themselves do not sell for much gil, they can be crafted into valuable items that may fetch a significant profit depending on your server or data center’s market. Here are some crafting uses for Jellyfish Umbrella:

Growth Formula Beta (Alchemy)
Jellyfish Humours (Alchemy)
Potion of Mind (Alchemy)
Jellyfish Lamp (Alchemy)

Of these, the Jellyfish Lamp is by far the most lucrative. It typically sells for around 80,000 gil or more. Crafting the lamp costs almost nothing and requires a Level 70 Alchemist with the Master Alchemist VI recipe book, making it an easy and affordable item to produce.

The value of the Jellyfish Lamp may vary depending on the server, but on Diabolos, prices consistently start at about 80k gil.

To craft the Jellyfish Lamp, you’ll need a few other inexpensive materials, which are readily available on the Market Board or at shops:

Aurelia Polyp
Silvergrace Ingot
Tallow Candle
Jellyfish Umbrella

Additional Resources

Check out our other Final Fantasy XIV guides and features for more helpful information:

https://www.sportskeeda.com/mmo/final-fantasy-xiv-how-get-use-jellyfish-umbrella

2025 Marks the Year America Became Crypto-Friendly Again

After years of uncertainty and regulatory pressure, the United States has re-emerged as one of the most promising environments for digital assets. According to a16z’s *State of Crypto 2025* report, the world’s largest economy is entering a new era of clarity, confidence, and capital inflows, signaling that crypto’s center of gravity is once again shifting back to U.S. soil.

### From Hostility to Leadership

Just two years ago, the American crypto landscape was defined by enforcement actions, confusion, and hesitation. Many projects relocated offshore to escape unclear rules, and venture funding for U.S.-based blockchain startups plummeted. But 2025 has marked a dramatic reversal.

The bipartisan GENIUS Act, combined with the CLARITY Act, has transformed the tone of U.S. policy toward crypto. Together, these laws provide a structured framework for stablecoins, market oversight, and digital asset classification. This legislation has brought long-awaited predictability to how crypto companies operate — a critical factor for innovation and capital formation.

Complementing these legislative milestones, Executive Order 14178 reversed earlier restrictive measures, mandating federal agencies to coordinate on pro-innovation digital asset policies. A cross-agency task force was established to modernize how government systems interact with blockchain-based infrastructure, creating channels for collaboration rather than confrontation.

a16z notes that this environment has reignited builder optimism across the country.

### The U.S. Capital and Talent Return Home

With the legal fog lifting, capital is flowing back into U.S.-based blockchain ventures. Venture firms, hedge funds, and corporates have resumed large-scale investments in crypto startups and infrastructure providers.

According to the a16z report, several major financial players including JPMorgan, Fidelity, and Mastercard have expanded their blockchain divisions, hiring engineers and product managers to develop payment systems, custody solutions, and tokenized financial instruments.

Tech giants that once distanced themselves from crypto are also re-engaging. PayPal, Stripe, and Square have all deepened their integration with stablecoin payment systems and Web3 wallets. Meanwhile, public companies like Coinbase, Marathon, and Galaxy Digital continue to serve as examples of U.S.-regulated crypto enterprises operating at scale.

Perhaps most tellingly, the venture ecosystem is showing early signs of revival. a16z’s own investments, along with those from other major funds like Paradigm and Pantera Capital, have concentrated heavily on U.S.-based teams building tools for DeFi, AI-integrated protocols, and on-chain infrastructure.

### The Economic Engine of Tokenization

The report emphasizes that regulatory clarity has enabled a new wave of tokenized financial products to emerge. With clearer rules around asset-backed tokens, companies can now issue digital representations of equities, treasuries, and private credit instruments on-chain.

This is not merely a technical upgrade — it’s a structural transformation. The tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is already reshaping how capital markets function. Startups and institutions are experimenting with tokenized bond markets, yield-bearing stablecoins, and digitally native treasuries that settle in seconds rather than days.

Such innovation, a16z argues, is turning the U.S. into a testbed for the next generation of global finance.

Whereas the previous decade saw the rise of centralized crypto exchanges, the coming decade may be defined by tokenized capital markets operating with full regulatory oversight.

The implications are far-reaching: as more tokens generate real economic value through fees, staking, or smart contract revenue, the American crypto ecosystem could evolve into a self-sustaining digital economy with transparent cash flows and accountable governance.

