(NewsUSA) - The balance of the world’s wealth is shifting.  

Over the next two decades, Millennials and Gen Z are anticipated to reshape the world’s ultra-wealthy population, gradually overtaking Baby Boomers as the largest class of individuals with a personal worth exceeding $30 million.

But Baby Boomers aren’t stepping aside just yet.

More than 78 million Baby Boomers are looking to retire within the next 10 to 15 years, but they’re retiring later and at a more gradual pace than previous generations. The average planned retirement age now falls between 65 and 69, a marked shift from the past in which 65 was considered the age to retire.

And Baby Boomers aren’t just working longer – they’re also holding on to their power. Baby Boomers own more than 65 percent of businesses with employees, totaling nearly four million companies and controlling an estimated 80 percent of total U.S. net worth.

Increasingly, Baby Boomers are following more gradual exit paths from work than previous generations, easing into retirement and holding on to control long past traditional retirement age and gradually exiting the workforce. 

These gradual exits can pose serious challenges for future generations, particularly as it comes to succession planning. Despite this generation’s significant wealth and economic influence, 78 percent of Baby Boomer business owners do not have a formal exit or succession plan in place. 

This failure to plan can leave Baby Boomers vulnerable to losing their wealth and their legacy, as illustrated by Sumner Redstone, the media mogul behind Viacom and CBS. Though Redstone, who was in his nineties at the time, eventually designated his daughter as his successor, the path to succession involved public family conflict, lawsuits and reputational damage. This complex succession battle has marred his empire-building legacy. 

Baby Boomers may also find themselves vulnerable to manipulation from family members. Zygmunt Solorz, a Polish billionaire and media entrepreneur, is a prime example. Solorz’s children reportedly manipulated him into initiating succession protocol before he was ready to step down. At age 69, he is now fighting to retain control of the business empire he built from the ground up.

As Baby Boomers approach retirement, it’s critical that they take swift, proactive steps to safeguard themselves from financial and personal risks. 

The wealth shift is inevitable. But how it unfolds will depend in large part on how well today’s ultra-wealthy prepare for tomorrow.

(NewsUSA) - Over the next two decades, more than $84 trillion in wealth is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to younger generations.

This so-called "Great Wealth Transfer" marks the largest intergenerational handoff of wealth in history. The question is: are families truly prepared?

Without proper planning, this wealth can be lost in a generation. Data shows 70 percent of families lose a portion of their wealth due to interfamilial conflict, with nearly 60 percent of estates ending up under court control because of improper estate planning. 

This intergenerational wealth transfer puts familial relationships under unprecedented strain, heightened in today's globalized and blended family structures, where cross-border assets and multiple marriages add new legal and emotional elements.

Blended families and ones with estranged members face particularly challenges, with inheritance issues often magnified in households with ex-spouses, new partners, or children from previous marriages. 

More than half of wills are contested among these families. Disputes can arise when surviving spouses are granted significant control or perceived favoritism creates resentment among heirs.

Inheritance battles among heirs aren't the only risk. Older, high-net-worth individuals may find themselves vulnerable to manipulation. Potential heirs may exploit weakened relationships or unclear succession plans to access wealth prematurely – or even take control of family businesses.

While Rupert Murdoch's high-profile legal dispute with his children ended well for him in protecting his empire and succession plan, the ongoing legal case involving another media mogul, Polish billionaire Zygmunt Solorz illustrates the complexities at play. Solorz is entangled in a dispute with his three children over control of his media empire. 

Court filings suggest that the billionaire was manipulated by his children into initiating a premature succession process, exploiting the company's financial holdings in Liechtenstein and engaging in a hostile takeover of his business - leading to a continuous decline in stock prices and harming shareholders.

While these two examples involve ultra wealthy individuals, the cases serve as a warning to baby boomers on the importance of wealth management and asset protection to prevent interfamilial conflict especially for family businesses from Wall Street to Main Street.

Improper handling can fracture families, derail business empires, and lead to significant loss in generational wealth. 

With the Great Wealth Transfer underway, thoughtful, professional, and forward-looking preparation is needed to protect assets, preserve relationships and legacies across generations. 

(NewsUSA) - For most kids, the back-to-school season means catching up with friends, shopping for  supplies, and falling back into familiar routines – military kids face a different reality. They’re often walking into yet another new school, in yet another new city.

