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With just over six weeks left until the presidential election, recent polling data reveals a neck-and-neck contest between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The data includes over 20 <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40669286/harris-vs-trump-this-candidate-leading-in-numerous-polls-transforming-political-landscape">swing-state polls conducted after the September 10 debate</a>.
What Happened: The polls suggest a slight advantage for Harris over Trump. A Morning Consult poll shows Harris leading by 6 percentage points nationwide, her largest lead in the organization&#8217;s surveys to date.
Nationwide ABC News/Ipsos and Yahoo News/YouGov polls also favor Harris, placing her ahead by 4 and 5 points respectively.
According to a compilation of recent polls <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4889632-latest-polls-white-house-race/amp/">by</a> The Hill, in some swing states, Harris also appears to be gaining ground. A Quinnipiac University poll has her leading by 5 points in Pennsylvania, while a Marist College poll of likely voters shows the same margin in Michigan.
However, the race is far from decided. The Hill and Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) predict Harris has a 55 percent chance of winning in November. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40869086/trump-vs-harris-new-poll-reveals-post-debate-swing-towards-this-candidate-in-key-state">Trump Vs Harris: New Poll Reveals Post-Debate Swing Towards This Candidate In Key State</a>
Trump supporters, meanwhile, can take heart from several swing-state polls, including a series from The Hill and Emerson College, which show Trump leading by 1 point in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and by 3 points in Georgia.
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Why It Matters: The tight race underscores the importance of swing states in determining the outcome of the presidential election.
Despite Harris&#8217; slight lead in some areas, the 2024 race remains essentially a coin flip.
The outcomes of upcoming debates and campaign strategies will be crucial in swaying undecided voters and solidifying support among their bases.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40667209/trump-vs-harris-new-polls-reveal-this-candidate-is-outperforming-in-swing-states" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trump Vs Harris: New Polls Reveal This Candidate Is Outperforming In Swing States</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

News

Politics

Trump Vs Harris: This Candidate Has The Edge In Latest Swing State Polls

The team behind <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40924380/mark-cuban-slams-trumps-crypto-plans-while-jon-stewart-calls-him-the-lefts-favorite-billio">Donald Trump</a>'s latest crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, took over two hours to release the key detail many were waiting for at Monday night's event on X.&nbsp;
The suspense finally ended when they revealed who could buy the forthcoming tokens and how shares would be distributed. Billed as the next big step for the former president and his family, this launch had built up anticipation for weeks.
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Zak Folkman, one of the project's founders, explained that the platform&#8217;s WLFI token will be divided among several groups. "Twenty percent of the tokens are set aside for the founding team," he said, referring to a group that includes the Trumps.&nbsp;
Another 17% will go toward user rewards, while the remaining 63% of tokens will be publicly available. He emphasized, "There will be no presales or early buy-ins."
Trending: According to Cathie Wood, holding 6 Ethereum (ETH) could make you a millionaire,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/adv-6eth"> here&#8217;s why it can be true</a>.
This was a crucial clarification, as an earlier draft of the project's outline, which had been leaked, raised eyebrows. The draft indicated that the founders would control 70% of the tokens, leading many to worry that it might just be another quick-cash scheme.
The structure of the offering, a Regulation D token offering, allows World Liberty Financial to raise funds without registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as long as they meet certain criteria. This led to a conversation about how the SEC, under its chair Gary Gensler, has been regulating the crypto industry, often using enforcement actions instead of clear guidelines.
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Trump himself was part of the action, speaking openly about his initial lack of interest in crypto. "I wasn't overly interested," Trump said, adding that his perspective changed when his children introduced him to crypto through the success of his non-fungible token collections. &#8220;I think my children opened my eyes more than anything else,&#8221; he remarked.
The event took place against an unusual backdrop for Trump. Just the day before, there was an alleged assassination attempt while Trump was golfing with Steve Witkoff, his longtime friend and a key figure in World Liberty Financial.&nbsp;
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The incident took place at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club and the FBI has been investigating. Despite the dramatic incident, Witkoff joined Trump for Monday's event, where he spoke about how the venture began.&nbsp;
Witkoff recounted how his son had introduced him to two young crypto entrepreneurs, Chase Herro and Zak Folkman, who convinced him that decentralized finance (DeFi) could be the future of money.&nbsp;
"These guys are as sharp as any currency traders I've ever met," Witkoff said. He then described how he brought the Trump family into the fold. "We had a meeting with Eric, Don Jr., the president and his counsel. We've been on it for close to nine months," he revealed.
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The similarities between World Liberty Financial and Trump's previous project, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group, didn't go unnoticed. Like the media company that launched the conservative social platform Truth Social, this crypto venture is expected to turn heads.
However, despite the Trump family's involvement, they do not own or manage the platform. Eric Trump and Steve Witkoff are the two figures at the helm and both are new to the crypto space. Though Trump has been warming to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40734266/trump-promised-to-turn-the-u-s-into-the-crypto-capital-of-the-world-but-did-he-actually-fo">crypto </a>in recent months, even delivering a keynote at the largest bitcoin event in July, the public remains curious – and cautious – about this new project.
The founders were tight-lipped about plans, offering little clarity on timelines. The only clue provided was that updates would come through official channels and they warned fans to be wary of scammers eager to take advantage of the buzz surrounding the project.
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Startups

Trump Family's Crypto Venture Revealed: New Buying Rules, Who Can Invest and What It Means for Early Adopters

Recent developments suggest that Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) may be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/07/39568237/tech-giants-eye-nuclear-power-to-fuel-ai-boom-raising-concerns-over-stability-and-environmental-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ramping up its interest in nuclear energy</a> to fuel its growing needs.
The tech giant has reposted a job <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/principal-nuclear-engineer-datacenter-engineering-power-generation-solutions-at-amazon-web-services-aws-4007936223" rel="noreferrer noopener">opening</a> for a Principal Nuclear Engineer in its Data Center Engineering division, raising questions about its long-term energy strategy.
Nano Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NNE#NASDAQ">NNE</a>), an emerging microreactor technology company, cited the opening in a social media <a href="https://x.com/nano_nuclear/status/1827024271731802146" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post</a> on X, formerly Twitter.
Why This Is Important: The opening by Amazon comes shortly after Talen Energy agreed to sell a 960-megawatt data center campus to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for $650 million earlier this year, which includes a decade-long electricity supply agreement from the Susquehanna nuclear power station.
This particularly highlights Amazon&#8217;s commitment to clean, carbon-free energy sources.
An Amazon spokesperson <a href="https://www.ans.org/news/article-5842/amazon-buys-nuclearpowered-data-center-from-talen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told the</a> American Nuclear Society, &#8220;To supplement our wind and solar energy projects, which depend on weather conditions to generate energy, we&#8217;re also exploring new innovations and technologies and investing in other sources of clean, carbon-free energy. This agreement with Talen Energy for carbon-free energy is one project in that effort.&#8221;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/03/37627399/amazons-shot-at-nuclear-power-play-will-the-tech-giants-latest-move-redefine-green-energy-for-data-c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon&#8217;s Shot At Nuclear Power Play &#8211; Will The Tech Giant&#8217;s Latest Move Redefine Green Energy for Data Centers?</a>
In a report <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-renewable-energy-updates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">released</a> on July 10, Amazon announced that it has achieved its goal of sourcing 100% of the electricity used across its global operations — including data centers, corporate offices, grocery stores, and fulfillment centers — from renewable energy, a target initially set for 2030. The company plans to continue investing in solar and wind projects while exploring nuclear power and battery storage to sustain its energy needs.
Why The Nuclear-Energy Interest May Be Controversial
Amazon&#8217;s nuclear ambitions are not without controversy.
Following the agreement with Talen Energy, utility companies American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) and Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXC#NASDAQ">EXC</a>) formally objected to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), claiming that the electricity arrangement allows Amazon to benefit from the power grid without contributing to its maintenance costs, a <a href="https://www.ans.org/news/article-6180/aep-exelon-ask-ferc-to-scrutinize-amazontalen-data-center-deal/">report </a>by the American Nuclear Society suggests.
They argue this could lead to increased expenses for other PJM ratepayers, as the data center&#8217;s power usage is indirectly linked to the grid&#8217;s resources. PJM ratepayers are&nbsp;customers of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM).&nbsp;
That&#8217;s not all!
A March <a href="https://heatmap.news/technology/amazon-nuclear-talen-energy">report</a> by Heat Map suggests that a divide has emerged among tech giants regarding energy strategies, with Amazon focusing on securing low-cost power without prioritizing new carbon-free sources, while Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) aim for comprehensive carbon-free energy solutions.
Microsoft and Google have shown increased interest in nuclear power to ensure a stable electricity supply, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable energy practices.
As Amazon moves forward with its nuclear initiatives, the intersection of innovation and regulatory scrutiny will play a crucial role in shaping its energy strategy.
The company&#8217;s hiring of nuclear engineers underscores its serious intentions in this space, but the implications of these decisions could significantly affect its relationships within the energy sector.
Will Amazon&#8217;s foray into nuclear power pave the way for a more sustainable future, or complicate its standing in an already complex energy landscape?
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?gspk=YWRhbWVja2VydDUzMzY&amp;gsxid=zBMR4PKmcgBw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>, AMZN stock has gained over 48% in the past year. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via ProShares Online Retail ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ONLN#NYSE">ONLN</a>) and&nbsp;Fidelity MSCI Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDIS#NYSE">FDIS</a>).
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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Amazon Going Nuclear? Hiring Plans Indicate Company May Be Eyeing Nuclear To Meet Energy Needs

