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A serpentine wall at the University of Virginia. (Photo by Karen Blaha CC) " data-image-caption="A serpentine wall at the University of Virginia. (Photo by Karen Blaha CC) " data-medium-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/Serpentine-Wall-UVa-Daffodils-2010.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://www.pressherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/01/Serpentine-Wall-UVa-Daffodils-2010.jpg?w=780" />Good ideas tend to travel everywhere – or get reinvented.

House To Vote On Bill To Fund The Government Authored by Joseph Lord via The Epoch Times, The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a multi-bill package to fund the federal government on Thursday. The legislation includes funding for the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Most portions of the bill are expected to pass easily as members of both parties seek to avoid a repeat of the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, that accompanied the previous government funding fight. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are among those, and both leaders have expressed a desire to work with Republicans to pass the 12 annual government funding bills ahead of the Jan. 30 funding deadline. Though it includes some spending cuts, the package largely holds funding levels at fiscal year 2025 rates. Republicans are expected to back the legislation largely along party lines. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, praised the bill in a statement, saying it “reflects the core tenets of American strength: combat-ready forces, secure communities, effective education and health systems, and modern transportation. At every level, it applies innovation and discipline to deliver results without waste.” In line with leadership’s desire to avoid a government shutdown, the sections of the bill related to funding for the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development are expected to gain Democratic support as well. However, one segment of the funding has proven divisive. DHS Funding Controversy Ahead of the vote, Democrats came out en masse against the portion of the bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats have been increasingly critical of the agency that oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticism that has only intensified in the wake of the ICE-involved shooting of Renée Nicole Good in Minneapolis. In the aftermath of the shooting, Democrats have called for President Donald Trump to back off on the deployment of ICE agents to Democrat-run areas, while the party’s progressive wing has renewed calls to “abolish ICE.” In Congress, lawmakers have largely urged funding cuts or policy reforms. While this package includes reforms, several Democrats have indicated that they don’t go far enough and have expressed an intention to oppose the bill. Despite this opposition, the DHS funding measure is expected to pass with wide GOP support and support from some Democrats. ICE Reforms The bill would implement several changes to ICE’s policies and procedures. One measure in the bill would provide $20 million to ICE for the procurement and deployment of body cameras for ICE and other immigration agents engaged in domestic law enforcement activities. It would similarly require standardization of ICE and immigration agents’ uniforms. It provides additional funding for civil liberties-related oversight of ICE activities. The bill would also mandate additional training for immigration agents operating within the U.S. interior, with a focus on de-escalation. It also instructs DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to ensure that all immigration agents are properly trained on Americans’ First Amendment right to record federal agents during public operations. It also provides substantially fewer detention beds than were requested by the administration, instead cutting the number. While 50,000 beds were requested, an increase, the bill would cut the total number of detention beds to 41,500, marking a decrease of 5,500 beds. It also slightly reduces funding for enforcement and removal operations, cutting $115 million. However, for many Democrats, these reforms don’t go far enough. Democrats Split Democrats are split on the issue, though many…

Rate-Cut Odds Tumble As Jobless Claims Hover Near 56-Year-Lows Following last week's plunge back below 200k, analysts expected a small rise to 209k this week but the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time remained flat at 200k. Notably, as is usual at this time of year, non-seasonally-adjusted claims spiked... Source: Bloomberg ...basically hovering at its lowest levels since 1969... Source: Bloomberg New York and Georgia saw the largest drops in jobless claims while Puerto Rico saw a modest increase in claims... Continuing jobless claims also ticked down (to 1.849 million Americans) - the lowest since November... Source: Bloomberg All of which fits with the ebbing of rate-cut expectations for this year... Source: Bloomberg ...likely much to the chagrin of President Trump. Tyler Durden Thu, 01/22/2026 - 08:35

US Futures, Global Markets Rally After Trump Greenland Pivot US equity futures and global stocks are sharply higher as the S&P again marches toward a new ATH while the latest vol spike subsides, after Trump’s tariff pivot eased geopolitical fears, though Greenland and other flashpoints mean the optimistic mood is laced with some caution. As of 8:00am ET, S&P 500 futures rose 0.5% after the benchmark’s biggest advance since November as a relief rally over President Donald Trump’s pivot on Greenland continued, with a flurry of activity in the artificial-intelligence space adding support to tech stocks: Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.8% as names linked to the build-out of AI-infrastructure outperformed in premarket trading, while all Mag 7 members advanced in premarket trading with Fins/Industrials also standout performers as Staples are mostly lower. The 10-year is flat 4.24%, dollar similar DYX $99 and Bitcoin same place as yesterday $89.8k. Commodities are mixed: nat gas surges for a third day of follow through up 14% prompt to $5.56 – highest level since late 2022 – on bruising cold across the US, while crude, copper, gold all taking a breather this morning as WTI may fall below $60/bbl. Today’s macro data gives an update on Q3 metrics, November spending / PCE, and new jobless claims. In premarket trading, Mag 7 stocks are rallying alongside index futures (Alphabet +2%, Tesla +1%, Microsoft +0.8%, Amazon +1%, Nvidia +0.9%, Apple +0.5%, Meta +1.9%) Venture Global Inc. (VG) is up 10% after the company won a dispute with Spain’s Repsol SA involving the sale of liquefied natural gas shipments from its export plant in Louisiana. Abbott (ABT) falls 4% after posting fourth quarter results. Axogen (AXGN) is down 7% after the health care firm said it will offer $85 million of shares of its common stock. Knight-Swift (KNX) falls 2% after the freight transportation company posted fourth quarter earnings that fell short of expectations. Mobileye (MBLY) drops 6% after the maker of software and hardware technology for automobiles provided revenue guidance for 2026 missed the average analyst estimate. Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) slips 1.6% as growth in a key sales metric stagnated in the latest quarter while volume slipped, showing that US consumers spent cautiously in the final months of the year. Rocket Lab (RKLB) falls 2% after the company said qualification testing of the Stage 1 tank resulted in a rupture during a hydrostatic pressure trial. Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) rises 3% as BTIG upgrades the live entertainment and media company to buy, citing multiple catalysts driving the stock’s upside potential. In corporate news, Lululemon’s founder lashed out over the company’s latest product flop, calling it a “total operational failure” that he blamed on the company’s board of directors. GameStop CEO disclosed the purchase of 500,000 shares of the gaming retailer, sending the stock higher in premarket trading. The rebound in stocks followed Trump’s announcement of a framework agreement with NATO to end a days-long standoff over Greenland. The rally gained momentum on Thursday as NATO’s chief said the breakthrough didn’t involve discussion of the territory’s sovereignty, easing concerns over a key sticking point, focusing rather on the broader issue of security. This week’s events have rewarded TACO trade dip buyers, while also serving as a reminder that volatility is never far away. Fundamentals for 2026 still look excellent, according to Tikehau Capital’s Raphael Thuin. There’s “a rare alignment of stars” going on, with double-digit earnings expected, good economic growth and possible rate cuts. “Despite a very positive market narrative about 2026, geopolitical crisis and US tariffs can fuel volatility spikes at any time,” said Raphael Thuin, head of capital markets strategies at Tikehau Capital in Paris. “The fast-changing AI industry, like last year, also represents both a big upward potential as much as a potential downward risk.”…