Military kids typically attend 6-9 different schools before they graduate high school. Every time their parent receives orders for a change of station, the whole family is once again transplanted into a new community. And these moves aren’t from one base to another – 70% of military families live in civilian neighborhoods, not on military installations. Despite living alongside their civilian neighbors, only 39% of military families feel connected to them, according to the 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.  

For military kids, this means the start of school can feel lonely and overwhelming, with frequent moves disrupting everything that helps kids thrive: their friendships, extracurricular activities, and academic progress. That's why the way military children are welcomed into their new schools and communities matters so much. It can make the difference between facing yet another difficult transition and a fresh start filled with exciting possibilities.  

This year, communities across the country have a chance to make that difference. The sixth annual Blue Star Welcome Week (September 27–October 5, 2025), presented by Blue Star Families, is a nationwide effort to turn the back-to-school season into a time of belonging for the 600,000 military families who move each year.

This nationwide call to action encourages neighbors, schools, and local businesses to create meaningful connections with the military families in their neighborhoods. 

“Imagine you are a military kid on your sixth move, gearing up for your seventh new school – it’s tough,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet of Blue Star Families. “That’s one reason we developed Blue Star Welcome Week – to help schools, libraries, businesses, and neighbors ease the way for these kids and their families. It takes a village to support our military families, and Welcome Week is an easy and fun way for anyone to do their part. Help us welcome military families to your neighborhood and build a stronger, more united America at the same time!”

Here are five simple ways Blue Star Families encourages you to  Do Your Part to welcome military families and help kids feel at home in your community during Welcome Week and beyond:

• Welcome Military Kids. Meeting classmates, exploring new places, and joining community activities helps them feel they belong. With free access to parks and cultural attractions through Blue Star Outdoors  and Blue Star Museums, you can turn small gestures like an invitation or shared meal into lasting connections.
• Attend or Host a Community Gathering.Organize or join a neighborhood coffee, block party, outdoor movie, or potluck to help military families meet new neighbors and begin building local connections.
• Support Military Spouses and Parents.Consider hiring a military spouse, connect them to professional networks, or volunteer at a military-impacted school to bridge the military-civilian divide.
• Learn About Military Families’ Lives. The 2024 Military Family Lifestyle Survey shows that frequent relocations often create significant financial strain, with many families taking months – or even longer – to recover from the costs of a move. Taking time to understand these challenges is the first step toward meaningful support and building stronger, more connected communities. 
• Every Little Bit Helps. Make a gift to Blue Star Families to strengthen programs that connect, support, and empower military families. Your donation can fuel initiatives and research that drive lasting change – ensuring families feel a true sense of belonging in their communities.

Blue Star Welcome Week is more than an event – it’s a movement to ensure every military child and family feels valued, supported, and truly at home.

Join the movement September 27–October 5, 2025. Learn more at bluestarwelcomeweek.org.

(NewsUSA) - The anti-inflammatory medication dupilumab, marketed as Dupixent, is the subject of a lawsuit alleging a link between the use of the medication and the development of a type of skin cancer known as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Dupixent is prescribed for several medical conditions including asthma and eczema. CTCL is a type of skin cancer that develops in white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.

Early signs and symptoms of CTCL include red, scaly patches, rashes, lumps and bumps, discoloration, thickened skin, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, itching, fever and chills, unexplained weight loss, pain or tenderness, and night sweats. As CTCL progresses, the visual changes can affect up to 80% of the skin’s surface. Ultimately, the disease can spread to internal organs, including the spleen and liver.

Dupixent manufacturers Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi Genzyme failed to adequately warn of the risks in taking the drug, according to Ellen Relkin, partner in the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg and practice group chair of the firm’s Drug and Medical Device Litigation team. The law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg is taking legal cases for patients who have and used an anti-inflammatory medication and have been diagnosed with skin cancer.

“Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is a very rare type of skin cancer. This makes it all the more critical for the manufacturer to warn patients about the danger,” states Relkin.

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reported an increased risk of CTCL was found in a cohort of atopic dermatitis patients who used dupilumab. “The increased risk persisted after exclusion of prior disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use. Risk was not increased for other cutaneous or lymphoid malignancies,” the researchers wrote.

“Doctors and patients alike need to be sufficiently warned, and patients who take Dupixent, and their doctors, need to keep a careful eye out for any disturbing changes to their skin,” says Ms. Relkin.  