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/insurance/health-insurance">Health insurance</a> is supposed to help us manage the cost of medical care, but for many people, it feels like a battle just to get claims approved. Billionaire entrepreneur <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mark-cuban">Mark Cuban</a> says there's a reason for this – and he believes more transparency could be the solution to high health care costs in the U.S.
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According to Cuban, big insurance companies make it unnecessarily difficult for doctors and hospitals to get paid by adding layers of paperwork and approvals, turning every claim into a drawn-out process. This frustrates health care providers and patients who just want their bills covered without hassle.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">No population wide insurance will work in a market where there is no transparency. The games the big insurers play have nothing to do with insurance or wellness. They make approving and paying every claim a battle for providers and sponsors. There is reason providers charge… <a href="https://t.co/biRgvuC5W1">https://t.co/biRgvuC5W1</a>
&mdash; Mark Cuban (@mcuban) <a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/1835725915470643670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Cuban's remarks came in response to a tweet by Larry Levitt, an expert on health policy, who highlighted a comment made by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/j-d-vance">Sen. JD Vance</a>. Vance had criticized the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for &#8220;a one-size-fits-all approach that puts a lot of people into the same insurance pools, into the same risk pools that actually makes it harder for people to make the right choices for their families.&#8221;
Levitt explained that this single-risk pool allows the ACA to protect people with preexisting conditions from paying higher premiums. Cuban then broadened the discussion to the overall lack of transparency in health care pricing and how it impacts costs.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">JD Vance makes a wonky but important point here, saying we shouldn&#39;t have a health insurance system that puts people &quot;into the same risk pools.&quot; A single risk pool under the ACA enables community rating, meaning people with pre-existing conditions don&#39;t pay higher premiums. <a href="https://t.co/5oLuUAmNpG">https://t.co/5oLuUAmNpG</a>
&mdash; Larry Levitt (@larry_levitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/larry_levitt/status/1835684651035398408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Why Transparency Matters
Although it&#8217;s not a novel concept, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/affordable-health-insurance">transparency in health care pricing</a> is still not commonly implemented. Like other goods and services, customers could compare costs if they knew how much an operation or doctor&#8217;s visit would cost before receiving the bill.
The entire industry would change if Cuban&#8217;s goal of complete transparency came to fruition. Providers would have to justify their often incredibly steep rates if consumers could see exactly what insurers are paying, resulting in increased competition, lower prices, and a much simpler health care system.
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It's unclear if Cuban's call for transparency will gain traction, but it's a conversation worth having. If more people start demanding to see the true cost of their health care, it could push insurers and providers to rethink how they do business. The battle over every claim continues for now, but perhaps a more transparent future is on the horizon.
As Cuban said, "Require every contract to be published and the market becomes efficient, and care costs drop significantly."
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Personal Finance

Insurance Companies Turn Every Claim Into A Fight. Here's How Mark Cuban Thinks Transparency Could Lower Prices In A $1.6T Industry

Editor&#8217;s Note: Additional material has been added to this article for context and clarity.
Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/40930343/slide-over-mark-cuban-theres-a-new-shark-in-the-pool-could-this-billionaire-be-his-replacem">will soon step away</a> from "Shark Tank" and sold a portion of NBA team the Dallas Mavericks, but that doesn't mean he's ready to enter politics.
While many are familiar with Cuban supporting Vice President Kamala Harris <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/08/40105641/mark-cuban-reid-hoffman-vinod-khosla-and-nearly-500-venture-capitalists-back-kamala-harris-in-20">for the 2024 election</a>, Cuban isn't ready to enter the presidential race anytime soon.
What Happened: In an interview with Bloomberg Originals in March 2024, Cuban set the record straight on speculation about a potential presidential run.
Cuban clarified that running for president is not on his current agenda.
&#8220;No, not preparing to run,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuHYZ0P5JCk">said </a>definitively.
Cuban said that the greatest challenge of being president is that &#8220;you don&#8217;t know what comes next.&#8221; 
&#8220;There&#8217;s no way any one person can have all the wisdom or knowledge that they need to deal with the uncertainty of the office,&#8221; he added.
Cuban priority remains his family.
&#8220;When I&#8217;m 95 and looking back, I&#8217;d rather just say, okay, I was there&#8230; for Jake&#8217;s games&#8230; I was there to help Lex in college. I don&#8217;t want to lose that.&#8221;
Cuban talked about his role as a father, acknowledging that earlier in his career, he didn't dedicate enough time to his family.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t think I was as good at it, as I should have been when they were younger. And now I want to be great at it.&#8221;
While he said he had no immediate political ambitions, he left a small possibility open for the future, saying, &#8220;You never say never,&#8221; though he acknowledged that by the time it would make sense for him, &#8220;I&#8217;ll be too old.&#8221;
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Remaining Involved in Politics: Despite ruling out a run for the White House, Cuban keeps a close eye on the political system.
He strongly criticized the current two-party structure. &#8220;The idea that, you know, parties vote unilaterally&#8230; that&#8217;s just insane,&#8221; Cuban said, adding that he supports ranked-choice voting to counterbalance the extremes in the primary system.
&#8220;If I could wave the magic wand, I&#8217;d get rid of the two parties,&#8221; he added.
When asked about his outlook on the future, Cuban was optimistic about the younger generation, particularly Gen Z.
&#8220;I see what&#8217;s going on with Gen Z, and I love it,&#8221; he said, applauding their entrepreneurial mindset
When it comes to the government, Cuban is a bit less optimistic, &#8220;It just depends on what happens these next four years. The jury&#8217;s still out.&#8221;
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Photo: Jaguar PS/Shutterstock.com

Mark Cuban Wants To 'Get Rid Of The Two Parties,' Says 'Never Say Never' To A Future In Politics, But Acknowledges He'll Probably Be 'Too Old' By The Time He's Ready (UPDATED)

