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New York City's economy is characterized as K-shaped, with millionaires capturing over half of all income growth since the pandemic. Meanwhile, poverty rates in NYC have reached record highs, leading more residents to rely on safety net benefits like SNAP and cash assistance. Experts note this disparity creates a highly polarized environment.

Higgsfield has been valued at $5.4bn following support from Goldman and Intel for the AI video start-up. The company targets marketing content for businesses and was founded by former Snap executive Alex Mashrabov.

Miniature venture funds are operating at select Silicon Valley private schools, receiving parent-investors from major firms like Sequoia and Lightspeed. These school programs, described as a recent trend, have seen high returns, such as one fund turning $15,000 into roughly $34 million at an IPO for Saint Francis High School. With anticipated IPOs from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, these school funds may hold significant investment potential.

Big tech firms, including Meta, TikTok, Google, and Snap, are fighting against roughly 3,000 youth safety lawsuits alleging their platforms harmed mental health and were addictive. The litigation gained momentum after a federal court ruled that Section 230 provides 'a defense to liability, not immunity from lawsuits.' These cases focus on how the companies allegedly engineered their algorithms to maximize user engagement using techniques that exploit the brain's reward system.

House Republicans hope that efforts to crack down on alleged abuse in safety-net programs will revive talks of tackling fraud before year's end. However, skepticism remains about whether any such bill will reach the president’s desk due to impending midterms and lack of immediate success. The article notes that achieving legislative goals requires intervention from Vice President Vance or President Trump.

The article asserts that despite its importance in crises, government services are often designed around bureaucracy rather than the people they serve, making access difficult and eroding public trust. To propose a solution, it offers a blueprint suggesting a new Cabinet-level Department of Services and giving implementation authority to a Deputy Chief of Staff for better delivery across all government levels.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman held a markup hearing on his version of the Farm Bill, but the measure failed to move forward due to a 10-11 vote against it. Although debates over SNAP funding are blocking passage, the legislation governs vast agricultural policy and contains crucial provisions for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect broadband program.

Snap reported Q2 revenue of $1.6 billion, a 19% increase year over year, with 493 million daily active users, leading to a stock surge due to improved ad sales.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel avoided answering questions about Specs preorder during the Q2 earnings call. He stated that mass-market consumer adoption of the product will not occur until the end of the decade.

Snap's stock increased by 12% following a second-quarter earnings report that surpassed analysts' estimates. The company also provided a strong sales forecast, contributing to the stock's rise.

Over 4 million people are no longer receiving food aid as SNAP participation has declined since July due to program changes and historic cuts.

The 'Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce' Act proposes a pilot program to allocate grants to states, enabling them to provide $60 monthly produce assistance to lower-income and moderate-income individuals. The initiative aims to support SNAP recipients and some middle-class families by enhancing access to fresh groceries.

Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Google are facing a wrongful death lawsuit from four U.S. families. The Social Media Victims Law Center accused the companies of creating addictive and dangerous platforms.

Lisbon Black, a 76-year-old New Yorker, relies on a $1,200 monthly Social Security income and works additional jobs to afford life in the city, including eating at the Broadway Community soup kitchen. He highlights the city's high cost of living, where 62% of residents struggle to meet basic needs, and explains why he remains despite financial challenges.

Pennsylvania lawmakers were urged to protect SNAP benefits and support the state's farming industry amid rising grocery costs and federal policy uncertainty. Food bank leaders, a union representative, and state officials highlighted the strain on families and businesses due to inflation and the Trump administration's policies, including tariffs and immigration guidance.

The Federal Government cut Hawaiʻi markets from the Food Stamps Program, reducing customers' access to food. This move also means stores can't purchase as much product from local farmers.

The Trump administration's policies have reduced SNAP enrollment by 6 million participants since 2024, with further cuts through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act projected to slash $186 billion in funding by 2034. The changes, including stricter eligibility rules and reduced benefits, are exacerbating food affordability challenges amid rising inflation and could force states to cover $9 billion in costs.

Snap will showcase its AR Specs at an event on September 16, offering the first detailed look at the $2,195 glasses.

The FTC accuses telehealth company Hims of sharing users' sensitive sexual wellness pill order information with advertising platforms like Meta and Snap, violating privacy assurances.

The FTC, along with Utah and California, has sued Hims & Hers, a telehealth provider, for allegedly sharing sensitive health data with third-party ad platforms like Meta and Snap, deceptive billing practices that charged users before consultations, and making subscription cancellations difficult. The lawsuit highlights privacy violations and dark patterns in user experience design.

