• Israel and Hamas appear close to a cease-fire deal to end 15 months of fighting in Gaza.
• The conflict has left Hamas battered, with thousands of its militants killed.
• But for Israel, an end to the conflict doesn't mean an end to its Hamas problem.

Israel and Hamas appear close to a cease-fire deal to end more than 15 months of devastating fighting in Gaza, though it's facing something of a last-minute crisis.

The agreement, which has hit a snag at the eleventh hour as Hamas reneges on certain parts and Israel pushes for last-minute concessions, is expected to eventually go through. The deal aims to facilitate the release of hostages from Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid into areas devastated by fighting, as well as create options for a permanent end to the bloodshed.

But regardless of how the negotiations ultimately work out, many of the issues that fueled this conflict remain, and Israel's Hamas problem appears to be an enduring challenge.

US officials have said that Israel's scorched-earth campaign in Gaza killed thousands of Hamas fighters and eliminated senior commanders, including the longtime leader Yahya Sinwar. But after all of this, the militant group remains alive, leaving Israel with a problem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set out to wipe out Hamas, but that hasn't happened.

That reality makes the next steps especially important.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US has long conveyed to Israel that it can't defeat Hamas through a military campaign alone and needs a post-conflict plan for Gaza, or "something just as abhorrent and dangerous" will take its place.

"Each time Israel completes its military operations and pulls back," he said at an Atlantic Council event this week, "Hamas militants regroup and re-emerge because there's nothing else to fill the void."

The latest war is the fifth Israel and Hamas have fought since 2008, though the scale has been significantly larger than past fights. Hamas, however, remains a headache for the Israeli leadership and military.

"We assess that Hamas has recruited almost as many new militants as it has lost," Blinken warned, adding that this "is a recipe for an enduring insurgency and perpetual war."

The October 7, 2023, attacks, during which Hamas and other militants killed some 1,200 people across Israel and took another 250 people hostage, triggered a retaliatory Israeli bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza that reduced much of the enclave to rubble and left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead.

Israeli officials have said throughout the war that the goal is to crush Hamas and remove the group from power in Gaza. However, analysts were skeptical of this approach, arguing that Israel faced a no-win situation in its high-intensity campaign.

Even with a cease-fire agreement in place now, Hamas — though heavily battered and bruised and devoid of the external support from Hezbollah in Lebanon it had enjoyed — remains a decision-making and militant power in Gaza.

"Hamas is not going to disappear," former Israeli intelligence official Avi Melamed told Business Insider. "All this rhetoric about crushing Hamas and eliminating Hamas — it will never really stick. It was just political rhetoric."

Melamed, the founder of the Inside the Middle East Institute, said that the big question is whether Palestinians will hold Hamas accountable for initiating the war with its October 7 massacre. He said the release of prisoners from Israel as part of the cease-fire deal could increase the popularity of the militant group in Gaza.

Polling data has indicated that the group still maintains notable support within Gaza, where Hamas as an organization has ruled for nearly two decades. Its deeply entrenched position makes it more difficult for Israel to permanently eradicate it. This has been a challenge with terrorist operations across the Middle East.

Bruce Hoffman, a counterterrorism expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told BI that such groups, which have survived for so many years, "are enormously difficult — if not impossible — to completely eliminate."

He said that, for the foreseeable future, Hamas will be incapable of launching another October 7-style attack against Israel but cautioned that the group still has considerable resources at its disposal. What Hamas needs most is leadership, and it may be able to fill that vacuum with prisoners released from Israeli jails.

"The group is undeniably weakened and a shell of its former self, but the capacity to continue to regroup, I mean, this is a given," Hoffman said. "I don't think anybody's surprised by that."

• TikTok CEO Shou Chew is planning to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
• TikTok may go dark in the US the day before Trump's inauguration as dictated by a divest-or-ban law.
• Trump asked the Supreme Court to give TikTok more time as he seeks a political resolution.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew is planning to attend President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Business Insider.

Chew has been invited to sit on the dais alongside other important figures, including tech CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, the source said.

The New York Times first reported on Chew's planned attendance.

TikTok did not respond to a request for comment from BI.

An appearance by Chew is notable, considering that a divest-or-ban law is pushing TikTok to go dark in the US on January 19, a day before Trump's inauguration.

TikTok challenged the law in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in December but lost its case. It appealed to the Supreme Court for an emergency injunction to stop enforcement, and awaits a decision.

The president-elect pushed for a TikTok ban in 2020, when he was last in office, but now says he wants to save the app.

On December 27, Trump filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, asking it to pause the enforcement of TikTok's divestment deadline to give him time to find a political resolution. Trump previously met with Chew at Mar-a-Lago On December 16.

"You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," Trump said at a press conference that day.

• The NFL is one of the biggest businesses in the world.
• Jerry Jones' Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports team in the world, valued at $10.1 billion.
• Kansas City Chiefs co-owner Clark Hunt is hoping for his team's third Super Bowl victory in a row.

The NFL is one of the biggest businesses in the world, accounting for 29 of Forbes' top 50 sporting franchises.

And while star players and coaches are certainly deserving of credit for that fact, it's often the owners who are responsible for the key decisions made by their franchise.

Kansas City Chiefs co-owner and CEO Clark Hunt hired head coach Andy Reid in 2013; the Chiefs have since won three Super Bowls and are after their fourth. Likewise, Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp hired head coach Dan Campbell in 2021; last season, the team made its first NFC Championship appearance since 1991.

But for every good decision, there are some questionable ones. Led by owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, the New York Giants have been criticized for the decision to let go of running back Saquon Barkley, who now leads the league in rushing yards with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Owners are judged not only by their fanbases, but players, too. In February 2024, the NFL Players Association released its second annual club report cards, based on a survey completed by 1,706 active players.

One of the categories players were surveyed about is ownership, which was graded based on how willing players believe an owner is to invest in the team's facilities. Each owner was given a letter grade ranging from an F- (0-49) to an A+ (97-100), which are included below.

Now, as eight teams continue to fight for a shot at the Lombardi trophy, here's everything you need to know about the NFL team owners, from how they became owners, to their NFLPA grade, to how the team's performed during their tenure.

Arizona Cardinals: Michael Bidwill

Michael Bidwill is a third-generation owner of the Arizona Cardinals, having inherited the team after the death of his father, Bill Bidwill, in 2019. Forbes estimated in 2015 that the family had a net worth of $1.4 billion.

The Cardinals were originally purchased by Michael Bidwill's grandfather Charles in 1933 for $50,000 — now, they're worth $4.3 billion, making them tied with the Phoenix Suns for the 50th most valuable sports team in the world, per Forbes.

Under Michael Bidwill's leadership, the team has made just one wild-card playoff appearance, which they lost in 2021, and he was given an F by the NFL Player's Association, though the report said the rating was "significantly higher than last year given some of the upgrades," like getting new equipment in the weight room and providing a daycare and small family room.

Meanwhile, a November 2023 investigation by ESPN detailed a number of workplace misconduct allegations from current and former Cardinals employees. Bidwill told the outlet in a statement the team has "worked hard over the last several years to improve our culture across the board," adding, "We have more to do and, as I have said to every member of the Cardinals organization, that includes my own work to grow and improve as a leader."

The Cardinals did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Atlanta Falcons: Arthur Blank

The Home Depot cofounder Arthur Blank, who Forbes estimates is worth $9.2 billion, purchased the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 for $545 million, famously writing the agreement on a cloth napkin during a December 2001 meeting with seller Taylor Smith. The sale was finalized just a couple months later in February 2002.

Under Blank's leadership, the Falcons have had nine winning seasons, including eight playoff berths and an appearance at Super Bowl LI in 2017. Blank also built Mercedes-Benz Stadium and was named the 2021 Sports Philanthropist of the Year by ESPN. He was given an A- ranking by the NFLPA.

Per Forbes, the Falcons are the 29th most valuable sports team in the world, worth $5.2 billion.

Baltimore Ravens: Steve Bisciotti

At 64, Allegis Group founder Steve Bisciotti, who Forbes estimates has a net worth of $7.5 billion, is one of the youngest owners in the NFL. He bought a minority stake from previous owner Art Modell in 2000 and completed his purchase in April 2004, spending a total of $600 million, ESPN reported at the time.

"We're proud of what we're giving to Baltimore. You have to make the playoffs to have the opportunity to compete for championships, and championships are our goal. We want to be a consistent winner that avoids big lulls and not being in the playoffs for any length of time," Bisciotti has said.

The Ravens have won two Super Bowls under Bisciotti (2000 and 2012) and are one of the most consistent teams in the league, with the fourth-most postseason victories from 2008 to 2023.

Forbes valued the team at $5 billion, making it tied with Bayern Munich for the 34th most valuable team in the world. Bisciotti was given an A ranking by the NFLPA.

And with two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson at the helm, they're poised to make yet another deep run in the playoffs.

Buffalo Bills: Terry Pegula

In October 2014, energy billionaire Terry Pegula, who now has an estimated net worth of $7.6 billion, purchased the Buffalo Bills with his wife, Kim Pegula, for $1.4 billion cash, outbidding the likes of Donald Trump and Jon Bon Jovi.

In December 2024, Terry Pegula and the Bills added 10 limited partners to the team's ownership group, described as "non-controlling, minority interests." Some of these partners include former US National Team soccer player Jozy Altidore and former NBA players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

The diversification of ownership comes after Kim Pegula was declared legally incapacitated in March 2023 following a brain injury sustained during cardiac arrest in June 2022. Kim Pegula is still listed as a coowner by the Bills organization, but her duties as president have been assumed by Terry Pegula, who maintains the titles of co-owner, CEO, and president.

During the Pegulas' tenure, the Bills have become a formidable team, with seven playoff appearances, including the 2020 AFC Championship. The Pegulas also own the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.

In August 2024, Forbes reported that the Bills are worth $4.2 billion— making them the 30th most valuable NFL team and falling just outside the world's top 50 highest-valued franchises. Pegula was given an A- in ownership by the NFLPA.

Terry and Kim Pegula are the parents of WTA No. 6 player Jessica Pegula.

Carolina Panthers: David Tepper

Billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist David Tepper purchased the Carolina Panthers in 2018 for $2.275 billion, ESPN reported. Tepper has an estimated net worth of $21.3 billion, according to Forbes.

"I am thrilled to begin this new era of Carolina Panthers football and am humbled by the overwhelming excitement and support for the team," Tepper said at the time.

But the team has had no winning seasons in the last seven years. Still, it was valued at $4.5 billion, making it the 45th most valuable team in the world, according to Forbes.

