Wellness

One in five employees (19%) believe salaries for new hires will be lower compared to 2025.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sent termination notices to hundreds of grant recipients late on Tuesday, NPR reported.

In Washington, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington was fined $300,000 for failing to provide sufficient documentation on provider standards and network adequacy, while in Georgia, regulators issued nearly $25 million in fines across 22 insurers following audits that uncovered systemic compliance gaps.

“Small businesses have navigated a year filled with challenges, from tariffs and inflation to a prolonged government shutdown – yet their optimism remains unwavering,” says Larry Franco, Comerica Bank Executive Vice President and National Director of Retail & Small Business Banking.

Essentials, not luxuries, are driving every day strain. According to the survey, 65% of respondents said the cost of everyday necessities is their top financial stressor.

Organizations that will thrive in 2026 won’t be those that merely adopt AI tools. Success will favor those who thoughtfully integrate human expertise, organizational strategy and AI capabilities.