The FTC is suing Hims & Hers for allegedly sharing customers' sensitive health data with Meta, Snap, and other advertising platforms, and for misleading them about billing and subscription cancellation processes. The company is accused of violating privacy assurances and enrolling customers in recurring subscriptions without proper consent.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Hims & Hers, alleging the telehealth company shared users' health data with Meta, Snap, and other third parties, while also deceiving customers about billing and cancellation practices. Hims & Hers responded, claiming the FTC ignored evidence and industry standards.

Hims & Hers stock declined following a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit alleging the telehealth company shared sensitive health data with Meta and Snap while misleading users about billing and cancellation policies.

Hims & Hers shares fell 10% following a lawsuit by the FTC over alleged health data sharing with Meta and Snap, billing practices, and subscription cancellation issues.

Texas lawmakers may need to budget between $1.7 billion and $2.1 billion for the 2028-29 cycle due to new federal requirements shifting some SNAP costs to the state. Officials say they can fix the issue causing the payment error rate.

New data shows a 14% decrease in participation in Virginia's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the past 12 months, with 100,000 fewer Virginians receiving benefits due to program cuts.

Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell and over 200 bipartisan mayors urge Congress to reject further SNAP cuts, citing increased hunger and challenges from new work requirements and eligibility changes under HR1. Advocates report rising caseloads at the Tennessee Justice Center as families struggle with revised rules, impacting homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults aging out of foster care.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools will continue offering free meals at 121 campuses during the upcoming school year, while families at other schools must apply for free or reduced-price meals. The change follows the end of the district's four-year participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which previously allowed free meals for all students districtwide. Families can apply starting Aug. 10, and students certified through programs like SNAP or Medicaid will automatically qualify for free meals.

Over 200 U.S. mayors are urging federal leaders to reverse SNAP program cuts, arguing the changes will exacerbate a food security crisis. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposes new eligibility and work requirements and requires states to fund some benefits starting in 2027, with critics warning of budget strain and increased reliance on food banks.

Uber is laying off 10% of its community operations team and requiring remote workers to return to offices three days a week, citing AI as a reason. The company joins others like Block, IBM, and Snap in cutting jobs under AI-related restructuring.

A teen dropped his social media addiction lawsuit against Meta just before it went to trial. R.K.C. had already settled with YouTube, TikTok, and Snap, leaving Meta as the sole defendant ahead of jury selection.

A minor identified as 'R.K.C.' has dropped his lawsuit against Meta, which was part of a broader case alleging mental health issues caused by social media platforms. The case was set to go to trial in California but was abandoned days before proceedings. The plaintiff previously sued YouTube, Meta, and Snap over claims of harm from platform use.

A 15-year-old plaintiff, R.K.C., dropped his lawsuit against Meta over claims social media caused underage mental health issues, after settling with Google, TikTok, and Snap. The case was part of a mass tort involving 2,500 plaintiffs, with potential implications for a global settlement affecting Meta and other tech firms.

41 states are at risk of losing federal SNAP funds if they fail to address high error rates, which could force states to increase spending or reduce food assistance. The issue centers on states needing to improve their error rates to retain federal funding for the program.

New Yorkers are losing SNAP benefits under new work rules, prompting the city to explore ways to assist. WNYC and Gothamist hosted a community forum on food affordability and SNAP changes as part of their 'In Conversation: The Affordability Series' in Brooklyn.

Over 200 U.S. mayors are urging the federal government to reverse cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The law requires states to fund some SNAP benefits starting in 2027 and imposes new eligibility and work requirements, leading to over 4 million Americans losing benefits and increased pressure on food banks.

Over 200 U.S. mayors, including seven from Pennsylvania, are urging the federal government to reverse cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The changes, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, impose new eligibility and work requirements and require states to fund SNAP benefits starting in 2027, potentially displacing millions of recipients and straining local resources.

Chicago residents are expressing concerns over the potential closure of 7 Save A Lot stores, including one in Englewood, due to declining SNAP use.

Families with young children in America are facing severe financial strain due to rising costs of essentials like housing, groceries, healthcare, and childcare. Surveys indicate that economic conditions are worsening, with inflation forcing parents to cancel summer plans and cut back on activities. The National Parents Union attributes the crisis to tariffs, the Iran conflict, and the rollback of social safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

The Trump administration reinstated a 'public charge' policy that considers immigrants' use of Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP when evaluating green card eligibility. The policy could deter immigrant families from accessing health and food assistance programs, potentially increasing emergency room visits and health disparities.