In a significant leadership reshuffle, TikTok&#8216;s head of global marketing Kate Jhaveri is exiting the company, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31504452/despite-the-controversy-surrounding-tiktok-young-americans-love-chinese-apps-heres-why">as per an internal memo</a>.
What Happened: TikTok is discontinuing Jhaveri&#8217;s role. Starting Monday, all members of TikTok&#8217;s global brand and communications division will report directly to Zenia Mucha.
In the memo, as reported <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-marketing-head-is-out-in-leadership-shake-up-2024-9">by</a> Business Insider, Mucha revealed that she and Jhaveri had been in talks about restructuring the marketing function to establish a more unified organization. The decision was reached to dissolve the head of global marketing position and consolidate the Global Brand &amp; Comms team under a single leader.
&#8220;Kate Jhaveri and I have had ongoing discussions about our marketing strategy and how best to structure the marketing function to create a more cohesive organization designed to better meet the needs of the business and our cross-functional partners. Together, we decided the best way to achieve this vision is to remove the head of global marketing role, and bring everyone within Global Brand &amp; Comms under one leader,&#8221; according to the outlet Mucha wrote to the employeers. 
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Before this, Mucha had a 19-year tenure as Disney&#8217;s chief communications officer, while Jhaveri had served as chief marketing officer at the NBA and Twitch. Zuber Mohammed, who is under Mucha, will now be in charge of consumer marketing, product marketing, and user communications.
The alterations, initially reported by The Information, will be effective from Monday. This reshuffle follows numerous significant organizational changes at TikTok, including layoffs and the departure of its former vice president of global communications, Hilary McQuaide.
Why It Matters: The brand and communications team is currently engaged in a legal battle with the U.S. government over a divest-or-ban law enacted in April, arguing that it infringes on the First Amendment rights of 170 million Americans.
This leadership shake-up could potentially impact the direction and outcome of this ongoing dispute.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Social Media

Tech

TikTok Global Marketing Chief Resigns Amid Major Overhaul – Here's What The Leaked Memo Says

Electric vehicle stocks finished the week ended Sept. 20 on a mixed note despite the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/09/40954521/wall-street-looks-to-pause-after-s-ps-record-performance-as-fed-rate-cut-euphoria-fades-and-hard-la">positive performance by the broader market</a>. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) rose to its highest level since late July amid some positive catalysts.
Here&#8217;s a rundown on what happened in the EV space during the week:
Tesla China, Europe Sales: China weekly vehicle insurance data from China showed 15,600 insured registrations for Tesla vehicles in the week of Sept 9-15, CnEVPost <a href="https://cnevpost.com/2024/09/19/china-ev-insurance-registrations-week-ending-sept-15-2024/">reported</a>, citing data from Li Auto, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>). Commenting on the data, fund manager Gary Black said after 11 weeks into the quarter, with only two weeks left, Tesla&#8217;s China third-quarter registrations are on track for their best quarter ever. Quarter-to-date period, the number was up 20% year-over-year and 26% higher than in the first quarter, he added.
On the flipside, data released by European Automobile Manufacturers Association&nbsp;showed that Tesla volumes in Europe dropped 36% year-over-year to 21,701 vehicles in August. &#8220;The electric car market is now on a continual downward trajectory,&#8221; the ACEA said in a statement.
Rivian Launches Tri-Motor RT1 EVS: EV startup Rivian Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>) has begun shipping new R1S and R1T vehicles with triple-motor powertrains. The 2025 model R1T and R1S EVs launched earlier this year rolled out with dual motors. The new Max battery pack is placed between the front and rear motors, and the tri-motor version has a range of 405 miles in conserve mode or 371 miles for all-purpose driving. This version has a starting price of $99,900.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-electric-vehicle-stocks">Best EV Stocks</a>
Nio Launches Onvo L60: Chinese EV maker Nio, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NIO#NYSE">NIO</a>) on Wednesday officially launched the L60, the first model of the Onvo mass-market brand, in Hefei, Anhui province. The Onvo L60, a mid-size SUV <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/06/39511884/nios-upcoming-onvo-l60-reportedly-shows-striking-similarities-to-tesla-models-in-spy-shots">pitched as a Model Y rival, </a>has a starting price of 206,900 yuan (around $29,300) including the battery pack. If the EV is purchased with Nio&#8217;s battery-as-a-service, the price would be as cheap as 149,900 yuan. Deliveries are set to begin Sept. 28.
Faraday Future Announces Second Brand: Struggling upstart Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFIE#NASDAQ">FFIE</a>) announced a second brand, namely Faraday X and the first vehicles of the brand, dubbed FX5, with an estimated price range of 20,000-$30,000, and FX 6, with an expected price range of $30,000-$50,000, will likely come with range-extended AIEV and battery-electric AIEV. The company plans to start production by the end of 2025, subject to securing necessary funding.
Hyzon Starts Class 8 200kW Hydrogen Truck Production: Hyzon Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HYZN#NASDAQ">HYZN</a>) announced the start of production of its Class 8 200 kilowatt fuel-cell electric truck. It &#8220;marks the beginning of a new chapter for &#8216;hard-to-decarbonize&#8217; heavy-duty industries, as Hyzon sets the standard for high-performance, zero-emission alternatives to diesel,&#8221; said Hyzon Chief Executive Officer Parker Meeks. The Class 8 200kW FCET features a single stack 200kW fuel cell system, which is 30% lighter and smaller, and 25% more cost-efficient than using two 110kW systems combined, the company said.
The KraneShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility&nbsp;Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KARS#NYSE">KARS</a>) fell 1.58% on Friday before ending at $19.32, according to <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/lxquj26b2sag">Benzinga Pro data</a>. For the week, the ETF , however, slipped 0.31%.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40932786/tesla-bull-explains-why-elon-musks-xai-is-critical-to-ev-makers-autonomous-ambition">Tesla Bull Explains Why Elon Musk&#8217;s xAI Is Critical To EV Maker&#8217;s Autonomous Ambitions</a></li>
</ul>
Here&#8217;s how the EV stocks fared this week:
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Weekly Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tesla</td>
<td>+3.46%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nio</td>
<td>-4.87%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>XPeng, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XPEV#NYSE">XPEV</a>)</td>
<td>+7.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Li Auto, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LI#NASDAQ">LI</a>)</td>
<td>+12.66%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Workhorse, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WKHS#NASDAQ">WKHS</a>)</td>
<td>+7.59%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hyzon Motors</td>
<td>+1.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Canoo, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOEV#NASDAQ">GOEV</a>)</td>
<td>-19.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rivian </td>
<td>-13.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LCID#NASDAQ">LCID</a>)</td>
<td>-11.42%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Faraday Future </td>
<td>-15.54%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nikola Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NKLA#NASDAQ">NKLA</a>)</td>
<td>-6.85%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VinFast Auto Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VFS#NASDAQ">VFS</a>)</td>
<td>-7.58%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>

FFIE

GOEV

HYZN

KARS

LCID

NKLA

RIVN

TSLA

WKHS

XPEV

Tesla A Tale Of 2 Regions, Rivian Unleashes More Powerful R1 Variants, Nio Aims Sales Surge With Low-End Model And More: Biggest EV Stories Of The Week