### A Foundation for the Next Cycle

a16z’s analysis highlights that the new U.S. policy framework doesn’t just benefit startups and investors — it stabilizes the broader global crypto market. When the U.S. leads with clear standards, it sets the tone for other nations, creating a unified foundation for digital asset interoperability and regulation.

This leadership is especially important as the industry moves into its next phase: integrating blockchain with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and decentralized infrastructure networks (DePIN). The U.S. regulatory environment, once perceived as a major obstacle, now stands to accelerate this convergence by encouraging both public and private sector collaboration.

The firm’s report characterizes this shift as “crypto’s comeback moment in America.” Builders who once left the country are returning, startups are registering locally instead of abroad, and major exchanges are expanding rather than retreating. Venture inflows are once again matching levels seen before the 2022 downturn.

### A Renewed American Role in Crypto’s Global Future

The United States’ re-engagement in crypto marks a turning point not just for domestic policy but for the global digital asset landscape. With the passage of progressive legislation and the re-establishment of a dialogue between regulators and innovators, America is regaining its status as a central hub for blockchain advancement.

If current trends hold, a16z predicts that the U.S. could become the largest market for regulated tokenized assets within five years. Stablecoins, DeFi products, and tokenized treasuries could drive billions in daily volume under a compliant framework that balances innovation and consumer protection.

In a sense, the U.S. has rediscovered its original role in the digital revolution: not as a gatekeeper, but as a catalyst. By replacing uncertainty with clarity, and hostility with collaboration, the country has positioned itself to lead the next wave of crypto innovation — and perhaps the next era of global finance itself.

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**Disclaimer:** The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

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**Author:**
*Alex*
Reporter at Coindoo

Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
https://coindoo.com/2025-marks-the-year-america-became-crypto-friendly-again/

Santa Clarita Valley Community Thriving As 2026 Approaches

The city of Santa Clarita, along with the wider Santa Clarita Valley (SCV), is gearing up for an exciting 2026. Both economic and social health are on the rise, making the area one of California’s most business-friendly as well as family-friendly communities. SCV attracts newcomers from across the United States, while longtime residents enjoy a forward-leaning, ever-improving community.

### Preparing for 2026 and Beyond

Local businesses are already making moves in anticipation of the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, offering creative financing solutions to help customers get ready for the opportunities the events will bring. This ongoing growth creates fresh prospects for families, entrepreneurs, and homeowners of diverse ages, backgrounds, and income levels.

As 2025 draws to a close, families eagerly await the reopening of Old Orchard Park and the return of beloved local Halloween traditions. Events such as haunted house tours, kid-friendly parties designed for safe trick-or-treating, and festive holiday celebrations are slated to return, adding to the vibrant community spirit.

The following highlights showcase why Santa Clarita continues to build on its reputation as a fantastic place to live, work, and play.

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### Primed for Growth: How Businesses Are Using Customer Financing to Expand

Santa Clarita entrepreneurs, retail owners, professionals, and service providers are embracing customer financing options to support healthy, sustainable growth in today’s volatile economy. These solutions include various creative payment methods, budget-friendly plans, and added convenience for customers.

For businesses like med spas, dental clinics, veterinary offices, and chiropractic clinics, easy financing options can boost sales, improve customer satisfaction, and provide a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace. Offering customer financing not only drives revenue but also helps build long-term, positive relationships with loyal clients.

To assist business owners, a comprehensive guide is available that reviews different financing options, explains how each works, and outlines key considerations before implementing a plan. The goal is to use commonsense financing strategies that help weather economic ups and downs while supporting consumers and maintaining robust local economic growth.

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### 2028 Olympics: How Local Businesses Are Preparing

Business owners across Santa Clarita are preparing for the 2028 Summer Olympics by ramping up inventory, increasing staff to manage larger crowds, and collaborating with local hotels for cross-promotions. Retailers are already offering Olympic-themed experiences, and service providers are arranging multilingual support and transportation services to welcome international visitors, fans, and athletes.

Beyond business efforts, the city is investing in infrastructure improvements and creating walkable streets to ensure safety for both residents and visitors on busy event days. The Chamber of Commerce projects a significant spike in tourism revenue, with retailers extending hours during key Olympic events.

Community organizations and schools are also engaging youth through programs connected to the Games, emphasizing STEM and sports education. Nearby hotels are expanding capacity and promoting Olympic pricing and discount packages that include free shuttles to sports venues. This joint effort highlights Santa Clarita as a fully accessible, family-friendly destination for sports enthusiasts, tourists, and athletes alike.