“Those who took Dupixent and are suffering deserve compensation. And we are going to help you get it,” she insists.

Weitz & Luxenberg is encouraging anyone diagnosed with CTCL who used Dupixent to contact the firm for information about legal options and a free initial consultation. Call (917) LAWYERS or visit https://www.weitzlux.com/firm-news/dupixent-skin-cancer-lawsuit-ctcl/.

(NewsUSA) - The passage into law of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a substantial shift in U.S. energy policy — reversing policies that have powered energy growth to meet skyrocketing energy demand. While proponents cast it as a pro-growth, budget‑cutting measure, its impact on America’s burgeoning solar, wind, and storage industries is profoundly concerning.

The bill phases out clean energy tax credits rapidly. These credits helped in the deployment of 49 GW of energy capacity in 2024 alone — representing 93% of all new electricity generation. Cutting them short now disrupts manufacturing, risks hundreds of thousands of jobs and could lead to increased electricity rates across the country.

U.S. electricity demand is expected to rise 35–50% by 2040, primarily fueled by the increase in data centers and the artificial intelligence. Clean energy—wind, solar, storage—is positioned to fill that gap. With more than 2,000 GW queued for interconnection and 95% of upcoming projects coming from renewables, derailing this pipeline now raises serious concerns about meeting future energy needs.

The clean energy economy is a powerhouse: 320 GW of utility-scale capacity, supporting nearly 80 million homes, sustaining 1.4 million jobs, and contributing $18 billion to GDP annually. Faster tax credit phase-outs threaten to stall U.S. manufacturing growth spurred by the demand of clean energy components— undermining U.S. competitiveness against countries like China and forfeiting thousands of high-paying jobs in rural America.

While incentives for oil, gas, coal, nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture remain strong, solar and wind now face additional hurdles to the detriment of energy reliability. The bill unmistakably tilts federal policy toward specific energy sources at a time when diversification is key to grid resilience.

As a result, the threat of higher consumer prices and diminished grid reliability without clean energy’s rapid expansion is real. We need every reliable energy source—but we also need coherence in federal policy that doesn’t undercut one side of the energy spectrum.

This new law will slow the renewable boom. Developers and consumers in this race know the stakes: global competitiveness, energy affordability, and environmental stewardship. Our national interest demands it. The new law is a step back—and America’s energy future deserves better.

(NewsUSA) - The stakes were high at the Illinois State Fair this year with a herd of young farmers ready to showcase their hard work and expertise in the agricultural industry. 

As the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, CME Group is committed to the education of future market participants so they can manage their business risks throughout their careers. For the 10th consecutive year, CME Group awarded a $5,000 scholarship to each Grand Champion livestock exhibitor. Additionally, the company recognized each Illinois 4-H Skillathon champion with a $1,000 scholarship. Over the past decade, CME Group has contributed more than $500,000 to advance the education of young Illinois farmers and ranchers.

“We are incredibly proud of this next generation of producers and are honored to support them as they further their education of and passion for agriculture," said John Ricci, Global Head of Agricultural Products at CME Group. “This community is vital to our business, and we remain committed to developing the students who will feed the world and advance our global economy.”

The 2025 Grand Champion scholarship recipients were: Kadie Hummel (Kankakee County), John Lukach (LaSalle County), Trevor Rhoads (DeKalb County), Ashley Wiegand (Woodford County), Bryce Clayton (Scott County), Olive Ryan (Christian County), Maddox Horner (Jasper County), Austin Ater (Champaign County) and Conner Robinson (Morgan County).

The 2025 Skillathon scholarship winners, out of a record 63 participants, were: Gracie Walker (Hamilton County), Preston Howell (DeWitt County), Addison Tebbe (Clinton County), Abby Wamsley (Christian County), Olivia Quertermous (Johnson County), Deacon Shanks (Christian County), Luke Short (Christian County), Jollie Johnson (Henderson County) and Kalen Setterdahl (Knox County). 

Image Caption (names left to right): Ashley Wiegand, Conner Robinson, John Lukach, Bryce Clayton, Austin Ater, Trevor Rhoads, Maddox Horner, Kadie Hummel, Olive Ryan

(NewsUSA) - If you filed for a tax extension, you've bought yourself time, but not immunity from risk. As the October deadline approaches, be wary of slick promises from online platforms offering "AI-powered" shortcuts for claiming the federal research and development (R&D) tax credit. The IRS has issued guidance warning about overreliance on AI in completing tax returns. Due to its significant benefits to American businesses yet potential for abuse, the R&D tax credit can be the target of high scrutiny by the IRS, so exercising caution is crucial when using AI in tax filings.

