3+ week, 3+ day ago (309+ words) (InvestigateTV) " While some of us would love to become a rich, overnight TikTok sensation, the reality is that very few are successful enough to quit their day job.. Kim Palmer with NerdWallet said it really all comes down to building an audience, which means creators need to have a significant number of viewers who also share, like, or engage with their content. Once an account has more than 10,000 followers and at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days, it becomes eligible for the TikTok Creator Rewards Program, which pays for successful videos. "So, the number one way is to actually use your platform on TikTok to sell your own products and services. So, if you have a business, TikTok is essentially a free way of finding new customers, reaching a new audience," Palmer said. "So, that's a popular method, but…...

1+ day, 10+ hour ago (361+ words) WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - On Small Business Saturday 2025, the support of buyers is more critical than ever as many are still reeling from a year full of high operating costs and concerned consumers. As the mad dash of holiday shopping picks up steam, the only thing on many small businesses" wish lists is to be prepared for whatever comes next. William Stern has seen the mindset of business owners firsthand. His company, Cardiff, specializes in small business lending, working with thousands of small businesses across the U.S. He says owners have taken a more conservative approach this year following a series of challenges that left things uncertain. "Small business funding has reached a fever pitch," Stern said, citing both "defensive" funding as businesses keep dry powder on hand, and "offensive" funding focused on growth and expansion. "I think with tariffs and inflation and…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (249+ words) SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Our Hot Topic today -- Manatee County Commissions could be deciding Tuesday if a curfew will be imposed on teenagers 16 and younger. SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Our Hot Topic today -- Manatee County Commissions could be deciding Tuesday if a curfew will be imposed on teenagers 16 and younger. Bayshore High football coach charged with soliciting sex with student Trump calls reporter "piggy" when she asks about Epstein emails Bomb squad called to Sarasota school after student brings suspicious backpack Manatee County considering curfew for teens under 17 Champions crowned as the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sandsculpting Festival comes to an end Narcotics and weapons seized within 1,000 feet of Tampa middle school WWSB ABC7 Suncoast View - 11-18 - Apollonia Mediterranean Grill WWSB ABC7 Suncoast View - VOD - 'Lucky Stiff' kicks off at Florida Studio Theater SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Our Hot Topic today -- Manatee County Commissions could be…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (763+ words) PHOENIX (InvestigateTV) " Two Phoenix women took a cruise over Christmas and New Year's and paid for the trip months in advance. Once they got on board, they were told a big part of the trip hadn't been paid for. Faye Harris and her cousin Dawn love to travel. Going on cruises is their favorite way to see the world. "We get to go to different places," Faye said, "without a lot of stress to go there. We don't have a lot of unpacking and finding a hotel and getting around." They decided to book something special for the holidays: A two-week trip through the Caribbean, stopping in places like Panama, Aruba, and Jamaica. They paid for the Norwegian Cruise Lines trip in full when they booked, including a drinks package and two special restaurant meals on board. "So we went…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (201+ words) (CNN) - For those watching their spending this holiday season, discount grocer Lidl is offering a Thanksgiving dinner bundle for under $36. The grocery chain says its Thanksgiving dinner bundle will feed 10 people for under $36 before taxes. That's less than $3.60 per person and nearly $10 less than last year's bundle. The bundle includes a 14-pound turkey " at 25 cents per pound " and 20 other Thanksgiving staples, including russet potatoes, pie crust dough, cranberry sauce and Hawaiian sweet rolls. Shoppers build their bundle, choosing all the items they want separately. "With grocery prices continuing to be a challenge for families, we understand how vital great value is this holiday season," said Joel Rampoldt, Lidl US CEO, in a press release. "We hope our bundle helps bring people together this year to enjoy a holiday feast that's as delicious as it is affordable." The deal runs from…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (187+ words) (Gray News) " Popular portable power banks sold in stores and online are being recalled because they pose a potential fire hazard. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Belkin is recalling some of its portable power banks with wireless charging stands. The lithium-ion battery in the power banks and charging stands can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. The CPSC said there has been one report of a fire in the U.S. and 15 reports internationally. The recall affects about 83,500 products sold, including both black and white varieties. The recalled products were sold at Best Buy, Target, Walmart and other stores nationwide. They were also sold online at Belkin.com, Amazon.com and on TikTok. The power banks were sold between August 2020 and August 2025. For exact model numbers and serial numbers included in this recall, visit the CPSC's website. If you have…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (222+ words) WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Dozens of small business owners gathered in Washington to give their tariff testimonials. "When these people and companies get hit with this tariff tax, it is small businesses that are the roadkill," said Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. "We're down over 50% since Liberation Day," said Beth Benike, owner of Busy Baby. "If we don't make enough money this holiday, this holiday season, we are probably not going to make it to the end of the year." Dahlia Rizk, of Buckle Me Baby Coats, says tariffs caused her costs to triple. "I planned for $30,000 in tariffs and instead I ended up paying $93,010.76 to the penny to make up the difference. I took out loans, took on extra jobs, and I'm still struggling," said Rizk. Hugo Ramirez Rivas owns an ice cream shop in Appleton Wisconsin and imports his cups from…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (215+ words) Seven legends of the sports world were honored on Wednesday night in Bradenton at the 2025 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony ... BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Legends of various avenues of the sporting world flocked to Manatee County on Wednesday night to celebrate the Florida Sports Hall of Fame 2025 enshrinement. Seven very deserving inductees were honored at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, spanning the worlds of football, softball, baseball, and motocross. - Trey Burton, Florida Gators, various NFL teams, Venice Indians Fox Sports" Pam Oliver, a class of 2022 inductee, served as host for the evening. The event was held in Bradenton for the first time, and it was also the first event held in the newly renovated Bradenton Area Convention Center. Bayshore High football coach charged with soliciting sex with student Bridget Ziegler elected chair of Sarasota County School Board I-75 crawling over…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (480+ words) TOWER, Minn. (KBJR/Gray News) - A first responder was paralyzed in a dunk tank accident at a community picnic in Soudan, Minnesota, this past summer. Tower Ambulance Director Dena Suihkonen was taking a shift in a dunk tank fundraiser when the seat malfunctioned, flinging her backwards. The fall severed her spinal cord, leaving her paralyzed. "I just remembered telling them, call for ALS, call for Life Link," Suihkonen said. "And he, Stephen, who's one of the EMTs, said, "Can I ask why?' And I said, because I can't feel my legs. And then everything got crazy." Suihkonen's EMT coworkers at the picnic jumped into action to provide emergency care before a helicopter arrived to fly her to Duluth for treatment. After more than a month in rehabilitation, Suihkonen returned home, where her family has been stepping up to serve as…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (325+ words) LEXINGTON, Ky. (InvestigateTV) " The details in the obituaries were vague, and some were totally wrong. Brett Tinch found himself correcting lies about the life of his son, Noah. "I started seeing these posts, obituaries, and none of the information was accurate. The middle name was wrong," explained Tinch. "There's one out there that says he's 32 years old." The rising UK sophomore was actually one day away from his 19th birthday. He was in Colorado with his mother. The family says he was helping grandparents clean out a property they had just sold, and he was doing what he loved, fly fishing. "They believe that he had gotten a fly stuck on a rock and he had bent down to pick it up, he hit his head and lost consciousness, and drowned," said Tinch. The father of two wasn't planning on sharing…...