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### Festive Circus is Serious Business

In late 2025, Circus Vargas will debut its newest production, *Hollywood Dreams*, in Santa Clarita. This family-friendly show features dazzling costumes, energetic acts, and a Hollywood glamour theme that appeals to all ages.

Santa Clarita has a long tradition of hosting high-quality entertainment that draws locals and thousands of visitors annually. Circus Vargas is one of many live entertainment options available for families seeking safe, enjoyable, affordable fun.

For showtimes and ticket information, contact the SC Chamber of Commerce or visit the Circus Vargas website. Discounted tickets should be purchased in advance for the best deals.

Additionally, local haunted house tours focusing on safe trick-or-treating and family fun have already begun. Over a dozen haunted homes across the valley will be advertising in the coming days, adding to the seasonal festivities.

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### Job Numbers Up in Santa Clarita Valley

Recent employment statistics reveal a robust rebound in the local job market since the pandemic. Job availability now exceeds pre-2020 levels, fueled by a strong hiring spree across healthcare, education, retail, professional services, and light industry sectors.

This refreshed labor market is a core attraction for entrepreneurs considering relocation to Santa Clarita. A strong workforce supports solid consumer spending, keeps tax revenues stable, and encourages continued investments in infrastructure and services.

These positive trends, combined with SCV’s other competitive advantages, make it an economic magnet for investors nationwide. Unlike many other California cities, Santa Clarita has enjoyed steady, positive growth for several decades, contributing to its reputation as a business-friendly community.

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### Old Orchard Park: A Green Gem for Locals

One of the city’s most significant recent milestones is the reopening of Old Orchard Park. While green spaces and family-friendly areas have long been a hallmark of Santa Clarita Valley, the park’s grand reopening was about more than recreation—it symbolizes a steadfast commitment to safe, accessible, natural spaces for all ages.

The newly improved park features enhanced landscaping, walkable lanes, and modern play areas designed to encourage socializing, picnicking, and outdoor play close to home. This project aligns perfectly with the city’s official strategy to boost quality of life and community well-being.

The reopening celebration stands as proof of Santa Clarita’s long-term dedication to investing in public amenities that make the city a welcoming place to live, work, and thrive.

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Santa Clarita is clearly on the rise as it embraces new opportunities and builds on its strengths, making 2026—and beyond—a time of exciting growth and community vitality.
https://www.hometownstation.com/featured-stories/santa-clarita-valley-community-thriving-as-2026-approaches-569001

Report warns reforms are fueling rise in Colorado violent crime

As part of efforts to lower its prison population, a recent report found that both incarceration rates and arrests in Colorado have declined sharply over the past decade. The state’s rate of recidivism—when a convicted criminal reoffends—has also decreased. However, this does not necessarily mean that crime is decreasing.

Instead, the report attributes these declines to a prioritization by lawmakers on leniency. This approach has largely led to reductions in recidivism, arrests, and the overall prison population.

“Over the past two decades, Colorado has pursued a steady course of criminal justice reform aimed at reducing the footprint of the state’s correctional system,” the report stated. “Lawmakers have prioritized leniency: lower sentences for drug offenses, expanded parole and probation opportunities, and restrictions on law enforcement discretion.”

This tension between enforcement and leniency is reflected in the state’s crime trends over the past decade. From 2014 to 2024, the number of arrests declined by nearly 30%. Similarly, Colorado’s recidivism rate fell by 40% between 2008 and 2019—ranking as the third-highest decline of any state nationwide.

“In 2008, Colorado had the country’s fifth highest recidivism rate,” said DJ Summers, the institute’s director of communications and research operations, during a press conference about the report on Tuesday. “Now the state’s recidivism has dropped to a more average rate.”

The decline in arrests has played a significant role in this progress. Between 2016 and 2024, the total number of inmates in Colorado’s prisons and jails decreased by 12%. This drop was largely due to a significant reduction in the prison population in 2020, when many inmates were released early amid public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, the prison population has been slowly increasing again—though it remains below levels seen in the 2010s.

Despite these positive trends in incarceration and recidivism, the report warns that the overall picture is more complex. From 2014 to 2024, Colorado’s violent crime rate increased by more than 55%.