Trying to find&nbsp;love&nbsp;in an increasingly digital&nbsp;world has led many to&nbsp;experiment&nbsp;with&nbsp;online dating, but endless scrolling of profiles and pictures can leave some feeling&nbsp;hopeless.
One woman decided to post an ad on Craigslist offering to pay someone to pretend to be&nbsp;her and set up dates. An editor&nbsp;looking for a second income stream decided to take on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dating-apps">matchmaking challenge</a>.&nbsp;
What To Know:&nbsp;In 2019,&nbsp;Gili Malinsky&nbsp;was making $58,000 per year working as an editor for a media company in New York. She had several thousand dollars in student loan debt and was up against a large tax bill, so she started looking for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-passive-income">second source of income</a>.&nbsp;
It wasn&#8217;t long before&nbsp;she stumbled upon a Craigslist ad, unlike anything she had ever seen before.
It said, &#8220;Help me find love online,&#8221;&nbsp;Mailnsky recalled in a<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/28/strange-side-hustle-i-helped-someone-match-on-bumble-okcupid.html">&nbsp;piece</a>&nbsp;she wrote for CNBC&#8217;s Make It.&nbsp;
&#8220;I will give you access to my accounts. You will facilitate some dates with guys who have all their teeth, a job and some other criteria I'll tell you about later,&#8221; the description of the ad&nbsp;read.&nbsp;
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/31868430/from-lineman-to-laundromat-millionaire-how-craigslist-and-clothes-cleaning-changed-this-mans-life">From Lineman To &#8216;Laundromat Millionaire&#8217;: How Craigslist And Clothes Cleaning Changed This Man&#8217;s Life</a>
The woman was offering $25 per hour or a flat rate per date if that was preferred, and that was enough for Malinsky to respond to the ad.
&#8220;I couldn't believe it. This gig actually sounded fun,&#8221; she said.&nbsp;
They set up a Skype call and then met up for drinks to talk details the following day. Malinksy planned to search&nbsp;for quality date candidates on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/dating-apps">apps</a>&nbsp;like&nbsp;Bumble Inc&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bmbl#NASDAQ">BMBL</a>) and&nbsp;IAC Inc&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/iac#NASDAQ">IAC</a>)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/best-dating-sites-and-apps">OkCupid</a>, chat with the guys and hope to set up dates.&nbsp;
She was offered an&nbsp;upfront payment of $100, and they agreed that she would be paid $150 for each date she successfully planned.&nbsp;
Everything went wrong from there, for Malinsky anyway. She spent at least 20 hours chatting with dozens of guys over the next three weeks and found it &#8220;bizarre&#8221; to pose as someone else.&nbsp;
The woman who posted the ad ended up being very picky — so selective that she didn&#8217;t actually agree to go on any dates. Malinksy would filter through guys to find good options, but the woman she was pretending to be would find something wrong with all of them. 
In the end, Malinksy never saw another dime beyond the initial $100 she was paid to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31445243/4-brain-hacks-to-supercharge-your-success">start her search efforts</a>.
She did reach back out to the woman who posted the ad to see how she was doing after some time had passed and it turned out that she had&nbsp;reconnected with one of her old matches on&nbsp;Match Group&nbsp;Inc&#8217;s&nbsp;(NASDAQ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mtch#NASDAQ">MTCH</a>) Tinder.&nbsp;
&#8220;Dreams DO come true,&#8221; she told Malinksy.&nbsp;
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/04/32100082/heres-how-this-31-year-old-makes-105-000-a-month-by-only-working-2-hours-a-day">Here&#8217;s How This 31-Year-Old Makes $105,000 A Month By Only Working 2 Hours A Day</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/athree23-6195572/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3698156">Adrian</a> from Pixabay.
Some elements of this story were previously reported by Benzinga and it has been updated.

BMBL

MTCH

Matchmaking For Hire: The Online Dating Side Hustle That Went Nowhere — 'I Couldn't Believe It'

This week, federal prosecutors announced the arrest of two individuals accused of stealing $230 million in cryptocurrency. The stolen funds were allegedly used to finance a lavish lifestyle.
What Happened: Malone Lam, 20, and Jeandiel Serrano, 21, are believed to have stolen the cryptocurrency from a person in Washington, D.C., in August.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, the stolen funds were laundered through various exchanges and mixing services, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/20/us/crypto-fraud-arrests.html">reports</a> The New York Times. 
The suspects reportedly concealed their theft by distributing the money across several cryptocurrency exchanges and mixing services, before embarking on a spending spree. 
Lam, a Singaporean citizen who used aliases including "Anne Hathaway," and Serrano, known as "VersaceGod,&#8221; were apprehended by the F.B.I. on Wednesday.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/01/36525844/north-korean-hackers-swiped-600-million-worth-of-crypto-in-2023-expected-to-carry-out-more">North Korean Hackers Swiped $600 Million Worth Of Crypto In 2023, Expected To Carry Out More Attacks</a>
An indictment was unsealed last week charging Lam and Serrano with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. The indictment did not disclose how the two men gained access to the victim&#8217;s funds, only stating that they had &#8220;engaged in digital communications&#8221; with the victim, reports the outlet.
Lam&#8217;s lawyer Diego Weiner declared his intention to "vigorously defend" his client and requested that Lam be "presumed innocent" until proven guilty. Serrano's lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment.
The U.S. attorney's office has not yet responded to requests for more details regarding the case. The investigation is ongoing.
Why It Matters: This case underscores the growing concern over the security of digital assets. As cryptocurrency becomes more mainstream, it has also become a target for cybercriminals. 
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with cryptocurrency transactions and the need for enhanced security measures in the digital currency space.
Read Next
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/23/04/32100171/bitcoin-thief-who-stole-nearly-5-million-and-was-photographed-in-cash-filled-bathtub-gets-" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Thief Who Stole Nearly $5 Million And Was Photographed In Cash-Filled Bathtub Gets 4 Years In Prison</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Coverage of Bitcoin, Etherum, Ripple and all the latest digital currencies.

Cryptocurrency

Massive Crypto Heist: Here's How Two Suspects Were Nabbed In $230M Theft

<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/24/08/40635115/new-ad-claims-harris-can-tackle-inflation-and-housing-by-building-3-million-homes">Kamala Harris</a>, the U.S. Democratic candidate, made headlines Tuesday when she told a group of Black journalists that, if elected president, she plans to work with private investors to address the nation's growing housing crisis.&nbsp;
Speaking at a forum organized by the National Association of Black journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia, Harris acknowledged Americans&#8217; immense pressure regarding housing costs.
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"We have a shortage of housing supply and it's too expensive," Harris told the audience of about 180 people. "One of the big issues that affects people right now in terms of the economy and their well-being is the cost of housing."
During the discussion, Harris emphasized that the solution would require collaboration between the government and the private sector. The goal? To increase housing availability and drive down costs for everyday Americans.&nbsp;
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While she laid out this plan, Harris also doubled down on another economic promise: expanding the child tax credit to $6,000 and ensuring that no family pays more than 7% of their income on child care.
Though the event covered a range of economic issues, housing took center stage. Harris clarified that, while boosting the housing supply was critical, more work would be needed to address skyrocketing prices that continue to put homeownership out of reach for many.
Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/fundrise-flagship-fund"> you can become part of the next big real estate boom today.</a>
This appearance was especially significant, as Harris had skipped NABJ's annual convention in July, where her Republican opponent,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40734266/trump-promised-to-turn-the-u-s-into-the-crypto-capital-of-the-world-but-did-he-actually-fo"> Donald Trump</a>, made a controversial appearance.
At that event, Trump faced backlash for questioning Harris' Black identity and for his treatment of one of the moderators during the interview. Despite the heated exchange, Trump's campaign is attempting to court Black voters – traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
Historically, Black voters have leaned heavily toward Democratic candidates. In the 2020 election, 92% of Black voters voted for Joe Biden over Trump, according to Pew Research Center data. And according to a recent NAACP survey, most Black voters – 63% – still plan to back Harris in the upcoming election, while only 13% support Trump.
Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/marcus-millichap-backed-platform-makes-it-easy-to-invest-in-real-estate"> this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today!</a>
However, cracks are beginning to show in the Democratic Party's support among Black voters, especially younger men. More than a quarter of Black men under 45 are leaning toward Trump this election, according to the NAACP poll.
"Black men are like any other voting group," Harris said in response. "You gotta earn their vote."
The NABJ interview, like Trump's before it, was conducted by three organization members, including reporters from TheGrio and Politico and a local radio anchor.&nbsp;
Both candidates have been making moves to secure the support of Black voters – a key demographic in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia.
See Also: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/bezos-landlord-100-dollars"> become a landlord in just 10 minutes, and you only need $100</a>.
With Election Day drawing closer, Harris and Trump are focusing on these swing states, where Black voters could tip the scales. Georgia, in particular, has the highest proportion of Black voters among the seven battleground states and the race there is expected to be fiercely competitive.
While Harris' campaign has ignited enthusiasm, questions remain about the specifics of her policies, especially on issues like education, criminal justice and the economy – topics especially important to Black voters.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to face challenges of his own in wooing Black voters, given his past inflammatory remarks and accusations that Republican-backed voting laws are designed to suppress Black voter turnout. Republicans, however, deny that any of their policies are intended to restrict voting.
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Real Estate

Harris Partners with Big Money Backers to Boost America's Housing Supply – Will It Be Enough to Solve the Growing Crisis?