Tepper was given a D in ownership by the NFLPA; in the report card, players expressed frustration over the stadium's use of synthetic turf rather than natural grass. Business Insider reached out to the Panthers for comment.

Still, sophomore quarterback Bryce Young showed increasing promise as the season progressed, leading to some much-needed hope for the future in Charlotte.

Chicago Bears: Virginia Halas McCaskey

At 102 years old, Virginia Halas McCaskey is the oldest and longest-tenured team owner in the NFL.

She inherited the team in 1983 after the death of her father, Hall of Famer and Bears founder George Halas Sr. In 2015, Forbes estimated the McCaskey family had a net worth of $1.3 billion.

Under her ownership, Halas McCaskey has seen the Bears appear in four NFC Championships, going to Super Bowl XLI in 2007 and winning Super Bowl XX in 1986. However, the team has struggled in recent years, finishing the 2024 season 5-12.

Still, the Chicago Bears are the 15th most valuable sports team in the world, worth $6.4 billion, according to Forbes; and, Halas McCaskey earned a B+ in ownership from the NFLPA.

Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Brown

Mike Brown inherited the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991 after the death of his father, Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown.

Paul Brown founded the Bengals in 1967 after cofounding and coaching the Cleveland Browns (who yes, bear his name) for more than a decade.

In 2011, the Brown family purchased the remaining 30 percent of the team they didn't own for $200 million cash to become the sole owners of the Bengals, the NFL reported, citing Forbes. Mike Brown and his family have an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion, according to Forbes.

Mike Brown serves as the Bengals' principal owner and is president of the team. After decades of struggle, the Bengals have found success in recent years thanks in part to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who led the team to Super Bowl LVI in 2021, losing 23-20 to the LA Rams.

Mike Brown was given a C+ ownership rating by the NFLPA.

Cleveland Browns: Jimmy and Dee Haslam

Former CEO of the Pilot Company Jimmy Haslam and his wife, Dee Haslam, purchased a 70 percent stake in the Cleveland Browns in 2012 from Randy Lerner for $1 billion. Jimmy Haslam has an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion, according to Forbes.

Since the Haslams took over, the Browns have had just two winning seasons, in 2020 and 2023.

They were given a B ownership rating by the NFLPA and, per Forbes, the team is worth $5.15 billion, making it the 30th most valuable franchise in the world.

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones is the man behind the most valuable sports franchise in the world — the Dallas Cowboys — worth $10.1 billion, per Forbes.

That's more than 72 times what Jones paid for the team in 1989. (He paid H.R. Bright $140 million.) He now has an estimated net worth of $17.2 billion, per Forbes.

In the decades that followed, the Cowboys have won three Super Bowls (1992, 1993, and 1995) but they haven't made it beyond the divisional round of playoffs since.

Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 — the 15th owner to receive such an award — and was given a B in ownership by the NFLPA in 2024.

Denver Broncos: Greg Penner

In August 2022, the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group purchased the Denver Broncos from the Pat Bowlen Trust for $4.65 billion, the NFL reported.

The controlling ownership designation was transferred from Rob Walton — heir to the Walmart fortune — to his son-in-law, Broncos CEO Greg Penner (who's married to Carrie Walton Penner), in October 2023. Rob Walton and his family have an estimated net worth of $109.8 billion, per Forbes.

Penner oversaw the hiring of Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who, alongside rookie quarterback Bo Nix, took the team to its first playoff game since its Super-Bowl-winning 2016 season.

The Broncos are tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 22nd most valuable sports team in the world, with a worth of $5.5 billion, according to Forbes.

The Walton-Penner family was given an A ownership ranking by the NFLPA.

Detroit Lions: Sheila Ford Hamp

Sheila Ford Hamp became the principal owner and chair of the Detroit Lions in June 2020, after inheriting the team from her mother, Martha Firestone Ford.

Firestone Ford had previously taken over the team in 2014 after the death of her husband, Bill Ford Sr., who'd purchased the Lions in 1963 for $6 million. In 2015, Forbes estimated the Ford family had a net worth of $2 billion.

Under Sheila Ford Hamp's leadership, the Lions have entered an unprecedented era of success thanks in large part to her hires, GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

Last season, the team made its first NFC Championship appearance since 1991, and now, as the NFC's No. 1 seed, the team will be looking to improve upon last year's success as they strive for the city's first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Sheila Ford Hamp was given a B- in ownership in February 2024 by the NFLPA.

Green Bay Packers: Publicly owned

The Green Bay Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL.

Fans have owned the franchise for more than a century and there have only been six stock offerings, the most recent being in 2021 with stocks worth $300. Per the Packers, the franchise is owned by more than 539,000 people who own more than 5.2 million shares.

The Packers are the 20th most valuable sports team in the world, worth $5.6 billion, according to Forbes, and they were given an A in ownership by the NFLPA.

And if you're wondering how the team is actually run: It's governed by an unpaid board of directors and a seven-member executive committee.

Houston Texans: Cal McNair

In 1999, the Houston Texans were founded by Janice and Bob McNair. When Bob McNair died in 2018, ownership was transferred to Janice. Then, in March 2024, it was transferred to their son, Cal McNair, via a vote. Per Forbes, Janice McNair and the family have an estimated net worth of $6.2 billion.

Cal McNair had already been serving as the team's chair and CEO since July 2018 and January 2019, respectively.

"It's an exciting time to be a Houston Texan and I'm honored to lead this franchise. This move ensures the long-term stability of our franchise and we will continue to operate the way we have been over the last couple of years, pursuing a championship for the City of Houston while doing great things in the community and for our fans," Cal McNair said in a statement.

The Texans finished the 2024 regular season 10-7 and defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the wild-card round of the playoffs. They will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional playoff round on January 18.

Forbes reported that the Texans are the eighth most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth $6.1 billion. Janice McNair was given a B+ ownership rating by the NFLPA in February 2024.

Indianapolis Colts: Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay has been the principal owner of the Indianapolis Colts since 1997, when he inherited the team from his father, Robert Irsay, at just 37 years old. Yet, Jim Irsay's time with the Colts began long before that, as he worked in everything from ticket sales and public relations to football operations before becoming the team's GM in 1983 at 24 years old. He now serves as the team's owner, chairman, and CEO, and has an estimated net worth of $4.8 billion.

Robert Irsay originally purchased the team — then known as the Baltimore Colts — in 1972 for $12 million. He moved the team to Indianapolis in 1984.

Under Jim Irsay's leadership, the Colts have won 10 divisional championships, made two Super Bowl appearances, one of which they won in 2007.

The Colts are the 40th most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth $4.8 billion, and Irsay was given a C in ownership by the NFLPA.

In 2014, he was arrested on a DUI charge and later pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which led to a six-game suspension and $500,000 fine from the NFL. In a 2023 interview on "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," Irsay said he was "prejudiced against" because he's a "rich, white billionaire."

Jacksonville Jaguars: Shahid "Shad" Khan

Shahid "Shad" Khan, who now has an estimated net worth of $13.3 billion, purchased the Jacksonville Jaguars from Wayne Weaver in November 2011 for $770 million. The sale was finalized in January 2012.

The Jaguars have struggled throughout Khan's leadership, having made the playoffs just twice. Still, he was given an A in ownership by the NFLPA and the team is worth $4.6 billion, making it tied with the Philadelphia 76ers as the 43rd most valuable franchise in sports, according to Forbes.

Kansas City Chiefs: The Hunt family

The Kansas City Chiefs have been owned by the Hunt family since the beginning. Lamar Hunt Sr. founded the team in 1959 as the Dallas Texans, and the team was moved to Kansas City in 1963. After Lamar Hunt Sr.'s death in 2006, ownership was divided between his wife, Norma, and their four children: Clark Hunt, Sharron Hunt Munson, Daniel Hunt, and Lamar Hunt Jr. The family has an estimated net worth of $24.8 billion, per Forbes.

Clark Hunt (pictured above) became the team's CEO in 2010 and has since been responsible for team decisions. He was responsible for hiring head coach Andy Reid in 2013, now the winningest head coach in franchise history with three Super Bowl victories alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Forbes ranked the Chiefs, worth $4.85 billion, as the 39th most valuable franchise in sports.

And yet, all of the team's success didn't stop the Hunt family from receiving an F- ownership grade from the NFLPA in February 2024.

The Chiefs did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Las Vegas Raiders: Mark Davis

Mark Davis, who has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion, per Forbes, inherited the Las Vegas Raiders (then the Oakland Raiders) in 2011 after the death of his father, Al Davis.

Al Davis originally purchased a 10% stake in the team in 1966 for $18,500 and increased his ownership to 67% before his death.

In October 2024, Mark Davis expanded the team's ownership, selling 5% to former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, 5% to Knighthead Capital Management cofounder Tom Wagner, and 0.5% to former NFL defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

The following month, Davis agreed to sell an additional 15% of the franchise, with equal stakes going to Silver Lake co-CEO and Endeavor board chairman Egon Durban and Discovery Land Company founder and chairman Michael Meldman.

Despite the changes, Davis remains the team's principal owner and was given a B+ rating by the NFLPA. The Raiders are reportedly worth $6.7 billion, making them the 11th most valuable sports team in the world.

Los Angeles Chargers: Dean Spanos

In 2018, Dean Spanos became the principal owner of the Los Angeles Chargers (previously the San Diego Chargers) after the death of his father, Alex Spanos.

The elder Spanos had owned the team since 1984, after purchasing a 60% stake for $70 million, ESPN reported. He went on to buy out minority owners' shares to own 97% of the team, which was passed on to his four children. As of 2018, the Spanos family has an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion, according to Forbes.

Dean Spanos took over daily operations as team president in 1994, and has passed along day-to-day duties to his sons, AG and John Spanos, who now work as president of business operations and president of football operations, respectively.

In October 2024, billionaire Tom Gores purchased a 27% stake in the team for $750 million.

In the last 10 seasons, the Chargers have made three playoff appearances. The team is tied with Manchester City as the 31st most valuable sports franchise in the world, worth $5.1 billion.

Spanos was given a C+ for ownership by the NFLPA.

Los Angeles Rams: Stan Kroenke

In August 2010, Stan Kroenke paid $750 million to become the principal owner of the St. Louis Rams. He had previously been a minority owner of the team, purchasing a 30% stake in 1995 and increasing it to 40% stake by 1997.

In 2016, fellow NFL owners approved Kroenke's proposal to move the Rams back to Los Angeles, and in 2021, he opened SoFi Stadium which is home to both the Rams and Chargers.