Looking more closely between December 2019 and December 2021, the report found that while the number of inmates in state prisons fell by over 20%, the violent crime rate rose nearly 25%.

“Arrest counts and violent crime have been shifting at inversely proportional rates, meaning that as arrests decrease, violent crime increases,” the report noted.

Summers added that Common Sense Institute conducted an analysis showing a “strong correlation” between decreases in arrests and prison population and increases in crime.

Furthermore, even with the decline in the recidivism rate, 31% of inmates released by the Colorado Department of Corrections still return to prison within three years.

The report argues that it is time to refocus the state’s priorities away from leniency and toward deterrence, accountability, and public safety.

“The state’s challenge is no longer to reduce its correctional footprint; it is to restore accountability and deterrence without abandoning compassion,” the report stated. “Colorado must find a middle ground between punitive excess and permissive neglect.”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/3862533/report-warns-reforms-fuel-rise-colorado-violent-crime/

GOP Senator Breaks With Trump Over Plan To Import Argentine Beef

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has expressed “deep concerns” over the Trump administration’s plan to import Argentine beef in an effort to bring prices down in the U.S. This proposal has sparked an angry backlash from American ranchers.

“Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns,” Fischer wrote Tuesday in a social media post.

“Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way,” she argued. “Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers.”

Fischer emphasized that the U.S. has “safe, reliable beef” and warned that “Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even.”

The plan to import Argentine beef was floated by Trump on Monday, just days after his administration announced plans to arrange a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina. The swap aims to prop up the peso and help embattled Argentine President Javier Milei ahead of a critical midterm election scheduled for October 26.
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/10/republican-senator-breaks-trump-over-plan