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The three major averages posted weekly gains, with the S&amp;P 500 rising 1.36% and up over 19% for 2024, while the Dow gained 1.62% and the Nasdaq advanced 1.49%. 
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 50 basis points in September, surprising many economists who expected a smaller 25-basis-point reduction. 
Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need to act early to support the labor market, noting that strong employment requires proactive measures. While hinting at potential future cuts, Powell framed this move as a recalibration rather than a broader policy shift, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40965372/fed-delivers-large-interest-rate-cut-in-bid-to-sustain-labor-market-stocks-gold-set-new-record-h">stressing data-driven decision-making.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40892076/palantir-key-enabler-of-clients-businesses-says-bullish-analyst-as-ceo-alex-karp-to">&#8220;Palantir &#8216;Key Enabler&#8217; Of Clients&#8217; Businesses, Says Bullish Analyst, As CEO Alex Karp Touts 10-Fold Growth From Current Levels,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shanthi-rexaline">Shanthi Rexaline</a>, highlights Palantir Technologies Inc&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) potential tenfold growth as CEO Alex Karp emphasizes the company&#8217;s role in accelerating client success, with BofA Securities maintaining a bullish outlook and a $50 price target.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40906505/walmart-division-sams-club-raises-wages-for-hourly-associates-a-strategic-move-to-stay-ahead-in-">&#8220;Walmart Division Sam&#8217;s Club Raises Wages For Hourly Associates: A Strategic Move To Stay Ahead In Retail,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, details Walmart Inc.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMT#NYSE">WMT</a>) Sam&#8217;s Club wage increase for nearly 100,000 frontline workers, with hourly pay rising 3%-6% as part of a strategy to enhance worker retention and performance.
"<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40921872/dogecoin-will-outperform-bitcoin-in-2025-vows-trader-heres-what-the-follower-effect-means">Dogecoin Will Outperform Bitcoin In 2025, Vows Trader: Here&#8217;s What The &#8216;Follower Effect&#8217; Means,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/khyathi-dalal">Khyathi Dalal</a>, shares a crypto trader&#8217;s belief that Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>) will outperform Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) in 2025, benefiting from its rapid growth and leveraging Bitcoin's trajectory via the &#8220;follower effect.&#8221;
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40898388/qualcomm-analyst-sees-opportunity-in-regaining-share-with-samsung-after-apple-reven">Qualcomm Analyst Sees Opportunity In &#8216;Regaining Share With Samsung&#8217; After Apple Revenue Squeeze</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40930553/microstrategy-2x-leveraged-inverse-etfs-are-here-offer-unparalleled-access-to-microstrateg">MicroStrategy 2X Leveraged, Inverse ETFs Are Here, Offer &#8216;Unparalleled Access To MicroStrategy&#8217;s Bitcoin Exposure&#8217;</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/09/40926078/nvidia-considers-165m-octoai-acquisition-aims-to-strengthen-ai-and-cloud-dominance">Nvidia Considers $165M OctoAI Acquisition, Aims to Strengthen AI and Cloud Dominance</a>
The Bears
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/tech/24/09/40930388/apple-iphone-16-pre-orders-show-possible-low-demand-one-sign-could-point-to-company-breaking-this-em">&#8220;Apple iPhone 16 Pre-Orders Show Possible Low Demand, One Sign Could Point To Company Break With This Employee Rule,&#8221;</a> by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a>, highlights concerns over weaker-than-expected demand for Apple Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) iPhone 16, with an analyst citing early pre-order data of 37 million units and employee discounts available unusually early as potential warning signs.
"<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/technicals/24/09/40942441/stock-of-the-day-home-depot-agrees-to-settlement-while-overbought-signals-warn-of-potent">Home Depot Agrees To Settlement, While Overbought Signals Warn Of Potential Sell-Off</a>," by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/mark-putrino">Mark Putrino</a>, reports on Home Depot Inc&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HD#NYSE">HD</a>) nearly $2 million settlement for overcharging allegations. At the same time, technical indicators suggest the stock may face a sell-off due to overbought conditions.
"<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40955933/brace-for-stagflation-after-feds-benevolence-warns-analyst-raising-5-corporate-red-">Brace For Stagflation After Fed&#8217;s Benevolence, Warns Analyst, Raising 5 Corporate Red Flags: &#8216;Inflation Is Transitory Mistake All Over Again&#8217;</a>," by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/shanthi-rexaline">Shanthi Rexaline</a>, discusses Gordon Johnson&#8216;s warning that the Federal Reserve&#8216;s recent rate cuts could lead to stagflation, citing downturns at Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SKX#NYSE">SKX</a>) and FedEx Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) as red flags.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
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Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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As the possibility of a Kamala Harris presidency looms, high-income earners across the country are increasingly concerned about how potential changes to tax policy might affect their finances.
While wealthy people nationwide could feel the impact, experts suggest that residents of certain states may <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/09/40869582/kevin-oleary-warns-of-economic-impact-from-kamala-harris-tax-plans">bear the brunt of the changes</a>.
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Cliff Ambrose, founder and wealth manager at Apex Wealth, said that states already saddled with high taxes, such as California and New York, could see the most significant financial hits.
Similarly, Anthony DeLuca, a financial planner at Annuity.org, warns that high-tax and tax-friendly states could face shifts, particularly if federal tax increases are implemented.
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"<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/08/40424431/harris-warns-trump-tax-plan-will-devastate-americans-vows-to-go-after-bad-actors-behind-food-pri">If Kamala Harris wins</a>, states like California and New York are likely to see upper-class paychecks take a hit," Ambrose told GOBankingRates. "Both states already have high state income taxes and Harris's proposed tax increases on higher earners could further reduce take-home pay for the wealthy."
DeLuca agrees, emphasizing that any state with a state income tax will become more burdensome to upper-class members.
Trending: A billion-dollar investment strategy with minimums as low as $10 —<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/fundrise-flagship-fund"> you can become part of the next big real estate boom today.</a>
He pointed to New York in particular, where people might face "a 43.9% federal-state capital gains tax" if Harris wins. DeLuca also noted that New York and California are home to the most S&amp;P 500 headquarters, suggesting that the concentrations of major corporations in high-tax states could have wider economic consequences.
States without income taxes may not escape the impact of potential changes.
"In states like Florida, which doesn't have a state income tax, the impact could come from federal tax increases rather than state-level changes," Ambrose said.
That suggests even upper-class residents in tax-friendly states could see changes in their paychecks due to possible shifts in federal tax policy.
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DeLuca also highlighted New Jersey and Massachusetts as states where upper-class incomes could be significantly impacted. He noted that these states, along with New York and California, "will rise above the 40% mark" in combined federal and state tax rates for high-income earners.
While much attention is on income and capital gains taxes, DeLuca highlighted another critical factor: energy policy. States heavily reliant on fossil fuel industries could experience economic shifts under a Harris administration.
"Wyoming produces 41% of U.S. coal production," he said. "Any employer or family business grounded in this industry would be at serious risk from [Harris's] economic and energy administration ideas."
Trending: Will the surge continue or decline on real estate prices?<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/realbricks"> People are finding out about risk-free real estate investing that lets you cash out whenever you want.</a>
DeLuca also mentioned New Mexico, which accounted for 13% of U.S. crude oil production in 2022, could face challenges if funding shifts toward alternative energy sources.
Understanding the potential changes under a Harris administration involves recognizing they are part of a larger policy agenda. Harris's proposed tax increases on high earners aim to fund programs like health care and infrastructure, potentially impacting the broader economy.
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DeLuca emphasized that many states poised for the most substantial effects on upper-class paychecks are also key national gross domestic product players. This highlights the complex relationship between tax policy, economic growth and income distribution.
It's important to remember that campaign proposals are just that – proposals. They don't always become law as envisioned, as any legislative changes must navigate the complexities of Congress.
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Wealthy Residents In These States Could Feel The Tax Pinch If Harris Wins – Is Yours On The List?