The LA Rams are now worth $7.6 billion, according to Forbes, making them the third most valuable team in sports, behind the Dallas Cowboys and the Golden State Warriors, while Kroenke himself has an estimated net worth of $16.9 billion, according to the publication.

"Stan has the vision, resources, inspiration and creativity to create the right setting for the NFL in Los Angeles," Jerry Jones has said, calling him "a valuable asset to the National Football League."

Since 2010, the Rams have made five playoff appearances, all under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams won the Super Bowl in 2022 at home at SoFi, becoming just the second team to win the Super Bowl at home.

Kroenke was given a C+ ownership rating by the NFLPA.

He also owns Premier League team Arsenal FC.

Miami Dolphins: Stephen M. Ross

In January 2009, billionaire Stephen M. Ross completed his purchase of the Miami Dolphins for a total of $1 billion (Ross has an estimated net worth of $17 billion, per Forbes). Ross had initially purchased a 50% stake in the franchise in February 2008 for $550 million, and the following January, he purchased an additional 45 percent of the team, leaving 5% to previous owner Wayne Huizenga, ESPN reported.

After his 2009 purchase, Ross said, "That is the most important thing, and the thing that drives me — creating and being part of a winning organization. There is nothing more important than that."

Today, Ross is the chairman of the board, managing general partner, and owner of the team, which is worth $6.2 billion, according to Forbes, making it the 17th most valuable franchise in sports.

The Dolphins were the highest-ranked team in the league by the NFLPA, earning scores of A- and above in all categories, including treatment of families, the locker room, weight room, training staff, head coach, and ownership. Ross himself earned an A+ ranking, one of only two coaches to receive such high praise.

Minnesota Vikings: Zygi Wilf

In June 2005, Red McCombs sold the Minnesota Vikings to brothers Zygi and Mark Wilf, their cousin Lenny Wilf, and their co-investors for $600 million. Zygi Wilf is widely reported to have an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion.

Today, Zygi Wilf is the chairman and control owner of the team, and the trio's individual stakes have never been shared, Sport Business Journal reported.

The Vikings ranked as the second-best team in the NFL, according to the NFLPA's 2024 report cards, earning A+ marks in ownership and head coach, as well as A marks in categories like the weight room, locker room, and treatment of families.

Under the Wilfs' ownership, the team opened US Bank Stadium in 2016 — the largest construction project in Minnesota state history — and made eight playoff appearances, though they haven't made it to the Super Bowl since 1976.

The Vikings are the 33rd most valuable team in sports, worth $5.05 billion, per Forbes.

New England Patriots: Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft is one of the best-known owners in the league. He purchased the New England Patriots in 1994 for $172 million and now has an estimated net worth of $11.8 billion, per Forbes.

Through the purchase, Kraft became the team's chairman and CEO and he pledged "to help bring a championship to New England."

More than 30 years later, the Patriots have become one of the most successful teams in NFL history with six Super Bowl victories from 10 appearances.

Per Forbes, the Patriots are worth $7.4 billion — more than 43 times what Kraft bought the team for — but he received a D+ ownership ranking from the NFLPA. Dissatisfaction with the weight room and training room were two examples of areas players felt Kraft could invest more in, per the report card. The Patriots did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

New Orleans Saints: Gayle Benson

In 2018, Gayle Benson inherited the New Orleans Saints from her husband, Tom Benson, after his death. She has an estimated net worth of $6.6 billion, Forbes reported.

Tom Benson had previously purchased the team in 1985 for about $70 million.

In 2021, Gayle Benson told The Times-Picayune that after her death, the succession plan is to sell the Saints and the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans (which she also owns) to a buyer that promises to keep the teams in New Orleans and donate all the proceeds to charities.

"When Tom bought this team, he didn't have a lot of money. Everything that he had, had to be given to keep the team. He worked really hard to get the Pelicans here. He sacrificed a lot. I want to make sure that we keep the teams here. I want them to stay in New Orleans forever," Benson said.

Benson was given a B+ ranking in ownership by the NFLPA and the Saints are tied with Paris Saint-Germain and the Toronto Raptors as the 47th most valuable sports franchises, worth $4.4 billion each.

New York Giants: John Mara, Steven Tisch

The New York Giants were founded in 1925 by Tim Mara and have been part of the Mara family ever since.

Team ownership was passed to Tim's sons, Jack and Wellington Mara, in 1959 and now the team is run by principal owner, CEO, and president John Mara, who took over in 2005 after his father, Wellington's, death. John Mara had already been with the organization since 1991.

However, while John Mara is listed as the team's principal owner, he's actually shared ownership with Steve Tisch since 2005.

Steve Tisch's father, Preston Robert Tisch, purchased a 50% stake in the Giants in 1991, and after his death, Steve became chairman and executive vice president.

Together, Mara and Tisch helped plan and build MetLife Stadium and the team has won two Super Bowls (2008 and 2012) under their leadership. However, the team has struggled in recent years, winning just three games this season.

Still, the Giants are the seventh most valuable team in sports, worth $7.3 billion, per Forbes, and Mara and Tisch were given a B+ ownership ranking by the NFLPA. Tisch has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, Forbes reported, while Mara reportedly has a net worth of $500 million.

New York Jets: Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson

Woody Johnson — of Johnson & Johnson lineage — purchased the New York Jets in 2000 for $635 million. Forbes estimated in 2024 that the Johnson family had a net worth of $16 billion.

The Jets have struggled under his leadership, having failed to make the playoffs for the past 14 seasons. Johnson was also recently accused of letting his teenage sons, Brick and Jack, make decisions for the organization, as reported by The Athletic and ESPN's Rich Cimini in December 2024. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers also joked during a December 2024 interview with "The Pat McAfee Show" that "being released by a teenager" would be a first if he were to be let go from the Jets at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Johnson denied those claims in a January 2025 interview with the New York Post, telling the outlet they were "unsubstantiated" and that his son Brick "has no role in the organization." Johnson added, "When you're losing games, it gives people the artistic license to kind of do what they want."

When reached by Business Insider for a comment, a representative for the Jets shared the earlier comments made to the New York Post.

The Jets finished the season 5-12 and will be looking to hire a new head coach and GM after the firings of Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas. Still, the team is considered the ninth most valuable franchise in sports, worth $6.9 billion, and Johnson was given a B- ownership ranking by the NFLPA in February 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles: Jeffrey Lurie

Businessman Jeffrey Lurie purchased the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994 for $185 million. He now serves as the team's chairman and CEO; and he and his family have an estimated net worth of $5.3 billion, according to Forbes.

Under his leadership, the Eagles have made the playoffs 19 times and won one of their three Super Bowl appearances.

Lurie was given an A ranking by the NFLPA, and the team is now worth $6.6 billion, per Forbes, making it the 12th most valuable franchise in sports, alongside Real Madrid.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Arthur Rooney II, Daniel Rooney Trust

Similar to the Mara family and the Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been part of the Rooney family since 1933, when the team was founded by Art Rooney. He remained the team's chairman until his death in 1988.

After his death, his son Dan Rooney took over ownership until his death in 2017.

Now, Dan's son, Art Rooney II, is responsible for most of the franchise's stake. However, he's been an active member of the organization since 1989, when he was first on the team's board of directors. He was named president of the Steelers in 2003.

Since 2017, the Steelers have made five playoff appearances, though they've failed to get past the divisional round. Despite recent difficulties, the Steelers remain one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, with six Super Bowl wins from eight appearances.

The Steelers are the 28th most valuable team in sports, per Forbes, worth $5.3 billion. In 2015, Forbes reported that the Rooney family had an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.

However, Art Rooney II was given one of the lowest ownership rankings — an F — by the NFLPA at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Some of players' complaints about the Steelers organization included in the report card are outdated lockers in the locker room, lack of access to individualized care, and average quality weight room equipment.

The Steelers did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

San Francisco 49ers: The York family

In 1977, Edward DeBartolo Sr. paid $13 million for the San Francisco 49ers to give to his son, Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Edward DeBartolo Jr. ran the 49ers organization throughout the '80s and '90s, leading to five Super Bowl wins and securing his position in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But in 1998, DeBartolo pleaded guilty "to not reporting a bribe from a Louisiana government official," Forbes reported, so his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, took over ownership in 2001. DeBartolo Jr. was pardoned by Donald Trump in February 2020.

DeBartolo York and her husband, John York, have been cochairs of the team since then, while their son, Jed York, has been CEO since 2010.

In March 2024, ESPN reported that Jed York was moving to become the team's principal owner. "I think it's just a move from a family standpoint to just keep this team in our family for generations to come," he said, per ESPN.

Though the team hasn't won a Super Bowl since 1994, it has remained competitive. In the last six seasons, the 49ers have made four NFC Championship and two Super Bowl appearances.

The 49ers are the 10th most valuable franchise in sports, worth $6.8 billion, and the DeBartolo-York family received an A in ownership from the NFLPA. They have an estimated net worth of $6.7 billion, according to Forbes.

Seattle Seahawks: Paul G. Allen Trust, Jody Allen

The Seattle Seahawks are owned by the Paul G. Allen Estate.

Paul G. Allen was the cofounder of Microsoft alongside Bill Gates. He purchased the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million.

Since his death in 2018, his estate has been controlled by his sister, Jody Allen. He had an estimated net worth of $20.3 billion. In July 2024, Sports Illustrated reported she is the team's principal owner and that there's a "mandate that she eventually sells the team and donates the proceeds to charitable causes" Paul Allen supported.

Other members of the Seahawks' senior leadership include president Chuck Arnold and GM John Schneider.

The Seahawks have been steady since 2018, with four playoff appearances, though they have not progressed beyond the divisional round since 2014.

The team is valued at $5.45 billion by Forbes, making it tied with the LA Dodgers for 24th most valuable sports franchise. Jody Allen was given a C+ in ownership.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Glazer Family

Ownership of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is split between the six siblings of the Glazer family: Avram Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Edward Glazer, Joel Glazer, and Kevin Glazer.

The team was purchased by their father, Malcolm Glazer, in 1995 for $192 million, and they inherited it after his death in 2014. As of 2024, the Glazer family has an estimated net worth of $10 billion.

On the Buccaneers' team site Bryan, Edward, Joel Glazer are listed as the team's cochairmen, but Joel (pictured above) is the only sibling specifically named in the NFLPA's team report card, which gave ownership a D-. One primary concern in the report is the locker room's lack of cleanliness. The Buccaneers did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

The Buccaneers have won two Super Bowls (2003 and 2021) under the Glazer family and are worth $5.4 billion, according to Forbes, making the team the 26th highest valued franchise in the world. The family also owns Premier League team Manchester United.