$75,000 A Year Is How Much An Hour? and Best Jobs To Give You 75K

Making a yearly income of $75,000 seems like a good deal, but is it really enough? Do you know how much you have and owe at the end of each pay period? Or are you wondering: $75,000 a year is how much an hour? In this article, you will find out how much $75,000 is hourly, daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly. We will also factor in several other variables that affect your income and offer some tips on how to live within your salary. Read on. $75,000 a Year Is How Much an Hour? $75,000 yearly will allow you to make $36. 06 or $36 an hour. First, find the number ofhours you worked during the year. There are 5 working days each week, and with 8 hours of work daily, we have 40 regular hours making up for a complete work week (5 days * 8 hrs/day). Then, there are 52 work weeks in a year. To calculate your total working hours in a year, let’s make it simple with this formula: 40 total working hours a week * 52 total working weeks in a year = Total working hours in a year 40 * 52 = 2, 080 hours With a $75,000 gross yearly income as a full-time worker, you make $36. 06 or $36 an hour. Yearly salary/total working hours in a year = Total hourly salary $75,000 / 2, 080 = $36. 06 or $36 an hour If you have a part-time job that requires you to only work 4 hours a day instead of 8, which is half the daily work hours, your total annual pay will also be halved to $37,500. Divide this amount by the number of hours in a working year (1, 040), and you’ll get your total hourly salary of $36. 06 or $36 as a part-timer. $75,000 a Year Is How Much After Taxes? When you earn $75,000 a year, you’ll earn between $55,286-$59,995 after taxes, depending on your situation. Different states in the United States have different tax rates, ranging from 0 taxations in Texas to a flat income tax rate in Colorado to a graduated rate in California. Your specific circumstances determine the exact amount of deductible tax from your income. Aside from where you work or reside, your net annual income after taxes may be affected by exemptions. Federal taxes and other government deductions, such as Social Security and Medicare, are also considered. If you work full-time or live in California, an annual gross pay of $75,000 will become $55,286 after deducting $19,714 in taxes, including federal and state taxes and other government deductible items. A Texas resident’s total tax will amount to $15,006, and the net annual pay is $59,995. Assuming you work part-time, clocking in 4 instead of 8 hours a day, your total yearly income will be $37,500 instead of $75,000. It will be subject to a tax deduction of $6,875 if you are in California, leaving you with a net annual pay of $30,625. But if you are from Texas with no state taxes, your take-home pay for the year after taxes of $5,609 will be $31,891. $75,000 a Year Is How Much per Month? If you earn $75,000 a year, the total monthly taxable income will be $6,250. To convert the total yearly salary into monthly income, your yearly salary is divided by the total working months in a year. The conversion is shown below: $75,000/12 months a year = $6,250 If you work in California, you will pay $1,643 in taxes each month, leaving you with a net monthly income of $4,607. A Texas resident’s taxes will amount to $1,250 with $5,000 monthly take-home pay. These are for those engaged in full-time work. A part-timer with a $3,125 gross monthly income will get a monthly net pay of $2,552 in California after $573 in taxes. In Texas, $467 in taxes will allow you to bring home $2,658 for the month. $75,000 a Year Is How Much per Week? Your gross weekly income before tax will be $1,442. Converting your yearly income into a weekly salary requires the total number of weeks worked in a year. In the previous section, we set the total working weeks in a year as 52. So, let’s convert your yearly income into a weekly salary: $75,000/52 weeks per year = $1,442. 31 or $1,442 If you’re a full-timer, working or living in California will cost you $379 in weekly taxes, leaving you with a net income of $1,063 for the week. A Texas resident’s taxes will amount to $288 with $1,154 weekly income as take-home pay. As for those engaged in part-time work, you will get a $721 gross weekly income. After $132 in taxes, you will be left with a weekly net pay of $589 if you are in California or, if in Texas, a $108 deduction will allow you to bring home $613 for the week. $75,000 a Year Is How Much Biweekly? $75,000 yearly salary will allow you to make $2,884 every two weeks. To make it simple, let’s multiply your gross weekly income ($1,442) by two weeks to get your total biweekly pay: $1,442 * 2 weeks = $2,884 With $2,884 as total biweekly pay, you will get a net income of $1,900 every 2 weeks in California after biweekly taxes of $984. If you’re in Texas, your net biweekly pay is $2,153, and your tax deduction is $731. Similarly, if you are a part-timer, your gross income for 2 weeks would be $1,442, while your net biweekly pay will be $1,063 in California and $1,154 in Texas. These amounts are after deducting your corresponding taxes of $379 and $288. $75,000 a Year Is How Much per Day? We have earlier computed the gross hourly wage as $36 with the following formula: $75,000 yearly salary/2, 080 total working hours in a year = $36. 06 or $36 total hourly salary $36 * 8 hours of work per day = $288 gross daily income You will earn $288 every day if you have a $75,000 yearly salary. If you are a full-timer, you will get a daily paycheck of $212 in California after $75. 63 in taxes. In Texas, $57. 58 in taxes will let you bring home $230 for the month. If you are a part-timer with 4 hours daily (instead of 8) at a pay rate of $26 an hour, you will earn a total of $144 for the day. In California, you will get a net daily pay of $118 after $26. 38 in taxes, while in Texas, that would be $122 in take-home pay daily after a tax deduction of $21. 53. It bears repeating that these figures may vary according to your work attendance, so don’t expect this exact amount. Keep the free tax calculator on hand during tax season and when planning your finances. Knowing your income flow at any period will give you a better grasp of your finances. With the computation used above, you will also have a clearer idea of the total amount of money you have every pay period post-taxes. Tips for Living on $75,000 a Year 1. Saving With an annual salary of $75,000, you can afford many luxurious items if you save. Instead of spending all of your money at once, we recommend that you save at least 10% to 15% of your total income for future needs. You can also use your savings to invest in order to increase your overall wealth. You can also save and earn money while you shop through these cashback apps: Rakuten. Want to get a cashback while you shop at over 3, 500 stores? Check out this rewards site to save some shopping money. Read our full Rakuten review here. MyPoints. With MyPoints, you can earn points from shopping online and doing microtasks, such as taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, and more. For more details, here is our complete MyPoints review. Fetch Rewards. An easy-to-use, mobile-only application, Fetch Rewards offers you the chance to earn points for redemption as gift cards or extra money. Our full Fetch Rewards review will give you an idea of this app’s benefits. 2. Investing Many people are making huge profits by investing in stocks, cryptocurrency, and NFTs. Before investing money in these money-making machines, thoroughly research the upward and downward trends to better predict them. Some of the investment options that you may try are: M1 Finance. A stock and ETF brokerage, M1 Finance lets you invest for as low as $100. Read our full M1 Finance review and learn the services that it provides. Crowdfunding real estate. Open an account for EstateGuru if you want to invest in real estate. Here is our full EstateGuru review for more information. Mintos. This app is a peer-to-peer lending platform. Use this link for a 1% cash back in the first 90 days. Check out the full Mintos review here. 3. Avoiding Debt Debt gradually reduces your overall income. We recommend using your savings instead of borrowing money or taking out bank loans to purchase your desired luxury. 