New York's chief equity officer at the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), Damian Fagon, resigned from his post, effective Nov. 27, despite being cleared of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/01/36810304/lawsuit-alleges-bias-in-new-york-cannabis-equity-program-lawyer-slams-absurd-and-offensive-claim">retaliation allegations.</a>
<a href="https://greenmarketreport.com/new-york-cannabis-chief-equity-officer-resigns-following-exoneration-from-retaliation-allegations/?utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter-BreakingNews-20240920">According</a> to GreenMarketReport, This decision follows months of controversy, beginning with his administrative leave in March after cannabis processor Jenny Argie accused Fagon of retaliating against her company.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/07/39987805/new-yorkers-in-a-bind-as-top-shelf-cannabis-supply-falls-short-could-home-cultivation-help">New Yorkers In A Bind As Top-Shelf Cannabis Supply Falls Short, Could Home Cultivation Help?</a>
Argie withdrew the lawsuit in July, which claimed that Fagon instigated a product recall after she criticized the OCM.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Exoneration And Transition</h3>
An investigation by the state's inspector general found no merit to the accusations. In an email statement on Friday, OCM acting executive director Felicia Reid confirmed that the inspector general's office had exonerated Fagon. Despite his clearance, Fagon opted to move on from the department.
&#8220;Mr. Fagon will be on leave and will focus solely on transitioning his equity portfolio to OCM leadership. This announcement comes after the conclusion of the NYS Inspector General investigation, which resulted in a determination that the allegations were unsubstantiated,&#8221; Reid said. 
&#8220;I know that Mr. Fagon has done tremendous work leading OCM's equity efforts, setting up OCM to take the most innovative and equity-driven approach to the development of New York's cannabis industry. I am thankful to him for his time and talent. I wish him well and great success in his future endeavors,&#8221; Reid added.
Fagon significantly spearheaded New York&#8217;s cannabis equity program, working to ensure that marginalized communities, disproportionately impacted by previous marijuana laws, were included in the industry's growth.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">OCM Leadership In Flux</h3>
The OCM itself is undergoing significant leadership changes. Fagon's resignation comes on the heels of former executive director Chris Alexander's departure in May, with Reid serving as interim executive director following an appointment by Governor Kathy Hochul.
OCM is actively searching for a permanent replacement for Alexander, but how the equity program will move forward without Fagon at the helm remains uncertain.
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Cover image made with AI.

Cannabis

New York's Beleaguered Cannabis Equity Officer Resigns After Being Cleared Of Retaliation Claims

In an unprecedented move for collegiate sports sponsorships, the California-based cannabis brand Cookies has secured a three-year partnership with the University of Southern California (USC), marking the first time a cannabis company has officially sponsored an NCAA team. The deal positions Cookies' branding on USC merchandise and throughout the iconic Coliseum during games as a bold move for the university and the <a href="http://benzinga.com/cannabis">cannabis industry</a> at large.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cookies' CBD Products Pioneering NCAA Entry</h3>
As <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/usc-cookies-pot-deal-19763233.php">reported</a> by Lester Black in SFGATE, Cookies&#8217; entry into NCAA sponsorship was spearheaded by its founder and CEO, Gilbert &#8220;Berner&#8221; Milam Jr., who noted that the deal is an improbable milestone achieved amidst stringent advertising restrictions faced by cannabis companies across major platforms. The NCAA, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/22/02/25848060/ncaa-announces-more-lenient-policies-for-cannabis-use-among-college-athletes">traditionally conservative in its advertising partners</a>, still lists marijuana as a prohibited partner in official guidelines. However, the deal is framed around Cookies' CBD and wellness products, sharing the same widely recognized Cookies brand logo known in the marijuana sector.
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The partnership navigates through unclear promotional guidelines within the NCAA, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/06/39507374/ncaa-removes-cannabis-from-banned-substances-list-cancels-penalties">suggesting a possible shift in the association&#8217;s stance</a> on cannabis-related advertising, though official confirmations remain absent. The ambiguity extends to whether this paves the way for other cannabis firms to enter the lucrative college sports marketing arena.&nbsp;
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/08/40558915/will-cannabis-be-a-game-changer-for-athletes-nfls-1m-study-suggests-it-could">Will Cannabis Be A Game-Changer For Athletes? NFL&#8217;s $1M Study Suggests It Could</a>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cannabis Sponsorship Potential To Expand College Sports Funding</h3>
Experts like Jim Andrews, a sports marketing authority at Northwestern University consulted by SFGATE, said this could open significant new revenue streams for collegiate sports, pressured to diversify their funding sources.
Cookies&#8217; strategy includes engaging fans with tailgating events and digital advertisements at USC home games, a move that introduces the cannabis brand to a new, diverse audience. The partnership emphasizes CBD products only, without promoting THC-containing products, yet the shared branding between Cookies&#8217; cannabis and wellness lines blurs these distinctions for the public.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Alcohol Vs. Cannabis Sponsorship Debate</h3>
Nevertheless, this visibility is not without controversy, as critics raise concerns about promoting cannabis on campuses where many students are underage. Cookies president Parker Berling addressed concerns, noting the existing precedent of alcohol sponsorships in college sports. "I don't know why alcohol companies can sponsor major universities, but cannabis companies cannot," Berling told SFGATE.
This partnership between Cookies and the USC could signal a transformative era for sponsorship strategies in college sports, driven by the evolving legal and societal perspectives on cannabis. 
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Sports

California Brand Cookies Lands First-Ever NCAA Cannabis Sponsorship With University Of So-Cal Deal

Chechen leader&nbsp;Ramzan Kadyrov alleged on Friday that Tesla CEO Elon Musk remotely turned off his Cybertruck with a mounted machine gun after it was sent to the Northern Military District as part of the Russia-Ukraine war.
What Happened: &#8220;Elon Musk did something ugly. He gives expensive gifts from the heart, and then turns them off remotely,&#8221; Kadyrov wrote in a post on messaging app Telegram in Russian. 
The Head of the Chechen Republic added that the truck was sent to the Northern Military District where it &#8220;coped well&#8221; in combat missions and had to be towed after it was turned off. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="522" height="1024" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21032019/1b55bfaa-eb5a-49f0-8749-28f514728e6d-522x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-559570" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21032019/1b55bfaa-eb5a-49f0-8749-28f514728e6d-522x1024.jpeg 522w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21032019/1b55bfaa-eb5a-49f0-8749-28f514728e6d-153x300.jpeg 153w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21032019/1b55bfaa-eb5a-49f0-8749-28f514728e6d.jpeg 551w" sizes="(max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px" /></figure>
In another post, Kadyrov said that he is now sending two more Cybertrucks which were unaffected by the remote shutdown to the warzone. The attached video shows the trucks riding through a forested area with men in military uniforms in the truckbeds and mounted machine guns. 
 "You can&#8217;t think of a better advertisement for Cybertruck,&#8221; Kadyrov wrote in the post. 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="592" height="1024" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21035212/578ee562-8ffc-4022-8e78-27bcdf3c4f6d-592x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-559592" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21035212/578ee562-8ffc-4022-8e78-27bcdf3c4f6d-592x1024.jpeg 592w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21035212/578ee562-8ffc-4022-8e78-27bcdf3c4f6d-173x300.jpeg 173w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/21035212/578ee562-8ffc-4022-8e78-27bcdf3c4f6d.jpeg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 592px) 100vw, 592px" /></figure>
Why It Matters: Kadyrov first shared a video of him driving the Cybertruck with a machine gun mounted on the roof on Telegram last month.
"Based on such excellent characteristics, the Cybertruck will soon be sent to the SVO zone (Russia-Ukraine war zone), where it will be in demand under appropriate conditions. I am sure this &#8220;beast&#8221; will bring a lot of benefits to our soldiers," Kadyrov then wrote on Telegram in Russian, hinting at the use of the Tesla vehicle in the country's war against Ukraine.
Kadyrov thanked Musk for the truck and also welcomed him to Grozny, the capital city of Chechnya. 
Musk, however,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40434114/elon-musk-denies-donating-tesla-cybertruck-to-ramzan-kadyrov-after-russian-general-showed-off-truck"> denied &#8220;donating&#8221; a Cybertruck </a>to Kadyrov and wrote on X, &#8220;Are you seriously so r&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A;&#x2A; that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general? That's amazing.&#8221;
Though Musk has denied "donating" the truck to Kadyrov, the CEO didn't clarify how the leader might have gained access to the truck showcased in the video<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40504595/military-expert-calls-russian-president-allys-tesla-cybertruck-super-cool-but-useless-combat-vehicle"> shared on Telegram</a>. The Cybertruck is currently limited to sales within the U.S.
Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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(Note: The Telegram post mentioned in this story was translated from Russian to English with Google Translate. Benzinga does not vouch for the accuracy of the translation.)
Photo: courtesy of Tesla

Global

Russian President's Ally Ramzan Kadyrov Says Elon Musk Remotely Turned Off His Cybertruck In Russia