Tennessee Titans: Amy Adams Strunk

Amy Adams Strunk, who has an estimated net worth of $2 billion, is the controlling owner and cochair of the Tennessee Titans, having inherited the team in March 2015 after the death of her father, KS "Bud" Adams, in 2013. (Adams founded the team as the Houston Oilers in 1960.)

Since 2015, the Titans have had six winning seasons, including four playoff berths. The team struggled during the 2024 season, though, producing only three wins.

As an owner, Adams Strunk has worked to increase the team's staff by more than 150 percent and has been a key figure in getting approval for a new stadium, the Titans reported. She was awarded a B+ in ownership by the NFLPA and the team is tied with the Houston Rockets for 37th most valuable franchise, worth $4.9 billion, per Forbes.

Washington Commanders: Josh Harris

In 2023, investor Josh Harris purchased the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder for a record $6.05 billion. He made the purchase through the Harris Ownership Group, which includes limited partners like former NBA star Magic Johnson, investor David Blitzer, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

"I feel an awesome responsibility to the city of Washington," Harris said after the sale, per ESPN. "I know what I've got to do. It comes down to winning. It's on me and on our ownership group to deliver. That's what we're going to do."

Harris has an estimated net worth of $10.8 billion, per Forbes.

On Sunday, January 12, the Commanders won their first playoff game since 2006 under the leadership of head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Harris was given a B in ownership by the NFLPA after his first season with the team. The Commanders are the 16th most valuable franchise in sports, worth $6.3 billion, according to Forbes.

• The American Cancer Society says women under 65 are getting cancer at higher rates.
• Most cases are breast cancer, but female lung cancer diagnoses are also soaring.
• Racial disparities are a factor too: more Black women are dying of breast cancer.

Working-age women in the US are now more likely to get cancer than men of the same age.

A new report out Thursday from the American Cancer Society shows how the rate of women under the age of 65 developing more cancers has been increasing over time.

It finally crossed a threshold in this new report, which tracks cancer incidence nationwide from 1991 to 2022.

Cancer rates in women under 50 are especially stunning: they're now 82% higher than for men the same age, signaling a dramatic, steady climb over the past two decades.

The biggest cancer risk for working-age women is still breast cancer, but researchers were alarmed to see female lung cancer cases are also ticking up.

"For the first time, if you're a woman under the age of 65, you have a greater chance of developing lung cancer than a man," ACS chief scientific officer Dr. William Dahut said in a briefing with reporters.

"This is, I think, really a transformational change."

The trend, building for years, reached a tipping point in 2021.

Dahut says it's due in part to how smoking gained popularity unevenly in the 1960s, with women smoking "heavily later on, more likely in the mid- to late-60s, while men peaked earlier."

Still, around 20% of lung cancer diagnoses in women are not linked to smoking, and likely have more to do with environmental factors like radon exposure, air pollution, asbestos or heavy drinking.

Racial gap

The report emphasized that while there was major progress in cancer treatment over the 30-year study period, with roughly 4.5 million cancer deaths avoided nationwide from 1991 to 2022, there are still striking racial disparities in cancer detection, treatment, and survivability.

Though white women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, Black women are more likely to die from it, suggesting that both cancer screening and cancer treatment for people of color is subpar.

Native Americans shoulder an uneven burden of kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers. Death rates for Black people with prostate, stomach, and uterine cancer are all twice as high as white Americans.

Cancer cases rising in young people

There is some good news in the report: overall cancer deaths across the US tumbled 34% in the 30-year period from 1991 to 2022.

Increasingly, young adults are shouldering the burden of cancer risk though. We're seeing more colorectal cancer in people under 65, more cervical cancer in women 30 to 44, and more adolescent cancer among teens 15 to 19.

"Continued reductions in cancer mortality because of drops in smoking, better treatment, and earlier detection is certainly great news," ACS epidemiologist Rebecca Siegel, lead author of the new report, said in a release.

"However, this progress is tempered by rising incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often the family caregivers, and a shifting cancer burden from men to women, harkening back to the early 1900s when cancer was more common in women."

• Frank Rothwell, a 74-year-old from the UK, wasn't sporty as a child but got into sailing in his 30s.
• He switched to rowing in his 70s — he has now twice rowed across the Atlantic solo.
• He raised money for Alzheimer's Research UK by rowing for 12 hours a day for 56 days.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Frank Rothwell, a 74-year-old British businessman who owns the soccer club Oldham Athletic. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I didn't get much chance to do sports as a child. But when I got to my 30s, I got interested in sailing. And now, at 74, I've rowed solo across the Atlantic twice.

In 1990, my family chartered a yacht off the coast of the Whitsunday Islands in Australia for two weeks. We enjoyed it so much that we bought a yacht.

I started doing longer sailing trips, about six weeks. At this point it was only a hobby, and I was using all my holidays to go sailing. I own my own business, so I could take as much time off as I liked, but I was close to retiring then anyway.

I met a bloke in a pub who'd just sailed the Northwest Passage, the sea that goes between Alaska and Russia. I couldn't stop thinking about doing it too, so I did. And then I sailed from the UK around South America, and then a figure eight around the Americas and through the Panama Canal.

By the time I got home, I'd had enough of sailing. It's really hard to find people willing to come sailing with you, because they think it'll be a holiday like in the ads — but you need someone with sailing experience who can take months off work and who will still want to go out when it's rough and pouring rain and they're seasick. So I wanted something I could do by myself.

I switched from sailing to rowing

One night I met a woman in a pub who had a mate who was going to row the Atlantic solo. I thought it must be achievable if someone who had no sailing experience was planning to do it.

So a couple of weeks later, in 2020, I entered the same race, the World's Toughest Row. I was doing it purely for my own benefit, but when I found out all the other teams were raising funds for a charity, I thought I should too. I knew it would be easy for me to raise money because I'm a wealthy bloke and I have wealthy friends.

I decided on Alzheimer's Research UK because Alzheimer's affects everybody — the person who has it, their family, their neighbors. On my first trip I raised £1.1 million.

You had to record 100 hours of rowing to take part in the race, but I enjoyed the training so much that I ended up doing 400 hours in proper open-sea conditions.

I also trained by doing hill runs and weightlifting — I did lots of pulling movements with weights heavier than how much I'd be pulling when I rowed.

I rowed all day, every day, for 56 days

For my first Atlantic row, I set off on December 12, 2020, from La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands. It took me 56 days. I arrived in Antigua on February 6, 2021. At 70, I was the oldest person in the race.

I did my second row at 73 — I finished on February 15, 2024, after 64 days of rowing, and I raised over £383,000.

On the boat, you're either rowing or sleeping. I used to try to row between eight and 14 hours a day, depending on the sea conditions. Some days I made good progress and went 70 miles forward; some days I ended up going 8 miles backward.

On a typical day I'd wake up around 7:30 a.m. and phone base control to assure them I was still there. Then I'd phone my wife, Judith, for 10 minutes as she woke up, and have breakfast — dry granola out of the tin and coffee with cold water.

Then I'd row until 10 or 11 a.m. until the sun got warmer and I needed to put on more clothes to completely cover my skin. I'd have a snack, maybe a couple of chocolate bars, and carry on rowing.

I had to row quite slowly, about 2.5 mph. If you're going to be rowing for 12 hours, you have to go at a speed you can keep up easily. It's easier to row in a boat than on a rowing machine because you have inertia helping you.

During the rowing, I snacked on macadamia nuts, because they're full of calories. I'd get through a kilogram of those a week for lunches. If I wanted to sleep, I'd try to have a nap just after noon, when the sun is at its hottest.

I'd row until teatime, when I'd have two or three pot noodles made with warm water. All the water I had was 23 degrees Celsius, or 73 degrees Fahrenheit — always warm. One of the things I really looked forward to when I finished was drinking something cold.

I was completely alone

I called my son every day for advice. He'd spend an hour every day checking the weather, and so I'd call him for five minutes when he talked me through the route I should take.

I had no other support. A safety boat came to check on me when I was asleep once, but other than that, I didn't even see an airplane.

During my second row across the Atlantic, the boat capsized twice in 24 hours. I was in the cabin, so I was OK. The boat would always flip back over, but I lost one of its safety features and my sea anchor.

I felt a bit depressed afterward, so my wife suggested I have a day off. But I got halfway through the day and thought, "What am I doing?" So I got back on the oars, stopped being soft, and banged on.

My family isn't keen on it, but I'd love to row again.

• Kohl's plans to close 27 underperforming stores by April.
• The retailer operates more than 1,150 locations across the US.
• Here's the full list of locations that will shutter in the coming months.

Kohl's has announced the closure of more than two dozen stores it deemed underperforming.

The Wisconsin-based retailer has struggled in recent quarters with "frankly disappointing" sales, in the words of then-CEO Tom Kingsbury last quarter. Kingsbury stepped down from the job on January 15.

The 27 locations spread across 15 states that are shuttering represent a small fraction of the overall 1,150-plus store fleet the company says is healthy, strong, and profitable. The closures are expected to be completed by April.

"As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams," Kingsbury said in a statement last week.

In addition to the closing stores, the company said it will shutter an e-commerce fulfillment center in San Bernardino, California, as newer centers and fulfill-from-store capabilities have made the 15-year-old facility unnecessary.

Kohl's said employees at affected locations have the option of applying to another open role or taking a "competitive" severance package.

Here is the list of closing Kohl's locations

Alabama

• Spanish Fort
  21000 Town Center Ave.

Arkansas

• Little Rock West
  13909 Chenal Pkwy.

California

• Balboa (San Diego)
  5505 Balboa Ave.
• Encinitas
  134 N El Camino Real
• Fremont
  43782 Christy St.
• Mountain View
  350 Showers Dr.
• Napa
  1116 1st St.
• Pleasanton
  4525 Rosewood Dr.
• Point West (Sacramento)
  1896 Arden Way
• San Rafael
  5010 Northgate Dr.
• San Luis Obispo
  205 Madonna Rd.
• Westchester
  8739 S Sepulveda Blvd.

Colorado

• Arapahoe Crossing (Aurora)
  6584 S Parker Rd.

Georgia

• Duluth
  2050 W Liddell Rd.

Idaho

• Boise
  400 N Milwaukee St.

Illinois

• Plainfield
  11860 S Route 59
• Spring Hill (West Dundee)
  3000 Spring Hill Ring Rd.

