BusinessFlare Take

Labor Shortages Crushing Your Economy? Cities, Step Up Your Game Labor shortages are stunting U.S. economic growth, but cities don’t have to sit around waiting for solutions from Washington. McKinsey & Company highlights local strategies: streamlined credentialing, workforce retraining, and proactive partnerships, as keys to winning the labor game. Stop whining, start strategizing, and put your city’s economy back in the driver’s seat. How to address US labor shortages | McKinsey

Street Economics Insights

Dead Malls? Nope, Dead Sound Stages. And Why Cities Need Custom AI to Avoid Economic Blind Spots L.A.’s once-booming sound stages are rapidly emptying, becoming the new dead malls – victims of shifting economic tides that generic AI analytics missed completely. As we’ve discussed (remember your hallucinations?), only Street Economics®’ targeted, custom-trained AI catches subtle industry shifts like these before they happen. Cities relying on generic forecasts risk major blind spots. Get smart and get custom. Read more at Elaine Low

Drama Meter

FEMA Chief Forgets Hurricane Season Exists – Cities Stuck Cleaning Up the Mess FEMA’s boss says he was unaware of the U.S. hurricane season – yes, the same FEMA that’s supposed to help your city handle natural disasters. Sources inside FEMA reveal staff confusion and chaos, leaving cities completely on their own as storm season kicks in. Drama Meter: 10/10. Cities, you’re officially flying solo, good luck! Read more at Reuters

Book Drop – Red Tape Empire

Lonely? Skip the AI Friends, Pick Up a Book and Escape the Red Tape Empire Forget AI chatbots if you’re feeling lonely or frustrated by bureaucracy; grab a book instead. It’s exactly the red tape nightmare described in Red Tape Empire that creates isolation and loneliness. Real human connection starts by understanding and overcoming bureaucratic nonsense. Your best tool for navigating life? A good book, not another generic AI assistant. Lonely? You Don’t Need an AI Friend, You Need a Book

ECOSINT & Space Economy Signal Crossover Feature

Safeguarding U.S. Space Industry – Cities on the Economic and Security Front Lines As threats against U.S. space infrastructure intensify, local economies tied to space hubs – like Cape Canaveral, Huntsville, and Houston – must aggressively protect their innovation, supply chains, and intellectual property. Cities must step up local security measures or risk catastrophic economic consequences. Protecting the U.S. space industry isn’t just national security, it’s local economic survival. Safeguarding the US Space Industry – Digital.pdf

Red River Flavor (Double Feature)

California Doctor’s Spicy Lawsuit – Cities, We’ve Hit Peak Food Absurdity A California doctor suing a Thai restaurant over spicy “Dragon Balls” dropped his lawyer to represent himself. This is peak American food absurdity, where litigation replaces common sense. Cities, it’s time to push back on frivolous lawsuits damaging your local food culture and economy. Keep your restaurants thriving, spicy or not. Read more at Hanford Sentinel

Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Eagles and Hawks – We’re Pissed A Virginia man pleaded guilty to killing eagles and hawks – America’s iconic symbols of freedom and bravery. As proud supporters of veterans and authentic Americana, we’re furious. Cities, this is a gut check – protect wildlife, respect national symbols, and hold violators accountable. It’s your patriotic duty. Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Eagles and Hawks | Virginia DWR

The Music Cities

Big Labels Negotiate AI Music Licensing – Cities Must Protect Local Artists Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony are in heavy negotiations over AI-generated music rights. Cities known for their vibrant music economies – Nashville, Austin, Memphis – must ensure these negotiations don’t undercut local musicians and songwriters. AI can’t replace authentic music. Support real artists or risk economic losses. Universal, Warner and Sony Are Negotiating AI Licensing Rights for Music – WSJ

Purple Cow of the Day

Kentucky Bourbon Boom: A Taste You Can’t Replicate – Cities, Take Notes Kentucky bourbon is booming worldwide because it’s authentically local – by law, bourbon can only be made in Kentucky. Cities looking for economic growth, pay attention: Embrace your unique authenticity like Kentucky bourbon does. Generic copies won’t create vibrant economies. Authenticity is your economic purple cow. Boom Times for Bourbon: The taste of Kentucky is winning over the world – Site Selection Magazine

About Street Economics Daily

Street Economics Daily cuts through noise, jargon, and bureaucracy to deliver sharp, actionable insights for civic and economic development professionals. Blunt, irreverent, and grounded firmly in reality, it’s essential daily reading for city leaders who refuse to settle for outdated strategies.

BusinessFlare | Street Economics | Drama Meter | The Music Cities | Goodnight’s Red River