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has fired back at Gov. Gavin Newsom&#8217;s (D) threat of legal action over his <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40912021/gavin-newsom-signs-laws-aimed-at-curbing-deepfakes-around-elections-critical-that-we-ensure-ai-is-no">use of memes and deepfakes</a>.
What Happened: Governor Newsom has denied any intention to suppress parodies&nbsp;and made it clear that he&nbsp;was laying down the law&nbsp;with Musk.
His statement came after days of escalating feud between the duo, which started with Newsom signing a stringent law banning political&nbsp;&#8220;deepfakes,&#8221; earlier this week.
Following the governor&#8217;s enactment of three bills aimed at restricting the use of AI in creating fake images for videos and political ads, Musk accused Newsom of trying to outlaw parody.
&#8220;I think Mr. Musk has missed the punchline. Parody is still alive and well in California but deepfakes and manipulation of elections that hurts democracy and the integrity of the system and trust.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40893054/mark-cuban-says-he-would-buy-rupert-murdochs-fox-news-and-elon-musks-x-but-there-are-some-obstacles?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Says He Would Buy Rupert Murdoch&#8217;s Fox News And Elon Musk&#8217;s X But There Are Some Obstacles: &#8216;If I Had Enough… I&#8217;d Buy It In A Heartbeat&#8217;</a>
When probed about whether he intends to seek legal action against Musk, Newsom said, &#8220;The law asserts that many can seek injunction relief. I just signed the law &#8230; and I haven&#8217;t had a chance to review the specific lawsuit around a conservative blogger that seems offended by our laws.&#8221;
Musk responded to Newsom&#8217;s potential legal action on social media with one word: &#8220;Amazing.&#8221; 
When&nbsp;Cathie Wood, CEO of&nbsp;ARK Invest,&nbsp;shared the same video and&nbsp;called it &#8220;Unconstitutional,&#8221; Musk agreed, stating,&nbsp;&#8220;Very much so, but that&nbsp;didn't stop them.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Very much so, but that didn't stop them
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1837312927906283986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters: Musk has faced accusations of manipulating the platform to prioritize his posts and suspending the accounts of journalists who report on him.
In response to Musk&#8217;s actions, several major <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40762349/x-faces-major-advertiser-exodus-amid-string-of-elon-musk-controversies">advertisers have pulled their ads</a> from X.
Meanwhile, the rising misuse of AI to produce deepfakes has become an increasing concern. A previous study by Google&#8217;s DeepMind showed that deepfakes of politicians and celebrities were <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/06/39471997/google-deepmind-study-reveals-that-deepfakes-of-politicians-and-celebrities-more-common-than-ai-assi">more prevalent than AI-driven</a> cyberattacks.
Earlier this year, AI image generation tools from OpenAI and Microsoft were linked to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37516234/alarm-bells-ring-as-ai-generated-from-openai-microsoft-image-tools-fuel-election-misinformation-scan">election misinformation scandals</a>.
In January 2024, deepfake <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/01/36813251/taylor-swift-joe-biden-and-more-embroiled-in-deepfake-attacks-threatening-us-election-integrity-we-a">incidents involving public figures</a> like Taylor Swift and President Joe Biden raised concerns at the White House.
The law signed by Newsom also came after an AI-manipulated campaign video ridiculing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in July gained attention after <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/07/40001800/musk-appears-to-violate-own-social-media-platforms-guidelines-posts-manipulated-video-of-kamala-harr">being shared by Musk</a>.
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image Via Shutterstock

Legal

Elon Musk Reacts After Cathie Wood Labels Gavin Newsom's Threat To Sue Tesla CEO Over Memes 'Unconstitutional': '…But That Didn't Stop Them'

Microsoft Corporation co-founder Bill Gates has shared the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/40738801/lady-gaga-mark-cuban-bernie-sanders-fauci-and-more-join-bill-gates-netflix-special-i-have-a">&#8220;behind the scenes&#8221; of his new</a> Netflix Inc. series, &#8220;What's Next? The Future with Bill Gates.&#8221;
What Happened:&nbsp;The new series which delves into future challenges with Gates interviewing politicians, celebrities, and business leaders was released earlier this week.
In a blog post on Wednesday, Gates highlights three standout discussions with Lady Gaga, Senator Bernie Sanders and Phoebe Gates, his daughter.
About Gaga he said that their conversation centered around misinformation. &#8220;Our conversation was valuable in helping me think through what is (and might not be) possible when it comes to preventing misinformation.&#8221;
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40914747/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-thinks-social-media-platforms-like-tiktok-and-facebook-are-a-total-stupid-w?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Thinks Social Media Platforms Like TikTok And Facebook Are &#8216;A Total Stupid Waste Of Time&#8217;</a>
With Sanders, the conversation focused on income inequality and taxation of the wealthy.
Gates mentioned that several of his friends weren&#8217;t sure about him meeting the senator because &#8220;Sen. Sanders is the first U.S. Senator in history to go on record saying that billionaires shouldn't exist.&#8221;
However, they had a nice discussion, during which the senator asked some tough questions.
Gates also shared that when they were going to their respective cars after parting, a jogger identified them in a way that made it clear they were an &#8220;unexpected duo.&#8221;
The Microsoft co-founder also wrote about his daughter Phoebe, with whom he discussed the impact of misinformation on women's rights activism. &#8220;I'm so proud of how Phoebe uses her voice to advocate for women and girls.&#8221;
Subscribe to the&nbsp;<a href="https://bztechtrends.beehiiv.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Tech Trends newsletter</a>&nbsp;to get all the latest tech developments delivered to your inbox.
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The five-part docuseries tackles various challenges such as&nbsp;AI, climate change, misinformation,&nbsp;disease eradication, and income inequality.
Among the guests are Anthony Fauci, Bono, Greg Brockman, James Cameron, Lady Gaga, Mark Cuban, Phoebe Gates, Senator Sanders, and Senator Mitt Romney.
According to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/09/40866331/bill-gates-new-netflix-series-features-mark-cuban-voted-most-anticipated-guest-benzinga-pol">poll conducted by Benzinga</a>, most users are interested in the episode featuring Cuban.
The billionaire entrepreneur and &#8220;Shark Tank&#8221; star won the poll, securing nearly 50% of the votes, following him in second place was Fauci, likely due to his insights on COVID-19 and vaccines.
Meanwhile, Netflix, in July, Netflix reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39849026/netflix-q2-earnings-highlights-revenue-beat-eps-beat-advertising-revenue-more-meaningful-squid-game">second-quarter revenue</a> of $9.56 billion, representing a 16.8% increase compared to the previous year. This figure surpassed the Street&#8217;s consensus estimate of $9.53 billion, according to data<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/pro/register/?utm_source=BZprocontent071824&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;from Benzinga Pro.</a>
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Consumer Tech coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/consumer-tech" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40911877/jeff-bezos-had-a-habit-of-keeping-an-empty-chair-for-the-most-important-person-in-the-room-at-compan?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeff Bezos Had A Habit Of Keeping An Empty Chair For The Most Important Person In The Room At Company Meetings: This Strategy Helped The Amazon Founder Build The E-Commerce Giant We Know Today</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Wikimedia Commons

Entertainment

'What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates': Microsoft Co-Founder Unveils Behind The Scenes Of His New Netflix Series