Massachusetts

• Stoughton
  501 Technology Center Dr.

New Jersey

• East Windsor
  72 Princeton Hightstown Rd.

Ohio

• Blue Ash
  4150 Hunt Rd.
• Forest Park (Cincinnati)
  100 Cincinnati Mills Dr.

Oregon

• Portland Gateway
  10010 NE Halsey St.

Pennsylvania

• Pottstown
  351 W Schuylkill Rd.

Texas

• North Dallas
  18224 Preston Rd.

Utah

• Riverton
  13319 S 3600 W Ste 13LOT

Virginia

• Herndon
  2100 Centreville Rd.
• Williamsburg
  100 Gristmill Plz

• Meta plans to cut more low-performing employees, calling the move "nonregrettable attrition."
• Companies often use euphemistic language for job cuts to avoid alarming investors and employees.
• Yet such phrasing often doesn't soften the impact of cuts on affected workers.

Allow for a quick riff on RIFs.

Many companies go out of their way to avoid calling job cuts what they are. Whether it's a "reduction in force," "rightsizing," or "streamlining," the fancy language doesn't soften the blow for workers — or hide the reality of lost jobs.

One recent example: Meta said this week it would push out an additional 5% of what Mark Zuckerberg called "low-performers." Clear enough. Yet in a subsequent memo from Hillary Champion, Meta's director of people development growth programs, the focus became "non-regrettable attrition."

At Amazon, a phrase often used for such cuts is "unregretted attrition."

It's the type of language that can draw snark online. Following Meta's announcement, one person wrote on X: "'Non-regrettable attrition' lmao.'"

Meta didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Steve McClatchy, who consults on leadership and is the author of the book "Leading Relationships," told BI that public companies often use euphemistic language around job cuts to try to avoid spooking investors and raising concerns that the business is in trouble. But, he said, that effort often falls flat when they use terms like nonregrettable attrition.

"How sad is that language? It's trying to say to the ownership group, we're headed in the right direction, not the wrong one," McClatchy said.

There are numerous other ways to frame offboarding, err, cutbacks, err, workforce adjustments, and the need to do so.

For example, the news site TechCrunch told BI on Tuesday it's reducing staff because of "evolving needs."

It's possible that for many employers, workforce optimization, organizational realignment, and — shout out to ChatGPT for this one — internal mobility challenges just sound better than job cuts.

Yet, workplace experts told BI, the fallout is the same.

"We're seeing a lot of companies now do everything not to use the actual word layoff, even though that's exactly what they're doing," Peter Rahbar, an employment attorney who founded the boutique law firm the Rahbar Group, told BI.

A spokesperson for the food giant Cargill previously told BI that job cuts were designed to "realign our talent and resources to align with our strategy."

Last year, Bumble said it would cut about 30% of its workforce "to better align its operating model with future strategic priorities."

The hidden messages behind layoff language

Cutting jobs is often bad for morale and can hurt productivity when workers become consumed with worrying they're next. That can be true even with a case like that of Meta, which said it planned to "backfill" roles in 2025. Translation: hire better people — though not you.

Yet, McClatchy said, to imply that a worker who gets pushed out for poor performance is solely at fault misses the responsibility that employers have to make good hires and that managers have to help those under their tutelage perform their best.

"It's 100% an attack on the employee that has to go then find a job. And what a shame that is," he said.

Sandra Sucher, a professor of management practice at Harvard Business School who has studied layoffs, told BI that most terms for layoffs are designed to make an otherwise negative act appear more positive.

She said companies often use the term regrettable attrition for good workers they're sorry to see leave. So a term like nonregrettable attrition is a way of "sugarcoating" the fact that an employer is letting people go. Connecting it to attrition is meant, Sucher said, to imply that employers have a handle on the outflow. Yet, she said, attrition isn't always something companies can control.

"The point of attrition is that you're not managing it. It's something that, by and large, happens to you," she said.

'It's not going to soften the blow'

Rahbar, the attorney, said employers' choice of wording when it comes to culling workers isn't about protecting themselves legally. Instead, he said, it's mostly a public-relations dance and, ultimately, one that does little good.

"If you're an employee who is impacted by this, the language they're using to describe it is irrelevant. It's not going to soften the blow," Rahbar said.

Ravin Jesuthasan, a coauthor of the book "The Skills-Powered Organization" and the global leader for transformation services at the consulting firm Mercer, told BI that employers have been cutting jobs for more than a century when business falters.

"I don't know why there was a need to introduce new language," he said.

In some cases, the words aren't new; they're just redeployed, reassigned, or transitioned to a new role. In Champion's memo at Meta, she wrote that the company was "aiming to exit" an additional 5% of its workers who'd been around long enough to get a performance rating.

"'Exit' as in GTFO!" one X user posted.

Not all euphemisms might be as likely to whip up worker cynicism, of course. The practice of scoring workers based on various metrics and getting rid of the worst performers sometimes goes by the human-resources shorthand "rank and yank."

Corporatespeak can also be a handy way to add levity in uncertain times. One social media user wrote on X about what might happen when artificial intelligence shows up to make cutbacks, oblique language in tow.

"Humans will become 'Non-Regrettable Attrition' for AI," the person wrote.

Do you have something to share about job cuts or something else at work? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email our workplace team from a nonwork device at [email protected] with your story, or ask for one of our reporters' Signal numbers.

• Workers in the future may face longer hours, more years of labor, and more productivity pressure.
• A McKinsey report said future generations would pay for low birth rates and people living longer.
• Elon Musk and Jeremy Grantham have both warned that population decline is a huge threat to humnity.

As declining birth rates lead to a youth shortage and a surfeit of older people, future generations of workers face longer hours, more years in the labor force, and more pressure to be productive.

"Absent action, younger people will inherit lower economic growth and shoulder the cost of more retirees," reads a McKinsey Global Institute report published Wednesday that examines the demographic time bomb.

The authors said a combination of more workers, more hours of work, and higher productivity would likely remedy the problem. They also touched on lengthening people's working lives as part of the solution.

They estimated that a German worker would have to work an extra 5.2 hours a week to keep the nation's living standards rising at the same rate as it has since the 1990s, assuming labor force participation doesn't rise.

Working-age populations have historically powered their nations' economic growth and borne the costs of caring for older generations. That balance is becoming more and more lopsided in many advanced economies as people have fewer children and live longer.

Baby bust

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been one of the loudest voices on the subject of demographic doom.

"Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming," the world's richest man posted on his X platform in August 2022.

"Just have kids one way or another or humanity will die with a whimper in adult diapers!" he said in a post last May.

Jeremy Grantham, asset manager GMO's cofounder and long-term investment strategist, sounded the alarm during a Rosenberg Research webinar this month.

He pointed to Japan, where nearly 30% of the population is over 65, and the birth rate slumped in 2023 to a record low of 1.2 children per woman — far below the replacement rate of 2.1. Grantham described the decline as "cataclysmic."

Grantham also said South Korea's birth rate of 0.7 leaves one grandchild to support eight aging grandparents. "It does not compute, as you can see."

He added that population decline put the stability of human civilization at risk, and he agreed with Musk that it's "a very big threat, and it's in the data, and it's not to be denied."

Synthetic food dyes add a burst of color to many beloved American foods, such as candy, cereal, and even bacon. But some dyes — like Red No. 3 — have links to cancer, behavioral disorders, and other health issues.

Now, after more than 30 years, the FDA is banning Red No. 3 in cereals and other food products. The move comes as California is poised to ban synthetic dyes in schools, and as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes for a nationwide ban on artificial dyes.

But how did synthetic dyes take over America's food system in the first place? And how will the FDA's new policy change how food giants formulate their products? Health editor Mia de Graaf breaks it down.

• Pete Davidson said that he wanted to quit "Saturday Night Live" after his first year.
• Davidson felt like he didn't "belong" with his cast mates.
• He asked "SNL" boss Lorne Michaels to fire him and was told it would get better after three or four years.

Pete Davidson broke into Hollywood and pop culture through his work on "Saturday Night Live," but he wanted to quit the sketch comedy series early on.

"After my first year, I actually called for a meeting with Lorne," Davidson said in the new Peacock docuseries "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night," referring to the show's creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels. "I was like, 'Please fire me.'"

Davidson made his "SNL" debut as a featured player during season 40, which aired between 2014 and 2015. At 20, he was one of the youngest-ever hires and the show's first cast member born in the 1990s. The comedian said that because of his age difference with the cast, he felt out of place.

"I was like 'I don't belong here. Everybody here is so talented and they don't want to be my friend,'" Davidson recalled telling Michaels. "I was a child. I was like, 'Nobody wants to be my friend.' And he said, 'You don't figure it out until your third or fourth year.'"

The comedian added that Michaels explained to him, "It's just gonna suck for like, three or four years."

"And he was right," Davidson said.

Despite early reservations, Davidson stayed on "SNL" for eight seasons. During his time on the show, and since leaving in 2022, the comedian has kept busy with TV and film roles and comedy specials. He even returned to "SNL" as a host for the season 49 premiere in 2023.

Davidson is one of many "SNL" alums who appear in "SNL50," a four-part docuseries celebrating the show's 50th anniversary.

The docuseries includes never-before-seen audition footage, interviews with former "SNL" cast and crew members, a deep dive into one iconic sketch, and a breakdown of the messy but pivotal 11th season.

Reps for Michaels didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

All episodes of "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night" are streaming on Peacock.

• Americans ages 18 to 29 were more likely to report feeling lonely than older adults, per a survey.
• Older Americans were also more optimistic about their lives than the younger cohort.
• Gen Z's loneliness may stem from fewer social connections and later marriages.

As social life rebounds uneasily from pandemic-era shocks, Gen Z is still feeling lonely.

A new survey from the Pew Research Center of 6,204 American adults, conducted from September 3 through 15, looks at how optimistic and lonely different age groups feel. Broadly, 16% of all American adults say that they feel lonely or isolated from those around them all or most of the time.

But loneliness starkly varies by age. Nearly a quarter of Americans ages 18 to 29 said that they felt lonely, compared to just 6% of those 65 and older. At the same time, adults 65 and older were the most likely to say that they felt optimistic about their lives all or most of the time, while just under half of 18- to 29-year-olds said they felt the same.

"Older people are almost always the happiest age group," in research on happiness, Kim Parker, Pew's director of social trends research, told Business Insider. However, she was surprised by the more negative opinions of the younger cohort.

