Jemin Na, CPA

Super excited about this...

I'm hiring a video editor to help bring economics to a mass audience (yes, really). If you're thoughtful, creative, and want to make complex ideas accessible, I'd love to see your work.

Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Or share with your most amazing mates!

Great minds align at tax filing season. @joebwan.bsky.social @eidebailly.bsky.social roundup cites, among many other tax tidbits, the Taxpayer Advocate's recommendationthat filers get an IP PIN. Joe concurs with it, and I'm also shamelessly adding my👍to this esteemed pair.

AI Doesn’t Reduce Work—It Intensifies It One of the promises of AI is that it can reduce workloads so employees can focus more on higher-value and more engaging tasks. But according to new research, AI tools don’t reduce work, they consisten...

One of the promises of AI is that it can reduce workloads so employees can focus on higher-value tasks. But according to new research, AI tools don’t reduce work, they consistently intensify it. (Free registration required)

Wingstop Comparable Sales Fall Amid Consumer Weakness Wingstop reported lower fourth-quarter comparable sales after previously saying that weakness from Hispanic and low-income consumers was weighing on its business.

Wingstop Comparable Sales Fall Amid Consumer Weakness

"The company guided for 2026 domestic same-store sales growth of flat to low-single digits. The company said in November it was continuing to struggle from a decline in spending from Hispanic and low-income consumers"
www.wsj.com/business/ear...

Billionaires’ Low Taxes Are Becoming a Problem for the Economy Tax avoidance by the superwealthy is an economic issue as well as a political one.

Billionaires’ Low Taxes Are Becoming a Problem for the Economy

Tax avoidance by the superwealthy is an economic issue as well as a political one
www.wsj.com/finance/bill...

Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda

Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda

Meta’s biggest election investment aims to prevent state legislation that it fears could inhibit artificial intelligence development. Its spending starts this week in Texas and Illinois.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/t...

Chatbots Are the New Influencers Brands Must Woo

Chatbots Are the New Influencers Brands Must Woo

Companies are realizing they can no longer simply promote themselves to potential customers. They have to win over the robots, too.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/t...

140,000 waiting for affordable housing; Riverside County closes list Demand for affordable housing in Riverside County is so high the county has stopped accepting new applications for Section 8 vouchers.

140,000 waiting for affordable housing; Riverside County closes list
www.desertsun.com/story/news/l...

Roth IRA conversions gain traction as Gen X ages. Should you convert? Roth IRAs are popular for tax benefits in retirement. Consider Vanguard's 'BETR' approach, other factors to see if a Roth conversion's right for you.

Roth IRA conversions gain traction as Gen X ages. Should you convert?
www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Billionaires Spielberg, Zuckerberg eyeing East Coast, stirring concerns about California's wealth-tax proposal Filmmaker Steven Spielberg recently moved to Manhattan and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is eyeing property in South Florida as a labor union tries to place a wealth tax on the November ballot in C...

Billionaires Spielberg, Zuckerberg eyeing East Coast, stirring concerns about California’s wealth-tax proposal
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Helms Design District Los Angeles’ Home for Furniture, Design, Art and Fine Dining

Helms Design District
helmsdesigndistrict.com

A sprawling Culver City space will soon be home to Ikea The furniture giant known for "Billy" bookcases and Swedish meatballs will occupy part of the old Helms Bakery building.

A sprawling Culver City space will soon be home to Ikea
www.latimes.com/business/sto...

Americans, not other countries, paid Trump's tariffs in 2025 President Donald Trump has repeatedly said foreigners would pay for his import tariffs. A new report says Americans picked up most of the tab.

Fed: U.S. bore 90% of tariffs’ burden

Americans paid for tax despite Trump’s pledge
www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Hit me: California’s blackjack ban could bust L.A. card clubs It’s a bust for blackjack in California cardrooms.

Blackjack ban could bust L.A. card clubs

Gambling operators fight new state rules they say would cost jobs and tax revenue.
www.latimes.com/business/sto...

U.S. is seeing ‘jobless boom’

Economy expands rapidly, but nation’s employment growth is barely budging.
enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/art...

