Local Business
Thursday, April 30, 2026 · Marion County
Abbott Targets Chinese Med Devices in Cyber Crackdown
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state health agencies to purge cybersecurity risks from Chinese-made medical devices, citing federal warnings of potential spying on patient data. The directive bans specific monitors and expands a prohibited tech list amid escalating U.S.-China tensions. Agencies face an April 17 deadline to comply.
U.S. Mint Greenlights Gold Trump Coin for 250th Anniversary
The U.S. Mint has approved a design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump's image, breaking decades of tradition against depicting living presidents on currency. Approved unanimously by the Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday, the coin celebrates America's 250th birthday in 2026. Treasury officials cite rare statutory authority to bypass restrictions, sparking debate over precedent.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
California's Housing Paradox: Build More, Sell Faster
California added 677,000 housing units over six years while its population grew by just 39,000—yet the state's vacancy rates remain stubbornly low. The housing market's relentless hunger reveals a crisis so deep that record construction still can't satisfy demand.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Santa Cruz's Brutal Math: $81 an Hour to Rent a Two-Bedroom
For the third consecutive year, Santa Cruz County has claimed an unwanted crown as America's least affordable rental market, where workers need to earn more than $80 per hour just to afford a modest apartment. The gap between Santa Cruz and the second-most expensive market has only widened, painting a stark portrait of California's housing crisis.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
O'Leary Blasts NYC's Luxury Property Tax as 'Sheer Blind Stupidity'
Kevin O'Leary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures, has launched a scathing critique of New York City's new pied-à-terre tax, calling it economically counterproductive. The tax targets non-resident property owners with luxury homes valued at $5 million or more, with city officials projecting it will raise at least $500 million annually.
Thursday, April 30, 2026