"It's interesting to see that two-thirds of adults 65 and older say they feel optimistic about their life all or most of the time when only 48% of 18- to 29-year-olds do when they have so much time ahead of them," Parker said. "But it may be that there's just so much more unknown at that stage of life that it's harder to feel optimistic."

Gen Z's loneliness woes could have something to do with weakening social connections. As BI previously reported, Gen Zers are coming up against a fringe friend crisis: They're lacking wider connections and social networks that were more easily accessible to prior generations. At the same time, community-building groups like unions and religious institutions are fading away, as are third spaces — places that aren't work or home, but instead centered on congregating and socializing.

Part of the loneliness and optimism chasm might also have to do with how much Gen Z is socializing: Younger Americans have been spending more time alone. In 2010, Americans between 20 and 24 years old spent about four hours a day alone, a number that's since gone up, peaking at an average of 6.7 hours a day spent alone in 2021 — a likely result of time spent solo during the thick of the pandemic. Notably, time-use data isn't available for 2020, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics ran into issues running its survey during COVID's early spread.

Of course, not every boomer and older American is optimistic or avoiding loneliness. Older Americans who rely almost entirely on Social Security, for instance, have told BI that they feel isolated and can't afford social activities that might otherwise help keep loneliness at bay.

Another factor contributing to Gen Z's loneliness could be chalked up to larger societal and demographic trends. Eight percent of married Americans said that they felt lonely or isolated all of the time, compared to 24% of those who are unpartnered.

With 86% of 18- to 24-year-olds unpartnered as of 2023, Gen Z's relationship status might also be weighing on them, especially as dating becomes more costly and Americans get married increasingly later in life.

"We always see that married adults are happier than unpartnered adults are. It doesn't bode well for a population that's increasingly likely to not be married about how they might feel about optimism, about their life, and what we'd be looking at in the future in terms of a trend," Parker said. "But we won't know until we get there."

Are you dealing with loneliness, or found a solution? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

• After booking a trip to Ireland on a whim, I fell in love with the country and also met my husband.
• Years later, we're still together, and we've made a new life for ourselves in Cork.
• I still live in Atlanta part-time, but I love going home to my husband in Ireland.

Several years ago, I dreamed I was walking down the main street of a small town, where I met a nice bookseller and a local witch. In the dream, I kept getting the message to "go to Skibbereen."

When I woke up, my first thought was, "Where the heck is Skibbereen?" I looked it up, and to my delight, it's a real town in West Cork, Ireland.

This isn't the first time I've gleaned information from my dreams, but they rarely provide such literal instructions. Figuring I should listen to the message, I booked a trip for a few months down the line.

Little did I know that my Irish adventure would lead me to my future husband and a new home.

I trusted my gut and eventually got to Skibbereen

My travels first brought me to the city of Cork, where I made friends who helped secure me a ride out to the smaller town of Skibbereen.

As I rode through West Cork, I promised myself that I'd follow my intuition wherever it led without asking questions. I came here because of a dream, so why not follow the path as far as it would go?

Luckily, it led me right to Skibbereen's main street — like my dream, it does, in fact, have a wonderful bookseller and a pagan shop.

I felt welcome, and I kept noticing phoenix symbols throughout the town. It felt like a sign since I'm from Atlanta, and the fictional bird is on our city seal.

As I continued my trip, wandering and exploring more of County Cork, a gut feeling began to grow that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Then, I met the man who would be my future husband

At the time, I had the dating app Bumble on my phone. I happened to open it during my travels and match with a local Irish chef.

We met up for a date, and he was instantly warm, welcoming, and honest. Since we both work with food in some capacity (him as an executive chef, me as a writer, educator, and consultant), we had lots to talk about.

We continued talking online, and after I returned to the US, we officially started dating. With things going well, we arranged to meet back in Ireland three months later.

After a whirlwind romance, we got married last year.

I'm still in awe of my new life

In the years since my trip, I bought a house in Cork, and my husband and I are slowly settling in and making it feel like home.

I still live in Atlanta part time, but I feel like all the different parts of my life have fallen into place.

Whether I'm in Ireland or the US, I pinch myself every day that I get to live this magical life and share it with all the incredible people I've met along the way.

I don't live in Skibbereen (yet), but I still visit. In the future, I hope to move out that way and have a few acres of space to host culinary and writing residencies.

In the meantime, I'm settling into my two-continent lifestyle nicely.

There are still questions to navigate (like the best way to move my cats abroad), and it isn't always smooth sailing. However, so far, it's worth all the challenges, long travel days, and time-zone juggling.

• I'm a chef. I turned Costco's $5 rotisserie chicken into five easy meals for two people. 
• The chicken can be used to make tasty quesadillas, burrito bowls, and pasta dishes.
• I also like adding the chicken to baked potatoes and using the bones to make a flavorful broth. 

Grocery prices have been feeling high, but one deal I can still count on is the big and juicy $5 rotisserie chicken at Costco.

Although I'm a chef, I still appreciate a shortcut — and I know I can put together dozens of easy meals with cooked chicken.

Here's how I turned a Costco five-buck-cluck into easy meals to feed two throughout the week.

The chicken can dress up a creamy, cheesy pasta dish.

I'm still on the baked-feta-pasta trend from a few years ago.

I prefer using a block of Lifeway Farmer soft cheese instead of feta because it's got a milder flavor and softer texture. Plus, it gets even meltier and creamier in the oven.

After preheating my oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, I cook my cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes or whole canned tomatoes in a small baking dish.

I leave them in the oven until the tomatoes burst and become sweet and saucy and the cheese is just turning golden on top. Then, I toss in cooked pasta and my diced or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Chilled chicken-salad sandwiches are an easy lunch.

The white meat from the Costco rotisserie chicken is easy to chop into cubes for a classic creamy chicken salad.

I toss the meat with mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt and add any salty or crunchy bits I have in the fridge, such as diced pickles or pepperoncini, celery, or bell peppers. I also like to add something sweet, like sliced grapes or chopped dried fruit.

Then, I serve the salad on toasted sandwich bread, crackers, or sturdy romaine-lettuce cups.

I toss the chicken in salsa, then add it to burrito bowls.

There's nothing like a build-you-own-bowl dinner for a low-lift meal that makes everyone happy.

First, I'll make a batch of rice or another grain. If I'm short on time, I'll heat a packet of Somos Mexican street-corn rice in the microwave.

Then, I toss diced rotisserie chicken in salsa to dress it up and lay out assorted toppings. Everyone can add their own beans, guacamole, cheese, veggies, and cilantro to their bowls for a Chipotle-style experience right at home.

I stuff baked potatoes with chicken, too.

A loaded baked potato is super easy and cheap to make.

I stick a potato (or sweet potato) in a 400-degree oven for 40 minutes to an hour until it's easy to pierce with a fork.

If you're in a pinch, you can skip the oven and put the potato in the microwave for a few minutes — just be sure to pierce it all over with a fork beforehand.

Then I slice the potato down the center, fluff up its insides, and season it with softened butter, salt, and pepper.

From there, I add my favorite toppings — usually diced rotisserie chicken, sour cream, hot sauce, and any herbs I have on hand.

Chicken quesadillas are another great meal.

A quesadilla is one of my favorite three-ingredient lunches: tortilla, cheese, and hot sauce. Sometimes, I use bread instead of tortillas and make a grilled cheese.

If I have a rotisserie chicken on hand, I'll dice it up and add it as a filling for extra protein.

I also used the chicken's bones and skin.

At the end of the week, don't toss the chicken bones and skin. Instead, use it to make a homemade broth.

Place the chicken carcass in a large pot with a halved onion, a few carrots, and celery stalks.

Cover everything with water and simmer for about four hours. Strain the bits out, and you have delicious broth to sip or turn into soup.

This story was originally published on July 23, 2024, and most recently updated on January 16, 2025.

• President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated on January 20.
• First ladies have worn tailored suits and glamorous designer dresses to inaugural festivities.
• Many first ladies' inaugural gowns are displayed at the National Museum of American History.

President Joe Biden will leave office on January 20, and President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated for a second term.

While the inauguration is really about swearing in the next president, first ladies throughout history have stolen the show with their tailored suits and glamorous designer dresses.

First ladies traditionally donate their Inauguration Day looks to the National Museum of American History's exhibit of inaugural gowns, which dates back to 1912.

In honor of the coming inauguration, here's a look back at the stylish ensembles that first ladies have worn on Inauguration Day.

Grace Coolidge, 1925

Grace Coolidge was all smiles in a gray dress and top hat to match President Calvin Coolidge's during his second inauguration.

Grace Coolidge was an immensely popular first lady whose friendliness balanced Calvin Coolidge's reserved nature, according to the White House.

Lou Henry Hoover, 1929

Lou Henry Hoover wore a velvet dress with a zig-zag pattern to Herbert Hoover's inauguration.

In May 1929, she became the first first lady to appear in Vogue, Katherine A.S. Sibley wrote in "A Companion to First Ladies."

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1933

The shade of Eleanor Roosevelt's inaugural gown became known as "Eleanor Blue" at President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inauguration.

Eleanor Roosevelt's dress and matching wrap were made of velvet, The New York Times reported. Her gowns were designed and made entirely in the US.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1937

Eleanor Roosevelt chose a white Sally Milgrim design for her husband's second inauguration.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1941

She wore another ivory dress for Franklin D. Roosevelt's third inauguration in 1941.

Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

Eleanor Roosevelt wore a pink lace gown to her husband's historic fourth inauguration.

In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified, placing limits on the number of terms a president could serve.

Bess Truman, 1945

No inaugural ball was held when President Harry S. Truman was sworn in shortly after Roosevelt's death in 1945. Bess Truman wore a matching skirt suit set with a ruffled blouse when her husband took the oath of office.

Bess Truman, 1949

In 1949, Bess Truman wore a fur coat to her husband's second inauguration. Later, for the inaugural balls, she wore a gray satin dress with a silver feather pattern.

Mamie Eisenhower, 1953

Mamie Eisenhower wore a pale-pink de soie inaugural gown which was embroidered with over 2,000 rhinestones.

Mamie Eisenhower, 1957

Mamie Eisenhower's 1957 inaugural gown, designed by Nettie Rosenstein, was embroidered with pearls, crystals, and topaz.

Jacqueline Kennedy, 1961

Jacqueline Kennedy attended the inaugural balls wearing a sleeveless off-white silk chiffon gown with a matching cape that she helped design in collaboration with Ethel Frankau of Bergdorf Custom Salon.

Lady Bird Johnson, 1963

After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson, took the oath of office in a haphazard ceremony aboard Air Force One. Lady Bird Johnson wore a simple dress with a pearl necklace.

