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Here’s some good news coming off a long holiday weekend as we head into the fall: If you missed the northern lights (or aurora borealis) last night, you may get another chance to catch a glimpse tonight, Tuesday, September 2, and early Wednesday morning, September 3, in some 10 U.S. states. That’s on account of a powerful “cannibal” solar storm that hit Earth’s magnetic field on Monday from 1 million miles away, lighting up skies across North America and Europe overnight. The aurora borealis is the result of a geomagnetic storm that occurs when a coronal mass ejection (CME), an eruption of solar material, reaches Earth and causes swaths of purple, blue, and green in the night sky. This years increased solar activity (and thus, more frequent northern lights activity) is likely the result of an 11-year sun cycle peaking now through next month. Where will the northern lights be visible? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts the best viewing tonight in Alaska and northern Canada, with a high chance of some visibility in northern and midwestern parts of the U.S. The agency is predicting G1 geomagnetic storms (on a scale of G1 to G5), which are considered minor. According to this map from NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center, a total of 10 states are in the line of view for the auroras. They are Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine. When is the best time to see the aurora borealis? For the best viewing, the NOAA recommends facing north, in a spot away from light pollution, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. You can track the aurora on NOAAs page, where the agency is providing updates.
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E-Commerce
McDonald’s is making some major efforts to bring customers back to the home of the yellow arches. The fast food chain just announced it will bring back its iconic Extra Value Meals starting on Sept. 8. The addition is extra indeed, as Extra Value Meals haven’t been a part of the menu for six years. According to a press release, the Extra Value Meals will combine select entrées like a Big Mac, an Egg McMuffin, or a McCrispy sandwich with medium fries or hash browns and a drink, for a discounted rate. The chain says prices will vary by location but will be around 15% less than ordering the items individually.McDonalds USA is laser-focused on delivering value and affordability for our customers, and Im incredibly proud of how our franchisees and teams continue to step up to make it a reality, said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, in the announcement. Erlinger continued, From the $5 Meal Deal to McValue and now Extra Value Meals, were sending a clear message: were here for our customers. McDonalds will always be a place where you can get the food you love at a price that fits your life. The addition is not the first major effort McDonald’s has made recently to increase foot traffic. In January, the chain introduced the McValue menu, which includes the $5 meal deal, as well as a “buy one, add one for $1” deal. They also brought back the Snack Wrap this summer, and even a nostalgic 1970s meal: the limited-time McDonaldland Meal, which comes with a very vintage collectible. The extra efforts make a lot of sense. Fast Food chains have been struggling amid lower numbers in recent years. In May, the chain posted its 2025 first quarter sales, which had dropped by 3.6% from the previous year. On an earnings call at the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski blamed consumer “anxiety,” saying, “During the first quarter, geopolitical tensions added to the economic uncertainty and dampened consumer sentiment more than we expected.”However, by the second quarter, which ended on June 30, sales had ticked back up by 3.8%a sign that the added menu items, lower cost meal deals, and other promotions, may already be working in the chain’s favor.
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E-Commerce
Legal sports betting is still not offered in California or Texas, the countrys two most populous statesand in Florida, the third most-populous, its largely controlled by the Seminole Tribe. But a new venture from Crypto.com and fantasy-sports provider Underdog Sports could open new doors for fans. The companies announced Tuesday they are teaming up to launch a sports prediction market in 16 states. Fans will be able to buy and sell outcomes of sporting events, similar to how prediction markets are used to bet on elections, Bitcoin prices, or pop culture events. Odds shift with market movements rather than a bookmakers call. “Prediction markets are one of the most exciting developments weve seen in a long time,” said Jeremy Levine, Underdog’s founder and CEO, in a statement. “While still new and evolving, one thing is clearthe future of prediction markets is going to be about sports.” The field is already getting crowded. Robinhood, Polymarket, and Kalshi currently offer prediction markets, and FanDuel announced this month it would partner with CME Group to create sports event contracts. Sports betting itself is a massive business. Last year, Americans wagered $150 billion in legal sportsbooks, a 22.2% jump from 2023, according to the American Gaming Association. The growth of online gambling has also brought more casual players into the fold. Prediction markets, however, exist in a legal grey zone, with courts and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) still determining their status. Even so, sites continue to expand and develop loyal users. Polymarket, one of the largest players, shut down its U.S. operations in 2022 over licensing issues and concerns about manipulation. It relaunched in July of this year after acquiring QCX, a CFTC-licensed derivatives exchange, and QC Clearing, a $112 million clearinghouse. Earlier this summer, the Justice Department and CFTC closed their investigations into the platform. “Demand is greater than evernot just in user growth and trading volume, but in how mainstream audiences are turning to Polymarket,” said founder and CEO Shayne Coplan at the time. The Crypto.comUnderdog market will try to sidestep those problems by offering contracts through Crypto.com’s Derivatives North America, a CFTC-registered exchange. Underdog will host the platform and continue to run its fantasy sports business. Users will be able to predict outcomes for the NFL, college football, the NBA, and Major League Baseball, with more leagues expected. The companies plan to first target states without legal sports betting, but described the platform as “federally compliant,” hinting at ambitions for nationwide expansion. Citizens analyst Jordan Bender estimates the sports prediction market could generate $555 million in revenues for participating companies. Thats small compared to the $13.71 billion sportsbooks made last year, but still significant.
Category:
E-Commerce
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