SBA Size Standards Proposal Draws Mixed Reactions: Lenders See Opportunity, Small Contractors Worry
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s proposed rule to expand size standards for small-business eligibility has sparked a sharp divide: lenders are eyeing new opportunities, while many small contractors fear being squeezed out. What the SBA…
Nepal Flood Rescue Intensifies as Search for Survivors Enters Critical Phase
The urgent search for survivors of the devastating floods in Nepal has entered a critical new phase, with rescue teams intensifying efforts across the affected regions. The development comes as families anxiously await news of loved ones, including a…
Rising Murder-Suicides Among Older Americans: A Growing Crisis
On the day after New Year’s 2025, a 91-year-old man in Camarillo, California, fatally shot his 89-year-old wife, then called police to confess before taking his own life. Their joint obituary described them as “inseparable for the 64 years they…
Inside the Free Press Supper Club: When Strangers Share a Meal
Last week, the Free Press hosted its second round of Supper Clubs—an experiment in bringing subscribers together in real life. The idea is simple: gather around a table, share a meal, and get to know people who might otherwise never cross paths. The…
Bank M&A Outlook: What Bankers Expect in 2025 and Beyond
The bank merger landscape is shifting, with expectations of accelerated deal-making as the industry consolidates under a more favorable regulatory regime. Management consultants at Bain anticipate that an enlarged bank assembled through mergers will…
Walmart’s Secret Outdoor Sale: Save Up to 58% on Patio Furniture and More
Summer may be winding down, but that’s exactly why now is one of the smartest times to shop for outdoor furniture and patio accessories. As retailers clear out seasonal inventory to make room for fall stock, prices on everything from lounge chairs to…
‘Good Guy With a Gun!’ Takes Aim at America’s Gun Debate
Los Angeles — A new theatrical concept album, billed as “Book of Mormon for the NRA,” uses satire, a string-dominant orchestra, and a celebrity cast to imagine the end of the Second Amendment. “Good Guy with a Gun!” is the brainchild of singer-songwriter…
Join Us in Reading John Steinbeck’s East of Eden
If the back-to-school season stirs a longing for the days when you could lose yourself in great literature without a hint of guilt, the Free Press Forum Book Club is exactly where you need to be. This club offers a space to revisit timeless works and…