Lady Bird Johnson, 1965

When Lyndon B. Johnson was reelected in 1965, Lady Bird Johnson wore a bright-yellow gown ordered from Neiman Marcus.

Pat Nixon, 1969

Pat Nixon also wore a yellow inaugural ball gown. Hers was made of silk satin and featured Swarovski crystals.

Pat Nixon, 1973

Pat Nixon wore a turquoise gown designed by Adele Simpson for President Richard Nixon's second inauguration.

Betty Ford, 1974

There were no formal inaugural festivities after Richard Nixon resigned and President Gerald Ford became president in 1974. Betty Ford wore a blue skirt suit for his swearing-in ceremony.

Rosalynn Carter, 1977

Rosalynn Carter's blue chiffon inaugural gown, designed by Mary Matise for Jimmae, was the same dress that she wore to Jimmy Carter's inauguration as governor of Georgia.

Nancy Reagan, 1981

Nancy Reagan wore a one-shouldered lace gown over silk satin to the 1981 inaugural balls. The dress and gloves were designed by James Galanos. Her beaded shoes were from David Evins.

Nancy Reagan, 1985

Nancy Reagan wore another James Galanos gown for her husband's second inauguration. The white chiffon gown was embroidered with glass beads that reportedly took more than 300 hours to apply by hand.

Barbara Bush, 1989

Barbara Bush wore a royal-blue gown with a velvet bodice to the inaugural balls. The dress' designer, Arnold Scaasi, called her "the most glamorous grandmother in the United States," according to the Smithsonian.

Hillary Clinton, 1993

Hillary Clinton wore a violet beaded lace sheath gown with a blue velvet silk overskirt to the 1993 inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Sarah Phillips and made by New York theatrical costume designer Barbara Matera Ltd.

Hillary Clinton, 1997

For Bill Clinton's second inauguration, Hillary Clinton wore an ivory gown with metallic embellishments by Oscar de la Renta.

Laura Bush, 2001

Laura Bush attended inaugural balls in a red gown by Texas designer Michael Faircloth. The dress was made of Chantilly lace embroidered with crystals over silk georgette.

Laura Bush, 2005

Laura Bush chose a silver Oscar de la Renta gown for the 2005 inaugural balls.

Michelle Obama, 2009

Michelle Obama wore a custom white inaugural gown by Jason Wu. The dress was made of white silk chiffon and sparkled with organza flower embellishments containing Swarovski crystal centers.

Michelle Obama, 2013

She wore Jason Wu again in 2013, this time choosing a red cross-halter strap gown.

Melania Trump, 2017

Melania Trump wore an off-the-shoulder white gown with a slit accompanied by a thin burgundy ribbon to the inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Hervé Pierre in collaboration with Melania Trump.

Jill Biden, 2021

There were no inaugural balls in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jill Biden did change into a white dress and matching cashmere coat by Gabriela Hearst for the small evening celebrations. The coat was embroidered with flowers representing every US state and territory.

• I took my family from a 95-degree Australian summer to experience Chicago's 5-degree winter weather.
• Everyone warned us December was a bad time to visit, but smaller crowds and festive activities proved them wrong.
• From ice skating to curling, winter-only activities made our offseason trip unforgettable.

Despite warnings from friends and fellow travelers, we decided to spend a December vacation in Chicago.

Nearly everyone tried to talk us out of it, saying it would be too cold and windy and we should choose a warmer destination. But we had a different goal: experiencing a real American Christmas. In Australia, where we live, December means sweltering heat and late sunsets that make holiday light displays practically invisible until 10 p.m.

Despite the cold weather, it was a memorable experience.

We got an extreme welcome to Chicago winter

Our first day coincided with the city's coldest temperature of the year — just 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Even Chicago natives shivered and complained about the brutal cold.

Despite the arctic blast, we had scheduled a five-hour walking tour through the Chicago Greeters program, a free service that matches visitors with local volunteers. Bundled in multiple layers, we met our guide, Bill, an energetic local in his 70s who quickly proved that Chicago's famous winter weather couldn't dampen the city's charm.

His local stories, mixed with iconic attractions, made for a great day, and he provided recommendations for the rest of our week.

Winter activities became an unexpected highlight

While our usual Christmas involves seafood and beach trips, growing up watching movies like "Home Alone" gave us a different vision of the holiday season. Chicago delivered that movie-perfect Christmas experience with a magical winter atmosphere we had always dreamed about.

We explored the Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, wandered through the enchanting Christkindl market, and discovered several festive pop-up Christmas bars in Wrigleyville. As a special treat for our half-Jewish kids, they were thrilled to visit the Hanukkah bar, 8 Crazy Nights.

Although our skating skills left a lot to be desired, the breathtaking cityscape surrounding the Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon more than made up for the spills.

The architecture tours impressed even in winter

One thing I was hesitant to do was an architecture river tour. While the city is famous for its buildings, I worried the cold would make it unbearable. But Bill convinced us to do it.

Though many operators had closed for the season, we found a 90-minute cruise. Surprisingly, despite the wintery conditions, this was a great tour, and even the kids loved it. The moody gray skies made for more dramatic photos.

After dark, the city came alive with a holiday spirit

Being close to Christmas, the city offered endless entertainment options. We went to a high-energy Chicago Bulls game where we were incredibly excited to support fellow Australian Josh Giddey, complete with handwritten signs to cheer him on.

We also saw the Blue Man Group perform, but the highlight for me was visiting Second City. Having completed some online satire writing courses with them during the COVID lockdown, it felt like a pilgrimage to see a show live. My kids were worried I would jump onstage, but despite my best efforts, this didn't happen.

Chicago's winter weather demands comfort food

The frigid temperatures gave us the perfect excuse to indulge in the city's heartiest dishes. We devoured deep-dish pizza at Giordano's (which quickly became our favorite), savored authentic Italian beef sandwiches, and relished Chicago-style hot dogs.

The kids loved tasting the endless selection of decadent hot chocolates while my wife and I warmed ourselves with mulled wine and Tom & Jerry's, a Midwestern holiday cocktail. These warming treats perfectly matched our winter adventure.

The offseason offered a more relaxed way to explore

During the peak summer months, Chicago becomes very busy, with popular attractions and restaurants sporting long lines and requiring a lot of planning. By visiting in December, we avoided all the typical tourist crowds and had a much more relaxed trip.

We were hoping for snow, but although it was cold, it never rained or snowed. By the end of our week, we had transformed into winter warriors. On the day we departed, it was 40 degrees and felt almost warm. In true Chicago spirit, one of the kids even wore shorts - he had become a true Chicagoan!

The magical combination of festive atmosphere, smaller crowds, and unique winter activities made it an ideal time to visit the Windy City - even for a family of Australians used to a hot December spent on the beach.

• My local Panera Bread offers six different soups, and I tried each one to find the best and worst.
• The homestyle chicken noodle was surprisingly flavorful and loaded with noodles, meat, and veggies.
• However, both the rustic baked potato and bistro French onion let me down.

With over 2,000 locations in the US and Canada, Panera Bread is my go-to spot for a warm bowl of soup when I'm on the go. So, I tried all of its year-round options to find the best ones.

I skipped the seasonal menu items and the chili (that's like comparing apples to oranges, in my opinion).

With the chain's broccoli cheddar, creamy tomato, homestyle chicken noodle, cream of chicken and wild rice, bistro French onion, and rustic baked potato in front of me — along with a few sides of bread and chips — I got to tasting.

Here's what I thought of each soup.

The broccoli cheddar was rich, tasty, and comforting.

I was unduly impressed with Panera's broccoli-cheddar soup.

It's an incredibly easy soup to screw up by adding too much salt, going overboard on the cheese, or messing up the consistency.

However, this version was rich but not overly thick, and it had a cheesy, creamy taste with just the right saltiness.

The vegetables were cooked to an ideal softness but weren't falling apart.

My only complaint is that I would've liked a little more broccoli, but I'd still definitely order this again — especially when I need to warm up on a cold, rainy day.

I couldn't get behind the texture of Panera's rustic baked potato.

I absolutely love a good baked-potato soup, and I tend to order it at restaurants when it's available. However, Panera's version didn't hold up for me.

The consistency felt far too thin and slightly over-blended, which meant an excess release of starch from the potato cells. This led to a gluey texture, as can happen with mashed potatoes that are whipped too much.

The soup also wasn't quite hot enough to melt the sprinkle of cheese on top, which didn't help.

All in all, I thought the baked-potato soup was a letdown.

The creamy tomato was thin but still tasty.

If you're a fan of tomato soup, I think you're safe to order Panera's creamy tomato — ideally with extra croutons or chunks of bread to thicken it up some.

I found the texture to be a bit too thin for a cream-based soup, but the flavor was excellent. It had the slightest bit of spice to round out the herby undertones.

Although I think I would've preferred it served in one of Panera's bread bowls for a heartier meal, it was still one of my favorites. I'd order it again.

Panera's cream of chicken and wild rice didn't have a ton of flavor.

I enjoyed the cream of chicken and wild rice in the same way I might enjoy a piece of butter toast. It was good — satisfying, even — but there wasn't really anything special about it.

The consistency was good, and there were plenty of veggies and chunks of meat. However, the overall flavor was sort of bland — an ambiguous salty creaminess.

A little more spice would really elevate this soup.

The bistro French onion was a flop for me.

French onion soup is another favorite of mine, but Panera's middling take on the classic disappointed me.

The broth tasted too sweet for my liking, and the onions were cut a bit too thick. I also think they could've been cooked down more.

Furthermore, Panera garnishes its soup with just a sprinkling of cheese and a side of croutons. A French onion soup without a layer of melty, cheese-slathered toast on top is like a football game with half the team missing.

This one is, unfortunately, a pass for me in the future.

Panera's homestyle chicken noodle was remarkably good.

The next time I have a cold, I'm ordering Panera's homestyle-chicken-noodle soup.

The broth was rich in flavor, with a satisfying but not overpowering saltiness and some umami notes. What really impressed me, though, was the volume of ingredients packed into the broth.

There were lots of noodles, chunks of meat, and pieces of sliced carrot and celery — but I almost wished there was less since the broth was so good.

Even sans any ailments, I'd order a cup of this again.

Overall, there are a few soups I'd definitely come back for.

The most humble of Panera's six soup offerings caught my attention the most. Every part of its chicken-noodle soup tasted good.

I'd also gladly order the broccoli cheddar and creamy tomato again. The cream of chicken and wild rice needs a little more oomph, but it's still a contender.

