Gas Prices Hit Record Highs This September as National Average Surges | Small Biz Trends

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Gas prices continue to rise in the United States, creating a growing challenge for small businesses that rely heavily on transportation and fuel costs. The most recent data from AAA Gas Prices reveals that the national average for regular gasoline reached $4.48 per gallon—an almost 5-cent increase from the previous week and a record high for this time of year. Notably, this surge defies seasonal norms, which generally see a decrease in fuel prices as autumn begins.

The recent spike can primarily be attributed to ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the robust prices of crude oil. AAA reports that the average price for September is currently $4.30 per gallon, surpassing last year’s record of $3.83. Small business owners might need to brace themselves for further price increases this season, as gasoline demand and production fluctuate.

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‘There was something bigger in the ground here’: Metal detectorist in Germany discovers giant Roman-era hoard from the time of Emperor Hadrian | Live Science

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A metal detectorist in western Germany has discovered one of the largest hoards of Roman silver coins ever found in that country from the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

The pile includes more than 900 silver denarii — the denarius was the standard coin of the early Roman Empire — and weighs almost 7 pounds (3.1 kilograms).

The stash was discovered about a year ago in a field near the small city of Wesseling, a few miles south of Cologne, according to a translated statement from Germany’s Rhineland regional government. It’s now on display at the Rhineland Regional Museum in Bonn (LVR-Landesmuseum Bonn).

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4 Payroll Trends to Watch | Business News Daily

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Payroll is an essential function for any business. Your payroll system ensures accurate compensation for your team while accounting for payroll taxes, company benefits, and other deductions.

Payroll hasn’t always been at the forefront of innovation. However, payroll systems are evolving to accommodate changing work patterns and new technologies that enable more seamless payroll processing.

Whether you use a payroll service or you process payroll in-house, it’s essential to keep up with the latest payroll trends. We’ll explore four payroll trends to watch and share top payroll providers that can handle this function for your business.

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Apple iOS 27: 4 new productivity shortcuts you should try today | Fast Company

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After months of beta testing, the iPhone’s newest operating system, iOS 27, is now available. This year, Apple focused on artificial intelligence features, smaller improvements, and bug fixes, making it a more subdued update than in years past. But that doesn’t mean iOS 27 lacks truly useful enhancements that can help boost your productivity throughout the day. Here are four of our favorites.

SIRI IS FINALLY GOOD ENOUGH TO BE YOUR ASSISTANT

It’s no secret that Siri, Apple’s personal digital assistant that has lived on the iPhone for nearly 15 years, has never been very useful, especially compared with modern-day chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude. But iOS 27 includes a completely revamped Siri, transitioning it from a legacy digital assistant to an LLM-powered agent, capable of having persistent, context-aware conversations that can not only help with your questions, but also carry out time-sucking admin work.

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How regenerative agriculture builds more resilient food systems | Fast Company

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PepsiCo knows the future of farming rests with the next generation of farmers. Here, one multigenerational family operation reveals how it uses technology and data-driven insights to build more resilient food systems.

PepsiCo may be known for beverages, but it is also one of the world’s largest food companies. Ensuring a sustainable, resilient supply of agricultural ingredients is a business priority—and transformation starts in the fields. Perry Farms in Southern Alberta, Canada, has grown potatoes for Lay’s for more than four decades. Here, the family farmers demonstrate how they use regenerative practices and technology to strengthen soil health and crop resilience.

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What Italy Can Teach Us About Work/Life Balance | AllBusiness.com

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As an American expat who has been living in the south of Italy for the past three years, I’ve picked up on several differences in the way Italians value work compared to the American point of view.

You’ve already heard of la dolce vita…it turns out it’s a part of the culture that Americans could stand to emulate. Here are a few of the practices and mindsets I’m working to adopt in my new home.

1. You Are Not Defined by What You Do

Go to a cocktail party in the U.S. and inevitably, one of the first things a stranger will ask you is: “So, what do you do?”

We’re obsessed with our jobs, and we wear them as masks that define us. Italians, on the other hand, don’t identify themselves by the work they perform. In fact, it’s rare that I talk about work with friends here.

Italians, instead, are more keen to talk about what they’re into. Often, this means what they ate or what they’re planning to eat! They also talk about the animals they’re raising, the weather, and the latest gossip.

I think Americans could stand to dissociate a bit from their work. After all, we are composed of many things, and work is but one component!

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AI Isn’t Enough—America Needs to Invest in Infrastructure, Too | AllBusiness.com

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Over the past two decades, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and research have defined and fueled America’s economic growth. These advances sparked a digital revolution, from the iPhone and rapid expansion of the internet to the widespread digitalization of our economy, which fundamentally reshaped how we live, work, and communicate.

But the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification, supply-chain resilience, and domestic reshoring has changed the equation. Our digital economy now depends on physical systems every bit as much as software and innovation. The defining challenge of the next decade won’t be whether we can invent the future; it will be whether we can build it and whether we can do so with the same ambition and confidence that once defined America.

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Google Gemini Unveils Two AI Models for Smarter Voice Interactions | Small Biz Trends

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In a significant leap forward for small businesses, Google has announced the launch of its Gemini 3.8 models — Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking. These new offerings promise to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI for voice-driven interactions, streamlining communication and enhancing productivity. With these advancements, small business owners can expect to engage customers more intuitively, reduce operational costs, and simplify complex tasks.

The Gemini 3.8 Live model is designed to deliver conversational intelligence in a highly scalable and cost-efficient manner. Its capabilities include fluid dialogue and visual grounding, enabling businesses to craft responsive voice agents that can hold intelligent conversations with customers. In practical terms, this means that a small business could implement a Gemini-powered voice agent on its website or within customer service operations, allowing for natural interactions that help address inquiries and solve problems without the need for human intervention.

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SBA Simplifies 8(a) Program to Empower Small Defense Suppliers | Small Biz Trends

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making significant changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program, aiming to bolster small businesses engaged in defense-critical industries. With this initiative, the SBA hopes to enhance domestic supply chains and support the nation’s military readiness. For small business owners, this presents both opportunities and considerations.

Speaking to the media, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership and our partnership with Secretary Hegseth on the Smaller War Plants Commission, the SBA is leveraging the 8(a) Program to reindustrialize America and build out the network of small manufacturers and suppliers that equip our warfighters.” This shift aims to prioritize merit-based assessments for applicants in defense sectors, contrasting past approaches which were seen as reliant on a race-based admissions framework.

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