4. Budgeting Budgeting is essential for living a healthy lifestyle. At the beginning of the month, list all your basic expenses and create a budget that works for you. Set aside a certain percentage of your earnings for each expense. Spend 10% to 15% of your income on food, 15% to 20% on utilities, 5% to 10% on personal entertainment, and 10% to 15% on savings and investments. 5. Cutting Expenses $75,000 can cover most of your expenses while leaving some money for your expenses on entertainment subscriptions such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Make sure you spend on these subscriptions only if your other monthly expenses are covered within the yearly salary after taxes. Check out Trim, a useful app that negotiates your subscriptions, saves you money on bills, and cancels subscriptions you don’t use. Check out our full Trim review for more details on the platform. 6. Engaging in Online Money-Making and Side Hustles We have listed some of the best online money-making techniques and side hustles to increase your overall income. Sell your skills as a freelancer. Online job platforms like Fiverr, FlexJobs, and Upwork bring employers and freelance workers together. So, if you have marketable skills like software development, marketing, proofreading, graphic design, etc., you should try creating an impressive resume and listing your profile at these job sites. Become an online tutor. Online tutoring allows you to choose your preferred time, subjects, and students. If you are into group teaching, there’s Magic Ears, mainly catering to Chinese pupils who want to learn English. Check the list of the best online tutoring jobs to try now. Drive, deliver, and earn. Make money delivering food using your own car or bike. You can make as much as $500 a week with DoorDash or Postmates. Read our DoorDash review or check out our comparison of DoorDash vs. Postmates and see what best fits you. Become a YouTuber. Find your niche, create your content, build your subscriber list, and you can earn a lucrative income from YouTube through sponsorships, vlogging, banner ads, vlogging your own web series, and more. Start blogging. Check this guide on how to start a blog and head on to this reliable web host, BlueHost, that provides various feature-packed web hosting options to help you build your website without sweat. Be a pet sitter or walker. Get paid to walk dogs or pet sit with Rover and earn over $1,000 monthly. The working hours are flexible, which will allow you to incorporate walking jobs into your part-time schedule. Get a data entry job. You can earn cash from your home. Basic requirements include typing skills, attention to detail, and computer and Internet connection. Here are some tips on making it successful in the data entry field. Flip items for profit. Turn those pre-loved or unused household or personal items into quick cash by selling them online and decluttering your home in the bargain. You may post them on Craigslist or in an online flea market. Or, if you are good at finding saleable new or secondhand goods and reselling them at a profit, there are many online sites like Craigslist, Letgo, Decluttr, eBay, and Amazon where you can earn cash by buying and selling. Participate in online surveys and earn cash or gift cards with the following platforms: Swagbucks. This rewards program lets you earn points by browsing the web, shopping online, and taking surveys. Signing up with Swagbucks is completely free. Your points are then converted into free gift cards or cash-backs. Read our full Swagbucks review here. InboxDollars. Sign up, start doing the online tasks, and earn extra cash with InboxDollars. Take the surveys, redeem coupons, play games online, watch videos, search the web, and more. Making money cannot get any easier than that! Read our full InboxDollars review here. Survey Junkie. You can earn extra cash through Survey Junkie by completing online surveys or sharing your data. You will be paid with gift cards or cash through Paypal. Read our full Survey Junkie review for more information. What Jobs Pay $75,000 a Year? We have listed some jobs that pay a $75,000 yearly salary or more. Most of these jobs pay over $75,000 with more time and experience. Commercial Pilots The median annual pay is around $78,740, with an overall growth rate of 4%. As a commercial pilot, you will handle unscheduled flight activities, such as aerial applications, aerial tours, and charter flights. Detectives and Criminal Investigators The median annual pay is around $79,970, with an overall growth rate of 5%. As a detective, you will be responsible for collecting evidence and gathering facts for criminal cases. Elevator Installer and Repairer The median annual pay is $79,480, with an overall growth rate of 12%. As an elevator installer, you will not only be responsible for the installation of elevators but also for their repair and maintenance. Funeral Service Managers The median annual salary is $78,040, with a growth rate of 7%. As a funeral service manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the operations of a funeral home. Power Plant Operators The median annual salary is $77,180, with an overall growth rate of 1%. Power plant operators are responsible for controlling and maintaining machinery to generate electricity. Is $75,000 a Year a Good Salary? Yes, $75,000 annually is a great salary if you know how to spend it. If you live in a state with a low tax rate on your annual income, your salary will allow you to live a very comfortable lifestyle. Although $75,000 is the average salary that 50% of Americans earn in a year, it is a salary package that can cover all your expenses while leaving some money for personal entertainment. Can You Live on $75,000 a Year? Yes, living alone, you can have a very good lifestyle on a salary of $75,000 per year. On the other hand, if you have a family with children, the luxuries may disappear, but your salary will still cover all of your basic expenses. Frequently Asked Questions $75,000 a Year Is How Much an Hour? How Much Will I Take Home if I Earn $75,000? You will take home $56,250 after taxes if your state charges you a 25% tax rate in total. You will pay around $18,750 as tax. The overall income after-tax can increase or decrease depending upon the state you are currently living in. New York and Washington, for example, have a state tax rate above 20%, a major part of your yearly salary. What Is the Tax on $75,000 a Year? Here are the income tax rates in different US states on your $75,000 yearly salary. New York: $19,161 New Mexico: $18,092 New Hampshire: $15,006 Nevada: $15,006 Nebraska: $19,051 Montana: $19,084 Massachusetts: $18,914 Is $75,000 a Year Considered Middle Class? Yes, $75,000 a year is considered middle class. According to Pew Research Center, the middle-class income in America ranges from $46,000 to $126,000. Around 52% of Americans fall under the middle-class category. Conclusion $75,000 a Year Is How Much an Hour? Earning an annual salary of $75,000 can be a great amount as your gross salary. This pay can surely help you in achieving your financial goals. With $75,000 a year, you make $6,250 per month pre-tax, from $4,607 to $5,000 monthly after taxes. The after-tax income varies slightly, depending on the US state you live in. Your financial habits depend on whether this will be enough each week for your expenses. Remember that you need to live within your means. If you find it hard to fit your expenses within your monthly or weekly salary, look for side hustles to increase your income. If you want to know more about how much you will make in a year at different pay rates, check out our related posts:.
https://radicalfire.com/75000-a-year-is-how-much-an-hour/