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Friday slammed the Biden administration for lack of outcome to investments under its Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program.
What Happened: The program is a $42 billion initiative aimed at making access to high-speed broadband universal by 2030. Georgia was allocated $1.3 billion under the initiative. However, not one household has been connected to broadband under the program in the state of Georgia, Greene said. 
&#8220;Talk about a policy failure, talk about not delivering results to the American people. Spending $42 billion and yet not having one household connected to the internet,&#8221; Greene said at the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing held on Thursday to highlight the Biden-Harris Administration&#8217;s alleged policy failures.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Staggeringly bad waste of money <a href="https://t.co/RerY7SrCmQ">https://t.co/RerY7SrCmQ</a>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1837322544820441207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Weighs In: "In 2021, Vice President Harris agreed to lead the Administration's signature, $42 billion plan for expanding high-speed internet to millions of Americans. It has now been 1,039 days since the $42 billion program was signed into law. After all of that time, not one person has been connected to the Internet with those dollars—not one home, not one business. So what has the Biden-Harris Administration been doing over the last 1,039 days instead of focusing on connecting Americans?,&#8221; <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40851361/republican-fcc-commissioner-alleges-double-standards-after-fcc-chair-jessica-rosenworcel-says-spacex">Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission</a> Brendan Carr said.
Carr further alleged that the program is being used to pursue a &#8220;climate change agenda and DEI requirements&#8221; that will lead to &#8220;wasteful overbuilding.&#8221;
&#8220;All of this will leave rural and other unconnected communities behind,&#8221; Carr added. 
Billionaire CEO Responds: &#8220;Staggeringly bad waste of money,&#8221; SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also said about the $42 billion broadband program. 
It must be noted that Musk&#8217;s SpaceX has a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40892013/spacex-ceo-elon-musk-says-canadian-government-is-funding-starlink-rival-for-satellite-internet-despi">satellite internet segment called Starlink</a> which seeks to provide connectivity around the globe with a network of satellites in low-Earth orbit. 
Check out more of Benzinga&#8217;s Future Of Mobility coverage by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">following this link</a>.
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/09/40968088/teslas-stock-performance-in-2019-and-2024-shows-striking-similarities-says-gary-bla" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tesla's Stock Performance In 2019 And 2024 Shows ‘Striking' Similarities, Says Gary Black: Flags This Reason That May Lead To Price Surge In 2025</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Flickr/ Gage Skidmore

SPACE

Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams Lack Of Results From Biden Administration's $42B Broadband Program In Georgia: Elon Musk Calls It 'Staggeringly Bad Waste Of Money'

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given the green light for the listing and trading of options for BlackRock Inc.&#8217;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) spot Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) exchange-traded fund (ETF).
What Happened: The approved options will be listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol &#8220;IBIT.&#8221; This move allows institutional investors and traders to hedge their exposure to bitcoin more efficiently.
Options trading provides a cost-effective way to amplify exposure to bitcoin, offering an alternative method for managing investments in the world&#8217;s largest cryptocurrency. The approval marks another significant step for cryptocurrency, which has been gaining mainstream acceptance.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40953535/anybody-who-votes-for-a-democrat-or-kamala-worst-you-should-have-your-head-examined-trump-tells-vote?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&#8216;Anybody Who Votes For A Democrat Or Kamala, Worst…You Should Have Your Head Examined:&#8217; Trump Tells Voters</a>
Earlier this year, bitcoin ETFs were launched, bringing the asset class closer to widespread adoption. Options give holders the right to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price by a set date, adding flexibility to investment strategies.
Exchanges began applying for spot bitcoin ETF options as soon as it became evident that the SEC would approve the underlying ETFs in January. The SEC oversees the technical rule changes required for exchanges to list options and confirmed that existing surveillance procedures will apply to IBIT options.
Why It Matters: The approval of Bitcoin ETF options comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market is showing signs of strength. Analysts have <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40963556/experts-predict-bitcoin-surge-to-65-000-as-crypto-market-remains-steady">projected Bitcoin to reach $65,000</a> in the near term, citing increased long positions and bullish options activity. This positive market sentiment is further bolstered by the SEC&#8217;s recent approval, which is likely to attract more institutional investors to the crypto space.
Moreover, the outcome of the 2024 election could have a significant impact on Bitcoin&#8217;s price, according to a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40778409/donald-trump-winning-the-election-could-propel-bitcoin-to-90k-but-a-kamala-harris-win-coul">Bernstein report</a>. A Trump victory could potentially propel Bitcoin to new heights, reaching $80,000 to $90,000 by the end of Q4, while a Harris win could see Bitcoin retreating to the $30,000 to $40,000 range. The approval of Bitcoin ETF options, therefore, adds another layer of intrigue to the potential impact of the election on the cryptocurrency market.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/09/40917216/elon-musk-says-warren-buffett-is-positioning-for-kamala-harris-win-with-his-277b-cash-pile-as-pr?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Says Warren Buffett Is Positioning For Kamala Harris Win With His $277B Cash Pile</a>
This content was partially produced with the help of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a> and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image: Shutterstock

Options

SEC Greenlights Options Trading For BlackRock's Spot Bitcoin ETF, Offering New Hedge For Institutional Investors

The legal counsel for&nbsp;former President Donald Trump&#8217;s new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40934959/anthony-scaramucci-says-donald-trump-is-a-polarizing-person-but-pulling-democrats-along-on">cryptocurrency venture</a>, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a new decentralized finance (DeFi) platform has been accused of trying to seize control of another digital asset company.
What Happened: Alex Golubitsky, the general counsel&nbsp;for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40905315/donald-trumps-new-crypto-project-world-liberty-financial-everything-you-need-to-know">World Liberty Financial</a>, was previously&nbsp;fired from a different cryptocurrency&nbsp;company, Umami, in January 2023.
Following his dismissal, Golubitsky allegedly attempted to take over Umami, according to the company&#8217;s CEO, Alex O&#8217;Donnell, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-lawyer-for-trumps-new-crypto-firm-was-accused-of-trying-to-take-over-another-digital-asset-company/articleshow/113536864.cms">reported</a> Business Insider, citing court documents.
Trump announced his association with World Liberty Financial on Monday, although his official role remains unclear.
He is listed as the &#8220;chief crypto advocate&#8221;&nbsp;in a company white paper. Three of Trump&#8217;s children, including his youngest son Barron Trump, are also linked to the venture.
See Also:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40946963/bitcoin-worth-63-000-pulled-in-33-pack-of-trading-cards-at-gamestop-mind-boggling-story-go?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Worth $63,000 Pulled In $33 Pack Of Trading Cards At GameStop: &#8216;Mind-Boggling&#8217; Story Goes Viral, Highlights Crypto Redemption Card</a>
After his dismissal from Umami, Golubitsky and another former employee reportedly&nbsp;appointed themselves to Umami&#8217;s board&nbsp;and tried to take the company&#8217;s intellectual property.
A Delaware vice chancellor ruled in O&#8217;Donnell&#8217;s favor last year and awarded O&#8217;Donnell over $375,000 in legal fees and costs, the report noted.
Other key employees of World Liberty Financial, including&nbsp;Chase Herro and Zachary Folkman,&nbsp;have also faced scrutiny for their professional pasts.
Their&nbsp;previous crypto venture, Dough Finance,&nbsp;was hacked this summer, resulting in the theft of&nbsp;over $2 million from users.
Why It Matters: Trump&#8217;s foray into the crypto space with World Liberty Financial was officially announced during a live X, formerly Twitter, Spaces event, marking his formal <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40932192/trump-pays-up-for-smash-burgers-and-diet-cokes-with-bitcoin-during-new-york-campaign-halt-">embrace of blockchain technology</a>.
His <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40901067/i-was-blown-away-donald-trump-credits-sons-for-introducing-him-to-crypto-marvels-at-nft-co">interest in cryptocurrencies</a> was largely influenced by the success of his NFT collection and the influence of his children, according to the former President.
The venture has already sparked concerns, with Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson expressing reservations about the platform <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40957734/ethereum-co-founder-says-donald-trumps-defi-platform-is-scary-because-everything-trump-doe">becoming a political issue</a>.
The 2024 election outcome could also <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40778409/donald-trump-winning-the-election-could-propel-bitcoin-to-90k-but-a-kamala-harris-win-coul">significantly impact</a> Bitcoin&#8217;s price, with a Trump victory potentially propelling Bitcoin to new heights, according to a Bernstein report.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/09/40924380/mark-cuban-slams-trumps-crypto-plans-while-jon-stewart-calls-him-the-lefts-favorite-billio?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Cuban Slams Trump&#8217;s Crypto Plans While Jon Stewart Calls Him &#8216;The Left&#8217;s Favorite Billionaire&#8217; – What Investors Need To Know</a></li>
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Neuro</a>&nbsp;and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image created via photos on Shutterstock

Trump's New Crypto Venture's Legal Counsel Accused Of Attempting To Seize Control Of Rival Firm

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