Thank you Dr. Robby.

The economy remains resilient, with record employment, steady wage growth, and solid consumer spending supporting restaurant traffic. 🍽️ Our forecast points to continued expansion ahead, with moderating inflation and job gains helping sustain dining demand into 2026.

The economy remains resilient, with record employment, steady wage growth, and solid consumer spending supporting restaurant traffic. 🍽️

I'm glad I am not an economist.😵‍💫😵‍💫
x.com/WeRRestauran...

For all of us convinced we're living in an upside-down world, here's how it's also happening in the tax world. A @joebwan.bsky.social @eidebailly.bsky.social item notes that the allure of tax cuts fades among conservative activists, challenging the GOP's midterm messaging.

I just did the dumbest thing of my entire career to prove a much more serious point.

I tricked ChatGPT and Google, and made them tell other users I’m a competitive hot-dog-eating world champion

People are using this trick on a massive scale to make AI tell you lies. I’ll explain how I did it

The taqueria that gave us soft tacos to become L.A. historic site Famous for proliferating soft tacos, al pastor and the taco truck throughout the region, King Taco and its first storefront could see cultural recognition from the city this year.

The taqueria that gave us soft tacos to become L.A. historic site

Democracy Docket is growing! It has nine new job openings.

If you are looking to work for a fast growing independent, pro-democracy news platform, apply now! ats.rippling.com/democracy-do...

The week’s bestselling books, Feb. 22 The Southern California Independent Bookstore Bestsellers list for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, including hardcover and paperback fiction and nonfiction.

The week's bestselling books, Feb. 22

Key full-year US hotel metrics fall for first time since 2020 In 2025, occupancy and RevPAR both saw declines, while ADR rose, according to data from CoStar. Las Vegas saw the steepest year-over-year RevPAR declines among the top 25 markets.

Key full-year US hotel metrics fall for first time since 2020

In 2025, occupancy and RevPAR both saw declines, while ADR rose, according to data from CoStar.
www.hoteldive.com/news/hotel-o...

Lenders to Commercial Real Estate Owners: Pay Up Now The delinquency rate for office building owners jumped to a record high last month.

Lenders to Commercial Real Estate Owners: Pay Up Now

The delinquency rate for office building owners jumped to a record high last month
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...

InterContinental Hotels Group Posts Higher Revenue Despite Tough U.S. Market The owner of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza chains said higher profit and revenue in 2025 was supported by expansion in key markets.

InterContinental Hotels Group Posts Higher Revenue Despite Tough U.S. Market

"Room revenue, a key metric for the hotel industry, rose 1.5% in the year, with Americas broadly flat at 0.3%"
www.wsj.com/business/ear...

General Mills Cuts Outlook Due to Weak Consumer Sentiment General Mills lowered its sales and profit outlook for the fiscal year, as stressed consumers are buying fewer snacks and looking for more promotions.

General Mills Lowers Its Outlook
www.wsj.com/business/ret...

U.S. Home-Builder Sentiment Edges Lower on Cost Concerns Confidence among U.S. home builders inched lower this month, as affordability challenges persisted.

U.S. Home-Builder Sentiment Edges Lower on Cost Concerns

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index was 36 in February, down from 37 in January
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...

Trump wants to 'bring car prices tumbling down.' When will you see it? For the second time in a half decade, President Trump is slashing fuel economy standards in a bid to lower prices for car buyers. Will it work?

Trump guts fuel rules to cut costs

Promises change will lead to cheaper autos
www.usatoday.com/story/cars/s...

L.A. Times Festival of Books
April 18-19, 2026

The Festival of Books brings together renowned authors, emerging voices, and book lovers to explore the world of storytelling.
sites.usc.edu/festivalofbo...

Beef prices are skyrocketing as U.S. herd shrinks Beef prices are skyrocketing as U.S. herd shrinks

Beef prices are skyrocketing as U.S. herd shrinks

The supply of cattle has fallen in recent years to the smallest level since early 1950s.
enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/art...