The R&D tax credit can be a valuable benefit for innovative companies, but it's also one of the most closely scrutinized. To qualify, businesses must show that their work meets strict IRS criteria, something that AI alone cannot verify. The IRS has raised concerns about AI's inability to make legal judgments, ensure accuracy or recognize complex nuances in a company's activities.

For instance, interviews are a critical part of accurately claiming the R&D tax credit, since they provide context that data alone cannot capture. However, some platforms, like SPRX, Neo.Tax and MainStreet, advertise AI tools that "eliminate the need for interviews" or "streamline your tax compliance." The IRS requires businesses to demonstrate that their activities qualify for the R&D tax credit, and in the absence of real interviews, the criteria can't be fully understood by automated inputs, risking miscalculation, assumptions and even hallucinations by the AI.

AI can process data, but it can't recognize subtle red flags, consider context or apply professional judgement the way a seasoned CPA can. Without human insight, businesses and taxpayers risk submitting claims that may be incomplete or overgeneralized, subjecting companies to audits or fines. AI cannot replace the real-world expertise that human CPAs exercise. Ultimately, if the IRS comes knocking, the business itself, not shady AI-driven tax providers, will have to defend their filing.

(NewsUSA) - Shopping online is easy and convenient—you can find almost anything, from snacks to sneakers. But not every product is what it seems. While most sellers are honest, some try to take advantage of shoppers by offering counterfeit goods.

That’s why at Walmart we’ve built layers of protection into the shopping experience—to help you shop with confidence. Here's how to stay sharp when shopping anywhere online.

How to Identify a Counterfeit Product

• Check the Seller's Reputation: Always look at the seller's ratings and reviews on the platform. A strong, positive track record and customer reviews are good signs. Be wary of brand-new sellers with no history or negative reviews.
• Examine Listings Carefully: Be cautious of listings with poor-quality images, blurred logos, misspelled brand names, or spelling and grammar errors in the product description. Trusted sellers with authentic listings typically feature clear, professional photos and detailed, accurate information.
• Compare Prices: If a price seems "too good to be true," it likely is. Extremely low prices for a typically expensive item, especially when compared to other reputable sellers, are a major red flag for fakes.

• Trust Your Instincts: If something about a listing or a seller feels off, move on. Seek out other, more trusted sellers on the marketplace. Your gut feeling can often be a good indicator.
• Review Return and Warranty Policies: Reputable sellers typically offer clear and transparent return, refund, and warranty policies. Look for these details before buying, as a lack of clear policies can be a red flag.

At Walmart, before a seller can list items on Walmart.com, they go through an identity and business check. We also use smart tools and teams of people to review listings and remove any items or sellers that do not meet our standards. If you do see something that doesn’t seem right—like a suspicious item or seller—say something! You can report them to us, details here. And if a customer isn’t satisfied—for any reason—our return policy is designed to make things right, quickly and easily.

With all these protections in place, you can truly shop with peace of mind. The truth is, the vast majority of items sold online are authentic and sold by trustworthy sellers. By combining our robust safeguards with these simple tricks, you can navigate the online marketplace with even more confidence.

(Jane Kamensky and John Bridgeland) - On July 4, 2025, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello hosted its 63rd annual immigration and naturalization ceremony, swearing in 74 new American citizens from 40 countries across five continents. Their stories remind us of the promise of the Declaration of Independence we celebrate in this 249th anniversary year.

Jefferson would have approved. The ability to leave one's country and join another was, he wrote in 1817, a "natural right, like that of our right to life, liberty, … and the pursuit of happiness” he enumerated in the Declaration decades before.

Keynote speaker Ken Burns captured the spirit of the day by noting that in 1776 -- when kings ruled in France and Britain, a Czarina in St. Petersburg, an emperor in China, a Sultan in Constantinople, and a Shogun in Japan -- men in Philadelphia envisioned a system and wrote words in a Declaration that "turned the world upside down." And out of the Revolutionary War, Burns said, America "came to be about the noblest aspirations of humankind."

