Good morning. A new study suggests a small number of especially brilliant dogs can learn new words by eavesdropping on their owners, without needing to be directly taught. The rarity of this skill may come as a surprise to many dog owners, who are pretty sure they didn’t teach their dogs to panic at the word “vet.”
Here's what we're covering today:
Gavin Newsom warns democracy "will die" without wealth redistribution
18-year-old buys Michigan restaurant, runs it completely solo
Scott Bessent says this is the one skill workers need in 2026
Gavin Newsom warns democracy 'will die' without a 'distribution of wealth.' How to get rich alongside America’s elites in 2026
If you ever hit a nearly $1 billion jackpot, the headline number might look life-changing. But what you actually keep depends heavily on where you live and how you claim your prize.
For residents of eight U.S. states, lottery winnings come with a major perk: no state tax on the windfall. If you live in California, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming, a big lotto win translates to more take-home cash.
That reality gives regular players in those states a better shot at walking away with more — but it doesn't change one crucial fact: the odds of actually winning remain staggeringly slim. Here’s why you may want to rethink playing the lotto — and divert your cash into something a little more surefire instead.
■ SPONSORED BY FUNDRISE
Venture capital isn't just for the rich anymore
In the investing world, a big avenue for long-term value is the private market. Many of the biggest and most successful tech companies remain privately held for years, growing behind the scenes and building incredible value long before the IPO bell is rung.
Venture capital is where the early bets on future giants are placed. But, for decades, venture capital has been one of the few remaining tables in finance where retail investors can’t get a seat.
Fundrise finally disrupted that dynamic a few years ago by launching a venture capital product with two goals:
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Today, Fundrise manages billions of dollars in private-market assets, and its venture capital product is designed specifically for investors like you who want to get in early on transformative technologies like AI.
Check out their venture portfolio today and start investing in minutes.
■ Trivia
Today is National Save the Eagles Day, a day intended to raise awareness about eagle conservation. The bald eagle, national bird of the United States, is remarkable for both its appearance and size. Do you know how large its wingspan can be?
A 4-5 feet
B 5-6 feet
C Over 6 feet
Scroll for the answer
Michigan teen, 18, buys restaurant and becomes its only employee. He cooks, serves, does all taxes. But 1 major obstacle stood in his way
People love to say that if you want something badly enough, you have to work for it. Dylan Larson did just that.
At 18 years old, Larson bought a small restaurant in Michigan and became its only employee. He takes every order, cooks every meal, cleans every dish and handles the books, including taxes. Larson entered a tough business.
Research from UC Berkeley shows that about 17% of U.S. restaurants close within their first year, and nearly half shut down within five years, often due to tight margins and financial strain.
Most owners rely on a full staff to stay afloat, while Larson lives life on the edge of his blade. And the challenges Larson faces don’t stop when the kitchen closes.
Scott Bessent delivers stark message to US workers amid massive economic shift. Here's the skill he says they need in 2026 (and beyond)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent isn’t mincing words when describing the ongoing labor crisis and where things are heading.
In a Fox Business interview, he admitted that young graduates and white-collar professionals across the country face a difficult job market because of disruption from artificial intelligence.
With an estimated net worth of more than $500 million and a portfolio that includes farmland, disruption from AI isn’t a direct threat to Bessent himself. But when asked what he would do if he were a young graduate facing the current job market, he offered quick advice.
“I don't know what job I would go into, Maria. But I can tell you, I would be trained up in AI … What I would do is become an AI native,” he told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo.
The message lands at a time of profound change. Here’s why you should consider adopting some AI skills, regardless of your age, industry and experience.
■ More Moneywise
Real estate: Trump says the quiet part out loud about housing affordability: if housing prices drop, homeowners lose wealth. What does this mean for you?
News: SNAP’s new able-bodied rules leave some recipients ‘devastated.’ Child-free, non-disabled adults who don’t clock 20 hours/week are at risk. Is that fair?
Debt: ‘Mormon Wives’ star Miranda McWhorter made a $12,849 credit card mistake. Here’s what went wrong and the money lessons you can use
Crime: After being attacked and robbed of $20K, woman finally gets stolen money back after cops kept it in lockup for 3 years
■ Trivia Answer
The bald eagle, national bird of the United States, is remarkable for both its appearance and size. Do you know how large its wingspan can be?
B) Over 6 feet
For bald eagles, females are larger than males and can have a wingspan of 8 feet. Males come in a bit smaller with a wingspan of 6 to 6.5 feet.