Even though (or perhaps because) they are usually some of my favorite varieties of soups, I wouldn't order the baked potato or French onion at Panera again. They just didn't live up to my expectations.

• Tal Chaimi was abducted on October 7, 2023. His body is being held in Gaza.
• Udi Goren, his cousin, is campaigning for his remains to be repatriated to Israel.
• But Goren fears the cease-fire deal may not last long enough to bring them back.

The cousin of an Israeli hostage who was abducted and killed and whose body is being held in Gaza said he is fearful that the cease-fire deal may not last long enough to ensure the return of his relative's remains.

"This is not the end of the road," Udi Goren, the cousin of Tal Chaimi, said in a call with reporters from outlets including BI.

Chaimi was among the 251 people kidnapped from Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip during the October 7, 2023, terror attack.

Chaimi, a civil engineer, was defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak when he was abducted. His wife was two months pregnant with their fourth child at the time.

Initially listed as missing, Israeli authorities confirmed months later that Chaimi had been killed and his body was being kept hostage.

Hamas and its allies still hold 98 hostages, an Israeli government spokesperson said Tuesday, though at least 34 of them are believed to be dead.

On Wednesday, the White House announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a cease-fire intended to halt the fighting in Gaza — which has killed tens of thousands.

The agreement would facilitate the release of some of the remaining hostages, though it hit a roadblock on Thursday over its ratification, with Israel saying Hamas had created a last-minute crisis.

The deal, structured in phases, is expected to include the release of 33 hostages in the first stage, the majority of them women, children, older people, and those who are sick.

"My cousin Tal is not going to be among these 33," Goren said.

The second phase would see the release of the remaining living hostages, and the third phase would see the remains of dead hostages, including Chaimi, returned to their families.

However, reaching that final phase will be challenging.

"Everything can go wrong along the way," Goren said. "Not just that the deal might actually fall through, with the implementation of each step, but also moving from one step to another."

Goren said that the last couple of days have been incredibly stressful, and that his family has found themselves in a "whirlwind of emotions" — excited for families who may soon be reunited with their abducted relatives, but nervous about the prospect of Chaimi's return.

He said he has concerns about whether Hamas might, for example, say they can't locate his cousin's body.

"This is just the beginning of a new phase of our struggle," he added. "The fact that this is going to take so long, it's going to be excruciating."

• The TSA said it intercepted 6,678 firearms at airport security checkpoints last year.
• It was a small decrease from last year — but incidents have doubled since 2015.
• The most firearms, 440, were detected at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The Transportation Security Administration intercepted 6,678 firearms at airport checkpoints last year, it announced Wednesday.

That's an average of more than 18 firearms a day.

The agency screened more than 904 million people, meaning there was an average rate of 7.4 firearms per every million people.

It added that 94% of the firearms were loaded.

The figures for 2024 represent a slight decrease from last year's record 6,737 — but only by 0.9%.

Nonetheless, it is still the only year in the past decade — except for 2020, when travel was crippled by the pandemic — that has seen a drop in the number of firearms detected at airports.

The figure has more than doubled since 2015.

One of the TSA's interceptions last year included an airline crew member carrying a loaded 9mm handgun at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The TSA also released statistics for which airports see the most firearms.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Delta Air Lines' primary hub, saw the most at 440. It was closely followed by the 390 at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, which is American Airlines' biggest hub.

Four of the top 10 airports were in Texas, while two were in Florida.

The TSA said that when a firearm is found at an airport security checkpoint, law enforcement will be contacted and remove the passenger from the area.

In addition to any action taken by local law enforcement, passengers who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint face a fine of up to $15,000.

"One firearm at a checkpoint is too many," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "Firearms present a safety risk for our employees and everyone else at the checkpoint. It's also costly and slows down operations."

"If individuals who carry a firearm intend to travel, we remind them that the firearm must be unloaded, locked in a hard-sided case, declared to the airline at the check-in counter, and transported in checked baggage," he added.

• VCs say that AI agents will be a huge investment area in 2025.
• A startup bringing AI agents to security cameras just raised $13.8 million from Battery Ventures.
• Check out the pitch deck Coram AI used to raise its Series A funding round.

Silicon Valley is all-in on "AI agents" — which can understand commands and complete tasks on behalf of humans — and one startup in the space just inked a deal to bring this technology to security cameras.

Coram AI just raised a $13.8 million Series A funding round led by Battery Ventures, Business Insider has learned exclusively. 8VC and Mosaic Ventures also participated in the round.

Founded in 2022, San Francisco-based Coram is an AI security software that uses autonomous agents to monitor locations likes schools, hospitals, and warehouses for threats. The tech offers real-time analysis from security cameras via "virtual security guards," and users can query security footage using plain language, rather than monitoring hours of video.

For example, a security employee at a hospital or school could ask Coram about an unauthorized person in the building by describing their clothing. Coram, in turn, could identify the person and track their location.

One of Coram's biggest competitive advantages is that it uses a building's existing security cameras and system rather than requiring a company to install all-new hardware, explained CEO Ashesh Jain, who co-founded Coram alongside Peter Ondruska.

"Businesses that run the US economy use security cameras that are either extremely archaic or not connected," Jain told BI. "Coram brings modern software to existing security cameras with generative AI, and soon, every camera will be as intelligent as a human being. Every business can have hundreds of virtual employees."

For Marcus Ryu, the Battery partner leading the Coram deal, the co-founders' backgrounds in machine learning and computer vision make the startup especially well-poised to win in security. Both Jain and Ondruska have Ph.D.s in robotics and met while working in Lyft's self-driving car division.

"Video AI holds the promise to put a highly vigilant digital observer behind each of the many millions of cameras watching over our workplaces, schools, and public spaces," Ryu told BI. "With the right approach, this can enhance both our safety and our privacy by focusing detection only on dangerous or unlawful behavior."

AI agents are overtaking multiple industries, from enterprise to sales to the legal industry. A growing number of startups are cropping up in the cybersecurity space and have raised funding last year — including 7AI, which raised a $36 million seed round in June; Astrix Security, which raised a $45 million Series B in December; and Torq, which raised both a $42 million Series B round and a $70 million Series C round in the last 12 months.

Heading into 2025, Jain said that Coram will be focusing on various product launches — its first is AI gun-detection software with instant alerts — as well as shoring up its hardware offerings.

"We're addressing diverse needs for different types of companies and teams," Jain said. "Hopefully, people don't need this tech. But if you do need it, it's useful when there's a safety incident — it's buying you time."

Here's an exclusive look at the six-slide pitch deck Coram AI used to raise its Series A funding round.

• I'm the eldest daughter, so every year I plan our family vacation.
• These trips have left us with some success but also trauma because of everyone's different interests.
• A cruise through the Mediterranean appealed to everyone.

Family vacations are one of those things I plan yearly that bring excitement and nausea.

As the eldest daughter of my family with aging parents who, after a lifetime of hustling, now finally have the excess of free time and assets required to go on vacation, I get to play travel agent. The good news is that I have no strict budget other than the desire, long instilled by my Asian parents, to procure a good deal that won't dent my eventual inheritance. The bad news? I have children whose ability to hold it together and not have a total meltdown hinges on secret forces that even I, as both a mother and psychologist, have yet to figure out.

The trick, of course, is to go on a vacation that only leaves behind lifelong memories (plus Instagrammable proof, in case my children are prone to forget and go back to complaining about their lives) but not estrangement or therapy.

To further complicate this 3D puzzle, my mother is an Anglophile who only wants to go to Europe and stroll around cobblestone streets. My younger son is a small child who appears allergic to walking and only likes Asian food, while my older son is a teenager who thinks all of the above would interfere with his rizz (or aura, or whatever Zoomers are calling gravitas these days). My father, meanwhile, has no preferences except that we don't spend more money than necessary.

We all enjoyed a cruise

Historically, this involved traveling — with varying levels of success/trauma — on trains, planes, and cars, but our best multi-generational family trip to date happened during a weeklong Mediterranean cruise last summer.

The Celebrity Edge ship we sailed on started in Barcelona and ended in Rome. Over the course of seven days, it single-handedly sold every single member of my family from age 6 to 68 that cruising was the ideal way to travel when there are both small children and old people involved.

Barcelona enchanted us as a departure port for nearly a week before we stepped onto our ship. Whatever residual jet lag or weariness the elderly or young members of the family had by the time we deposited ourselves at the cruise port evaporated the minute we embarked. Much to everyone's shock and delight, the speed and lack of lines during onboarding made airports and train terminals feel like the DMV in comparison.

Once we got to our rooms, we were ready to sell our souls to become one of those lifelong cruisers who have their own monogrammed badges and dedicated lounges, albeit for different reasons: the adults marveled at the ocean-view windows (complete with a seating area in the larger of our two staterooms) while the kids fought over the collectible necklace (with special colored pendants to be scavenged each day on board) waiting for them on the bed.

We all loved the food

A quick perusal of our dining options turned into Sophie's Choice, albeit in the best way possible because instead of a single main dining venue, we got to pick from four specialty restaurants whose names my parents couldn't exactly pronounce but whose vibes screamed European with a hint of Vegas: Tuscany, Cyprus, Normandie, cosmopolitan.

We spent the rest of the week trying every single one. By our last day at sea, we couldn't exactly tell them apart, but no matter — between the lobster night and endless iterations of surf-meets-turf, no grownup left the dining room unhappy, and what my children could not consume in burgers or chicken tenders, they made up for with post-dinner trips to the Oceanview Cafe's buffet. Even my parents — whose aging appetites seem to have shrunk year by year — couldn't resist a second helping of dessert at the ice cream counter or in the form of a fruit plate.

There were activities for everyone

When we weren't eating, our multigenerational group was busy doing what we each liked to do best: my 6-year-old spent his evenings and most of his sea days playing at Camp at Sea, while my 13-year-old quickly found his own multinational crew at Teen Camp. I took my mother to a watercolor art workshop and my father to the nighttime entertainment at the theater aspirationally deemed The Club.

When we docked, we meandered off the gangway at our own pace to explore the markets and museums of Valencia before spending long days near the water in Ibiza and Corsica. Portofino and Cinque Terre necessitated shore excursions, but disembarking in Rome allowed us to explore another timeless city the old-fashioned way, on foot.

When we boarded our plane to return home, we all swore to do another cruise again as soon as possible. Considering that this was last year, and we've gone on two more cruises since then, I think the evidence speaks for itself: cruising just might be our favorite multi-generational way to travel.