Judge John Charles Thomas, the first Black American appointed to Virginia's Supreme Court, declaimed the Declaration's preamble to a roaring crowd. Judge Michael Urbanski noted these new citizens were taking the same oath new Americans had pledged since President Jefferson signed the Naturalization Act of 1802.

Like many American leaders since, Jefferson believed immigration made our country stronger, fairer, richer, and truer to its ideals.

A young woman recounted fleeing Afghanistan in 2020 for “safety, freedom and dignity.” A 35-year-old woman from Peru said she waited decades, like so many others, to become an American. An Irishman became a U.S. citizen “to have my voice count as a parent, neighbor and citizen.” An older woman from Syria simply danced with joy.

As those who witness naturalization ceremonies know, they are powerful reminders to Americans born in this country of why we should value it. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson said to new citizens in Philadelphia: “if some of us have forgotten what America believed in, you…imported in your own hearts a renewal of the belief…. If I have in any degree forgotten what America was intended for, I will thank God if you will remind me.”

In the century that preceded the Declaration of Independence, almost everyone in the 13 American colonies – whether of European or African descent – had arrived there from someplace else, often within two generations or less. Even Native Americans uprooted often, sometimes in response to European migrations. Since 1776, the United States has constantly been reborn by drawing in populations from around the world, breathing life into the country's motto, e pluribus unum.

As America moves into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we ought to learn more about our country's plural origin story, and the ways we became one, born from many. Our founding ideals have endured the test of time precisely because of the recommitment we saw on Jefferson's mountaintop on July 4: a ceremony that spurred us all to renew our oath. Our new and varied fellow Americans breathe fresh life into those ancient ideals and remind us of the relevance they hold for our world today and for future generations.

To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, download these materials at Declaration Book Club.

(Jane Kamensky & John Bridgeland) - On July 4, 2025, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello hosted its 63rd annual immigration and naturalization ceremony, swearing in 74 new American citizens from 40 countries across five continents. Their stories remind us of the promise of the Declaration of Independence we celebrate in this 249th anniversary year.

Jefferson would have approved. The ability to leave one's country and join another was, he wrote in 1817, a "natural right, like that of our right to life, liberty, … and the pursuit of happiness” he enumerated in the Declaration decades before.

Keynote speaker Ken Burns captured the spirit of the day by noting that in 1776 -- when kings ruled in France and Britain, a Czarina in St. Petersburg, an emperor in China, a Sultan in Constantinople, and a Shogun in Japan -- men in Philadelphia envisioned a system and wrote words in a Declaration that "turned the world upside down." And out of the Revolutionary War, Burns said, America "came to be about the noblest aspirations of humankind."

Judge John Charles Thomas, the first Black American appointed to Virginia's Supreme Court, declaimed the Declaration's preamble to a roaring crowd. Judge Michael Urbanski noted these new citizens were taking the same oath new Americans had pledged since President Jefferson signed the Naturalization Act of 1802.

Like many American leaders since, Jefferson believed immigration made our country stronger, fairer, richer, and truer to its ideals.

A young woman recounted fleeing Afghanistan in 2020 for “safety, freedom and dignity.” A 35-year-old woman from Peru said she waited decades, like so many others, to become an American. An Irishman became a U.S. citizen “to have my voice count as a parent, neighbor and citizen.” An older woman from Syria simply danced with joy.

As those who witness naturalization ceremonies know, they are powerful reminders to Americans born in this country of why we should value it. In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson said to new citizens in Philadelphia: “if some of us have forgotten what America believed in, you…imported in your own hearts a renewal of the belief…. If I have in any degree forgotten what America was intended for, I will thank God if you will remind me.”

In the century that preceded the Declaration of Independence, almost everyone in the 13 American colonies – whether of European or African descent – had arrived there from someplace else, often within two generations or less. Even Native Americans uprooted often, sometimes in response to European migrations. Since 1776, the United States has constantly been reborn by drawing in populations from around the world, breathing life into the country's motto, e pluribus unum.

As America moves into the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, we ought to learn more about our country's plural origin story, and the ways we became one, born from many. Our founding ideals have endured the test of time precisely because of the recommitment we saw on Jefferson's mountaintop on July 4: a ceremony that spurred us all to renew our oath. Our new and varied fellow Americans breathe fresh life into those ancient ideals and remind us of the relevance they hold for our world today and for future generations.

To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, download these materials at Declaration Book Club.