Does the UN need to be run like a business? IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin may get the chance

Brodin may have a chance, as the Swedish government announced him as its candidate to become the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) last Monday. If selected, Brodin’s career pivot would highlight an exceptionally rare trajectory among global CEOs: moving from business to a multilateral international organization.

The UNHCR, the organization says, protects people forced to flee, delivers emergency aid in crises, and helps displaced people find a place to call home. While some businessmen, such as Donald Trump in the U.S. or Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, have entered national politics, virtually none have crossed over to head a major United Nations institution.

UN jobs are more typically reserved for career diplomats and politicians, while private sector leaders have been mostly absent in UN leadership roles. Alexander De Croo, the designated new head of the United Nations Development Programme, perhaps comes closest. He started his career at Boston Consulting Group and stayed there for several years before entering Belgian politics like his father before him, eventually becoming prime minister. His wife remains a partner at the consulting firm.

“I was surprised to receive the nomination. It was not something I had planned,” Brodin told Fortune in a Zoom interview after the news broke. “But with my global experience leading IKEA in more than 40 countries, I believe I can bring valuable experience and leadership to the UN.”

Brodin’s private sector experience was also a key reason why the Swedish government nominated him. “The U.N. system would be strengthened by a person with business experience, especially given the major challenges now facing the U.N.,” the Swedish foreign ministry said in a statement endorsing the IKEA veteran.

However rare, the choice is consistent with Brodin’s stated mission at IKEA, which was “to create a better everyday life for the many people.” Under Brodin’s leadership, IKEA has participated in several UN and UNHCR projects globally. These include an IKEA training and skills program for refugees, which to date has reached over 3,700 people, and IKEA’s retail arm providing direct job opportunities to refugees from Syria, and more recently, Ukraine.

Brodin is stepping down as IKEA CEO in November. The UN Secretary-General will select his choice for UNHCR, sending the nominee to member states for confirmation by the end of the year.

In the end, if Brodin is confirmed, it may well be because a rational business approach is exactly what the UN needs right now. The UN is in crisis and facing a cash crunch, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s funding cuts for the organization. In that light, Brodin’s track record of economizing on costs and resources at IKEA may be the real game changer if he is appointed.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/23/ikea-ceo-jesper-brodin-unhcr-un-business/